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Prof. Lu Haitian and Dr Shan Huang Shares their Insights on Soft Connectivity between Hong Kong-Shenzhen Collaboration

Prof. Lu Haitian, Hong Kong Sustaintech Foundation Professor of AF, Core Member of PReCIT and Director of Mainland Development Office, and Dr Shan Huang, postdoctoral fellow at PolyU Shenzhen Research Institute and PReCIT, shared their insights into the advantages and challenges of soft connectivity between Hong Kong and Shenzhen in a bylined article in The Standard.   Online Coverage: The Standard - https://polyu.me/4eqLriC  

Auditing in Hong Kong and the Development of Low-altitude Economy

Prof. Christopher Chao, Vice President (Research and Innovation) and Director of PReCIT, and Prof. Eric Chui, Head of APSS and Co-Director of PReCIT, were interviewed by Bastille Post on PReCIT’s recommendations for the 2024 Policy Address about achieving carbon neutrality and carbon auditing, as well as the proposed research centre for low-altitude economy. Online Coverage: https://polyu.me/47yVjVf Full Recommendation Report: https://www.polyu.edu.hk/precit/research/publications/  

PolyU Launches District Care Teams (Sai Kung) Training Programme to Enhance Service Skills and Quality

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University’s Department of Applied Social Sciences (APSS) and Policy Research Centre for Innovation and Technology (PReCIT), in collaboration with the District Services and Community Care Development Fund (Sai Kung) Company Ltd, have organised a professional training programme for the District Care Teams (Sai Kung). Officially commencing last Saturday, the programme employs diverse and flexible teaching methods, including lectures, workshops, case studies, group activities and visits. It aims to help participants systematically ground their theoretical knowledge and translate it into practical applications to enhance quality of life, happiness, and sense of security among the community. The programme also contributes to policy research at PReCIT. On the first day, the programme comprised two sessions covering the themes of "Social Welfare, Technology and Innovation, as well as Care Teams" and "Basic Administrative Skills." The sessions were led by Prof. Eric CHUI, PolyU Head of APSS and Co-Director of PReCIT, and Prof. Horace MUI, Associate Head (Research) of Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering. Future courses will cover topics including diverse communities, communication skills, law, mental management, effective community development skills, leadership, and strategic planning and execution. Prof. Eric CHUI introduced the roles of Care Teams in Hong Kong communities and their importance to residents, "Care Teams can serve as a communication bridge between residents and the government, as well as fill service gaps. Developing from three aspects, innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and inclusivity, the Teams can explore the application of technology and innovative methods in a sustainable society, maintain professionalism through reflection and explore best practices, as well as create a rich and encouraging environment to enhance resilience and embrace diversity." Prof. Horace MUI hoped that this programme can guide Care Teams to provide more comprehensive and effective management, "We expect each participant to possess professional knowledge and the latest skills to address social issues, thus enable them to provide necessary assistance and care to those in need, and be more adept in serving the community." Ms Sandy CHAN, a participant in the programme, shared that the lecture on the first day equipped her to better serve the community, "I have learnt how to effectively identify those in need and consider their feelings and dignity. I can therefore assist them in integrating into society with empathy." APSS is dedicated to the advancement of knowledge and practice for more effective and compassionate human services through the integration of education, research and service, thus promoting social inclusion and community betterment locally, nationally, and internationally. PReCIT brings together scholars from different disciplines and professions with the aim of promoting interdisciplinary cooperation and policy research. The District Services and Community Care Development Fund (Sai Kung) Company Ltd consolidates community resources and forces from all sectors and strengthens district networks. This tripartite collaboration provides a systematic and practical professional training programme for the Sai Kung District Care Teams. The programme, designed by world-renowned scholars and experienced professionals from various fields, equips them to offer high-quality care services to the community.   Online Coverage: Sing Tao - https://std.stheadline.com/realtime/article/2023797/

PReCIT Submits 2024 Policy Address Recommendations Focusing on Four Key Themes for Hong Kong’s Sustainable Development

