PolyU-Wuxi Technology and Innovation Research Institute officially inaugurated Joining force with Mainland enterprises to cultivate industry-academia-research collaborations and propel I&T development in the Yangtze River Delta

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and the Wuxi Municipal People’s Government of Jiangsu Province have jointly established the PolyU-Wuxi Technology and Innovation Research Institute (The Institute), and an Inauguration Ceremony cum Industry-University-Research Collaboration Agreement Signing Ceremony was held on 2 November. Located in Wuxi, the Institute serves as a platform to drive advanced research and innovation, as well as nurture innovation and technology (I&T) talents. It has entered into agreements with ten high-tech enterprises in Mainland China to foster industry-university-research collaborations, driving the Yangtze River Delta’s I&T development.

A delegation led by Dr LAM Tai-fai, Council Chairman of PolyU; Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, President; Prof. Wing-tak WONG, Deputy President and Provost; and Prof. Christopher CHAO, Vice President (Research and Innovation) visited Wuxi and met with Mr DU Xiaogang, Communist Party Secretary of Wuxi; Mr ZHOU Changqing, Member of the Wuxi Party Committee Standing Committee and Head of the United Front Work Department; Mr QIN Yongxin and Mr ZHOU Wendong, Vice Mayors of Wuxi; and Mr CUI Rongguo, Party Chief of Wuxi National Hi-tech District and Party Secretary of Xinwu District. They had an in-depth exchange on reinforcing cooperation between Jiangsu and Hong Kong, along with leaders of various levels from the Wuxi Municipal Government and representatives from domestic companies.

PolyU is the first Hong Kong tertiary institution to establish a research institute in Wuxi and participate in the Yangtze River Delta’s I&T drive. The Institute will focus on three key areas: building an internationally high-end research and innovation platform in the fields of aviation and aeronautical engineering, advanced manufacturing, biomedical engineering, artificial intelligence, new materials and telecommunications networks; establishing an incubation base to translate research outcomes into real-world solutions; and cultivating outstanding engineers and technopreneurs with a global perspective through PolyU’s leading engineering doctorate and postdoctoral fellowship programmes. The Institute will leverage PolyU’s global networks and impact to attract technology companies to the Wuxi High-Tech Industrial Development Zone, organise industry and academic exchange activities, and expand channels for international exchange and collaborations.

To facilitate the translation of research achievements, the Institute signed agreements with ten domestic high-tech enterprises in Wuxi, namely Wuxi Hyatech Co., Ltd; Jiangsu Asia-pacific Aviation Technology Co., Ltd; Xiangsheng Biomedical Technology Co., Ltd; Jiangsu Sanlian Bioengineering Co., Ltd; Wuxi International Life Science Innovation Campus; Wuxi Autowell Technology Co., Ltd; Hymson Laser Technology Group Co., Ltd; Tonghe Carbon Materials Technology (Wuxi) Co., Ltd; Loulan Technology (Jiangsu) Co., Ltd; and GRG Metrology & Test (Wuxi) Co., Ltd. The Institute will serve as a platform to facilitate knowledge transfer and support enterprises in achieving technological advancement by leveraging PolyU’s expertise in innovation and research.

Dr Lam Tai-fai, remarked, “By capitalising on its expertise in talent development, academic and research innovations, and global network, PolyU will collaborate with Wuxi’s industries to enhance R&D services, expedite the translation of research outcomes into practical applications, and promote industrial upgrading. By pooling our efforts, we can unlock the powerful synergy between government, industry and academia enabling us to open a new chapter for the I&T development of Jiangsu, Hong Kong and the Nation.”

During the visit, the PolyU delegates also introduced to the Wuxi Municipal Government and enterprise representatives the University’s engineering doctorate programmes, research achievements in biomedical engineering through industry-academic-research collaborations, as well as the Institute’s future development and talent development plans. Moving forward, the Institute will continue to join hands with Wuxi’s higher education institutions and enterprises in building an innovation ecosystem that will contribute to the high-quality development of Wuxi, Hong Kong and the Nation.

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