The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and the Jinjiang Municipal People’s Government have signed an agreement to establish the PolyU-Jinjiang Technology and Innovation Research Institute. The institute’s objective is to enhance and foster research collaboration among industries, academia, and research organisations in Hong Kong and Jinjiang.
The Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU and the Mayor of Jinjiang signed the agreement at a ceremony held in the Quanzhou Nanyi National High-tech Zone on 2 June 2023. The establishment of the research institute will use PolyU’s research expertise and accomplishments to address Jinjiang’s industrial requirements and support the city’s industrial transformation.
The partnership encompasses a wide range of fields, including new textile materials, fashion design, intelligent wearable systems, microelectronics, future food, and public policy. This collaboration aims to leverage the research prowess of PolyU and the industrial strengths and resources of Jinjiang. Together, they will foster the growth of entrepreneurial talents equipped with innovative technological knowledge and a global perspective.
By capitalising on PolyU’s renowned research excellence and Jinjiang’s thriving industries, this partnership will actively support Jinjiang’s aspiration to become a leading innovation hub. The collaboration between the two entities will facilitate the seamless integration of the industrial chain and the innovation chain, fostering mutual advancement. It will inject fresh vitality into the development of local high-tech industries, driving forward technological innovation and propelling Jinjiang’s overall progress.
The Government of Hong Kong has been working on advancing manufacturing as part of its smart city development push. For example, situated in Tseung Kwan O INNOPARK, the cutting-edge Advanced Manufacturing Centre (AMC) stands as an innovative hub for forward-thinking industrialists and plays a crucial role in supporting Hong Kong’s “new industrialisation” objectives.
This state-of-the-art facility is equipped with advanced manufacturing and testing capabilities, offering a solid foundation for companies, regardless of their size, to engage in customised production of high-value-added yet low-volume technological innovations. The AMC boasts a comprehensive, scalable, and efficient manufacturing space, providing dedicated logistics, warehousing, prototyping, low-volume assembly, and cleanroom services to meet diverse industry needs.
The Government is also working to nurture tech talent. The Technology Talent Admission Scheme (TechTAS), for example, offers an expedited process for eligible companies to recruit non-local technology talent for research and development (R&D) projects within the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR).
To participate, eligible companies must apply for a quota through the Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC). Once a company receives a quota, it can sponsor an eligible individual to apply for an employment visa/entry permit during the 24-month validity period of the quota.
With regard to intelligent wearable systems, the Research Institute for Intelligent Wearable Systems, established in May 2021, received initial funding of HK$30,000,000 for a three-year period from the Hong Kong Polytechnic University. RI-IWEAR comprises members from diverse disciplines, such as physics, chemistry, materials, textiles and clothing, design, electronics, mechanical engineering, computing, and occupational health and safety.
The institute builds upon the existing expertise of the Research Centre for Smart Wearable Technology, which is hosted at the Institute of Textiles and Clothing and collaborates with colleagues across the PolyU campus.
The agreement between PolyU and Jinjiang to establish the PolyU-Jinjiang Technology and Innovation Research Institute marks a significant milestone in fostering research collaboration and driving industrial transformation. With a focus on various fields and leveraging the strengths of both parties, this partnership aims to propel Jinjiang’s development into a leading innovation hub, seamlessly integrating the industrial and innovation chains for mutual growth.