The Policy Research Centre for Innovation and Technology (PReCIT) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has submitted its recommendations to the HKSAR government for the 2024 Policy Address. The recommendations cover four major themes: Carbon Neutral Cities, Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area (GBA) Innovation and Technology (I&T) Development, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), and Life and Health Technology. PolyU held an event today to introduce the recommendations and invited Legislative Council members Hon Duncan CHIU and Hon TANG Fei to share their insights. In his welcoming remarks, Prof. Wing-tak WONG, Deputy President and Provost of PolyU, said, “This is the third year that PolyU has submitted policy recommendations to the HKSAR government. Over the past two years, our suggestions have been highly valued and adopted by the government. This is not only an affirmation of our work but also encourages us to continue tomake positive and proactive contributions to society.” Prof. Christopher CHAO, Vice President (Research and Innovation) and Director of PReCIT, gave an overview of the recommendations and said, “Our recommendations are structured around four key themes. Each theme is carefully chosen to address both current challenges and future opportunities, ensuring that Hong Kong continues to thrive in an ever-evolving global landscape.” Prof. Eric CHUI, Co-Director of PReCIT and Head of Department of Applied Social Sciences, moderated the discussion session. He said, “By focusing on these critical areas, we aim to support the government’s efforts in fostering innovation, enhancing connectivity, and improving the quality of life for all residents.”                Mr Kar-kan LING, Interim Vice President (Campus Development and Facilities) (left) and Prof. Daniel T. L. Shek, Associate Vice President (Undergraduate Programme) (right) are PReCIT’s core members.        Prof. C.C. CHAN, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, Distinguished Chair Professor of Electric Vehicles and Smart Energy, and Director of Research Centre for Electric Vehicles at PolyU, also contributed to the recommendations. Key recommendations include: 1. Implementing Comprehensive Carbon Auditing and Building Carbon Neutral Cities Hong Kong’s carbon emissions mainly come from the electricity generation sector, transportation, and waste. To achieve carbon neutrality, PReCIT recommends that the government implement comprehensive carbon auditing measures to accurately track greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across all sectors of the economy and establish similar emissions reporting requirements for companies and organisations above a certain size threshold, ensuring comprehensive coverage of Hong Kong’s carbon footprint. The government can develop a centralised, publicly accessible platform to report and track Hong Kong’s GHG emissions data over time, to address the need for improved transparency. In addition, PReCIT encourages the government to support the development of new technologies, such as green hydrogen energy and waste-based biomass power generation, and to promote the construction of related infrastructure. The government can promote the development of green hydrogen energy by enterprises and research institutions through incentives such as tax incentives, research and development grants, and low-interest loans. 2. Strengthening I&T Collaboration in GBA; Developing a Smart Northern Metropolis The HKSAR government can formulate strategies to facilitate the integration of transitional housing residents into the community and provide community-oriented social services. The Northern Metropolis can take reference from Shenzhen’s experience in the low-altitude economy (LAE), establishing the San Tin Technopole as a central innovation hub to foster collaborations with the Shenzhen I&T Park and advance the construction of a GBA Smart City Cluster. Furthermore, Hong Kong needs to continue to refine its laws and regulations related to the LAE, establish an inter-departmental working unit for the efficient supervision of LAE development, and build R&D centres focusing on low-altitude transportation technologies to advance research in this area. At the same time, Hong Kong is recommended to establish a unified financial standards system, promote the application of a Global Legal Entity Identifier (LEI), and enhance the security and international competitiveness of financial transactions. 