PolyU recently welcomed Ambassador George Hara, Chairman of the Board of the Alliance Forum Foundation and Group Chairman & CEO of DEFTA Partners (Japan), for a campus visit. Ambassador Hara, a distinguished member of PolyU’s International Advisory Board (IAB), engaged with PolyU President Professor Jin-Guang Teng and the University’s senior management team, offering valuable strategic insights on research directions, talent development, and fostering deeper collaboration with Japanese universities and corporations.

A highlight of Ambassador Hara’s visit was his open lecture, “Empowering Hong Kong’s Future: Establishing a Technology Industry to Drive Innovation”. Drawing on DEFTA Partners’ successful track record in translating scientific research into high-impact technology ventures, Ambassador Hara shared practical lessons and introduced his vision for “public interest capitalism”, a model that balances economic growth with societal benefit.

The event drew an enthusiastic audience of PolyU staff, students, and members of the startup community. It sparked a lively dialogue with Ambassador Hara focused on knowledge transfer, innovation, and the future of Hong Kong’s technology sector. Attendees were particularly inspired by Ambassador Hara’s emphasis on leveraging research for real-world impact and his encouragement for Hong Kong to become a leading hub for technology-driven entrepreneurship.

Ambassador Hara’s visit reinforced PolyU’s commitment to nurturing innovation and entrepreneurial leadership. By facilitating direct dialogue with global thought leaders, PolyU continues to empower its community to drive positive change and position Hong Kong at the forefront of technological advancement.