Delegation from Department of Science and Technology of Guangdong Province visits HKBU

Director-General Wang Yueqin from Department of Science and Technology of Guangdong Province (GDSTC) led a delegation to visit Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) on 30 January for idea exchange on topics of innovation promotion, technology development and knowledge transfer between Hong Kong and Guangdong. To foster research collaboration between the two places, GDSTC, HKBU, and the Beijing Normal University-Hong Kong Baptist University United International College have jointly committed to investing resources in establishing collaborative research projects. By pooling strengths from both the government and academia, they aim to create a greater impact for society.

HKBU senior management, including Professor Alexander Wai, President and Vice-Chancellor; Professor Terence Lau, Interim Chief Innovation Officer; Professor Bian Zhaoxiang, Associate Vice-President (Chinese Medicine Development); and Professor Liu Jiming, Associate Vice-President (Research Development), accompanied the delegation to visit the newly established Life Sciences Imaging Centre. They showcased the Centre's advanced brain imaging facilities and discussed how these are propelling the University's innovative transdisciplinary research forward. The delegation also toured the Visualisation Research Centre, gaining an understanding of HKBU’s leading art technology and experiencing the unique immersive interaction offered by the 360-degree immersive LED Visualisation Cinema.

During the exchange meeting, Professor Alexander Wai shared the University's latest development and achievements in research with the delegation. He extended his gratitude for the support and trust from GDSTC. Leveraging the combined resources and strengths of both Guangdong and Hong Kong, he looked forward to embarking on more collaborative research projects that can lead to transdisciplinary innovation and knowledge transfer, ultimately contributing impactful cutting-edge technology and applications to the nation.

Professor Terence Lau introduced the University’s strategic research clusters, along with the latest developments in knowledge and technology transfer. Professor Cai Zongwei, Director of State Key Laboratory of Environment and Biological Analysis, and Professor Bian Zhaoxiang respectively shared the advanced facilities and the ongoing research projects in the Laboratory, as well as HKBU’s role in promoting the internationalisation, modernisation of Chinese medicine and the development of new Chinese herbal medicine.

Director-General Wang Yueqin praised HKBU’s effort in fostering innovation and technology translation. She said the Guangdong Province has been promoting high-quality innovation and technology for years, with related resources investment ranking at the top in the country. Looking ahead, the government hopes to strengthen collaborations with Hong Kong's academic and research institutions to facilitate industry application, and to embark on more transdisciplinary collaborative projects, especially on health and AI development and application, aiming to deliver societal benefits.

HKBU research teams presented several innovative projects to the delegation. These included the "Advanced Point-of-care Molecular Systems for Clinical and Non-Clinical Applications" developed by Professor Terence Lau; the "Traceable Fruit Quality Non-Destructive Detection Technology and IoT Solutions" developed by Professor Zhu Furong, Associate Dean (Research and Postgraduate Studies) of Faculty of Science; the "All-scenario rapid testing platform against antimicrobial resistance" developed by Dr Ren Kangning, Associate Professor of Department of Chemistry; and the "AI Programmable Digital Virtual Performance" developed by Dr Chen Jie, Assistant Professor of Department of Computer Science Department.

The visit highlighted the common goal of HKBU and GDSTC to promote transdisciplinary cooperation, setting the stage for future collaboration. It also underscored the shared vision of both parties to contribute to the national development.