News

PReCIT Member Discusses LEI Application in HK

Prof. Lu Haitian of PReCIT penned an op-ed in Hong Kong Economic Journal, discussing the advantages of Legal Entity Identifier (LEI) in the era of digital finance. The full version (Chinese only) is available at: https://www.hkej.com/dailynews/investment/3554932

PolyU publishes Policy Paper on University-Industry Collaboration for Chinese Medicine Innovation in the Greater Bay Area

The Policy Research Centre for Innovation and Technology (PReCIT) and the Research Centre for Chinese Medicine Innovation (RCMI) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) have co-authored the Policy Paper on University-Industry Collaboration for Chinese Medicine (CM) Innovation in the Greater Bay Area. The paper outlines recommendations to policymakers for capitalising on the opportunities arising from the dynamic consumer market and talent pool in the Greater Bay Area (GBA) with the aim of fostering the development and innovation in the traditional Chinese Medicine (CM) industry.    The key recommendations are: 1. Enhancing Hong Kong’s CM Research and Development Ecosystem  Fragmented and limited funding mechanisms for the CM industry remain barriers to developing traditional CM to its full potential. The HKSAR Government is advised to create a supportive and robust environment for the development of the CM ecosystem by expanding the funding scope of the Chinese Medicine Development Fund, and encouraging academia-industry and interdisciplinary collaboration in CM. The establishment of a research platform fund for industry-oriented R&D projects would be conducive to more effective and widespread application of complementary and integrative CM-related healthcare solutions. The establishment of a central research platform, comprising an Evidence-based Chinese Medicine Research Centre in partnership with the Schools of Chinese Medicine in three local universities as well as CM hospitals nationwide, and an International Dietary Supplement and Botanical Drug Research Centre, is encouraged to promote mental and physical wellness and validation of CM’s efficacy and safety.   2. Promoting the Internationalisation of CM To facilitate the export of the high-quality Lingnan CM brand to international markets, it is recommended to accelerate the approval and mutual certification mechanisms of Chinese proprietary medicine among GBA cities, incentivise cross-boundary collaborations for research and development, streamline evaluation processes and align CM standards with international norms via their progressive integration into the global regulatory framework.   3. Commercialisation and Innovation of CM Health Maintenance Products To bridge the needs of different sectors leveraging technology advancement, the HKSAR Government is encouraged to establish a three-way trading and cross-border cooperative blockchain platform for electronic contracting, circulation and traceability procedures in CM projects. Greater effort in branding and promoting CM-based Health Maintenance Products and functional food is suggested to capture rising demand from the aging population.    4. Constructing a Bio-digital Product Innovation Hub The HKSAR Government is urged to support the adoption of new technology, such as sensors, the internet-of-things and artificial intelligence in CM diagnosis, treatment and monitoring, in order to address an anticipated clinical staff shortage and future therapeutic demands.   Prof. Wing-tak WONG, PolyU Deputy President and Provost noted that, “Talents are the key to innovation. The Government is advised to provide financial support for the collaborative training programmes organised by tertiary institutions in the GBA and CM hospitals in Hong Kong and Mainland China, so as to nurture skilled CM talents who are ready for the opportunities emerging from the development of the GBA.” Prof. Christopher CHAO, PolyU Vice President (Research and Innovation) and Director of PReCIT said, “With concerted effort from industry-academia collaboration and supportive government policies, Hong Kong has a distinct advantage in becoming the bridgehead for CM in the international arena. Leveraging our strength in interdisciplinary research, PolyU is dedicated to contributing to the research and application of CM treatment and practices.”   The full report is available at: https://polyu.me/3P2x0X7    Press Release: Click here (English Verision) Click here (Chinese Version)   Online Coverage: Hong Kong Economic Journal - https://polyu.me/3R25o6Y Think Hong Kong - https://polyu.me/47TxgAh Hong Kong Business Time - https://businesstimes.com.hk/articles/149272 Hong Kong China News Agency - https://polyu.me/3EpTXOY Mirage - https://www.miragenews.com/polyu

