The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, began his visit to Singapore today (May 22).

     Professor Sun visited the National University of Singapore after arriving in Singapore. He was briefed by the President of the National University of Singapore, Professor Tan Eng Chye, on the public research university's academic achievements and developments. He learned about the university's focused interdisciplinary research areas, efforts to bring its research dimension to application and commercialisation, its collaborations with industry as well as programmes to create an ecosystem to nurture entrepreneurial talents. 
      
     Professor Sun then toured the Centre for Quantum Technologies, one of the national research centres of excellence, visited the centre's laboratories to understand the country's quantum ecosystem and the centre's research and application of quantum technologies.
      
     He then visited the Mechanobiology Institute, which is another national research centre of excellence, and its MechanoBioEngineering Laboratory, where he learned about its research themes and expertise, its state-of-the-art facility for collaborative research, as well as translation of mechanobiology discoveries to prevent, diagnose and treat human diseases.
      
     To consolidate Hong Kong's strengths in scientific research, encourage cross-disciplinary research and promote development of technology industries, Professor Sun said this year's Budget committed to set aside $6 billion of the earmarked provision to provide subsidies for universities and research institutions to set up thematic research centres to facilitate transformation of research and development outcomes related to life and health technology, and earmark $3 billion to promote development of facilities to enhance basic research in frontier technology fields such as artificial intelligence and quantum technology.

     Professor Sun will call on senior government officials and meet with the Singapore Smart Nation and Digital Government Office, as well as give a thematic speech at a business luncheon with the Singaporean innovation and technology community co-hosted by the Hong Kong Economics and Trade Office in Singapore and Invest Hong Kong tomorrow (May 23).

Ends/Monday, May 22, 2023
Issued at HKT 20:15

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