​The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, today (August 26) visited two research centres at the Hong Kong Science Park that were established by the University of Hong Kong (HKU) and the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) in collaboration with world-renowned universities and research institutes under the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government's  InnoHK research clusters. She also learnt more about the latest developments of art tech at the Science Park and witnessed the signing of memoranda of understanding between the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) and local universities as well as an international enterprise.

          Accompanied by the Secretary for Innovation and Technology, Mr Alfred Sit, and the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the HKSTP, Dr Sunny Chai, Mrs Lam visited the Microbiota I-Center (MagIC). The Dean of the Faculty of Medicine of CUHK, Professor Francis Chan, explained that MagIC focuses on utilising the human gut microbiome for development of a new class of medicines and therapeutics, with a view to reaching a new pharmaceutical and healthcare frontier in Hong Kong and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA). Mrs Lam and the others then visited the Laboratory of Data Discovery for Health, where she received a briefing from the Dean of the Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine of HKU, Professor Gabriel Leung, on how the laboratory will enhance disease control and prevention by developing deep data analytics through collaboration with international health authorities.  

     The InnoHK research clusters are a major initiative of the current-term HKSAR Government on innovation and technology (I&T) development and aim to pool together talents from around the world to establish Hong Kong as the hub for global research collaboration. So far, the clusters have focused on two major areas, namely healthcare technologies and artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics technologies. At present, 25 research centres that have been selected to set up a presence at the Science Park have already completed renovation works in their laboratories and have commenced operation progressively. Two other research centres are expected to commence operation later this year. 

     "I set out in my first Policy Address in 2017 an eight-pronged approach to develop I&T, including the establishment of two research clusters at the Science Park to facilitate collaboration between local universities with advantages in basic research and internationally renowned universities and research institutes. This will enhance Hong Kong's capability in original scientific research in major areas as well as application of technology. It is encouraging to see today the relevant research centres commencing operation progressively with a large pool of young scientists, which is testimony to the gradual realisation of the vision of Hong Kong to advance I&T development. 

     "The National Five-year Plan clearly supports Hong Kong to develop as an international I&T hub. The Central Authorities have also said that they will support Hong Kong's I&T development with various measures, including enhancing Hong Kong's participation in national I&T missions. Together with the rapid development of the GBA, I believe that Hong Kong's I&T development is entering a golden era. I encourage different sectors of the community to join hands with the HKSAR Government to seize the valuable opportunities to contribute to the development of our country into a science and technology power," Mrs Lam said. 

     During her visit to the Science Park, Mrs Lam also toured the Experience Centre, which includes seven zones of interactive journeys, covering biomedical technology, AI and robotics, fintech, data and smart city and more, showcasing various art tech exhibits and the I&T ecosystem of Hong Kong. Mrs Lam met with students from the Hong Kong Design Institute at the centre to learn more about how they integrate technology into their design work and realise design concepts at the Science Park. In addition, Mrs Lam also witnessed the signing of memoranda of understanding between the HKSTP and local universities as well as an international enterprise on deepening collaboration in supporting starts-ups and nurturing talents in the GBA.

     "Talent is a key element in the success of I&T. By attracting more young people who aspire to develop in I&T to join the InnoHK research clusters and art tech, a steady supply of talents can be ensured. I am pleased to have seen a large number of young people who are committed to scientific research during the visit today," Mrs Lam said.

Ends/Thursday, August 26, 2021
Issued at HKT 21:51

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