Appointment of Prof Ling Shi as the Director of Cheng Kar-Shun Robotics Institute (CKSRI)

The Cheng Kar-Shun Robotics Institute (CKSRI) is pleased to announce the appointment of Prof Ling Shi as its new Director, effective 27 January 2026. This appointment follows a rigorous internal search process led by the Search Committee for the Director of CKSRI, established in November 2025.

Prof Shi received his B.E. degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) in 2002 and his Ph.D. in Control and Dynamical Systems from The California Institute of Technology in 2008.  He started his academic career as Assistant Professor in HKUST in 2008, rising through to the rank of Professor in 2020.  He is a member of The Hong Kong Young Academy of Sciences (YASHK), and he is an IEEE Fellow.  He has also received several departmental and school teaching awards.

Prof Shi is renowned for his foundational work in cyber-physical systems optimization and security.  His works in embodied AI and multi-platform robotics have contributed to the development of humanoid prototypes and unmanned aerial systems that have transitioned into real world applications.  He also co-founded a company providing an educational outreach program that has reached thousands of students across Hong Kong.  He has strong leadership experience in a research environment, serving as the Associate Director of CKSRI from 2017-2021, Associate Director of the Space Science and Technology Institute since 2024, and Associate Director of the HKUST-DJI Joint Innovation Laboratory since 2017.  Prof Shi is an active member of various academic affairs committees at the university and in the Government.  Prof Shi is well-positioned to bring the CKSRI to new heights. 

We would like to take this opportunity to express our heartfelt gratitude to Prof Fumin Zhang for his exceptional leadership as the Director and to Prof Shaojie Shen for his dedicated service as the Associate Director of CKSRI over the last three years. Their steadfast leadership has been crucial in securing industry partnerships for CSKRI that led to the establishment of joint labs, funding initiatives and equipment donations.

Please join us in congratulating Prof Shi and in rendering him our full support as he takes on his new role.