HKUST, HKUST(GZ) jointly launch funding program
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) and HKUST(GZ) jointly held a new round of presentations on joint research on Oct 9, marking the official launch of the Guangdong-Hong Kong Universities "1+1+1" Joint Funding Program.
This hybrid event attracted over 200 scholars, setting the stage for a new chapter in building a collaborative sci-tech research community in the Greater Bay Area.
In his address, Professor Ricky Shi-Wei LEE, Acting Vice-President (Research) of HKUST(GZ), emphasized the significance of the program. He highlighted that under the educational philosophy of "Unified HKUST, Complementary Campuses", the two institutions are continuously promoting collaboration and integration in cutting-edge interdisciplinary research.
LEE said that the "20-20 Joint Research Initiative", launched last year, has become a crucial platform for deepening research collaboration between the two universities and has achieved significant results in areas such as the development of cutting-edge technologies, joint talent cultivation, and academic exchanges.
He noted that the initiative received strategic support from the Guangdong Provincial Department of Science and Technology last year, forming a "1+1+1" tri-party collaborative innovation model.
"This model not only enhances the effectiveness of existing cooperation mechanisms, but also creates a seamless innovation ecosystem between Guangdong and Hong Kong, providing a platform of close collaboration for researchers and significantly promoting high-quality development in technological innovation and cooperation between the two regions," LEE said.
Professor Tim Kuang-ting CHENG, HKUST's Vice-President for Research and Development, gave a detailed presentation on the program that will be implemented this year.
He noted that the universities will continue to support cross-campus and interdisciplinary faculty teams in fostering meaningful partnerships for academic excellence with emphasis on two main project types: "the joint research projects" with focus on original innovation in frontier science and cutting-edge fields, and "the joint technology development projects", with focus on tackling industrial technology challenges and transformation of technological research achievements in industrial applications to meet market demands.
Through this differentiated approach, the plan aims to achieve coordinated development of basic research and transformation of research achievements in applications, empower joint project teams to nurture major research projects, enhance the universities' exchanges and talent cultivation, and produce high-quality sci-tech outcomes, CHENG said.
Finally, he added, the plan aims to accelerate the application of research outcomes in the Greater Bay Area and achieve deeper integration of the innovation and industrial chains.
Since the implementation of the joint research initiative in 2024, HKUST and HKUST(GZ) have made notable progress in research collaboration, personnel exchanges, and academic events organization, driving significant breakthroughs in interdisciplinary research.
Under the "Complementary Campuses" strategy, the universities' collaboration has yielded fruitful results in multiple cutting-edge fields, showcasing the powerful synergy of collaborative innovation.
Among the achievements, breakthroughs in micro-robot fabrication technology have resulted in the authorization of one invention patent.
Research on the carbon emission mechanism in the Pearl River Basin has been published in the top environmental science journal "Water Research", providing crucial scientific evidence for water environment protection in the Greater Bay Area.
Advances in the research of application of large models in the medical field have been published in renowned international academic conferences and journals.
The production of research outcomes is attributed to an efficient, regularized exchange platform. Joint research teams from both universities have facilitated deep academic exchanges and scientific collaboration through regular academic forums and seminars, achieving high-frequency interaction and complementary strengths between research teams in Guangdong and Hong Kong.
In August 2024, the Bioscience and Biomedical Engineering Thrust (BSBE) of HKUST(GZ) and the Division of Life Science (LIFS) of HKUST jointly organized a seminar, where over 30 professors focused on interdisciplinary frontiers in life sciences, medicine, and bioengineering, exploring cooperation.
In November 2024, the Microelectronics Thrust and Novel IC Exploration Central Facility (NICE) of HKUST(GZ) hosted the Advanced Device Forum. Over 100 experts, scholars, and industry professionals discussed advanced manufacturing processes in integrated circuits, promoting the implementation of university-industry cooperation projects and driving progress in the advanced device field.
In August 2025, Assistant Professor Jiaqiang HUANG from HKUST(GZ)'s Thrust of Sustainable Energy and Environment, and Assistant Professor Yangjian QUAN from HKUST jointly hosted a seminar on the Guangzhou campus. The event, attended by Jean-Marie TARASCON, a member of the French Academy of Sciences and visiting professor at HKUST, delved into the application of advanced materials in next-generation batteries.
Since its inception, HKUST(GZ) has partnered with other academic organizations to host a series of high-level international forums, striving to build an innovation community for cross-campus and interdisciplinary cooperation.
In May 2024, a joint event by the Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences Thrust and the Thrust of Sustainable Energy and Environment of HKUST(GZ), along with HKUST's Division of Environment and Sustainability, attracted nearly 500 experts worldwide to discuss the latest research advances and practical experiences in air quality improvement and climate change response, facilitating efficient transformation of research outcomes in atmospheric pollution control and climate change mitigation.
In November 2024, a joint event, hosted by the Advanced Materials Thrust of HKUST(GZ) in collaboration with HKUST's Department of Chemistry and the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, gathered over 50 faculty members, students, and industry professionals to share the latest progress in material synthesis and catalytic chemistry, fostering multiple potential cross-campus collaborations.
In February 2025, led by Professors Jun XIA from HKUST(GZ) and Guojun BU from HKUST, a neuroscience research team convened an academic exchange meeting, promoting shared laboratory space and facilities and facilitating academic exchanges between faculty and students from both universities.
In March 2025, the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering of HKUST and the Intelligent Manufacturing Thrust of HKUST(GZ) jointly hosted a conference in which 18 professors shared results on frontier topics like additive manufacturing and intelligent algorithms, laying the foundation for cross-campus collaboration and resource sharing.
In July 2025, HKUST and HKUST(GZ) co-hosted the inaugural International Symposium on Ship and Ocean Engineering Equipment, where the International Alliance for the Development of the Marine Industry (Nansha) was set up. Professor Quanke SU, the Chief Engineer and Professor of Practice at HKUST(GZ), and Professor Limin ZHANG, head of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at HKUST, attended the event, which has contributed to enhancing the international competitiveness of the Greater Bay Area's marine industry and promoting high-quality development of the marine economy.
