Nobel Prize-winning scientist Charles Kuen Kao, 'father of fiber optics' dies at 84
New Delhi : Nobel Prize winner, Professor Charles Kuen Kao took his last breathe in Hong Kong on September 23, 2018. He was the man behind the revolutionary changes in the modern telecommunication technology. He passed away at the age of 84.
Prof Kao was a renowned scientist who pioneered the development and use of fibre optics technology. He brought forth the development of Internet technology in the modern world. In 2009, he was awarded the Nobel Prize for his immense contribution in the field of physics.
The great scientist was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2004. Despite this, Prof Kao, together with his wife, created the Charles K. Kao Foundation for Alzheimer's disease in 2010 to help other patients and raise public awareness about the disease, she said.
Prof Kao was also the third vice-chancellor of the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) from 1987 to 1996. Upon his retirement, he was appointed Honorary Professor of Engineering.
"Professor Kao was a brilliant scholar and visionary leader in higher education. As the third vice-chancellor, he spearheaded the advancement of CUHK in its formative years, laying down a fertile ground for the growth of talents, and made remarkable achievements during his tenure," said Professor Rocky Tuan, vice-chancellor and president of CUHK.
His impeccable knowledge in the broad spectrum of science and technology led to his groundbreaking accomplishments in the area of fibre optics, which brought forth the development of the Internet and opened a new page in the history of telecommunications, Prof Tuan said.
