The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) and the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) have signed a strategic memorandum of understanding (MoU) to advance innovation and technology (I&T) growth opportunities and next-generation talent development across Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area (GBA).
The collaboration paves the way for the establishment of the Hong Kong Science Park and Guangzhou Nansha Co-incubation Base (Co-incubation Base) in Nansha, Guangzhou. This directly connects the HKUST and HKSTP ecosystems across the region to grow the R&D and technology talent pools between Hong Kong and the GBA. High-potential startups, entrepreneurs and young talent from Hong Kong can "land" in Nansha and immediately connect to the local innovation ecosystem, while mainland ventures and talent can do the same when connecting to Hong Kong.
The co-incubation program with HKSTP aims to unlock innovation potential by creating a thriving, competitive I&T ecosystem spanning Hong Kong and the GBA. HKSTP is embarking on a broad sweeping co-incubation strategy for early-stage startups that leverages the strengths of a combined network of industry, academia and government partners.
Prof. Lionel NI, President (Designate) of the new HKUST Guangzhou campus in Nansha, said: "The HKSTP-HKUST collaboration will facilitate exchange and joint efforts of the R&D talent and technopreneurs across the GBA, together we will enhance the ecosystem for entrepreneurs in HK to utilize the opportunities of the GBA as well as entrepreneurs in the mainland who wish to expand beyond the domestic market."
Mr. Albert WONG, CEO at HKSTP said: "This landmark agreement with HKUST is a significant step in our co-incubation strategy to form deep partnerships to unlock growth and ground-breaking innovation, while developing technology leaders of tomorrow across the GBA. Securing the collaboration and commitment from leading academia such as HKUST to ensure startups benefit from the combined capabilities, reach and network strength of Hong Kong's world-class GBA-wide I&T ecosystem."
The partnership aims to create a cross-border laboratory platform with a focus on accelerating microelectronics development that could be applied to areas such as: the digital economy, semi-conductors, 5G, AI, high-end intelligent equipment, smart logistics, biomedical and environmentally-friendly materials.
The Co-Incubation Base will provide early-stage startups from Hong Kong and overseas with R&D development and expansion opportunities in the Mainland. While high-potential I&T ventures from the Mainland can carry out R&D in Hong Kong and expand their international footprint along the "Belt and Road" countries.
Experts at HKUST will share their extensive research experience with tech ventures at the Co-incubation Base and equip them through a series of technical training and knowledge transfer programs. HKSTP's GBA InnoAcademy and GBA InnoExpress development programs ensure tech ventures at the Co-incubation Base receive comprehensive support with deep training and broad industry exchange. HKSTP will also support the emerging startups in exploring further opportunities at the planned Microelectronics Centre in Yuen Long, to be completed in 2023. Theses initiative will dramatically ease the path for young people to acquire work experience in R&D and engineering projects across the GBA region.
About The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) (https://hkust.edu.hk/) is a world-class research intensive university that focuses on science, technology and business as well as humanities and social science. HKUST offers an international campus, and a holistic and interdisciplinary pedagogy to nurture well-rounded graduates with global vision, a strong entrepreneurial spirit and innovative thinking. Over 80% of our research work were rated "Internationally excellent" or "world leading" in the Research Assessment Exercise 2020 of Hong Kong's University Grants Committee. We were ranked 3rd in Times Higher Education's Young University Rankings 2021, and our graduates were ranked 26th worldwide and among the best from universities from Asia in Global University Employability Survey 2020.
About Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation
Comprising Science Park, InnoCentre and Industrial Estates, Hong Kong Science & Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) is a statutory body dedicated to building a vibrant innovation and technology ecosystem to connect stakeholders, nurture technology talents, facilitate collaboration, and catalyse innovations to deliver social and economic benefits to Hong Kong and the region.
Established in May 2001, HKSTP has been driving the development of Hong Kong into a regional hub for innovation and growth in several focused clusters including Electronics, Information & Communications Technology, Green Technology, Biomedical Technology, Materials and Precision Engineering. We enable science and technology companies to nurture ideas, innovate and grow, supported by our R&D facilities, infrastructure, and market-led laboratories and technical centres with professional support services. We also offer value added services and comprehensive incubation programmes for technology start-ups to accelerate their growth.