3. Promoting Belt and Road (B&R) Collaboration and Retaining Talent PReCIT recommends that the government considers allocating funds and/or creates platforms that are conducive to knowledge exchange, cooperative research, and public-private partnerships (PPPs) between B&R partners and experts from Hong Kong and the GBA. In addition, the government should assume a leading role in establishing a BRI government-industry-academia-research consortium. Other specific recommendations include: increasing the number of Belt and Road scholarships and encouraging graduates to work in Hong Kong; supporting Hong Kong institutions to set up joint student training centres overseas; striving to include Hong Kong in the China Scholarship Council Scholarship Programmes; deepening cooperation among universities in Hong Kong and the Mainland and encouraging joint training programmes; and expanding the “Strive and Rise Programme” from Hong Kong to Belt and Road countries to help address intergenerational poverty. 4. Enhancing Healthcare to Address an Ageing Population and Chronic Diseases Facing the challenges of an ageing population and chronic diseases, Hong Kong needs to strengthen primary healthcare. PReCIT suggests establishing a nutritionist registration system and subsidising community nutrition services. At the same time, it is recommended to establish a “Greater Bay Area Future Food Research Institute” to promote the sustainable development of the food industry. To incorporate traditional Chinese medicine into mainstream healthcare, it is necessary to strengthen its basic research and clinical applications and formulate relevant norms. It is recommended to leverage the advantages of local universities in research and education across various healthcare disciplines to accelerate the cultivation of high-quality talent in the healthcare field and expand Hong Kong’s medical talent pool. Additionally, it is recommended to strengthen exchanges and cooperation of clinical medical talent and medical industry technology innovation talent with the Mainland (especially the GBA) at multiple levels, including health departments, hospitals, and social organisations. In addition, in order to leverage new technologies to empower the “Greater Bay Area International Clinical Trials Institute”, PReCIT suggests combining big data and artificial intelligence technologies in the medical field, and developing telemedicine platforms to provide remote diagnosis, treatment recommendations, and patient monitoring. It is also recommended to integrate and anonymise relevant data to establish a medical research database, which is open for further analysis by universities and research institutions. Simultaneously, it is recommended to discuss with various stakeholders the establishment of a scientifically comprehensive full-process drug regulatory mechanism, and further improve the adequacy and efficiency of the drug approval and regulatory system. Promoting the cooperation of trial sites with the GBA and nationwide to build a regional clinical trial coordination platform is also suggested. These measures will also accelerate the clinical application of new drugs and devices, driving the development of Hong Kong as a regional pharmaceutical research and production base. Composed of academics from different disciplines and professions, PReCIT promotes interdisciplinary policy research and strives to become a leading I&T think tank in Hong Kong and the region. For the full text of the recommendation report, please visit: www.polyu.edu.hk/precit/research/publications/.   For more information about PReCIT, please visit www.polyu.edu.hk/precit/.   ***END***   Photo album of the event: Click here Press Releases: English Version; Chinese Version Online Coverage: Headline Daily - 施政報告2024︱理大科技及創新政策研究中心提交建議書  四大策略構建可持續未來 Sing Tao Daily - 施政報告2024︱理大科技及創新政策研究中心提交建議書  四大策略構建可持續未來 Headline Daily - 理大籲港府拓氫能發電 可自訂碳審計標準 不必追隨歐美 Sing Tao Daily - 理大籲港府拓氫能發電 可自訂碳審計標準 不必追隨歐美 Ming Pao - 理大提施政報告建議倡政府開發綠氫 推「共創明『Teen』」至一帶一路 Ming Pao - 理大提施政報告建議 倡開發綠氫及低空經濟 Oriental Daily News - 理大提交施政建議書 助力香港可持續發展 Oriental Daily News - 理大獻策施政 支持發展綠氫 Hong Kong Commercial Daily - 理大科技及創新政策研究中心就施政報告提交建議 助力香港構建可持續未來 RTHK -  PolyU calls for more support for BnR students Mirage News - PolyU PReCIT Submits 2024 Policy Address Proposals Hong Kong Economic Journal - EJ Insight - 理大科技及創新政策研究中心 施政報告建議書四項主題覆蓋面廣 Master Insight - 2024年《施政報告》理大提交建議書：四大核心主題，共繪香港可持續發展藍圖

