News

PReCIT Co-Director attends a workshop to introduce the research centre to PolyU students

The PReCIT Co-Director, Prof. Eric CHUI attended a workshop organized by Department of Applied Social Sciences (APSS) of PolyU on 28 September 2022 to introduce the Centre to students studying Doctor of Social Work programme and Research Postgraduate students.  Prof. CHUI introduced the background, directors and core members and research directions of PReCIT to the participants.  He also shared the photos and newspaper clippings of the two successful innovation and technology (I&T) research forums hosted by the PReCIT in August and September 2022 respectively, and introduced the third I&T research forum cum the PReCIT launching ceremony to be held on 24 November 2022.  At the end, Prof. CHUI encouraged the students to think beyond their own academic discipline and try to work with students from different disciplines to build a better future for our city together.

PolyU Innovation and Technology Forum draws collective wisdom of industry leaders in supporting Hong Kong’s I&T development and funding

The Policy Research Centre for Innovation and Technology (PReCIT) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) on 27 September 2022 hosted a second forum in the Innovation and Technology Forum Series with the topic “Funding Landscape from Research to Commercialization”. About 250 I&T leaders, practitioners, influencers and stakeholders gathered to contribute ideas on how to foster research funding and commercialization for Hong Kong’s I&T development ahead of the Policy Address. Prof. Wing-tak WONG, Deputy President and Provost of PolyU, said “Research is a critical component of the I&T ecosystem. Innovation through research alone, however, cannot help Hong Kong reach its ambitions of being an international I&T hub. Instead, research must be accompanied by funding, knowledge transfer and commercialization. Academia-industry partnership is key to achieving the success we collectively desire.” At the forum, Dr Miranda LOU, Executive Vice President of PolyU; Mr Peter YAN, CEO of Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited (Cyberport); Dr Denis YIP, CEO of Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute Company Limited (ASTRI); Mr Raymond WONG, Head of Investment of Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP); and Dr Charleston SIN, Executive Director of the MIT Hong Kong Innovation Node, exchanged insights and ideas about promoting technology commercialization, entrepreneurship and funding. They also addressed the opportunities and challenges of Hong Kong’s I&T development, approaches to foster social innovation, and intellectual property (IP) reform at a panel discussion moderated by Prof. Eric CHUI, Co-Director of PReCIT and Head of Department of Applied Social Sciences of PolyU. Dr Miranda Lou highlighted the unique role of universities in bridging the research-to-market gap through proof-of-concept and technology validation schemes at early stages, nurturing innovation and technology talents through curricular and immersive programmes, supporting start-ups to use universities’ intellectual properties and connecting them with market and resource networks. To date, PolyU has supported more than 450 start-ups for technological and social innovations in different domains. The University will continue to work closely with the government, industry and investors to accelerate the commercialisation of PolyU's research and innovations for greater societal impact. Mr Peter Yan said that venture capital (VC) investment in Hong Kong had increased over the past years, manifesting the precedence investors accorded to I&T development. Given ongoing geopolitical and socio-economic changes, the tech venture market is creating a new landscape. Cyberport continues to actively assist entrepreneurs and start-ups in capitalising on emerging technologies’ development, the Greater Bay Area and regional markets to expand fundraising opportunities, thus accelerating the translation and commercialisation of technology innovations. Dr Denis Yip introduced the ASTRI University Transfer Scheme, sharing how efforts are made to connect the key stakeholders in the technology ecosystem, namely university and research institutes, to reach the ultimate goal of commercialization. Starting from “0 to 1” is taking the first step to create impactful technology innovations; from “1 to 10” will be the crucial process of technology commercialization where ASTRI’s deep technologies will play a pivotal bridging role. Mr Raymond Wong explained that HKSTP is expanding the funding and investment landscape, with over 220 investment cases within Science Park in the past five years raising HK$80 billion. The HKSTP Venture Fund now has over HK$600 million in assets under management, where every HK$1 invested by HKSTP draws external investment of HK$16 to support tech ventures at different stages of funding. Dr Charleston Sin explained the importance of a sustainable business plan for research funding and commercialization. Two start-ups nurtured by PolyU shared their success stories at the Forum. Prof. Pei LI, Co-founder of Grand Rise Technology Limited and Professor of the Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology at PolyU, a Forbes Asia 100 to Watch 2022 start-up specializing in biomaterials-based coating, stated that market-driven research was the key to securing funding and commercialization, and that innovation should meet application. Mr Jackson LEUNG, Founder and Director of Vision Science and Technology Co. Limited, an award-winning advanced optometric products R&D company, highlighted that securing the right business team familiar with market needs and peer competition is the key to success. He said IP was very important to start-ups and he hoped the government would give more support to these companies with their IP applications. Tuesday’s forum was co-organised by PolyU’s Department of Applied Social Sciences, the Knowledge Transfer and Entrepreneurship Office, and the Research and Innovation Office. It was supported by Cyberport, ASTRI, HKSTP and the MIT Hong Kong Innovation Node. Founded in 2022, PReCIT is a university-level interdisciplinary policy research centre. Led by Prof. Christopher CHAO, Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU and Director of PReCIT, and Prof. Eric Chui, Co-Director of PReCIT and Head of Department of Applied Social Sciences of PolyU, PReCIT’s primary areas of research include carbon-neutral cities, Greater Bay Area I&T development and the Belt and Road Initiative development in Southeast Asia. The next forum entitled, “Integrating I&T into GBA and the National System” cum PReCIT launching ceremony will be held on 24 November.   For more information about PReCIT’s events, please visit www.polyu.edu.hk/precit/. ***END***   Online coverage of the event (Chinese only): Sing Tao Daily - https://polyu.me/3RhC6xM Headline Daily - https://polyu.me/3SGrr0n Bastille Post - https://polyu.me/3BOzdP1 Video recording of the event: Click Here Photo album of the event: Click Here Speakers' Presentation Files (in PDF format): Dr Miranda LOU - Link Mr Peter YAN - Link Dr Denis YIP - Link Mr Raymond WONG - Link Dr Charleston SIN - Link

