PolyU and CITIC Group join forces to establish Interdisciplinary Mathematical Digital AI Joint Laboratory, promoting industry-academia-research collaboration on cutting-edge technologies

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and CITIC Group signed a framework agreement to explore advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) technology and application innovation through industry-academia-research collaboration. This aims to facilitate research innovation and accelerate the translation of research outcomes, contributing to Hong Kong's development as an international innovation and technology centre. Both parties also agreed to officially establish the “CITIC-PolyU Interdisciplinary Mathematical Digital AI Joint Laboratory” to further foster collaboration between academia and industry.

The agreement signing and plaque unveiling ceremony was attended by Ms Lilian CHEONG, Under Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry of the HKSAR Government, and Mr Daniel CHEUNG, Deputy Commissioner (Digital Infrastructure) of the Digital Policy Office. Witnessed by Ms Lilian Cheong; Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, President of PolyU; Mr Guohua XI, Chairman of CITIC Group; and Mr Wenwu ZHANG, President of CITIC Group, the agreement was signed by Prof. Christopher CHAO, Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU, and Mr Guoquan WANG, Vice President of CITIC Group. Following this, the plaque unveiling ceremony for the “CITIC-PolyU Interdisciplinary Mathematical Digital AI Joint Laboratory” was officiated by Prof. Jin-Guang Teng and Mr Guohua Xi, marking the official launch of the joint laboratory.

In addition, witnessed by Prof. Jin-Guang Teng; Prof. Christopher Chao; Prof. WANG Zuankai, Associate Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU; Mr Guohua Xi; Mr  Wenwu ZHANG; Mr Guoquan WANG; and Mr Lei ZHAO, General Manager of the Technology and Digitalization Department of CITIC Group, Prof. Xiaojun CHEN, Chair Professor of PolyU Department of Applied Mathematics, signed three cooperation agreements and a Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) with representatives from CITIC subsidiaries, including CITIC Heavy Industries, CITIC Telecom International, CITIC Pacific Special Steel and CITIC Bank.

Ms Lilian Cheong said, “Both CITIC Group, as an integrated conglomerate, and PolyU, a world-renowned research university, have abundant technological resources and industrial application scenarios in the field of AI. The joint establishment of the Interdisciplinary Mathematical Digital AI Joint Laboratory will undoubtedly inject new impetus into Hong Kong’s innovation and technology development. Leveraging the City’s distinctive advantages of enjoying the strong support of the Nation and being closely connected to the world will create a world-class integrated platform for industry-academia-research-enterprise innovation, promoting seamless integration of basic research, technology development and industrial transformation. AI is a key industry to which Hong Kong is committed and one on which the HKSAR Government places great importance, implementing multiple measures to drive its development, encouraging greater participation and investment from social capital in AI and other strategic industries. As part of this commitment, we will establish the Hong Kong AI Research and Development Institute to foster research and development in AI, as well as the exploration of application scenarios.”

Prof. Jin-Guang Teng remarked, “In light of the rapid development of AI, PolyU established the Faculty of Computer and Mathematical Sciences in January this year and will soon launch the PolyU Academy for Artificial Intelligence to strengthen interdisciplinary research in AI. We are honoured to partner with CITIC Group in establishing the first AI joint laboratory in Hong Kong. This collaboration not only acknowledges PolyU research capabilities but also marks a promising beginning for mutual success by complementing each other's strengths. It will play an active role in developing Hong Kong as an international innovation and technology centre and inject strong innovative momentum into the technological advancement and industrial upgrading of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.”

Mr Guohua Xi said, “The establishment of the CITIC Hong Kong AI Innovation Centre and the CITIC-PolyU Interdisciplinary Mathematical Digital AI Joint Laboratory marks a significant step in the developing collaboration between CITIC Group and PolyU. This initiative will inject momentum into CITIC Group's innovative development and support Hong Kong’s growth as an international innovation and technology centre.” Mr Xi outlined three key expectations for this partnership: to promote technological research and development, to cultivate high-calibre and innovative talent, and to build a prosperous cooperative ecosystem.”

PolyU and CITIC Group will leverage their respective strengths and joint forces to explore frontier technologies, including AI, embodied intelligence, industrial intelligence, FinTech, data optimisation and digital transformation. They will cultivate engineering and research talent, foster academic exchange and achieve deep collaboration and synergistic innovation.

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