The SCRI Retreat 2026, themed "Connecting Ideas, Building Collaboration, Shaping SCRI's Future", was successfully held on 21 August 2026 in Futian, Shenzhen. The retreat brought together SCRI members, accompanied by their research team members, providing a valuable platform for academic exchange, interdisciplinary collaboration, and future strategic planning.
The retreat commenced with welcome remarks delivered by Prof. SHI Wenzhong, John, Director of the Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Smart Cities Research Institute (SCRI). In his opening address, Prof. Shi introduced the theme and objectives of the retreat, emphasizing the importance of fostering stronger connections among SCRI members, promoting interdisciplinary collaboration, and identifying research opportunities that will contribute to the future development of the Institute. He also shared SCRI's recent achievements and highlighted its strategic directions in advancing smart city research and innovation.
A key component of the retreat was a series of sharing sessions, during which all participating SCRI members delivered presentations. Members introduced their research backgrounds, shared key achievements and current project progress, and discussed emerging research directions and interests. These sharing sessions enabled participants to gain a deeper understanding of one another's expertise and explore potential opportunities for future collaboration.
Following each sharing session, round-table discussions were held to encourage open dialogue and knowledge exchange. Participants actively shared their perspectives on emerging research frontiers, individual research strengths, and potential opportunities for future collaboration. The engaging discussions demonstrated the members' strong commitment to interdisciplinary research and their shared vision for advancing innovation within the SCRI community.
Participants also visited WiseLaw Digital Technology Limited, a PolyU-incubated startup founded by Prof. LU Haitian, a member of the SCRI Management Committee. The visit offered an opportunity to learn about the company's development and exchange views on innovation, entrepreneurship, and the translation of research outcomes into practice.
The retreat concluded with closing remarks and a group photo session. Participants expressed that the event had greatly enhanced mutual understanding, strengthened academic connections, and inspired new ideas for future research collaboration. The successful retreat further reinforced SCRI's commitment to fostering a vibrant research community and advancing impactful interdisciplinary research for smart cities and sustainable development.| Research Units | Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Smart Cities Research Institute |
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