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RGC Workshop Boosts Research Funding for Hong Kong's Self-Financing Degree Institutions

HK

RGC Workshop Boosts Research Funding for Hong Kong's Self-Financing Degree Institutions
HK

HK

RGC Workshop Boosts Research Funding for Hong Kong's Self-Financing Degree Institutions

2024-11-20 19:45 Last Updated At:19:58

Research Grants Council hosts Workshop on Competitive Research Funding Schemes for Local Self-financing Degree Sector

The following is issued on behalf of the University Grants Committee:

The Research Grants Council (RGC) today (November 20) held a Workshop on the Competitive Research Funding Schemes for the Local Self-financing (SF) Degree Sector at the Hang Seng University of Hong Kong, covering the RGC Faculty Development Scheme (FDS), the Inter-Institutional Development Scheme (IIDS), the Institutional Development Scheme (IDS) Collaborative Research Grant, and the IDS Research Infrastructure Grant. The event attracted close to 200 academics from 10 institutions in the SF education institution sector.

Organised mainly for teaching and research staff from the SF education institution sector, the Workshop invited faculty members who had successfully obtained research grants to share their stories. The achievements of completed FDS projects were also featured at a poster session organised for the first time in parallel with the Workshop. The Chairman of the Assessment Panel of the Competitive Research Funding Schemes for the Local SF Degree Sector, Professor Julie Li, together with members of the Panel, also shared their observations on proposals in the latest round of exercise.

The Chairman of the RGC, Professor Timothy W. Tong, said, "Being an important part of the Hong Kong academic research community, the SF education institution sector has been making noticeable contributions to the advancement of knowledge in the past decade. I am pleased to see that many of the funded projects have brought about remarkable research outputs and achievements, in particular in benefitting the progress and development of Hong Kong society.

"The IDS Research Infrastructure Grant has catalysed capacity building within the SF education institutions by supporting various research infrastructure and facilities, such as research centres on healthcare, green business as well as children and youth. This year, for example, the RGC has supported a proposal for an education institution to set up a Caregiving Research and Development Centre, which was timely and relevant to Hong Kong's current social development. In addition, the IDS Collaborative Research Grant has encouraged and supported SF education institutions to conduct high-quality cross-disciplinary and cross-institutional collaborative research projects. Funded projects this year included research on the monitoring of construction tower cranes by artificial intelligence and detection of antibiotics in wastewater, which had high novelty and societal relevance.

"Looking forward, the RGC will continue working alongside institutions and colleagues of the SF degree sector to promote excellence in Hong Kong's research culture and vibrancy of our research ecosystem."

The Competitive Research Funding Schemes for the Local SF Degree Sector aim at developing the research capability of institutions and faculty members in the sector. Since the launch of the research funding schemes in 2013, the RGC has funded more than 800 projects with a total amount of more than $830 million.

Details of the funding schemes are available on the RGC website:

FDS:

www.ugc.edu.hk/eng/rgc/funding_opport/fds/index.html;

IDS Collaborative Research Grant:

ww.ugc.edu.hk/eng/rgc/funding_opport/ids_crg/index.html;

IDS Research Infrastructure Grant:

ww.ugc.edu.hk/eng/rgc/funding_opport/ids_rig/index.html; and

IIDS:

www.ugc.edu.hk/eng/rgc/funding_opport/iids/index.html

Research Grants Council hosts Workshop on Competitive Research Funding Schemes for Local Self-financing Degree Sector  Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Research Grants Council hosts Workshop on Competitive Research Funding Schemes for Local Self-financing Degree Sector Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Research Grants Council hosts Workshop on Competitive Research Funding Schemes for Local Self-financing Degree Sector  Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Research Grants Council hosts Workshop on Competitive Research Funding Schemes for Local Self-financing Degree Sector Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Speech by SITI at 2026 WAIC UP! Global Summit

Following is the speech by the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, at the 2026 WAIC UP! Global Summit today (January 16):

Ms Qiu (Vice President of DLG Exhibitions & Events Co Ltd, Ms Qiu Haoming), Hendrick (Hong Kong Special Administrative Region's Deputy to the 14th National People's Congress, Mr Hendrick Sin), Terry (Chief Executive Officer of Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation, Mr Terry Wong), Duncan (Member of the Legislative Council, Mr Duncan Chiu), Alex (President of the Hong Kong Information Technology Federation, Dr Alex Chung), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

Good morning. I am delighted to join you at the 2026 WAIC UP! Global Summit.Today's theme, "Wake Up More!", is a call not only for any single company, city, or country but also a timely reminder for all of us to embrace a new era of intelligence, possibility, and shared responsibility.

A big thank you to the organiser for choosing Hong Kong as a destination for this remarkable Summit. This is another testament to Hong Kong's unique position as a "super connector" and a "super value-adder" that thrives on global connection and creativity. We are delighted to see that world-class academics, industry experts and leading entrepreneurs from around the world gather here today to explore the future of AI and the opportunities it brings to us.

AI has become a core engine driving global technological and economic progress, and all economies recognise its strategic importance.Under the unique advantages of "one country, two systems", Hong Kong is also seizing this AI moment.With a focus on "strengthening infrastructure and promoting the application-oriented approach", Hong Kong is steadily advancing a series of AI initiatives.

In terms of R&D (research and development), the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) Government is working to establish the Hong Kong AI Research and Development Institute within this year, which is a new engine for discovery, translation, and real-world impact.Through our AIR@InnoHK research cluster, we have funded the establishment of 16 R&D laboratories focusing on AI and robotics technologies.Notably, the "HKChat" AI chatbot developed by the Hong Kong Generative AI Research and Development Center has already launched its public version.

Hong Kong's total computing power has now reached 5 000 PFLOPS, with the Cyberport AI Supercomputing Centre contributing 3 000 PFLOPS. This centre is a critical hub that supports Hong Kong's AI development, and its capacity will continue to expand to meet growing demand. The upcoming data facility cluster at Sandy Ridge in North District will further provide advanced computing power facilities, promoting the development of data and AI-related industries in Hong Kong.

And at the heart of all progress is talent. We recognise that people, not algorithms, will shape the future of AI. Our strategy is simple yet powerful: "Promote technology with talent, lead industries with technology, and attract talent with industries". To this end, we have included in the Talent List a number of professions in the I&T (innovation and technology) segment, including experienced AI Specialists, to facilitate global experts, like all of you here, in developing your careers in Hong Kong.

Looking ahead, the Hong Kong SAR Government will continue to foster strong collaboration among the Government and the industry, academia, research and investment sectors. The future of AI cannot be built by anyone or any place alone. It requires a global community that is awake, aware, and aligned.I am confident that this Summit will spark new ideas and inspire us to wake up more for high-quality AI development.

I wish the Summit great success. Thank you.

Source: AI-found images

Source: AI-found images

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