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A delegation from the City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK), led by its President, visited Qingdao to engage with officials from the Huangdao District. This meeting culminated in the signing of an agreement to establish the CityUHK Innovation Centre in Qingdao’s West Coast New Area, a strategic move designed to bolster collaboration between higher education institutions in Hong Kong and Qingdao, particularly in the realm of technology and innovation.
The primary objective of this collaboration is to capitalise on the strengths of both regions. CityUHK, recognised globally for its academic research excellence and international standing, aims to leverage these assets to foster innovation and technology talent. By pooling resources and expertise, the partnership seeks to create a synergistic environment that enhances the capabilities of both Hong Kong and Qingdao in these critical areas.
The agreement was formalised by the Vice President of CityUHK and the Deputy District Mayor of Huangdao District; it marks a significant step forward in strengthening ties between the two regions, particularly in technology and innovation.
During the meeting, both parties engaged in detailed discussions on various topics, focusing on how best to harness their respective strengths. CityUHK took the opportunity to showcase its achievements in research and academics, highlighting several of its projects on the mainland, as well as its future development plans for the CityUHK Qingdao Innovation Centre. The Qingdao municipal leadership, in turn, provided an overview of the Qingdao West Coast New Area and the broader vision for the Qingdao Innovation Centre, outlining how it fits into the region’s overall strategy for technological advancement.
A central theme of the discussions was the excitement surrounding the potential of this collaboration. Both sides expressed a strong commitment to gathering talent and innovative resources, which they believe will be pivotal in deepening cooperation. The establishment of the Innovation Centre is seen as a critical step towards integrating industry, academia, and research. This integration is expected to drive the development of new technologies and foster the growth of a skilled workforce capable of meeting the challenges of an increasingly technology-driven world.
The Member of the Qingdao Municipal Party Standing Committee and Party Secretary of the Huangdao District Committee, who witnessed the signing, stressed the importance of this partnership by noting that CityUHK, as a globally recognised institution, brings considerable expertise in professional education and research. He expressed confidence that the collaboration would create a robust platform for talent acquisition in Qingdao, further enhancing the city’s status as a hub for innovation. The expectation is that this new platform will not only attract top-tier talent but also facilitate the development of cutting-edge technologies that can be applied both locally and globally.
The President of City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) echoed these sentiments, praising the comprehensive strengths of the Qingdao West Coast New Area, particularly its vibrant innovation ecosystem. He highlighted CityUHK’s commitment to investing in Qingdao’s technological future, emphasising that the university plans to allocate significant resources to the region. This investment will focus on enhancing talent training and fostering exchanges between the two regions, ultimately benefiting both parties.
In addition to the formal discussions, the CityUHK delegation visited the Qingdao Science Education Park, where they gained insights into the city’s technology development and innovation ecosystem. This visit reinforced the delegation’s understanding of Qingdao’s potential as a technology hub and underscored the importance of the partnership.
Overall, the collaboration between CityUHK and the Qingdao West Coast New Area represents a strategic alignment of interests, with both parties committed to driving technological innovation and nurturing talent. The establishment of the CityUHK Innovation Centre is poised to play a pivotal role in this endeavour, serving as a beacon for future collaborations that could further integrate industry, academia, and research in the region.