- Lingnan University Institute for Advanced Study conferred titles on three world-renowned scholars Prof Kim Jeong-Bon (Lingnan Fellow), Prof Li Lianjiang and Prof Lars Tummers (Senior Lingnan Scholars).
- The conferment highlights LUIAS’s rapid global ascent, now with 21 leading scholars and strengthened by Lingnan’s top global ranking in SDG 4 and strong debut in the THE World University Rankings 2026.
- The honoured scholars are internationally recognised for high-impact contributions in accounting research, political science and behavioural public administration, reinforcing Lingnan’s international research leadership.
Lingnan University Institute for Advanced Study held a conferment ceremony to mark academic excellence and impact across their respective fields with the conferment of titles upon three outstanding international scholars. The ceremony was honoring Prof Kim Jeong-Bon, Distinguished SFU Professor at Simon Fraser University; Prof Li Lianjiang, Professor in the Department of Politics and Public Administration at The University of Hong Kong; and Prof Lars Tummers, Chair Professor of Public Administration and Organisational Science at Utrecht University.
Prof Kim was conferred the title of Lingnan Fellow, while Prof Li and Prof Tummers received the title of Senior Lingnan Scholar. Their formal appointment as members of the institute symbolises the ongoing commitment of the institute to fostering high-level global research collaboration and driving Lingnan University’s internationalisation agenda.
Officiating the ceremony, Prof S. Joe Qin, President and Wai Kee Kau Chair Professor of Data Science at Lingnan University, extended a warm welcome to the three scholars and highlighted the rapid progress and expanding international footprint of LUIAS. Referring to the institute's development since its establishment just over a year ago, Prof Qin said it has already attracted 21 leading scholars from around the world, enhancing Lingnan's reputation in the global academic community.
He stressed that Lingnan's recent achievements ranking first globally in SDG 4: Quality Education in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings and securing a position within the 301-350 bracket in its debut entry in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026 - are unmistakable signs of its rising prominence. In Prof Qin's view, the milestones reflect Lingnan's commitment to international engagement and impactful research partnerships, enhancing Hong Kong's position as an international hub for post-secondary education.
Prof Kim Jeong-Bon, widely regarded as a leading authority in accounting research, enjoys an extensive academic portfolio that covers over 160 peer-reviewed journal publications; 45 of these publications were featured in the most prestigious accounting journals. He has been recognized among the world's top accounting scholars in the Brigham Young University Accounting Research Ranking and consistently makes it into Stanford University's World's Top 2% Scientists rankings. His scholarship has profoundly shaped the fields of accounting, auditing, and corporate governance, complemented by his editorial leadership across influential academic journals.
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Prof Li Lianjiang is a very influential scholar in political science; he served as the Head of the Department of Government and International Affairs at Lingnan University and is currently teaching at the University of Hong Kong. His contribution includes several widely cited books in Chinese on scholarly practice, academic survival, and statistical methods for social sciences. He too is regularly named among Stanford University's World's Top 2% Scientists, signifying lasting influence on political research.
Prof Lars Tummers is an internationally acclaimed scholar whose work at the intersection of public administration and psychology has earned substantial global recognition. Listed among Stanford University’s World’s Top 2% Scientists and designated a Highly Cited Researcher by Clarivate Analytics, he is a pioneer of Behavioural Public Administration. His research has shaped contemporary understanding of public leadership, workplace motivation, and policy implementation.
Among other things, Prof Tummers will present a public lecture on 26 November entitled Subtle Motivators: How to Influence Other Humans Without Being Pushy. Based on decades of behavioural science research and real-life case studies, the lecture will outline evidence-based methods for achieving positive responses in professional and daily life and will be of particular benefit to leaders, policymakers and all interested members of the public.
