Inauguration of PolyU-Hefei Technology and Innovation Research Institute, advancing cross-regional research and technology transfer
8 Dec 2025
The Inauguration Ceremony in Hefei was officiated by Dr Lam Tai-fai, PolyU Council Chairman (2nd from right); Prof. Christopher Chao, PolyU Senior Vice President (Research and Innovation) (1st from right); Ms Zhao Ming, Director of the Anhui Provincial Department of Science and Technology (1st from left); and Mr Luo Yunfeng, Deputy Secretary of the Hefei Municipal Party Committee and Mayor (2nd from left).
The event also featured a plaque-unveiling ceremony for InnoHub@Hefei, officiated by Prof. Christopher Chao (3rd from right); Prof. Dong Cheng, PolyU Associate Vice President (Mainland Research Advancement) (2nd from right); Prof. Chen Wu, Director of the PolyU-Hefei Technology and Innovation Research Institute (1st from right); Mr. Luo Ping, Vice Chairman of the Hefei Municipal Committee and Secretary-General of the Hefei Municipal People’s Government (3rd from left); Mr Fan Jin, Director-general of the Science and Technology Bureau of Hefei (2nd from left); and Ms Zhang Haoqi, Deputy Secretary of the Luyang District Party Committee (1st from left).
Dr Lam Tai-fai stated that PolyU would work hand in hand with Hefei to deepen collaborative innovation among government, industry, academia, and research sectors. Together, we aim to drive the implementation of more high-level technological achievements, achieve mutual benefits and shared growth.
Mr Luo Yunfeng stated that Hefei was committed to providing comprehensive support and services to facilitate the development of PolyU and the Institute, accelerating the implementation of collaborative initiatives, and achieving mutual empowerment and win-win cooperation.
Prof. Christopher Chao noted that the Institute leveraged its role as innovation platform to strengthen collaboration with government, industry, and investors, transforming blueprints into reality and accelerating the commercialisation of research outcomes.
Jointly established by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and the People’s Government of Luyang District, Hefei, the PolyU-Hefei Technology and Innovation Research Institute (the Institute) was officially inaugurated on 4 December, alongside a plaque-unveiling ceremony for InnoHub@Hefei. This marks a new chapter in collaboration between PolyU and Hefei, further enhancing research exchange, technology transfer and the development of an innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem in the region.
The Inauguration Ceremony in Hefei was officiated by Dr LAM Tai-fai, PolyU Council Chairman; Prof. Christopher CHAO, PolyU Senior Vice President (Research and Innovation); Ms ZHAO Ming, Director of the Anhui Provincial Department of Science and Technology; and Mr LUO Yunfeng, Deputy Secretary of the Hefei Municipal Party Committee and Mayor, who witnessed the official commencement of the Institute.
Dr Lam Tai-fai remarked, “In response to the new landscape of national strategic development, PolyU will work hand in hand with Hefei to deepen collaborative innovation among government, industry, academia and research sectors. Together, we aim to drive the implementation of high-level technological advancements, achieve mutual benefits and shared growth, and contribute to promoting high-quality development and building a technologically advanced nation.”
Mr Luo Yunfeng remarked, “This collaboration presents a significant opportunity for Hefei to further strengthen its close ties with PolyU, connect with international resources and expand practical cooperation across various fields. Hefei is committed to providing comprehensive support and services to facilitate the development of the Institute and PolyU, accelerating the implementation of collaborative initiatives thus achieving mutual empowerment and win-win cooperation.”
The work of the Institute focuses on two cutting-edge research areas - aerospace information technology and biomedical precision sensors. It has established seven research and development (R&D) centres covering the fields of deep space exploration, the low-altitude economy, BeiDou navigation applications, biosensors and ultrasonic diagnostics. Prof. Christopher Chao noted that the Institute leveraged its role as an innovation platform to strengthen collaboration with government, industry and investors, transforming blueprints into reality and accelerating the commercialisation of research outcomes.
The event also featured a plaque-unveiling ceremony for InnoHub@Hefei, officiated by Prof. Christopher Chao; Prof. DONG Cheng, PolyU Associate Vice President (Mainland Research Advancement); Prof. CHEN Wu, Director of the PolyU-Hefei Technology and Innovation Research Institute; Mr. LUO Ping, Vice Chairman of the Hefei Municipal Committee and Secretary-General of the Hefei Municipal People’s Government; Mr FAN Jin, Director-general of the Science and Technology Bureau of Hefei; and Ms ZHANG Haoqi, Deputy Secretary of the Luyang District Party Committee. The InnoHub will serve as a key innovation incubation platform, bringing together diverse innovation resources. At the same event, the Institute signed framework agreements with several local enterprises in Hefei to promote collaboration in technological innovation and deepen industry integration.
As PolyU’s key innovation hub in East China, the Institute leverages Hefei’s strong technological foundation and PolyU strengths in advanced technology and industrial applications to build a globally competitive innovation platform. Looking ahead, the Institute will accelerate R&D and talent development initiatives, nurture innovative talent and drive breakthroughs in smart manufacturing, the green economy and strategic emerging industries, injecting fresh momentum into regional and National innovation.
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