PolyU Provides Policy Research and Training Support to District Care Teams (Sai Kung)

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University’s (PolyU) Policy Research Centre for Innovation and Technology (PReCIT) and the Department of Applied Social Sciences (APSS) have partnered to conduct policy research and provide a professional training programme for District Care Teams (Sai Kung). This aims to equip the Teams with further knowledge and skills to better serve the community. PolyU signed a Memorandum of Understanding today with the District Services and Community Care Development Fund (Sai Kung) Company Ltd to put forward public policy proposals that support Hong Kong’s development. The partnership is also assisting in the professional growth of District Care Teams (Sai Kung). In his welcoming remarks, Prof. Christopher CHAO, Vice President (Research & Innovation) and Director of PReCIT said PolyU is committed to community service and development through capacity building. The training provided by the University serves to equip Care Team members with the skills to more effectively foster a more inclusive and supportive society. Mr SO Ching Tung, President of District Services and Community Care Development Fund (Sai Kung) Company Ltd, highlighted their dedication to quality community services with the support of the Central Government and the HKSAR Government, contributing to Hong Kong’s social harmony and stability. A representative of the participants, the Team Leader of Kwong Ming Care Team, Mr CHONG Yuen-tung, expressed his gratitude and said that he and his fellow participants will enhance their skills to better serve the community, support the Government’s regional governance work and ultimately promote prosperity in Hong Kong. Prof. Eric CHUI, Head of APSS and Co-director of PReCIT, provided a brief introduction to the policy research and outlined the key objectives and features of the training programme. He encouraged participants to embrace innovation and technology, more fully understand diverse community needs and better prepare themselves to contribute to the community. Through the combined expertise of PReCIT and APSS, the University aims to help the District Care Teams to enhance their service skills and create positive social impact by fostering innovation, inclusion and well-being.   Press Release: Click here (English Version) Click here (Chinese Version) Online Coverage (Chinese only): 大公網: https://www.takungpao.com/association/text/2024/0813/1000600.html  Kinliu: https://n.kinliu.hk/governance/%E7%90%86%E5%A4%A7%E6%8F%90%E4%BE%9B%E6%94%BF%E7%AD%96%E7%A0%94%E7%A9%B6%E5%8F%8A%E5%9F%B9%E8%A8%93%E6%94%AF%E6%8F%B4%E3%80%80%E5%8A%A9%E5%8A%9B%E8%A5%BF%E8%B2%A2%E5%8D%80%E9%97%9C%E6%84%9B%E9%9A%8A/   

Prof. Christopher Chao Urges the Government to Build Roadmap to Develop Green Hydrogen

In a bylined article, Prof. Christopher Chao, PolyU Vice President (Research & Innovation) and Director of PReCIT, and Dr Oscar Chan, Research Assistant Professor of BEEE and a core member of the Research Team of PReCIT, urged the Government to build a roadmap for the development of green hydrogen for the sake of carbon neutrality targets. Online Coverage (Chinese only): Headline Daily: https://polyu.me/4dc7toW 星島環球網: https://lnkd.in/guXjcbmu Print News: 

Prof. Christopher Chao Warmly Welcomed a Media Delegation Led by the Publicity Department of CPC Wuxi Municipal Committee

Prof. Christopher Chao, PolyU Vice President (Research & Innovation) and Director of PReCIT, introduced the research and development strategies of PolyU’s Mainland Translational Research Institutes (MTRI) and some of the University’s latest research projects and development to the delegation.  PolyU-Wuxi Technology and Innovation Research Institute was officially established last November. The new institute fosters I&T collaboration between industry, academia, and research institutions through the provision of an advanced research platform, transforms PolyU’s research into targeted solutions for Wuxi, and propels the development of innovation and technology.    Read the full article (Chinese only): https://www.hkcd.com.hk/hkcdweb/content/2024/08/02/content_8650129.html

Prof. Eric Chui Penned an Article in Sing Tao Daily on ESG

In the article, Prof. Chui, Head of APSS and CoDoPReCIT, discussed the concept of socially responsible investing (SRI) in ESG and the potential directions of research on that area in Hong Kong.   Read the full article (Chinese only): https://polyu.me/4cTBA4B

Prof. Christopher CHAO Delivered a Keynote Speech on Promoting Technology and Innovation Policies in Shenzhen

Prof. Christopher CHAO, PolyU Vice President (Research & Innovation) and Director of PReCIT, delivered a keynote speech on promoting technology and innovation policies in supporting the national high-quality development in Shenzhen.    Online Coverage (Chinese only): https://city.sina.cn/finance/240723/incfcpev3392722

Prof. LU Haitian Pens Article on Soft Connectivity with Shenzhen

Prof. Lu Haitian, Professor of the School of Accounting & Finance, Core Member of the Policy Research Centre for Innovation and Technology (PReCIT) and Director of Mainland Development Office, and postdoctoral fellows of PReCIT, Dr Wang Shan and Dr Zhu Xiaolin, suggested in a bylined article in Hong Kong Economic Journal that “soft connectivity” would be vital for the collaboration of I&T between Hong Kong and Shenzhen.   Full Article: HKEJ: https://hkej.com/dailynews/investment/article/3816742 (subscription required)