News

Mr Simon WONG, Vice President (Campus Development and Facilities), and Prof. Geoffrey SHEN, Associate Vice President (Global Partnerships) of PolyU talk about the modular integrated construction (MiC)

The article has been published at the Sing Tao Daily feature. [Chinese only]

APEC Energy Forum 2022 co-hosted by Renmin University of China and The Hong Kong Polytechnic University successfully held

The APEC Energy Forum 2022 co-hosted by Renmin University of China and The Hong Kong Polytechnic University was successfully held on 12 November 2022.  Over 100 professionals, academics, business leaders and youth in different disciplines from the APEC member economies attended the Forum in hybrid mode.  In addition, more than 300,000 people watched it through Ifeng a day after the Forum. The President of PolyU, Prof. Jin-guang TENG, one of the Forum’s conveners, delivered his welcoming remarks and concluding remarks at the opening ceremony and the closing session respectively. At the sub-forum on “Energy Transition and Energy Access Initiative” hosted by PolyU, the six invited speakers, Mr PANG Yiu Hung, JP, Director of Electrical and Mechanical Services Department of the Government of the HKSAR, Dr Stephen WONG, Senior Vice President & Executive Director of Public Policy Institute of Our Hong Kong Foundation, Mr Peter WONG Wai-yee, Managing Director of The Hong Kong and China Gas Company Limited, Mr Jim TAYLOR, Senior Director of Planning & Development of CLP Power Hong Kong Limited, and two Chair Professors of PolyU including Prof. POON Chi-sun, Chair Professor of Sustainable Construction Materials and Head of Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, and Prof. WANG Shengwei, Chair Professor of Building Energy and Automation of Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering, delivered their speeches and shared their insights on the theme. Policy Research Centre for Innovation and Technology (PReCIT) of PolyU joined and supported the Forum as one of the co-organizers.  This Forum successfully acted as a platform for APEC member economies to share views on and discuss about various topics of energy that matter in the world today, aiming to further promote the idea of energy development, accelerate the implementation of the Energy Access Initiative in the APEC Region, and support the United Nations in achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Online coverage: Ta Kung Pao - https://polyu.me/3g76X3j Wen Wei Po - https://polyu.me/3TvQHXw

Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area Co-develop Innovation and Technology with Optimistic Prospects

Interviewed by for its 35th Anniversary special topic on Innovation and Technology, Prof. Christopher CHAO, Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU and Director of PReCIT, mentioned that PolyU endeavors to support Hong Kong’s I&T development and interdisciplinary research collaboration.  PolyU’s global university ranking is advanced to a new height in Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2023. Prof. CHAO said that Hong Kong has top research talents whlist the Greater Bay Area (GBA) has a huge market for talents and enterprises to test research products for commercialization with supportive policies from the central government.  He is optimistic about Hong Kong and GBA’s co-development of I&T and encouraged the academia and Industry to join hands to promote research commercialization and entrepreneurship, for building an international innovation and technology hub together.  For details, please refer to the latest edition of .

PReCIT Director urges Hong Kong to capitalize on the opportunities from the transition to a greener world

In an op-ed in HK01, Prof. Christopher CHAO, PolyU’s Vice President (Research and Innovation) and PReCIT Director said Hong Kong as an international finance centre should assist the Greater Bay Area (GBA) in establishing a carbon market conforming to international standard, collaborate with the Nation and capitalize on the opportunities from the transition to a greener world in order to achieve the Nation's dual-carbon goals and to contribute to combating the global climate change crisis. The article is available at HK01. [Chinese Only]

PReCIT welcomes the 2022 Policy Address Initiatives

The Policy Research Centre for Innovation and Technology (PReCIT) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) welcomes the Chief Executive’s initiatives in the 2022 Policy Address that support Innovation and Technology Development in Hong Kong. The initiatives outlined in the Policy Address will chart a brighter tomorrow for Hong Kong with the strong support of the central government and the distinctive advantages of being closely connected to the world. PReCIT is grateful that the HKSAR Government has incorporated our suggestions on enhancing carbon neutrality and the I&T ecosystem, as well as promoting the commercialisation of research and development (R&D) into the Policy Address in order to foster Hong Kong’s development into an international innovation and technology centre. PReCIT welcomes the launch of the $10 billion “Research, Academic and Industry Sectors One‑plus Scheme” next year to promote research outcome application via strengthening the collaboration among industry, academia and research. The Policy Address proposed the establishment of the Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises (OASES), the Talents Service Unit, and Dedicated Teams for Attracting Businesses and Talents to formulate strategies for attracting I&T enterprises and talents. Other I&T initiatives include the launch of the Top Talent Pass Scheme, the expansion of the STEM Internship Scheme,  the increase of UGC‑funded research postgraduate (RPg) places and its over-enrolment ceiling, enhancing accommodation support for I&T talents, and attraction on outstanding students along the Belt and Road to pursue their studies or career in Hong Kong. Prof. Christopher CHAO, Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU and Director of PReCIT, said “ The 2022 Policy Address has contributed a substantial roadmap for attracting I&T talents. These measures will bring new momentum to the city’s innovation and technology development. We look forwards to more details on the Hong Kong I&T Development Blueprint to be promulgated by the HKSAR Government this year.” According to the Policy Address, the HKSAR Government will study the trial implementation of a cross‑boundary policy on I&T co‑operation including the flows of I&T material, capital, data and people between Hong Kong and Shenzhen to support the city’s participation in the national pioneering technology missions. Prof. Eric CHUI, Co-Director of PReCIT and Head of the Department of Applied Social Sciences of PolyU added, “PReCIT appreciates the HKSAR Government to take our recommendations on I&T policies. PolyU will be continuously committed to making impactful contributions in driving an international I&T centre in the GBA.”

