Hong Kong Hosts Inaugural Research Summit to Foster Innovation and Global Collaboration in Higher Education

RGC holds inaugural Research Summit

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

The Research Grants Council (RGC) held its inaugural Research Summit, titled "Forging Frontiers: Shaping the Future of Knowledge and Discovery" today (December 11) at the Hong Kong Science Park. The Summit, supported by all eight University Grants Committee (UGC)-funded universities, was cohosted by the RGC and the Hong Kong Polytechnic University. The event, which was organised to highlight the research impacts and achievements of Hong Kong's higher education and to deepen international exchanges and co-operation, attracted the participation of more than 700 members of the local and international research communities.

Speaking at the opening session of the Summit, the Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, said that, "Hong Kong is ready to grow into a strategic hub for innovation through more joint research initiatives and endeavours. We have a strong track record of outstanding and impactful research as demonstrated by the success of our universities' performance. The Government is committed to supporting the UGC and the RGC's efforts in nurturing our pool of emerging research talent and taking forward innovative research."

Dr Choi emphasised that synergies arising from international and interdisciplinary collaborations are conducive to Hong Kong's development and benefit, not only for the city, but also for the nation and the world. "We look forward to welcoming more outstanding students and young researchers to Hong Kong. Their fresh perspectives and enthusiasm will inject new energy into our academic community, fostering a vibrant environment where innovative and impactful research can flourish," she said.

The Chairman of the RGC, Professor Timothy W. Tong, highlighted that with the Government's continuous funding support and the robust research environment in local universities, the RGC has been actively fostering high-quality and impactful research, and working with the research community to advance knowledge discovery for the benefit of Hong Kong society.

"Research collaboration between the UGC-funded universities and overseas institutions has increased substantially from about 4 200 projects in 2014 to over 8 000 today, signifying that Hong Kong's higher education sector is one of the most internationalised in the world. We are a city that has chosen to invest in knowledge, innovation and scientific discovery, a premier place for carrying out international research collaboration and pursuing new areas of knowledge," said Professor Tong.

With a programme designed to encourage forward-thinking dialogues, the RGC invited three prominent higher education leaders, and a number of distinguished researchers, representatives from research funding bodies and industry leaders locally, nationally and internationally.

Former RGC Chairmen, who joined the occasion that also marked the 35th anniversary of the RGC, discussed how the Council can best support Hong Kong's research community in meeting challenges and seizing opportunities to elevate Hong Kong's role as an international hub for top talent, knowledge and innovation.

RGC holds inaugural Research Summit Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

RGC holds inaugural Research Summit Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

RGC holds inaugural Research Summit Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

RGC holds inaugural Research Summit Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

FEHD releases first batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in December

The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (December 11) released the first batch of gravidtrap indexes and density indexes for Aedes albopictus in December, covering 21 survey areas, as follows:

District

Survey Area

December 2025

First Phase Gravidtrap Index

First Phase Density Index

Eastern

Chai Wan West

0.0%

N/A

North Point

0.0%

N/A

Southern

Aberdeen and Ap Lei Chau

0.0%

N/A

Deep Water Bay and Repulse Bay

0.0%

N/A

Wan Chai

Tin Hau

0.0%

N/A

Wan Chai North

0.0%

N/A

Happy Valley

0.0%

N/A

Yau Tsim

Tsim Sha Tsui

0.0%

N/A

Mong Kok

Mong Kok

0.0%

N/A

Kowloon City

Ho Man Tin

0.0%

N/A

Kai Tak North

2.7%

1.0

Sai Kung

Tseung Kwan O West

0.0%

N/A

Sha Tin

Tai Wai

0.0%

N/A

Sha Tin East

0.0%

N/A

Ma On Shan

1.6%

1.0

Sha Tin Town Centre and Fo Tan

0.0%

N/A

Tai Po

Tai Po East

0.0%

N/A

North

Sheung Shui

0.0%

N/A

Yuen Long

Tin Shui Wai

0.0%

N/A

Tuen Mun

Tuen Mun South

0.0%

N/A

Tsuen Wan

Ma Wan

0.0%

N/A

Among the first batch of First Phase Gravidtrap Indexes covering 21 survey areas in December, all were below 10 per cent.

Among these 21 survey areas, 20 recorded a decrease or remained unchanged in the individual gravidtrap index as compared to the Area Gravidtrap Index last month, i.e. November 2025, representing that the areas' mosquito infestation improved or maintained a low level. Another area recorded a slight increase, but the index was lower than 10 per cent.

The eggs of Aedes albopictus can withstand long periods of desiccation and will hatch when the temperature becomes suitable and water is present. Members of the public should continue to take mosquito control measures during winter to eliminate mosquito eggs.

Public participation is crucial to the effective control of mosquito problems. The FEHD appeals to members of the public to continue to work together in strengthening personal mosquito control measures, including:

• tidy up their premises and check for any accumulation of water inside their premises;

• remove all unnecessary water collections and eliminate the sources;

• check household items (those placed in outdoor and open areas in particular), such as refuse containers, vases, air conditioner drip trays, and laundry racks to prevent stagnant water;

• change the water in flower vases and clear the water in saucers of potted plants at least once every seven days;

• properly cover all containers that hold water to prevent mosquitoes from accessing the water;

• properly dispose of articles that can contain water, such as empty lunch boxes and cans; and

• scrub drains and surface sewers with alkaline detergent at least once a week to remove any mosquito eggs.

Starting in August this year, following the completion of the surveillance of individual survey areas, and once the latest gravidtrap index and the density index are available, the FEHD has been disseminating relevant information through press releases, its website, and social media. It aims to allow members of the public to quickly grasp the mosquito infestation situation and strengthen mosquito control efforts, thereby reducing the risk of chikungunya fever (CF) transmission.

​Following the recommendations from the World Health Organization and taking into account the local situation in Hong Kong, the FEHD sets up gravidtraps in districts where mosquito-borne diseases have been recorded in the past, as well as in densely populated places such as housing estates, hospitals and schools to monitor the breeding and distribution of Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, which can transmit CF and dengue fever. At present, the FEHD has set up gravidtraps in 64 survey areas of the community. During the two weeks of surveillance, the FEHD will collect the gravidtraps once a week. After the first week of surveillance, the FEHD will immediately examine the glue boards inside the retrieved gravidtraps for the presence of adult Aedine mosquitoes to compile the Gravidtrap Index (First Phase) and Density Index (First Phase). At the end of the second week of surveillance, the FEHD will instantly check the glue boards for the presence of adult Aedine mosquitoes. Data from the two weeks of surveillance will be combined to obtain the Area Gravidtrap Index and the Area Density Index. The gravidtrap and density indexes for Aedes albopictus in different survey areas, as well as information on mosquito prevention and control measures, are available on the department's webpage (www.fehd.gov.hk/english/pestcontrol/dengue_fever/Dengue_Fever_Gravidtrap_Index_Update.html#).

The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD)