The PReCIT Launch Ceremony was officiated by (front row) Dr Lam Tai-fai, PolyU Council Chairman (centre); Ms Lillian Cheong, Under Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry of the HKSAR Government (fourth from right); Mr Charles Li, Co-Founder and Chairman of Micro Connect and Former Chief Executive of Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (fourth from left); Prof. Jin-Guang Teng, PolyU President (third from left); Dr Lawrence Li Kwok-chang, PolyU Deputy Council Chairman (third from right); Prof. Wing-tak Wong, Deputy President and Provost (second from left); Dr Miranda Lou, Executive Vice President (second from right); Prof. Christopher Chao, Vice President (Research and Innovation) and Director of PReCIT (first from left); and Prof. Eric Chui, Head of Department of Applied Social Sciences and Co-Director of PReCIT (first from right).Zoom In

PolyU has established the Policy Research Centre for Innovation and Technology (PReCIT) to support Hong Kong’s integration into the national innovation and technology (I&T) plan. Officially launched in November 2022, the University-level interdisciplinary policy research centre aims to generate impactful and constructive I&T strategies for the Government on societal issues. It aspires to be a leading research centre in Hong Kong and the region, and an influential voice on development strategies and related policies in the field of I&T.

 

meeting the press

(From right) Prof. Christopher Chao, Prof. Jin-Guang Teng and Prof. Eric Chui meeting the press

Three primary research foci

PReCIT will focus its impactful, interdisciplinary research on three key areas, which were formulated based on general and specific government policy orientations, representing the present and future interests of governments, academia, industry, and business. These are:

• Carbon-neutral cities

• Greater Bay Area I&T development

• The Belt and Road Initiative development in Southeast Asia.

 

Professor Christopher Chao, Vice President (Research and Innovation) and Director of PReCIT, said: “The respective strengths of Hong Kong and the Mainland should complement each other in deliberation on cross boundary integration proposals which aim to foster R&D commercialisation in order to unleash the potential of the GBA and Belt and Road economies, as well as the opportunities associated with re-industrialisation. As the advocacy body of PolyU, PReCIT endeavours to formulate strategies that support Hong Kong’s participation in the national pioneering technology missions.”

Facilitating idea exchange

Mr Charles Li, Co-Founder and Chairman of Micro Connect and Former Chief Executive of Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited

Mr Charles Li, Co-Founder and Chairman of Micro Connect and Former Chief Executive of Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited, gave a keynote speech at one of the forums, setting out how the GBA’s strengths in innovation and its wealth of talents, coupled with Hong Kong’s global connectivity, can help channel global funds to micro and small businesses in Mainland China.

To promote discussions among policy makers, academia and leaders from the I&T and finance sectors, PReCIT has so far organised four forums with the following themes:

 

• Planning, Land and Housing for Innovation and Technology Development in Hong Kong

• Funding Landscape from Research to Commercialisation

• Integrating Innovation and Technology into GBA and the National System.

• APEC Energy Summit