An announcement
issued by the Hong Kong
University of Science and Technology (HKUST) stated that it has
recently signed a framework agreement with the Southern University of Science and Technology
(SUSTech) in Shenzhen to plan the establishment of the SUSTech-HKUST Joint
School of Microelectronics.
Prof Li Lu, Director-General for
Educational Scientific and Technological Affairs from the Liaison Office of the
Central People’s Government in Hong Kong SAR, said the Joint School will not
only facilitate collaboration among the government, academia and the industry
for the region’s advancement in microelectronics, it also demonstrated Hong
Kong and Shenzhen’s efforts in helping to build national strength in science and
technology.
Riding on the complementary research
strengths of both universities, the proposed Joint School is set to become a
multilateral collaborative platform for industry, academia and research at the
national level. The collaboration seeks to nurture talents and promote innovative
research in key strategic areas including integrated circuit (IC),
system-on-chip design for communications, artificial intelligence (AI) and
robotics, as well as next generation microelectronics device technology such as
wide bandgap semiconductors.
Under the proposed establishment, the Joint
School will be situated on the SUSTech campus. It will offer education programs
at both the undergraduate and postgraduate levels and run four research centers
on IC design methodology and Electronic Design Automation (EDA);
communications; system-on-chip design and system integration; as well as wide
bandgap semiconductor devices.
Prof Wei Shyy, HKUST Acting President, said
that the collaboration would help support China’s Greater Bay development
initiative.
“We have been contributing for years to the
microelectronics and IC industry in Shenzhen. While we are actively
exploring the establishment of our branch in Guangzhou, it seems
that China’s need and strategic priority in this industrial sector can be
well supported by HKUST with Shenzhen as a key platform for industrial
outreach, educational and research activities in the Lok Ma Chau loop area, and
also as a specialized part of a broader initiative for the Greater Bay
development,” Prof Shyy said.
A joint SUSTech-HKUST taskforce consisting
of members from both universities will be set up to push ahead the
applications, and work with the Shenzhen municipal government on details of its
support to the infrastructure and operation of the Joint School.
“Answering President Xi Jinping’s call for
enhanced cooperation in science and technology between Hong Kong and the
mainland, this international, leading and research-led Joint School in
Microelectronics will not only make a national demonstration, but will also
bring new, tremendous opportunities and prospects to both universities,” said
Prof Chen Shiyi, President of SUSTech.