ESG Reporting Should Strengthen Assessment and Disclosure on Hidden Carbon Emission

Prof. Christopher CHAO, PolyU’s Vice President (Research and Innovation) and PReCIT Director said in an op-ed in Ming Pao Daily News that most of the listed companies in Hong Kong failed to fully disclose their carbon emissions in their ESG reports.  In particular, the hidden carbon emissions associated with the construction of buildings are rarely reported. Prof. CHAO suggested that the Government establishes auditing methods and guidelines for disclosing carbon emissions in the ESG reports for better assessing and achieving the goal of carbon neutrality. The article has been published at Ming Pao Daily News. [Chinese only]

PReCIT Core Member, Professor Horace MUI explains how to achieve thermal insulation for buildings with building materials

The article has been published at Mingpao. [Chinese only]

PReCIT Director says legislation is essential for promoting the usage of new energy public transport in Hong Kong at environmental technology forum

Supported by PolyU and Policy Research Centre for Innovation and Technology(PReCIT), Road to EcoCity - The Environmental Technology of Hong Kong, China 2022 commenced on 15 September. Professor Christopher CHAO, Vice President (Research and Innovation) and Director of the Policy Research Centre for Innovation and Technology, PolyU, was invited to present carbon reduction-related technology and how Hong Kong and the world could strive towards dual carbon targets as one of the keynote speakers. Citing Hong Kong’s first hydrogen-fueled double-decker as an example, Prof. CHAO emphasized the importance of legislation to promote the usage of new energy public transport in Hong Kong. He also pointed out that Biomimetics will become a popular technology to be applied to buildings for carbon reduction and energy saving in the future. He will lead the working group appointed by PolyU’s President Prof. Jin-Guang TENG to formulate proactive strategies on campus in order to achieve carbon neutrality by 2045. Prof. CHAO also promoted PolyU’s green innovation at the forum by wearing a PU30™ mask, an antiviral, washable & reusable face mask invented by PolyU in 2020. PU30™ mask is already commercialized in the market. The forum is organized by Eco City Foundation and Hong Kong Youth and Tertiary Students Association. Mr Eric CHAN Kwok-ki, Chief Secretary for Administration, and Miss Diane WONG Shuk-han, Under Secretary for Environment and Ecology, were invited as the forum’s officiating guests. Mr CHAN said in his speech that Hong Kong should cooperate with Greater Bay Area to achieve carbon neutrality and join hands to build a green I&T ecosystem. The Government will devote about $240 billion to facilitate carbon neutrality, in turn driving a green economy and creating more I&T job opportunities.   Online coverage: Wen Wei Po - https://polyu.me/3eOK1F6 Dot Dot News - https://polyu.me/3DvldMC People.com - https://polyu.me/3Lm74DC Mini Eastday - https://polyu.me/3r0zU33 快資訊 - https://polyu.me/3QOJekW

Director of PReCIT, Professor Christopher CHAO and Founder & Honorary President of Smart City Consortium, Dr Winnie TANG co-authored an article on how smart planning helps Hong Kong compete for talent

