HKUST and Guangzhou Government Sign Deal to Boost Innovation

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) and the Guangzhou Municipal People’s Government have signed a strategic agreement to enhance their collaboration. The agreement focuses on three key areas: integrating industry, academia, and research; advancing life sciences research and medical innovation; and fostering the development of innovative talent. Both parties will establish a long-term exchange framework to jointly drive sustainable economic growth, new industrialization, and the creation of new productive forces.

The signing ceremony took place in Guangzhou, attended by notable guests including the Party Secretary of Guangzhou Mr. GUO Yonghang; Mayor of the Guangzhou Municipal People's Government Mr. SUN Zhiyang,  Vice Mayor of Guangzhou Municipal People's Government Mr. BIAN Liming and Mr. JIANG Zhitao; HKUST Council Chairman Prof. Harry SHUM; President Prof. Nancy IP; HKUST (GZ) President Prof. Lionel NI; Secretary General of Guangzhou Municipal People's Government Mr. HONG Qian, Director-General of Guangzhou Municipal Education Bureau Dr. CHEN Shuang; Deputy director of the Department of Science and Technology of Guangdong Province Mr. XIE Ming; District Mayor of Nansha District People’s Government Mr. WU Yang; and HKUST Provost Prof. GUO Yike. 

Guo Yonghang, Party Secretary of Guangzhou, emphasized that HKUST has long maintained a productive partnership with the city, yielding significant results. He highlighted that Guangzhou is currently working on implementing President Xi Jinping's directives, urging Guangdong to capitalize on its core strengths within the Greater Bay Area. The focus is on creating a robust innovation framework to foster the development of high-quality production forces through technological advancements, ultimately accelerating the construction of the '12218' modern industrial system.

He hopes that both parties will take the signing of this agreement as a new starting point to strengthen comprehensive and in-depth strategic cooperation, working to foster HKUST (Guangzhou) as a 'world-class university with Chinese characteristics'. By focusing on the development of the HKUST (Guangzhou) innovation zone, they aim to deepen collaborative innovation among industry, academia, and research. This includes achieving more landmark results in areas such as scientific research breakthroughs, transformation of research outcomes, and talent cultivation, contributing to the establishment of an international technology innovation center and a high-level talent hub in the Greater Bay Area.

Witnessing the signing ceremony, Prof. Harry SHUM remarked, "Guangzhou, as one of our nation’s major cities, possesses a thriving economy and a rich cultural heritage. As a research-focused university, we are excited to harness our strengths in support of the Guangzhou Municipal Government’s initiatives to advance technological innovation, upgrade industries, and promote sustainable development to achieve greater accomplishments. By working closely together to move forward research, education, and innovation, our partnership will not only contribute to the nation’s progress but also enhance the quality of life for the citizens in both Guangzhou and Hong Kong”.

Prof. Nancy IP, who also serves as the Chairperson of the HKUST (Guangzhou) Governing Board, pointed out: "This agreement represents a significant milestone in our long-standing partnership with the Guangzhou Municipal Government, particularly following the establishment of HKUST (Guangzhou). The three focal areas outlined in this agreement—industry-academia-research collaboration, life sciences and biomedicine, and talent cultivation—align seamlessly with HKUST's strategic development goals. With the strong support of the Guangzhou Municipal Government, I am confident that we will collaboratively drive innovative solutions that will contribute to our nation’s progress".

Guided by the principles of complementary advantages, reciprocal benefits, and a win-win approach, alongside equality and autonomy, the collaboration covers the following areas: 1) fostering technological innovation and knowledge transfer to enhance the development of industry, academia, and research; 2) enhancing collaboration in life sciences and medical sectors to elevate the standard of the biomedicine industry; and 3) engaging in talent development and training. 

HKUST has actively engaged in collaborations with institutions and cities in Mainland China, particularly Guangzhou. As early as 2007, the University established the HKUST Fok Ying Tung Research Institute in Nansha, which serves as a crucial platform for fostering innovative technology and knowledge transfer. Since 2016, HKUST has organized the One Million Dollar Entrepreneurship Competition in Guangzhou, providing young entrepreneurs with valuable opportunities to showcase their talent and seek investment. 

In 2018, HKUST, the Guangzhou Municipal Government, and Guangzhou University signed a cooperation agreement to co-found HKUST (Guangzhou). The institution, approved by the Ministry of Education, officially launched in 2022, marking the first legally independent educational entity co-established by Mainland China and Hong Kong. This development highlights HKUST’s pivotal role in fostering educational integration and driving innovative growth, in line with the 'Outline Development Plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area' and the 'Overall Plan for Deepening Comprehensive Cooperation in Nansha, Guangzhou'.