HKUST Joins Forces with Technical University Berlin

Abstract

[evdate 1998-09-11] For immediate release 11 September 1998

HKUST JOINS FORCES WITH TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY BERLIN

The signing of a general agreement to pursue further collaboration in academic and research-related development activities was announced today by the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) and the Technical University Berlin (TUB) of Germany.

"In view of the ongoing joint project we have now, and our mutual desire to enhance this collaboration, we think this is the right time to have signed an agreement with TUB, our esteemed partner in Germany," said Prof Chia-Wei Woo, President of HKUST.

The joint project is taking place in a newly opened biotechnology laboratory at HKUST that was established to develop a new generation of biosensors and other biomolecular devices.

The signing ceremony was held on September 7 and was attended by the Rector of TUB, Prof Hans-J坧gen Ewers; the President of HKUST, Prof Chia-Wei Woo; the Acting Consul-General of Germany, Mr Holger Michael, and faculty members from the two institutions. At the ceremony, Prof Ewers announced TUB掇 offer to sponsor short-term visits of HKUST graduate students and faculty.

The agreement covers research collaboration, exchange of scientific materials and scholars, sponsorship of cooperative seminars and workshops, and the nurturing of joint-venture start-up companies. It forms part of a program undertaken by the German Center of HKUST掇 Europe Institute to foster collaboration with German universities and research institutes, and multinational companies based in Germany.

Technical University Berlin is one of the largest technical universities in Germany, with 2,800 faculty and some 38,000 students. It has 15 departments with over 100 institutes. Scientists at TUB have been very successful in generating research funds. Each year they attract some DM120 million in external funding from the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (German Research Society) and from industry. This accounts for more than 20% of the overall external funding available to institutions in Berlin.

Note to Editors: Please direct equiries to Mr King Cheng of the Public Affairs Office at 2358-6305 or email pamedia@ust.hk.