Introduction

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As early as in 2016, the idea of setting up a young academy in Hong Kong under the auspices of  The Hong Kong Academy of Sciences (ASHK) first came up. We noted that many countries and economies had already set up their own young academies since the first one was established in Germany in 2000. As our ASHK members were relatively senior, we also saw a gap to be filled for younger scientists in their early to mid-career to be organized to contribute to the advancement and promotion of science and technology in Hong Kong. The ASHK Board at its meeting in October 2016 deliberated the setting up of the Young Academy. The initial thought was that the Young Academy would be modelled after the Young Academy of Sweden that was founded in 2011.

Throughout the years, ASHK has gained an excellent reputation regionally and worldwide with outstanding achievements in advancement of technological development and science popularisation in Hong Kong. It is our belief that the Young Academy with the vitality of its members will inject new energy into the work of ASHK.

• October 2016 - ASHK Board resolved to plan for the setting up of a young academy of sciences in Hong Kong
• January 2017 - Appointment of initial Founding Members and formation of the Preparatory Group for YASHK
• August 2017 - Selection of other Founding Members of YASHK
• September 2018 - First Members’ Meeting of YASHK
• October 2018 - ASHK Board officially approved to establish YASHK
• November - December 2018 - Election and appointment of key officers of YASHK
• June 2019 - YASHK Inauguration Ceremony & Science and Technology Forum