Rapid progress in scientific research technology has invigorated technical communication and collaboration in scientific research between Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area. The Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI) Shenzhen office has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech) to establish a joint laboratory over the next 5 years. It shall be utilised for research and development, as well as application of advanced semiconductors, next-generation communications and more. ASTRI will allocate RMB5 million, initiate R&D projects, and provide relevant technological advice.
This is ASTRI’s first collaboration with a university in the Greater Bay Area to manage a joint laboratory, which marks the beginning of the comprehensive collaboration in R&D projects between Hong Kong and GBA.
ASTRI and SUSTech have signed an MoU recently to establish the SUSTech School of Microelectronics – ASTRI (Shenzhen) Joint Laboratory. ASTRI shall initiate R&D projects with funding and relevant technological advice; on the other hand, SUSTech shall provide more than 2,100 feet of laboratory space, 100 patents in electronic design automation, serial high-speed electric circuit inspection facilities, close to 13,000 feet of cleanroom laboratory space, and no fewer than 5 postgraduate students to participate in any joint laboratory project.
Through these collaborative efforts, it is hoped that a positive impact will be made on nurturing of talents in scientific research, the application of technology, and subsequent translation into substantial results across Hong Kong and GBA.
Following the launch of the new joint laboratory, ASTRI will immediately begin two projects in scientific research technology in collaboration with SUSTech from April 2022. ASTRI plans to devote HKD 1.5 million of its budget to research on 5G mmWave communication systems in the field of communications, as well as integrated circuits for power management and the relevant systems.
ASTRI plans to carry out different projects to support the government of the People’s Republic of China’s vision to develop the Greater Bay Area as an international innovation hub, which is outlined in the Fourteenth Five-Year Plan. It strives to develop more R&D projects in the Greater Bay Area, working with universities and research institutes in the region to produce substantial and applicable results. At the same time, it also hopes to attract and nurture talents, as well as develop more R&D resources.
The CEO of ASTRI stated that this collaboration between ASTRI and SUSTech marks the beginning of scientific research collaboration between Hong Kong and Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. There will be a focus on promoting projects in the fields of integrated circuits and communication technologies.
Through these collaborative efforts with universities and research institutes equipped with advanced technologies in the Greater Bay Area, ASTRI hopes to attract and nurture talents as we strive to become an international innovation hub.
In January 2022, OpenGov Asia reported that the Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI) announced several development plans that are aimed at aligning ASTRI with the vision of developing the Greater Bay Area (GBA) into an international innovation and technology (I&T) hub, as outlined in the 14th Five-Year Plan.
The Chief Executive Officer of ASTRI noted that the agency would be undertaking more R&D projects in the GBA, cooperating with local universities and research institutes, attracting and cultivating I&T talent, and expanding its R&D resources in the GBA. In addition, ASTRI is looking to attract students from renowned universities overseas to take part in its internship programme and start their careers at ASTRI.
ASTRI’s CEO stated that the agency’s R&D team is looking to further leverage the advantages of the GBA, which include its rich resources and its huge market for technology applications, as well as input from R&D professionals from the mainland and the rest of the world.
These are advantages that will enable ASTRI to make more I&T breakthroughs and have an even greater social impact while supporting the 14th Five-Year Plan and contributing to the development of Hong Kong and the country, he said.