PReCIT Establishes a Sub-branch in Jinjiang for Nurturing Research Talents

The inauguration of the PolyU-Jinjiang Technology and Innovation Research Institute was held on 2 September. Council Chairman Dr LAM Tai-fai, President Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, Executive Vice President Dr Miranda LOU, and Vice President (Research and Innovation) and PReCIT Director Prof. Christopher CHAO of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University attended the ceremony. The institute will cover research on textile technology, innovative food, microelectronics, and innovation and technology policy, aiming to strengthen and facilitate research collaboration among industries, academia and research organisations in Hong Kong and Jinjiang. PReCIT will set up a sub-branch in Jinjiang and to nurture outstanding engineers and talents.   Online Coverage:  人民日報 - https://wap.peopleapp.com/rmh37601957 Hong Kong Commercial Daily - https://polyu.me/3R61BFO China News Service - https://polyu.me/3L5hHM1 Jinjiang TV - https://polyu.me/3YYFy5O Fujian TV - https://polyu.me/3L8TzrU Quanzhou TV - https://polyu.me/45AKkJc Fujian Daily - https://polyu.me/3r3kNsX 東南網 - https://polyu.me/45QVF7F 閩南網 - https://polyu.me/3R7raX6 泉州網 - https://polyu.me/481KhHO      

Shenzhen-Hong Kong Sci-tech zone to bolster I&T Ecosystem

China’s State Council promulgated the development plan for the Shenzhen Park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Zone (HTCZ), with an aim to promote cross-border I&T collaboration on Tuesday. Dr Han Sirui of Policy Research Centre for Innovation and Technology of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University  told 《China Daily》 that the HTCZ will create a harmonious business environment in both Shenzhen and Hong Kong, and entice innovation teams in GBA to secure fundraising. Please refer below for details: (Print Only)  

PolyU AVP: HK Should Encourage Long-Term Research

Prof. Wang Zuankai, Associate Vice President (Research and Innovation) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University shared his view on Hong Kong’s talent pool at  a forum organized by the China Review News Agency. He said that there is no shortage of talent in Hong Kong. The key point is to encourage long-term research so as to retain more talents to stay longer for scientific research.   More (Chinese Only): http://hk.crntt.com/crn-webapp/detail106747302

Bitcoin Mining and a Web3 society Can Sustainably Coexist

Prof. Haitian LU and Dr. Sirui Han of the Policy Research Centre for Innovation and Technology (PReCIT) discussed how bitcoin mining can contribute to a sustainable world in the letter to the editor of  《South China Morning Post》. Full version at: https://www.scmp.com/comment/letters/article/3232556/

PolyU Helps Assess Project Supporting SEN Students

A team led by Prof. Eric CHUI, Co-Director of PReCIT and Head of the Department of Applied Social Sciences (APSS) Of PolyU, assisted in evaluating the results of the Jockey Club "Project LEGEND" Employment Support Project implemented by the Hong Kong PHAB Association. Positive Responses are received, showing participants’ career development, self-efficacy, and executive have improved with an ambition to become special school teachers.   Online Coverage (Chinese only) : https://news.mingpao.com/article/20230826/1693044725824/

Prof. CHAO Exchanges Views at STIF

Prof. Christopher CHAO, Vice President (Research and Innovation) and PReCIT Director and Prof. Wang Zuankai, Associate Vice President (Research and Innovation) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University shared insights into the application and translation of fundamental research at the Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Forum (STIF). Separately, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Prof. Sun Dong, said in the forum that the Government intends to fund hundreds of startups fostered by universities in the next five years.   Online Coverage: https://apps.orangenews.hk/common/contentId=1190169 

Hong Kong’s Latest Greenhouse Gas Data Shows Challenges Ahead

Dr Sirui HAN, Assistant Professor (Research) of PReCIT, discussed the city’s progress towards its decarbonization goal in the《 letter to the editor of SCMP》. Quoting the latest official greenhouse gas emissions data, Dr  HAN said that despite HK has achieved a 23% decline in per capita emissions since 2014, the city's total emissions rose by 4% year on year in 2021, underscoring the challenge of reconciling economic development with climate targets. Full version at: https://www.scmp.com/comment/letters/article/3231560/  

11 Countries Will be Financially Vulnerable to Climate Change, International Energy Policy Expert says

The “Climate and National Security: Green Development of BRI” seminar, co-hosted by the Policy Research Centre for Innovation and Technology and the Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), concluded successfully.  Prof. XU Qinhua, core member of the Policy Research Centre for Innovation and Technology (PReCIT) and Honorary Professor of the Department of Applied Social Sciences of PolyU, Professor of the School of International Studies and Director of Centre for International Energy and Environment Strategy Studies of the Renmin University of China, shared the impact of climate change on national security with scholars, graduate students, and participants as speaker. She stated that climate change is a multiplier of threats, exacerbating existing national security challenges. It may increase regional resource competition, the demand for military actions, and the severity of humanitarian crises, posing a threat to national stability and security. Prof. XU anticipated that decarbonization pressures would intensify the geopolitical tensions, and 11 countries including India and Pakistan would be financially vulnerable to climate change, leading to increasing risks of unrest and migration, and demand for foreign aid.