PolyU invests HK$400m in new interdisciplinary research institutes for improving people’s lives 理大投放四億元於新成立的跨學科高等研究院 以改善社會民生
Prof. Wing-tak Wong, PolyU’s Deputy President and Provost, said in an interview that the University will invest HK$400 million in the next three years in 15 new research institutes and centres for areas like smart city, wearable smart devices and Chinese medicine.
Prof. Wong said the research will focus on people’s key daily life issues like clothing and food, with an emphasis on addressing societal challenges.
One of the institutes established lately is the Research Institute for Future Food (RiFood). Dr Wong Ka-hing, Director of RiFood and Associate Professor in the Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, told media that RiFood is currently conducting a research on the efficacies of traditional Chinese dietary supplements like bird's nest and sea cucumbers.
Another research undergoing at RiFood is how to convert food waste into 3D printing materials with nanotechnology. The institute is also conducting projects about AI food authentication and food sustainability. (Hong Kong Economic Times A10, Sky Post P08)
理大常務及學務副校長黃永德於訪問時表示，大學於未來3年將投放4億元，推動高等研究院轄下的15所研究院及研究中心，當中涵蓋多個範疇，包括智慧城市、智能可穿戴系統及中醫藥等。
黃教授更表示，研究的課題均是社會民生重要議題，涉獵衣食住行，「理大特別強調研究要貼地及入屋，要對社會有用。」
「未來食品研究院」(RiFood) 是其中一所剛成立的研究院之一。RiFood院長兼應用生物及化學科技學系副教授黃家興博士於訪問中透露其研究團隊最近正研究中國傳統滋補食品如燕窩及海參相關的功效。
除此以外，「未來食品研究院」專注食品科學，研究包括透過納米技術將廚餘製成3D打印材料、發展人工智能食物鑑證以辨別有機菜等，最終目標協助培養出一個可持續的糧食系統，應對人口增長及氣候變化帶來的糧食危機。(經濟日報A10, 晴報P08)
Online coverage 線上報導:
Hong Kong Economic Times 經濟日報
Sky Post 晴報
