Witnessed by Prof. Jin-Guang Teng, PolyU President (6th from left); Prof. Christopher Chao, PolyU Vice President (Research and Innovation) (5th from left); Mr Sun Haisheng, Director of the Science and Technology Department of Shandong Province (6th from right); Mr Ma Xiaolei, Secretary of the Zibo City Committee (5th from right) and other distinguished guests, the collaboration agreement was signed by Prof. Dong Cheng, PolyU Associate Vice President (Mainland Research Advancement) (4th from left) and Mr Li Xinsheng, Vice Mayor of the Zibo Municipal People’s Government (right).
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and the People’s Government of the Shandong District, Zibo, signed a collaboration agreement on 16 August to jointly establish the PolyU-Zibo Technology and Innovation Research Institute (the Institute). Leveraging Zibo’s strong industrial foundation and integrated manufacturing ecosystem, alongside PolyU’s solid research capabilities as one of the world’s top 100 universities, this partnership will foster deep industry–university research collaboration, promoting synergistic development and growth in Hong Kong and Zibo.
In line with Zibo’s economic development and industrial needs, the Institute will focus on strategic areas such as nanotechnology, industrial artificial intelligence, rehabilitation therapy, as well as digitalisation and cultural tourism. It will capitalise on PolyU talent and research excellence toaccelerate related R&D processes and the development of key core technologes, supporting the transformation of local industries and fostering new productive forces. Through facilitating the translation of research outcomes into practical solutions, the Institute also aims to contribute to Zibo’s sustainable development.
The signing ceremony took place in Zibo, witnessed by Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, PolyU President; Prof. Christopher CHAO, PolyU Vice President (Research and Innovation); Mr SUN Haisheng, Director of the Science and Technology Department of Shandong Province; Mr MA Xiaolei, Secretary of the Zibo City Committee and other distinguished guests. The collaboration agreement was signed by Prof. DONG Cheng, PolyU Associate Vice President (Mainland Research Advancement), and Mr LI Xinsheng, Vice Mayor of the Zibo Municipal People’s Government, marking the official establishment of the PolyU-Zibo Technology and Innovation Research Institute.
Prof. Jin-Guang Teng highlighted that joint research institute will combine Zibo’s industrial prowess with PolyU’s world-class research acumen in support of the Nation’s innovation-driven development strategy. It will serve as a vital hub for technological advancement, talent development and industrial evolution, unlocking new opportunities for innovators and entrepreneurs in both Zibo and Hong Kong and creating a forward-looking innovation ecosystem.
Mr MA Xiaolei emphasised that Zibo has a rich legacy of innovation and copious industrial resources that make the City an ideal place for creating new opportunities. He anticipated deepening collaboration with PolyU to elevate the Institute into a globally influential centre for technological advancement, attracting leading researchers and resources to foster high-quality regional economic development.
The event also featured the innovation and entrepreneurship matchmaking conferences, where a number of PolyU start-ups showcased their latest technologies and projects to local universities, technology enterprises and industry partners through on-site roadshows. They also discussed the development prospects of various key industry sectors, including new materials, intelligent manufacturing and smart healthcare, as well as the technological empowerment of cultural tourism. The conferences significantly enhanced interaction among industry, academia and research, facilitated the more precise alignment of innovative resources and promoted the integration of high-quality research outputs with industrial needs.
Shouldering the vital task of talent development, the Institute seeks to attract top-tier professionals and cultivate future industry leaders equipped with innovative capabilities and research experience to support Zibo’s integration into the international arena. Furthermore, it will assist PolyU faculty, students and start-ups in establishing businesses in Zibo and strive to foster a sustainable technological innovation ecosystem, with the aim of becoming a leading example of regional collaborative innovation and setting a new standard for industry-university research partnerships across the two regions.
