Top chemist Tiow-Gan Ong leaves Taiwan for Shenzhen

Malaysian-born scientist known for pioneering separation of C2 previously says he hopes ‘that talent in Taiwan will not flow out’

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Tiao-Gan Ong was previously a researcher at the Institute of Chemistry, Academia Sinica in Taiwan. Photo: Handout

Published: 12:00pm, 24 Sep 2025Updated: 3:19pm, 24 Sep 2025

Malaysian-born scientist Tiow-Gan Ong, known for his pioneering work on carbon molecules and a long-time advocate of Taiwan’s open academic environment and talent retention, is embarking on a new chapter in Shenzhen.

After nearly two decades of research and teaching in Taiwan, Ong this month joined the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen. He was previously a researcher at the Institute of Chemistry, Academia Sinica in Taiwan.

Ong also held joint appointments as a professor at National Taiwan University, the University of Malaya in Malaysia and the University of Central Florida in the US.

In an interview with Taiwanese media six years ago, he described the island’s academic environment as “very free … but I have noticed that there is a phenomenon of talent outflow in Taiwan, and I hope that talent will stay in Taiwan”.

Ong could not immediately be reached for comment.

Tiow-Gan Ong has joined the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen in Guangdong province. Photo: Edmond So

According to an official announcement from CUHK, he was to join the school of science and engineering in Shenzhen this month.

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