HKUST(GZ) and China Mobile to sign strategic cooperation agreement
On the morning of September 29, the signing ceremony of strategic cooperation between HKUST(GZ) and the Guangzhou branch of China Mobile and the launching ceremony of the Metaverse Joint Innovation Lab was held at HKUST(GZ) campus.
Mr. Cai Lizhi, Party Secretary and Director of Guangdong Communications Administration, Mr. Ma Shu, Deputy Secretary General of Guangzhou, Mr. Ouyang Jianhua, deputy head of Nansha district government, Mr. Lin Ping, a first-level researcher of Guangzhou Education Bureau, Mr. Weiming, Party Secretary, Chairman and General Manager of China Mobile Guangdong, Mr. Luo Weimin, Party Secretary and General Manager of the Guangzhou Branch of China Mobile, Prof. Lionel M. Ni, President of HKUST(GZ), and Prof. Ricky Lee, Acting Dean of Systems Hub of HKUST(GZ), attended the ceremony, which was hosted by the Dr. Bin Li, Special Assistant to the President of HKUST (GZ) and Director of the President’s Office of HKUST (GZ).
Prof. Lionel M. Ni, President of HKUST(GZ), delivered a speech. He pointed out that from the preparation of the university to its official opening, HKUST(GZ) and China Mobile have been working together on major programs regarding the construction of smart systems on campus. Along the journey of cooperation, both sides have developed profound mutual trust and friendship, laying a solid foundation for further cooperation. The signing of the strategic cooperation agreement marks that HKUST(GZ) embraces the first strategic partner of HKUST(GZ) after its official opening. The Metaverse Joint Innovation Lab is also the first joint lab built in collaboration with a central enterprise after its official opening. HKUST(GZ) attaches great importance to the cooperation between the two sides and will build high-quality cooperation platforms with high standards at a high level. HKUST(GZ) will strive to overcome scientific challenges in Metaverse frontiers, promote the transfer and application of scientific and technological achievements in this regard, and actively explore the coordinated industry-university-research innovation and development. All these endeavors aim to deepen the integration of digital technologies and the real economy, inject new driving forces into economic development, and help the Nansha District of Guangzhou build a highland of innovative development for Metaverse.
Mr. Luo Weimin, Party Secretary and General Manager of the Guangzhou Branch of China Mobile, said, the signing of the strategic cooperation agreement is a new start for in-depth cooperation of both sides. In the future, the Guangzhou Branch of China Mobile will join hands with HKUST(GZ) to implement important expositions of General Secretary Xi. Jinping on education, consolidate the foundation of “new infrastructure” for cloud and internet, build new benchmarks for the smart campus, and facilitate cooperation on Metaverse research. Both sides will unleash their strengths with complementary advantages towards a bright future, which can set up a benchmark for industrial cooperation and the implementation of Overall Plan of Guangzhou Nansha for Deepening Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Comprehensive Cooperation Facing the World in Guangzhou.
Witnessed by leaders and guests, Dr. Bin Li, Special Assistant to the President of HKUST (GZ) and Director of the President’s Office of HKUST (GZ), and Mr. Lai Jianjun, member of the Party Committee and Deputy General Manager of the Guangzhou Branch of China Mobile, signed the strategic cooperation agreement on behalf of both sides. According to the agreement, both sides will deepen cooperation in Metaverse innovation research, smart campus building, data center, practical university-enterprise training and other areas by fully giving play to advantages. It is estimated that the cooperation will amount to no less than RMB 500 million for the first five years of the program.
Prof. Lei Chen, Chair Professor and Acting Dean of Data Science and Analytics Thrust, Information Hub, HKUST(GZ), gave a speech. He explained the significant ramifications of building the Metaverse Joint Innovation Lab from the perspectives of serving national strategies, meeting social needs and boosting scientific and technological innovation. He said, it is hoped that the lab will be built as an example of university-enterprise joint innovation at HKUST(GZ), realizing the seamless combination of virtual and real world, to joint create a splendid future for Metaverse.
At the end of the ceremony, Mr. Cai Lizhi, Mr. Ma Shu, Prof. Lionel M. Ni, Mr. Wei Ming, Mr. Ouyang Jianhua, Mr. Luo Weiming, Dr. Bin Li, Mr. Lai Jianjun, Mr. Lin Ping, Prof. Lei Chen jointly launched the Metaverse Joint Innovation Lab, capping the event. Relevant personnel in charge from HKUST(GZ), China Mobile Guangdong, the Guangzhou branch of China Mobile and other related units attended the ceremony.
