Inauguration of PolyU-Shenzhen Technology and Innovation Research Institute (Futian), powering high-quality development in GBA through Shenzhen-Hong Kong collaborative innovation
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has officially inaugurated the PolyU-Shenzhen Technology and Innovation Research Institute (Futian) (the Institute) with funding support from the Development Authority of Shenzhen Park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Zone (the Hetao Development Authority). The Institute will further enhance PolyU’s research footprint in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (the GBA). By integrating the University's cutting-edge research with Shenzhen's strengths in industrial clustering, the Institute aims to support Hong Kong's development into an international innovation and technology hub. Furthermore, it will drive collaborative innovation between Shenzhen and Hong Kong and foster new quality productive forces, contributing to the Nation's technological self-reliance.
The inauguration ceremony was held yesterday in Shenzhen-Hong Kong International Science and Technology Park, officiated by Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, PolyU President; Prof. Christopher CHAO, Senior Vice President (Research and Innovation); Prof. Wenzhong SHI, Director of the Institute, together with Mr ZHONG Hai, Director-General of the Hetao Development Authority, Ms LI Huilai, Deputy Commissioner of the Hetao Development Authority, and Ms WANG Yaowen, Deputy Head of the Government Services and Data Management Bureau of the Shenzhen Municipality.
Prof. Jin-Guang Teng remarked, “This year marks the beginning of the Nation’s 15th Five-Year Plan, which explicitly calls for significant progress in high-quality development and accelerated advancement towards technological self-reliance. In recent years, Shenzhen’s Futian District has achieved remarkable results and maintained strong momentum in technological innovation and industrial upgrading, serving as a vital pillar for scientific and technological advancement in the GBA. The establishment of the technology and innovation research institute in Futian District is not only a strategic move for PolyU aimed at deepening its proactive integration into the GBA and aligning with national development priorities, but also signifies a new stage of closer collaboration between PolyU and Shenzhen in advancing industry–academia–research integration and coordinated innovation.” He added that PolyU would work closely with all partners to develop the Institute into a key innovation convergence platform in the GBA, contributing the University’s wisdom and strengths to the innovative development of not only the GBA but also the Nation.
Mr Zhong Hai remarked, “The establishment of the Institute is a significant initiative for Hetao to attract and pool global innovation resources. Our team has already launched theoretical research projects in spatial intelligence and reliability data analysis. We look forward to seeing these achievements fully applied in future scenarios such as the construction of the smart Hetao Park, the virtual park’s digital twins, smart unmanned driving and cross-border low-altitude transport. By leveraging PolyU research excellence and Shenzhen’s strong industrial foundation, this collaboration will undoubtedly drive forward more technological breakthroughs and frontier achievements in Hetao, across the GBA and beyond.”
Building on PolyU’s strengths in fundamental theory and core technologies, the Institute will closely align with the industrial development needs of the region. It will focus on key areas, including artificial intelligence (AI), smart cities, intelligent robotics, aerospace and autonomous driving, to promote the large-scale application of research outcomes in Shenzhen, and transform them into productive forces that generate tangible impact across the GBA, serving the whole country while connecting to global innovation networks. The Institute is also committed to enhancing talent mobility and cultivation between the innovation ecosystems of Shenzhen and Hong Kong, and to deepening mechanisms for training high-level innovative talent in response to future technological development. This will strengthen connectivity among university research teams, enterprises and government, and help establish a sustainable industry-academia-research collaboration model.
The Institute has signed cooperation agreements with a renowned corporation and an academic institution, namely Geely Farizon New Energy Commercial Vehicle Group Co., Ltd, and the Guangzhou Institute of Geography of the Guangdong Academy of Sciences. These collaborations will focus on areas such as frontier technologies for smart cities, AI industry ecosystem development, spatial science and research outcome translation.
The inauguration event also featured a thematic exchange session on “AI Empowering Future Cities ”. Prof. LI Qingquan, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering; Mr ZHANG Xiaochun, Chairman of Shenzhen Smart City Technology Development Group Co., Ltd; and Mr FAN Xianjun, CEO of Geely Farizon New Energy Commercial Vehicle Group Co., Ltd, delivered keynote speeches, sharing forward-looking insights on emerging directions for AI-powered smart city development. Prof. Wenzhong Shi meanwhile moderated a roundtable discussion, which featured in-depth conversations with the keynote speakers and Dr CAO Tengfei, Deputy Director of the Center of International Innovation for Technology and Science, on crucial topics such as pathways for transforming innovation achievements and building industry-academia-research collaboration models.
Prof. Wenzhong Shi (1st from left) moderated a roundtable discussion, featuring in-depth conversations with Prof. Li Qingquan, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering (2nd from left); Mr Zhang Xiaochun, Chairman of Shenzhen Smart City Technology Development Group Co., Ltd (2nd from right); and Dr Cao Tengfei, Deputy Director of the Center of International Innovation for Technology and Science (1st from right), on crucial topics such as pathways for transforming innovation achievements and building industry-academia-research collaboration models.
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