PolyU Malaysia Venture Study Tour fosters HK-Malaysia government-industry-academia-research collaboration, while empowering startups to expand into ASEAN market
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) recently guided 30 promising PolyU startups on the six-day Malaysia Venture Study Tour 2026. Led by Prof. Christopher CHAO, Senior Vice President (Research and Innovation) and Prof. DONG Cheng, Associate Vice President (Knowledge Transfer), the PolyU delegation exchanged ideas with Malaysian enterprises, investors and industry leaders on expanding strategic business networks, preparing PolyU startups for overseas expansion into the markets of Malaysia and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The delegation also met with key Malaysian government agencies and premier higher education institutions to comprehensively deepen government ties and foster research collaboration. The visit marks a milestone in extending the University’s global footprint by fostering government-industry-academia-research collaboration between Hong Kong and Malaysia.
The study tour saw the PolyU delegation and a delegation led by the Honourable Duncan CHIU, Member of the Legislative Council (Technology and Innovation Constituency) of the HKSAR meet with YB Datuk CHANG Lih Kang, Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation of Malaysia. The meeting explored topics such as technology and academic research collaboration between the two regions, with hopes to establish long-term collaboration mechanisms to facilitate synergistic developments of technology industries. After this meeting, the PolyU delegation met with YBrs. Dr. Balamurugan A/L Nallamuthu, Undersecretary, the International Division, the Strategic Technology and S&T Application Division, Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI), as well as representatives from the Strategic Technology and S&T Application Division, the Technology Transfer and Commercialisation R&D Division, and the National Institutes of Biotechnology Malaysia (NIBM) under MOSTI. Discussions explored opportunities for national‑level research collaboration projects with focus on Malaysia’s key technology domains.
Meanwhile, the PolyU delegation paid visits to key stakeholding organisations of Malaysian industry and innovation hubs for in‑depth exchanges. These included the Malaysian Research Accelerator for Technology and Innovation (MRANTI) and the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC). Leveraging local support networks for innovation and entrepreneurship, the delegation aimed to equip PolyU startups with practical knowledge of the Malaysian market for accelerated overseas expansion. In addition, through attending dedicated business matching sessions at the “Think Business, Think Hong Kong” symposium in Kuala Lumpur, organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, the PolyU startups connected with Malaysian enterprises, investors and industry leaders. These sessions enabled them to explore pilot projects, commercial partnerships and market entry strategies, laying the foundation for penetrating the Malaysian and ASEAN markets
Meeting with Malaysia’s premier higher education institutions, including Universiti Malaya, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Universiti Putra Malaysia and Sunway University, the delegation explored engaging in joint research, exchanges and collaborations in different technology domains, aligning PolyU expertise in deep-tech innovation with the unique strengths of Malaysian universities. The delegation aimed to speed up the translation of research outcomes into real-world applications by connecting research experts, entrepreneurs, investors and industry partners.
Prof. Christopher Chao remarked, “PolyU has made significant strides in nurturing a vibrant entrepreneurship ecosystem and cultivating visionary entrepreneurs who translate academic excellence into real-world solutions. Building upon this strong foundation, the PolyU Malaysia Venture Study Tour 2026 not only enables our startups to forge strategic business ties but also reinforces Hong Kong’s role as a super connector—linking the technological and economic prowess of the GBA with the dynamic ASEAN market to drive innovation-led growth and mutual prosperity.”
The 30 participating startups span the fields of artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, health technologies, biotechnology, sustainability and smart city solutions, fully demonstrating the diversity of the University’s startup ecosystem and its cutting‑edge technology. The Study Tour also explored the feasibility of setting up an innovation centre in Malaysia, a strategic consideration following the establishment of PolyU’s first overseas hub in Paris in June. The proposed centre would support PolyU projects and startups in entering the ASEAN market, while providing a gateway for Malaysian innovators to access Hong Kong and the broader Chinese Mainland market, leveraging PolyU’s of translational research network.
In the current global economic landscape where market diversification is paramount, Malaysia, with its vibrant digital economy, strong government support for innovation and diverse industrial base, serves as a crucial partner for Hong Kong’s entrepreneurial development and an ideal springboard for advanced technologies and startups to enter Malaysia and the broader ASEAN market.
The Malaysia Venture Study Tour 2026 is dedicated to empowering its startups with strategic business networks and practical pathways for international expansion. By synergising government support, academic excellence and business networking, PolyU continues to strengthen its role as a global university that drives impactful technological advancement while reinforcing Hong Kong’s role as a super-connector bridging regional innovation ecosystems.
The PolyU delegation visited Sunway University, Malaysia, and engaged in in-depth exchanges.
The PolyU startups attended dedicated business matching sessions at the “Think Business, Think Hong Kong” symposium in Kuala Lumpur, organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, and are connected to Malaysian enterprises, investors, and industry leaders.
Prof. Christopher Chao (3rd from left) presents a souvenir to Datin Sri Dato’ Belle Tang (2nd from left), and were joined by Prof. Dong Cheng (centre), Prof. Lu Haitian (3rd from right), Prof. Wen Xiewen (2nd from right), Prof. Simon Lee Ming-yuen (1st from right), and Ms Amylia Chan (1st from left).
The PolyU delegation exchanged with local industry leaders to explore collaboration opportunities at a dinner during the study tour.
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