HKUST and Shenzhen Closer Cooperation to Promote Hi-Tech

Abstract

[evdate 2004-06-19]

19/06/2004

HKUST and Shenzhen Closer Cooperation to Promote Hi-Tech

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) and the Shenzhen Municipal Government today (19 June 2004) signed an agreement on further enhancing their collaborations in technology development and nurturing senior professionals.

<http www.ust.hk/en/pa/photo/pa0406191022-1z.jpg> <http www.ust.hk/en/pa/photo/pa0406191022-1z.jpg> Deputy Mayor Liu Yingli (left) exchanges the agreement with President Chu <http www.ust.hk/en/pa/photo/pa0406191022-2z.jpg> <http www.ust.hk/en/pa/photo/pa0406191022-2z.jpg> Shenzhen Mayor Li Hongzhong

<http www.ust.hk/en/pa/photo/pa0406191022-3z.jpg> <http www.ust.hk/en/pa/photo/pa0406191022-3z.jpg> Mayor Li (second from right) visits Biotechnology Research Institute

HKUST plans to establish an HKUST Shenzhen graduate school while the Shenzhen Government will provide active support as appropriate. The school will serve as an innovative hi-tech base to nurture high-quality technology professionals.

In accordance with the agreement, HKUST will also provide technology support to small-and medium-sized enterprises in Shenzhen. Research institutions and technology companies in Shenzhen may make use of HKUST's advanced facilities on a fee-paying basis.

Leading a high-level delegation, Shenzhen Mayor Li Hongzhong visited HKUST today, and witnessed the signing of the agreement between Prof Paul Chu, President of HKUST, and Shenzhen Deputy Mayor Liu Yingli.

The two sides will build on the success of the PKU-HKUST Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institution <http www.iersite.com> (IER), a tripartite partnership between the Shenzhen Municipal Government, Peking University and HKUST. Established in 1999, IER aims to develop high-tech industry, promote technology transfers and nurture technology talents.

" Driven by a relentless pursuit for excellence, HKUST and Shenzhen will work closely together to advance education, research and technology transfers in both Hong Kong and Shenzhen. This will help promote the economic development and create a win-win situation for both sides," remarked Prof Chu at the signing ceremony.

Both sides agree to pull together more resources to speed up the transfers of HKUST technologies and the forging of HKUST's industrial alliances with companies of Hong Kong and Shenzhen in the areas of environmental research, IC (integrated circuits) industry, smart materials, biomedicine, multimedia technology, automation, logistics and business management.

Meanwhile, various units of the University concluded five other agreements with Shenzhen companies and institutions in areas covering IC and communications, garment design, commercialization of carbon nanotubes as well as education.

In addition to the Shenzhen delegation, HKUST also welcomed 165 Shenzhen high school students and 250 parents who were paying a visit to the University today. Of these students, 15 were invited by the School of Engineering to attend a one-week robotics camp. A sharing session was held between these young visitors and 20 Shenzhen students who are currently taking undergraduate studies at HKUST. They were joined by Mayor Li and members of the delegation.

Mayor Li speaks to high school students and parents from Shenzhen

Mayor Li and President Chu (middle) with Shenzhen students who are doing undergraduate studies at HKUST

For media enquiries: Jacky Tsang Tel: 2358-6306 email: patsang@ust.hk