CS Leads Delegation to Explore Bildungscampus Heilbronn for Insights on Northern Metropolis University Town Development

CS leads delegation of Working Group on Planning and Construction of the University Town to conclude visit to Germany 

The delegation of the Working Group on Planning and Construction of the University Town under the Committee on Development of the Northern Metropolis led by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, yesterday (May 20, Heilbronn time) continued its visit to Germany. Presidents of the member institutions of the Alliance of Universities of Applied Sciences, including Hong Kong Metropolitan University, Saint Francis University, the Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong, and Tung Wah College, also joined the visit yesterday.

The delegation visited Bildungscampus Heilbronn, an integrated university town that brings together multiple academic institutions, applied research centres and industrial networks. It serves as an important innovative academic hub in Southern Germany. The delegation toured the campus facilities and visited Campus Founders, a start-up and co-innovation hub, to learn about its successful experience in fostering an entrepreneurial ecosystem through start-up incubation, networking and interdisciplinary collaboration. The delegation also met and exchanged views with representatives of member institutions of Bildungscampus, including Heilbronn University of Applied Sciences, the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich and the Technical University of Munich, as well as a representative of the City of Heilbronn government. They discussed the positioning, development strategies, management experience and collaboration models of the institutions in the campus, as well as the local government's involvement in the planning and development of the campus.

Mr Chan said that Bildungscampus Heilbronn has grown rapidly since the completion of its first building in 2011, bringing together multiple academic and research institutions. Today, it serves over 8 500 students, researchers, industry experts and entrepreneurs. By deepening industry-academia-research integration, the campus has successfully aligned academic research with regional economic development, offering valuable practical insights for the planning, development and positioning of the Northern Metropolis University Town. He particularly pointed out that universities of applied sciences play a key role in the campus's ecosystem. By balancing curriculum design, cutting-edge research and practical applications in industry, they serve as an important pillar in promoting industry-education integration and cultivating high-quality applied talent. This provides an invaluable international reference for Hong Kong's active development of universities of applied sciences.

Mr Chan concluded his visit to Germany and will depart for Hong Kong today (May 21, Heilbronn time).

The delegation of the Working Group on Planning and Construction of the University Town under the Committee on Development of the Northern Metropolis led by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, yesterday (May 20, Heilbronn time) continued its visit to Germany. Photo shows Mr Chan (front row, sixth left) and the delegation visiting Bildungscampus Heilbronn. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The delegation of the Working Group on Planning and Construction of the University Town under the Committee on Development of the Northern Metropolis led by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, yesterday (May 20, Heilbronn time) continued its visit to Germany. Photo shows Mr Chan (front row, first left) and the delegation visiting Bildungscampus Heilbronn and meeting with representatives of Heilbronn University of Applied Sciences - a member institution of Bildungscampus. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The delegation of the Working Group on Planning and Construction of the University Town under the Committee on Development of the Northern Metropolis led by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, yesterday (May 20, Heilbronn time) continued its visit to Germany. Photo shows Mr Chan (first right) and the delegation visiting Bildungscampus Heilbronn and interacting with a representative from the government of Heilbronn City. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The delegation of the Working Group on Planning and Construction of the University Town under the Committee on Development of the Northern Metropolis led by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, yesterday (May 20, Heilbronn time) continued its visit to Germany. Photo shows Mr Chan (first right) and the delegation touring the facilities of Bildungscampus Heilbronn, including Campus Founders, a start-up and co-innovation hub. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The delegation of the Working Group on Planning and Construction of the University Town under the Committee on Development of the Northern Metropolis led by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, yesterday (May 20, Heilbronn time) continued its visit to Germany. Photo shows Mr Chan (third right) and the delegation touring the facilities of Bildungscampus Heilbronn, including Campus Founders, a start-up and co-innovation hub. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The delegation of the Working Group on Planning and Construction of the University Town under the Committee on Development of the Northern Metropolis led by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, yesterday (May 20, Heilbronn time) continued its visit to Germany. Photo shows Mr Chan (third right) and the delegation touring the facilities of Bildungscampus Heilbronn, including Campus Founders, a start-up and co-innovation hub. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The delegation of the Working Group on Planning and Construction of the University Town under the Committee on Development of the Northern Metropolis led by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, yesterday (May 20, Heilbronn time) continued its visit to Germany. Photo shows Mr Chan (third right) and the delegation visiting Bildungscampus Heilbronn. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The delegation of the Working Group on Planning and Construction of the University Town under the Committee on Development of the Northern Metropolis led by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, yesterday (May 20, Heilbronn time) continued its visit to Germany. Photo shows Mr Chan (first right) and the delegation visiting Bildungscampus Heilbronn. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects case involving precious metals and stones dealer carrying out specified cash transaction without Category B registration

Hong Kong Customs yesterday (May 20) detected a case involving a local company that conducted a cash transaction of gold jewellery valued at over HK$120,000, while not being a Category B registrant under the Dealers in Precious Metals and Stones Regulatory Regime. An investigation is ongoing.

According to the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing Ordinance (Cap. 615), unless exempted, any person who is seeking to carry on a business of dealing in precious metals and stones and engage in any transaction(s) (whether making or receiving a payment) with a total value at or above HK$120,000 in Hong Kong is required to register with Hong Kong Customs.

In particular, no person other than a Category B registrant may carry out a cash transaction with a total value at or above HK$120,000 in the course of business of dealing in precious metals and stones. Any dealer who is not a Category B registrant but who claims to be a Category B registrant, claims to be authorised to carry out, or carries out any cash transaction(s) with a total value at or above HK$120,000, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a maximum fine of HK$100,000 and imprisonment for six months.

Customs reminds dealers in precious metals and stones that they must obtain the relevant registration before they can carry out any cash or non-cash transaction(s) with a total value at or above HK$120,000.

For the forms, procedures and guidelines to submit applications for registration, please visit the website for Dealers in Precious Metals and Stones Registration System (www.drs.customs.gov.hk) or Customs' webpage (www.customs.gov.hk/en/service-enforcement-information/anti-money-laundering/supervision-of-dealers-in-precious-metals-and-ston/index.html).

Members of the public may report any suspected transactions involving precious metals and stones with a total value at or above HK$120,000 conducted without the required registration to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account(crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Source: AI-found images