PolyU makes recommendations for 2023 Policy Address advocating establishment of University Town in the Northern Metropolis and propelling green economy

The Policy Research Centre for Innovation and Technology (PReCIT) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has submitted recommendations for the Chief Executive's 2023 Policy Address during the public consultation period, covering the development of a carbon neutral city, Greater Bay Area (GBA) innovation, and technology (I&T) and the Belt and Road.

Key recommendations include:

1. Encouraging the Development of the Green Economy and Building Carbon Neutral Cities

PReCIT supports the HKSAR Government in its aim of strengthening global and regional collaboration for building carbon-neutral cities and developing an international carbon market, as well as to leverage the Science Park, Cyberport and tertiary institutions as entry points to support research and development of eco-friendly technologies and encourage businesses to adopt green technologies in their production. It is also recommended that the government considers evaluating the risks and feasibility of introducing hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles and conducting relevant policy and legal studies. To achieve sustainable waste management, it is suggested that automatic food waste collection and dewatering systems should be in place in newly established public housing estates. Shortening the time between building energy audits and implementation of energy-saving measures could reduce carbon emissions from building construction. Other recommendations include approval of the PolyU Green Deck project which can help publicise the concept of sustainable development for attracting talents and enterprises from around the world to come and settle, live and work in Hong Kong.

2. Building a University Town in the Northern Metropolis to Establish a Seamless I&T Ecosystem

The government is advised to optimise existing education policies and establish an international education hub. Building a university town in the Northern Metropolis, together with the provision of accommodation support or housing subsidies to students, will help create a conducive ecosystem for collaboration between industry, academia, research and startups. To tap into the opportunities and address the challenges of digital transformation, PReCIT advocates the government establishing an international data centre and a supercomputing centre, promoting the application of blockchain-based Legal Entity Identifier, optimising the regulation of artificial intelligence, and adopting the PolyU Innovation and Technology Index as an indicator of Hong Kong’s I&T development.

In relation to fostering the development of the Chinese Medicine (CM) industry, PReCIT proposes the establishment of a central research platform and an International Dietary Supplement and Botanical Drug Research Centre to strengthen validation of CM’s efficacy and safety.

3. Facilitating Cross-Border Trade Activities and Academic Collaboration with the Belt and Road Countries

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the launch of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). PReCIT supports the government in promoting cross-border trade activities under the BRI and advocates the establishment of a BRI I&T hub, as well as a government-industry-academia-research consortium dedicated to BRI. It is recommended funds are allocated for interdisciplinary and collaborative research. To attract outstanding students to study and stay in Hong Kong after graduation, the government may consider setting up BRI scholarships, research funding schemes, BRI outstanding student grants and loan schemes. In addition, it is crucial to reinforce promotion of tourism and cultural exchange initiatives in the BRI countries as these can help strengthen connections with these countries, particularly in areas pertaining to ASEAN countries' I&T development.

Prof. Christopher CHAO, PolyU Vice President (Research and Innovation) and Director of PReCIT, said, “Hong Kong has unique geographical advantages, a well-established legal system, and five world-class universities that have attained exceptional achievements in basic scientific research. However, the private sector’s investment in R&D in Hong Kong is relatively low. It is imperative for the government to drive industry-academia-research collaboration and research commercialisation as a new driving force for Hong Kong’s economic growth. As an innovative world-class university, PolyU is committed to providing excellent education and impactful interdisciplinary research in order to support the City’s I&T development.”

Prof. Eric CHUI, Co-Director of PReCIT and Head of the Department of Applied Social Sciences of PolyU, added, “Talent is a key element for Hong Kong’s development as an international I&T hub. Offering scholarships, grants, and loans to outstanding students from Belt and Road countries, along with a pre-requisite requirement of serving in Hong Kong upon graduation, would be helpful in attracting talents to Hong Kong for long-term contribution and fostering mutual economic collaboration.”

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/.

The full recommendation report is available at: https://polyu.me/PolyUPReCIT_2023PolicyAddress_EN

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