PReCIT makes submission to the 2022 Policy Address on how to foster I&T development and a carbon-neutral city

(16 October 2022) The Policy Research Centre for Innovation and Technology (PReCIT) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) formally submitted recommendations for the 2022 Policy Address during the public consultation period. The submission covers Hong Kong’s innovation and technology (I&T) development and progress towards being a carbon-neutral city, the Belt and Road, and how the higher education system can support Hong Kong’s I&T integration into the Greater Bay Area (GBA) and the Nation’s development The key recommendations of the PReCIT are: Strengthening Hong Kong’s Progress as an International Innovation & Technology Hub to Foster the Development of a Carbon-neutral City As a renowned international financial centre that is expanding into the area of green and sustainable finance, Hong Kong can further develop into a globalcarbon trading centre to attract international capital and meet the huge demand for global transformation funds by supporting the financial ecosystem’s transition towards carbon neutrality. This can be achieved by establishing a real-time carbon tracking and monitoring system, a market-driven carbon emission auction mechanism, and an environmental information disclosure mechanism that complies with international standards. The Government is advised to provide more research funding to local universities to develop carbon-neutral technologies and innovations, and should also strengthen the development of renewable energy and the promotion of green technology and green electric vehicles. Since ongoing geographical tensions may affect European countries’ commitments to achieving carbon neutrality, the HKSAR Government is suggested to monitor the situation closely to ensure that our carbon neutrality goals and market can maintain resilience. Seizing Global Opportunities to Foster I&T Development in Hong Kong In close proximity to the Mainland, a university town in the Northern Metropolis is proposed to foster interdisciplinary research collaboration and communication between universities and the industry across the border, channelling and pooling talents and R&D outcomes for commercialisation, as well as unleashing the potential of the GBA’s economy. The Government is advised to create a favourable environment for attracting global I&T talents and encouraging tech giants to relocate their headquarters to Hong Kong or to build local research laboratories. For the betterment of the I&T ecosystem, the Government is recommended to promote research applications by enhancing collaboration among universities, the five government-funded R&D institutions and industry. The Government should also revamp the current tendering and listed supplier system so as to enhance wider adoption of I&T products from our start-ups into government projects. The Mainland has a huge market and actively provides space and supportive policies for talents and enterprises. In contrast, Hong Kong has high-level scientific research talents with rich experience in basic research and quality control. Hong Kong and the Mainland could complement their respective strengths and jointly enhance the entire I&T industry chain and promote academic and research collaboration with the Belt and Road countries. Prof. Christopher CHAO, Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU and Director of PReCIT, said, “Innovation and technology are the new impetus for Hong Kong’s economy. The 20th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party commencing today will set the stage for the Nation’s priorities and policies for the coming five years and beyond. I look forward to the supportive policies from the central government and the HKSAR Policy Address that will further reinforce Hong Kong’s development into an international I&T hub. PolyU will be dedicated to driving I&T development in Hong Kong through propelling excellent education and impactful interdisciplinary research.” Prof. Eric CHUI, Co-Director of PReCIT and Head of the Department of Applied Social Sciences of PolyU added, “Talent is the key element for Hong Kong’s I&T development. I look forward to the Policy Address’s new initiatives on the talent pool that will encourage young people to participate in innovation and the Nation’s development, bringing about long-term prosperity to the city.” The PReCIT Director, Prof. Christopher CHAO, the PReCIT Co-Director, Prof. Eric CHUI, and the four PReCIT core members, Prof. Daniel SHEK, Prof. Haitian LU, Dr Siqi BU and Dr Xueyong ZHAN contributed to the recommendations on the Policy Address. 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 in Southeast Asia. For more information about PReCIT, please visit www.polyu.edu.hk/precit/.   ***END*** Online coverage (Chinese only): Ming Pao Daily News - Link Hong Kong Economic Journal - Link Hong Kong Economic Times - Link am730 - Link Hong Kong Commercial Daily - Link Capital - Link Full Recommendation Report on 2022 Policy Address: Link

PolyU Surges to 79th in Global University Rankings

PolyU jumped 12 spots to 79th from last year’s 91st in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2023. Quoted by the Hong Kong Economic Times’s Editorial, Prof. Christopher CHAO, PolyU’s Vice President (Research and Innovation) and PReCIT Director suggested the government remove barriers that hinder capital and data inflow from the mainland to Hong Kong in order to foster HK’s I&T development. For details, please refer to the newspaper article published at Hong Kong Economic Times below:

The PReCIT Director and Co-Director make suggestions on optimizing the I&T ecosystem and boosting the co-development of the upstream and midstream R&D and downstream application ahead of the Policy Address

The PReCIT Director, Prof. Christopher CHAO and the Co-Director, Prof. Eric CHUI have jointly published an article on how to optimize the I&T ecosystem and boost the co-development of the upstream and midstream R&D and downstream application ahead of the Policy Address. The article is available at Ming Pao Daily News. [Chinese Only]

HKSAR Government should spend more to cultivate long-term research teams for developing I&T ecosystem

Prof. Christopher CHAO, PolyU’s Vice President (Research and Innovation) and PReCIT Director analyzed the contributing factors to the Nation’s progress in its innovation capability in an exclusive interview with am730, amid the news that China has moved up to 11th place in the 2022 Global Innovation Index (GII) published by the World Intellectual Property Organization. Prof. CHAO attributed the Nation’s success in part to the growing financial commitment by the government to researchers and research institutions.  He also recommends HKSAR Government beef up its investment in Hong Kong R&D Centres so that they can effectively connect universities and industries in the I&T value chain. The article has been published at am730. [Chinese Only]

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.