Hong Kong, like other cities around the world, is competing for talent under a highly competitive environment.  Chief Executive John LEE Ka-chiu recently emphasized the importance of securing high-quality talent, especially in the IT and medical sectors as well as other high-end industries and mentioned that it will be put on his Policy Address agenda. To respond to the HKSAR government’s call during the Policy Address Consultation period, Director of PReCIT, Prof. Christopher CHAO and Founder & Honorary President of Smart City Consortium, Dr Winnie TANG co-authored an article to talk about how smart planning helps Hong Kong compete for talent, in which it is suggested that Northern Metropolis may be an option to attract talents. The article has been published at EJ Insight and China Daily. EJ Insight (Link) [English only] China Daily (Link) [English only]

PolyU’s new thinktank on innovation and technology policy draws leading minds on planning and land strategy for the Northern Metropolis in its inaugural forum

The Policy Research Centre for Innovation and Technology (PReCIT) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) launched its Innovation and Technology Forum Series on 26 August 2022, pooling leading minds and experts from multiple disciplines to contribute to policy and strategy discussions about propelling Hong Kong into an international innovation and technology (I&T) hub. The Series debuted with a forum on the theme of “Planning, Land and Housing for Innovation and Technology Development in Hong Kong”. It attracted over 300 participants joining in person or online from different universities, research institutes and public organisations. Founded in 2022, PReCIT is a university-level interdisciplinary policy research centre. The primary areas of its research include carbon-neutral cities, Greater Bay Area I&T development, and the Belt and Road Initiative development in Southeast Asia. Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, President of PolyU, said, “The development of a vibrant innovation and technology industry is the key to fostering Hong Kong’s future success. For Hong Kong to succeed in the innovation and technology arena, many policy questions need to be addressed, including policies for the integration of Hong Kong into the national innovation ecosystem, and the talent policies that support the development of Hong Kong into an international innovation and technology hub. With the establishment of PReCIT, PolyU aspires to make significant contributions to the formulation of innovation and technology policies in Hong Kong.” Prof. Christopher CHAO, Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU and Director of PReCIT, said, “PReCIT aims at generating impactful and constructive innovation and technology strategies for the Government on societal issues. The Northern Metropolis has strong potential to support Hong Kong’s development into an international I&T hub featuring urban-rural integration and the co-existence of development and conservation. It is a mega project that deserves more discussion. The PReCIT I&T Forum provides a premier platform for experts in the city to exchange views for the betterment of society.” At the forum, Dr Winnie TANG, Founder and Honorary President of the Smart City Consortium; Mr LING Kar-kan, Director of the Jockey Club Design Institute of Social Innovation (J.C.DISI) of PolyU; and Prof. H.C. MAN, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering of PolyU, exchanged their insights and ideas about the development of the Northern Metropolis – a core strategy of the HKSAR Government to drive the city’s economic and I&T development, as well as cooperation between Hong Kong and Shenzhen. Dr Tang offered a roadmap on how the Northern Metropolis could become a smart city role model for other parts of Hong Kong, and help the public to make informed decisions regarding introducing smart city technologies in their neighbourhoods. She added that utilising the city’s spatial data effectively is critical for enhancing Hong Kong’s competitiveness. Mr Ling, formerly the Director of Planning and Strategic Planning Advisor for Hong Kong/Shenzhen Cooperation of the HKSAR Government, said that the Northern Metropolis Development Strategy will bring enormous changes to residents along the bordering area with Shenzhen, as well as shifts in business models for the next 10 to 15 years. Therefore, collaboration among the government, business, academia, and professionals in planning and land usage deliberation is critical for the long-term synergy between Hong Kong and Shenzhen and their integration into the Greater Bay Area’s development. Prof. Man, who is also the Director of the Research Institute for Advanced Manufacturing of PolyU, emphasised the importance of preserving the cultural heritage of indigenous inhabitants while developing areas like the San Tin Technopole – a strategic part of the Northern Metropolis that aspires to be Hong Kong’s Silicon Valley. Prof. Man is an indigenous resident and former representative of Chau Tau Village in San Tin. A panel discussion moderated by Prof. Eric CHUI, Co-Director of PReCIT and Head of the Department of Applied Social Sciences of PolyU, and joined by Mr Simon WONG, Vice President (Campus Development and Facilities) of PolyU, further inspired thought-provoking dialogues among participants on hot topics ranging from environmental protection to opportunities in the Greater Bay Area. Friday’s forum was co-organised by the Smart City Consortium and PolyU’s Department of Applied Social Sciences, J.C.DISI, and the Research and Innovation Office. It was supported by the Hong Kong Institute of Urban Design, The Hong Kong Institute of Architects, The Hong Kong Institute of Planners, The Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors, and The Hong Kong Institution of Engineers. The next forum will be held on 27 September on the topic of “Funding Landscape from Research to Commercialization”. Leaders from Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited, Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute Company Limited, Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation, and the MIT Hong Kong Innovation Node are invited to share their valuable insights to enhance Hong Kong’s I&T development.   Online coverage of the event (Chinese only): Sing Tao Daily - https://polyu.me/3RfrNdW Headline Daily - https://polyu.me/3cmNLgm Now TV - https://polyu.me/3wCEjfx Hong Kong Economic Journal - https://polyu.me/3PYE8BX Master Insight - https://polyu.me/3ASWsZh Capital - https://rb.gy/sspsxg Bastille Post - https://polyu.me/3AQyQV3 Quamnet - https://polyu.me/3ReT3sV Yahoo HK - https://polyu.me/3TfLTGR Line Today - https://polyu.me/3PRuill   Speakers' Presentation Files (in PDF format): Mr LING Kar-kan - Link Prof. H.C. MAN - Link

