The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, today (July 23) visited scientific research facilities at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) to learn more about its research projects. She also met with the PolyU senior management to receive a briefing on the latest developments of the university.

      Accompanied by the Chairman of the Council of PolyU, Dr Lam Tai-fai, and the President of PolyU, Professor Teng Jin-guang, Mrs Lam visited the Precision Robotics Laboratory of the Research Centre for Deep Space Explorations and the University Research Facility in Materials Characterization and Device Fabrication to learn more about the university's research in aerospace technology and advanced materials and their applications.

      PolyU has been actively participating in the nation's space exploration programme since 2010. The university, together with experts from the China Academy of Space Technology, has developed and manufactured various advanced space instruments that were adopted in the nation's lunar and Mars exploration missions. They include the Surface Sampling and Packing System for collecting surface samples from the moon and sealing them for bringing them back to Earth for Chang'e 5 and Chang'e 6, selecting a safe landing site for the Tianwen-1 spacecraft in the Mars exploration mission with top-notch technology and developing the Mars Landing Surveillance Camera to monitor the landing of Tianwen-1. PolyU established the Research Centre for Deep Space Explorations in May this year to pool together experts in different fields including geology, remote sensing, civil engineering, mechanical engineering and physics to further enhance the research in aerospace technology.

      Next, Mrs Lam and the others visited the Clean Room of the University Research Facility in Materials Characterization and Device Fabrication. With microfabrication tools for advanced device innovations, the Clean Room supports the development of products including non-invasive, ultrafast and portable COVID-19 antibody biosensors, health monitoring devices, soft robotics, on-skin electronics and neuromorphic vision sensors. 

     "PolyU's cross-discipline scientific research team has distinguished deep space exploration capability and possesses practical experience in international space missions, contributing to the nation's aerospace development with encouraging achievements. In addition, PolyU received high ratings in various research areas in the results of the Research Assessment Exercise 2020 announced by the University Grants Committee earlier. The school has also participated in the InnoHK Clusters, established in the Hong Kong Science Park by the Government, in which centres are set up in collaboration with renowned overseas universities to conduct research in artificial intelligence and healthcare-related technologies.

     "Hong Kong's capabilities in innovation and technology (I&T) have been fully recognised by the Central Authorities in recent years. The 14th Five-Year Plan approved in March this year has clearly supported Hong Kong to develop as an international I&T hub. I hope that PolyU will continue its efforts to pursue excellence in research and development and encourage more young people to take part in the field, and that, coupling with the massive resources allocated by the current-term Government, it will join us to develop the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area as an international I&T hub and make more contributions to the nation's space projects," Mrs Lam said.

Ends/Friday, July 23, 2021
Issued at HKT 20:52

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