PolyU welcomes 2023 Policy Address initiatives on education, innovation and technology development

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) welcomes the Chief Executive’s initiatives in the 2023 Policy Address, which outlined a holistic approach for nurturing and attracting talents, fostering innovation and technology (I&T), and investing more resources in the transformation and commercialisation of R&D outcomes. The measures, including the Research, Academic and Industry Sectors One-plus Scheme; increased funding for universities’ technology transfer offices; the New Industrialisation Acceleration Scheme for life and health technologies, AI and data science, advanced manufacturing, and new energy technologies; and the development of an International Hub for Post-secondary Education and the Northern Metropolis, will contribute to high-quality economic development in Hong Kong and enhance its I&T sector and overall competitiveness. The University also welcomes the Government’s plan to double the admission quota of non-local students to Government-funded post-secondary institutions and increase the quota of the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme.

Dr LAM Tai-fai, Council Chairman of PolyU, welcomed and supported the Chief Executive Mr John Lee’s second Policy Address. He said, “While the economy is starting to rebound, Hong Kong is proactively integrating into our country’s development, and participating in national strategies such as the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) and the Belt and Road (B&R) Initiative. The governing beliefs, visions and policy initiatives outlined in the Policy Address aim to make Hong Kong a better place such that its people are able to enjoy an improved living environment, and students are able to receive quality education. The Address also aspires to create a cohesive and caring community, with a vibrant economy where everyone can enjoy life. PolyU will continue to strive for excellence and align its efforts with the proposed policies in order to provide high-quality education and research to benefit Hong Kong and the world. With firm support from the Central People's Government, and under the leadership of the Chief Executive and HKSAR Government, Hong Kong will fully capitalise on the strong support of our country and its close connection to the world to contribute to the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.”

Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, President of PolyU, said, “PolyU is committed to pursuing impactful innovation and interdisciplinary research, and translating research outcomes into real-world solutions to support I&T development in Hong Kong. The University is pleased to see the government’s policy initiatives to propel the development of post-secondary education in the Northern Metropolis, which will help create synergies between industry, academia, and research and strengthen collaboration with Shenzhen and other GBA cities. As one of the top 100 universities worldwide, PolyU supports the development of Hong Kong into an international hub for post-secondary education as proposed in the Policy Address. This will attract more students from B&R countries and the Mainland to study and work in Hong Kong, as well as promote multi-cultural learning experiences. The University will continue to nurture socially responsible talents who possess a strong sense of national identity and a global perspective, and who are ready to embrace opportunities to contribute to the advancement of Hong Kong, the Nation and the world.”

PolyU supports the Research, Academic and Industry Sectors One-plus Scheme through collaborating with renowned enterprises to facilitate the transformation of high potential research projects and incubate innovation enterprises to establish their presence in the Greater Bay Area. The University has achieved remarkable success in driving innovation and entrepreneurship. To date, PolyU has trained 7,600 entrepreneurs and nurtured more than 480 startups, including over 60 academic-led startups, four unicorns and 14 ponies. In addition, over the past year, PolyU has signed memorandums of understanding with seven cities in the Mainland and one Mainland university to establish joint technology and innovation research institutes. These institutes aim to translate research outcomes into solutions to address the industrial and societal needs of cities in the Mainland, thereby promoting their development. The PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research (PAIR), which comprises 17 research institutes and research centres, fosters interdisciplinary research, with a focus on advanced technologies and manufacturing, good health and well-being, as well as smart and sustainable cities. PAIR also establishes partnerships with world-renowned scholars to foster knowledge transfer.

PolyU is committed to nurturing a new generation of young people who love the Nation and Hong Kong, who are aspirational, have a global perspective and adopt positive values, while enhancing the sense of national identity and appreciation for the richness and beauty of traditional Chinese culture among students. Earlier this year, PolyU established the Research Centre for Chinese History and Culture to promote Chinese culture, strengthen patriotic education and enhance youngsters’ national identity and sense of belonging to the Nation. The University also places emphasis on non-local Service-Learning initiatives and aims to offer all undergraduates with at least one learning experience in the Mainland or overseas in order to broaden their horizons. Actively exploring innovations in education, the University has furthermore established the Institute for Higher Education Research and Development (IHERD) to promote education reform in response to the demand for talents in the age of AI.

PolyU’s Policy Research Centre for Innovation and Technology (PReCIT) submitted recommendations for the Policy Address during the public consultation period. These recommendations covered various areas, including the establishment of a supercomputing centre, a university town in the Northern Metropolis, an international education hub, and a central research platform for the validation of Chinese Medicine’s efficacy and safety. Additionally, the recommendations focused on the need to reduce the time between building energy audits and the implementation of energy-saving measures.

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