Director of PReCIT, Professor Christopher CHAO joins Hong Kong Alliance of Technology and Innovation as Vice Chairman

On 15th July 2022, Hong Kong Alliance of Technology and Innovation has officially been established witnessed by the Chief Executive, Mr John LEE and other officiating guests.  The Alliance is initiated by business leaders, academia and researchers in the industry and field, aiming to foster the development of technology and innovation in Hong Kong to enhance its status as an international technology and innovation centre. The Vice President (Research and Innovation) cum the Director of PReCIT of PolyU, Professor Christopher CHAO serves as one of the Vice Chairmen of the Alliance, while the President of PolyU, Professor Jin-Guang Teng serves as a consultant.

The PReCIT 1st Brainstorming Meeting (27 June 2022)

The PReCIT held its first brainstorming meeting and welcomed new members from various disciplines to exchange views on the center’s development direction and foster interdisciplinary research collaborations.  The members agreed that the PReCIT will focus on carbon-neutral cities, the Belt and Road Initiative (Southeast Asia), and policy research on technology and innovation in the Greater Bay Area in the future, and publish the results in due course.  Three forums will be held in August, September and November 2022.  Scholars and industry experts are invited to deliver speeches and talks on topics related to planning, research commercialization and funding, and integration into the National System and the Greater Bay Area respectively.  Stay tuned for more details.

Research Salon on Achieving Carbon Neutrality by 2050 (6 May 2022)

The Research Salon on “Achieving Carbon Neutrality by 2050” was successfully held on 6 May 2022.  We are honoured to have the following three distinguished speakers at the event: Ms Karen Ho, Head of Corporate and Community Sustainability, WWF-HK (Presentation file)  Prof. Christine Loh, Chief Development Strategist, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Presentation file)  Dr Stephen Wong, Senior Vice President and Executive Director, Public Policy Institute, Our Hong Kong Foundation Limited (Presentation file)  The Research Salon was hosted by Prof. Eric Chui, Head of Department of Applied Social Sciences and Co-Director of Policy Research Centre for Innovation and Technology (PReCIT) at PolyU.  Prof. Chui addressed that carbon neutrality has been one of the most important social issues we have had to tackle. In light of this, Prof. Christopher Chao, Vice President (Research and Innovation) and Director of PReCIT at PolyU was invited to give an introductory remark on the establishment of PReCIT.  Prof. Chao briefed the audience the PReCIT’s aspiration of being a leading research centre in Hong Kong and the region with an influential voice on the development strategy and related policies in the field of innovation and technology. He also mentioned that “carbon neutral cities” has been one of the PReCIT’s research directions.  Firstly, Ms Karen Ho was introduced to deliver a speech on how to drive Hong Kong towards a net zero situation.  Ms Ho elaborated her view by giving examples of Corporate actions as well as individual actions and call to action for building a sustainable future.  Afterwards, Prof. Christine Loh presented a policy perspective on achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.  Prof. Loh outlined four key points of her policy perspective, which included a global revolution for carbon neutrality, the challenge of getting out of fossil fuels, the role of government and importance of having the right policy, and Mainland China matters (mitigation, adaptation and biodiversity). Lastly, Dr Stephen Wong delivered a speech on solving for zero and industry perspective on green buildings. The speakers shared their invaluable insights on how to achieve carbon neutrality in the short term as well as for the future.  A discussion session was followed.  Please click here for online review.