In a significant step towards fostering collaboration on sustainability and green technology, PolyU and China Resources signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 4 May on research collaboration in carbon neutrality and sustainability-driven projects, talent development and start-up projects, together with a framework agreement to drive the establishment of the CR-PolyU Joint Research Institute for Carbon Neutral New Materials.

Witnessed by Mr Xiangming Wang, Chairman of China Resources Group; Ms Cheng Wu, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Educational, Scientific and Technological Affairs of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Dr Lam Tai-fai, Council Chairman of PolyU; and Prof. Jin-Guang Teng, PolyU President, the MoU was signed by Mr Ying Chen, Assistant General Manager of China Resources Group, Chairman and CEO of China Resources Enterprise, and Prof. Christopher Chao, Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU.

“This collaboration relies on the abundant industrial resources of China Resources Group, combined with PolyU’s strong scientific research capabilities and technology,” said Mr Xiangming Wang. “The aim is to comprehensively apply the results of research into new materials to industry, and jointly establish an ‘Industry-University-Research Integration’ research centre to conduct commercial transformation and incubate startup projects.” 

PolyU President Prof. Jin-Guang Teng said the collaboration would facilitate talent nurturing for researchers and provide support for knowledge transfer. 

“On the one hand, the two parties will provide more external opportunities for PolyU graduate students to exchange and collaborate. On the other hand, China Resources will provide incubation support for PolyU startups. These two factors will help Hong Kong become an international I&T hub in the Greater Bay Area,” Prof. Teng added.