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The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), CUHK-Shenzhen, and the Guangdong Provincial Department of Science and Technology (GDSTC) have entered into a collaborative work plan to advance technological cooperation. This agreement signifies the first instance of Guangdong Province and universities with campuses in both Guangdong and Hong Kong jointly investing in research.
Over a three-year period from 2024 to 2026, the “1+1+1” joint funding programme will see a combined investment of nearly HK$90 million. CUHK and CUHK-Shenzhen, renowned as the earliest and strongest “one university, two campuses” institutions in the Greater Bay Area, are poised to significantly contribute to the region’s innovation and technological development through this partnership.
To accelerate the Greater Bay Area’s development as an international hub for science and technology innovation, GDSTC has partnered with CUHK and CUHK-Shenzhen, leveraging the strengths of these institutions. This collaboration aligns with the Co-operation Agreement on Technology and Innovation Exchange between Guangdong and Hong Kong and aims to support deeper technological cooperation between teams from the two regions.
Key aspects of the cooperation include the formation of a seed fund pool, where GDSTC will invest RMB10 million annually, CUHK will contribute HK$10 million per year, and CUHK-Shenzhen will provide RMB10 million annually over the three-year period. This fund will support joint scientific research initiatives between teams from both universities.
The agreement also focuses on establishing innovation platforms and exploring the creation of joint Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao laboratories in fields where the two universities excel. Moreover, the universities will participate in science forums within the Greater Bay Area and host-related international academic conferences in Hong Kong.
GDSTC encourages the universities to apply for provincial key area research and development programmes, basic and applied science research major projects, natural science fund projects, and other provincial science and technology initiatives. By undertaking GDSTC projects, CUHK and CUHK-Shenzhen will conduct scientific and institutional research to address major technical challenges, aligning with the strategic needs of the Greater Bay Area.
To enhance international cooperation in science, technology, and talent cultivation, the universities will share their brand strengths to attract and nurture high-level research teams globally. This initiative aims to foster extensive and in-depth research collaboration between the universities’ teams.
The signing ceremony, held on the CUHK campus, was attended by several notable figures. Representing CUHK, its Vice-Chancellor and President signed the work plan with Mr. Gong Guoping, Director of the Department of Science and Technology of Guangdong Province, and Professor Xu Yangsheng, President of CUHK-Shenzhen.
Vice-Chancellor and President of CUHK highlighted CUHK’s pioneering role in academic and scientific research exchanges in the Greater Bay Area, noting the remarkable progress made by CUHK-Shenzhen over the past decade. He emphasised the significance of this collaboration in leveraging the universities’ globally leading research capabilities to further the technological and innovative development of the region.
President of CUHK-Shenzhen underscored the strategic positioning of “one brand, two campuses,” which will facilitate deepened cooperation between the two institutions in scientific research, platform building, talent cultivation, and international scientific collaboration. By integrating their resource advantages, the universities aim to introduce top-level research teams globally and participate in national science and technology projects.
Following the signing ceremony, Guangdong provincial leaders and guests visited the Greater Bay Area Joint Laboratory for Organ-on-Chip and Organoid, a collaborative project between CUHK and CUHK-Shenzhen. Professor Tuan showcased the laboratory’s integration of advanced artificial intelligence and medical technologies in developing organs on chips and organoids, contributing to precision medicine and new drug research and development.
