PolyU and Sun Hung Kai Properties (SHKP) will join hands on a series of research projects to advance green building technologies and smart city development in Hong Kong.

The developer will also launch the “SHKP x PolyU Building Homes with Heart Scholarship Programme” to support 56 outstanding students to pursue studies in construction, real estate and engineering-related disciplines at PolyU.

According to the Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) signed this month, PolyU and SHKP will collaborate on three research projects, including developing a smart, efficient and flexible energy management system; improving carbon activation technology for green building materials; and exploring the application of blockchain technology for green construction processes.

The teams will also explore how to translate research into applications to help Hong Kong develop into a smart and carbon-neutral city.

The MoUs signing ceremony on 18 November was witnessed by Mr Paul Chan, Financial Secretary of the HKSAR; Mr Zhang Zhihua, Director General of the Youth Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government; Dr Lam Tai-fai, PolyU’s Council Chairman; Mr Raymond Kwok, SHKP Chairman and Managing Director; Prof. Wing-tak Wong, Acting President of PolyU; and Mr Adam Kwok, SHKP Executive Director.

PolyU and SHKP have partnered previously on technological research. Both sides joined hands in 2005 to optimise the energy-saving performance of the International Commerce Centre through the use of green and smart building technology, which proved to be a great success.