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The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and a Hong Kong-based investment holding company have embarked on a groundbreaking initiative by inaugurating the “PolyU-Accel Group Metaverse+ Joint Laboratory” (Joint Lab). The venture aims to propel research and application of metaverse technology across diverse sectors, while concurrently accelerating Hong Kong’s evolution into a dynamic smart city.
The partnership between academia and industry seeks to fortify collaboration, cultivate skilled professionals, and reinforce the city’s standing as an innovative and sustainable urban hub. An embodiment of this commitment is the company’s noteworthy contribution of HK$10 million over five years to PolyU, earmarked for advancing the Joint Lab’s project development and operations.
The commencement recently took place on the vibrant PolyU campus, graced by the presence of distinguished figures including the Under Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry; the President of PolyU; the Chairman and CEO of the investment holding company; Hong Kong’s delegate to the National People’s Congress; a LegCo Member; the Executive Vice President of PolyU; the Chair Professor of Data Science and Head of the Department of Computing at PolyU, alongside other esteemed guests.
The President of PolyU stated that emphasised that in response to societal needs, PolyU is at the forefront of introducing pioneering Master’s degree programs that encompass a wide spectrum of fields, including blockchain technology, metaverse technology, artificial intelligence, and big data computing.
Particularly noteworthy are the ‘Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics’ (AIDA) and ‘Innovation and Entrepreneurship’ (IE) modules, which significantly enrich the undergraduate curriculum. These initiatives underscore PolyU’s resolute commitment to ascend as a world-class institution of innovation.
The Chairman and CEO of the investment holding company conveyed that the inception of the Joint Lab in collaboration with PolyU stands as a significant juncture in the technological innovation journey of Accel Group. This partnership plays a pivotal role in steering the diversification of the company’s business trajectory. The alignment with academia seamlessly integrates Accel Group’s substantial industry proficiency with research endeavours, while also leveraging financial resources to expedite progress.
This collaborative synergy is strategically positioned to catalyse the emergence of a more competitive and sustainable Hong Kong, underpinned by the transformative influence of metaverse technology. Leveraging the expansive potential inherent in the metaverse, the Group has committed to embedding inventive outcomes within its operations, thereby enhancing its competitive advantage, and reinforcing its sustained growth.
The Joint Lab is poised to undertake multifaceted research, encompassing the metaverse’s pivotal role in enterprise collaboration, industrial applications, and the city’s transformation into a smart and eco-conscious entity. An all-encompassing outlook envisions metaverse technology as a catalyst for innovation in energy management, sustainable supply chains, and eco-friendly city initiatives.
The lab’s establishment bears the promise of enhancing production efficiency and quality, concurrently curbing risk, and costs. Consequently, this initiative will expedite Hong Kong’s progression as a smart, sustainable city, while concurrently nurturing a pool of adept professionals.
The symbiotic partnership weaves academic acumen and research capabilities with industry experience and resources. This unique alliance augments cross-disciplinary cooperation, exploring metaverse technology’s latent potential and value within industrial applications and environmental safeguarding. By foregrounding the smart city paradigm, the Joint Lab cements its commitment to charting an innovative trajectory that transforms Hong Kong into a resilient, cutting-edge metropolis, firmly poised for the future.
