CUHK and Shanghai AI Lab Collaborate to Establish CUHK Interdisciplinary AI Research Institute
Group photo of guests attending the inauguration ceremony of CUHK Interdisciplinary Artificial Intelligence Research Institute
Professor Tuan, Vice-Chancellor of CUHK, delivers opening remarks at the inauguration ceremony
The officiating guests at the inauguration ceremony of CUHK Interdisciplinary Artificial Intelligence Research Institute
The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) and the Shanghai Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (Shanghai Lab) have jointly established the CUHK Interdisciplinary Artificial Intelligence Research Institute to promote the research development and innovation in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) technology and related interdisciplinary fields. An inauguration ceremony was held at CUHK and Shanghai simultaneously via video conference on 27 September.
Officiating guests included CUHK Vice-Chancellor Professor Rocky Tuan; Mr. Sit Wing-hang, Secretary for Innovation and Technology of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government (HKSAR); Mr. Zhang Quan, Chairman of the Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality; Mr. Liu Zhiming, General Manager of the Beijing-Hong Kong Academic Exchange Centre; Mr. Chen Heng, Director and Second-level Inspector of the Department of Educational, Scientific and Technological Affairs, Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR; Professor Tang Xiaoou, Director of the Shanghai Artificial Intelligence Laboratory; Professor Alan Chan, Provost of CUHK. CUHK Pro-Vice-Chancellors Professor Chan Wai-yee and Professor Sham Mai-har together with university management and project leaders attended the ceremony.
Professor Tuan, Vice-Chancellor of CUHK, said in his welcome speech: “The Institute will focus on the major needs of the country and the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, comprising key issues in the field of AI and related disciplines, jointly creating a world-class interdisciplinary innovation platform. Riding on their unique advantages and complementary strengths, both parties will embark on establishing an open and efficient mechanism to deliver a far-reaching impact not only in original theories and innovative technologies of AI, but also multidisciplinary research and emerging industry applications. The Institute will provide opportunities for cooperation between CUHK and Shanghai Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, as well as with scholars from all over the world, to give full play to the scientific research capabilities of all parties, and to promote the applications of AI research.”
Mr. Sit Wing-hang, Secretary for Innovation and Technology, said: “Artificial intelligence is the main driving force for the national industrial transformation and construction of smart cities. The country clearly supports Hong Kong in the 14th Five-Year Plan to build an international innovation and technology center. The government will follow the 14th Five-Year Plan to actively enhance Hong Kong’s competitiveness in innovation and technology. Over the years, we have funded various scientific research projects through the Innovation and Technology Fund, including scientific research projects related to artificial intelligence and supporting local start-ups. SenseTime is the best example of unicorn company in Hong Kong. I am convinced that the cooperation between CUHK and the Shanghai Artificial Intelligence Laboratory will help deepen the cooperation in scientific research between Shanghai and Hong Kong, and make an important contribution to the development of the artificial intelligence industry in the country and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.”
Professor Tang Xiaoou, Director of Shanghai Lab, said: “As a new national research institution in AI centered in Shanghai, our vision is to build a world-class AI laboratory, with pioneering contributions on original theories and key technologies. By strategically collaborating with top universities at home and abroad, we are establishing a network of innovation centers in Beijing, Hangzhou and other major cities. The joint launch of the Interdisciplinary AI Research Institute today signified a seminal base of Shanghai Artificial Intelligence Laboratory in Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. We will work closely with CUHK to play a part of National 14th Five-year Plan blueprint and Hong Kong’s striving for an international innovation and technology hub, and contribute to an innovative future enabled by AI for all. “
CUHK and Shanghai Lab signed an agreement this year to carry out a full range of strategic cooperation in AI, including the recruitment of research talent, joint training of young people, innovation ecology in combining research, education and knowledge transfer, and sharing of achievements. The Institute will not only develop basic and advanced education programmes in AI, but also enhance the research collaboration and facilitate the establishment of joint platforms to meet the needs of expert training and advance the development of academic research and biotechnology. The launch of the Institute will strengthen the ties between CUHK and Shanghai Artificial Intelligence Laboratory towards a long and sustainable collaboration to further explore new research areas and innovative projects.
CUHK always strives to advance the development of AI research and its applications, which is also one of the key research areas of the CUHK Strategic Plan 2021-2025. Based on the University’s world-leading research excellence, CUHK has identified its research priorities to focus on interdisciplinary research to reach the next level of excellence and breakthrough and fulfil societal needs on a national and global scale.
Through the joint establishment of CUHK Interdisciplinary Artificial Intelligence Research Institute, CUHK and the Shanghai Artificial Intelligence Laboratory will participate more deeply in the important scientific research plans of the National 14th Five-Year Plan, and contribute to Hong Kong’s construction as an international innovation and technology center.
CUHK and China Resources Enterprise Sign Cooperation Framework Agreement
The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) and China Resources Enterprise Limited (CR Enterprise) signed a cooperation framework agreement on 2 August. The collaboration is to establish a regenerative medicine innovation center in Hong Kong, offering support to the construction of facilities, and to advance research and development, technology transfer and commercialization in the fields of regenerative medicine and renewable energy.
The agreement was signed by Professor Alan K.L. Chan, Acting Vice-Chancellor of CUHK, and Mr. Chen Ying, Chief Executive Officer of CR Enterprise. Both parties will commence cooperation to develop Hong Kong as an international hub for innovation and technology by fully utilizing the research advantages of CUHK and industrial resources from CR Enterprise. The agreement sets out directions of sustainable partnership in research, investment and incubation by applying respective strengths to create a world-class platform for cooperation in technology and innovation.
CUHK and CR Enterprise will work together to concentrate capital and industrial resources in facilitating the development in the fields of regenerative medicine and renewable energy via offering academia and industry sectors with infrastructure and supporting services of international standard. The joint efforts aim at bolstering technological breakthroughs to advance industrial development in the fields of cell and gene therapy as well as providing technical support to promote low-carbon transition.
CUHK and Zhejiang University Establish Joint Training Scheme for FinTech Talents
The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) and Zhejiang University (ZJU) ZJU initiated collaboration to launch a Joint Training Scheme to train master’s students in the field of Financial Technology (FinTech) in order to meet the demand of the rapidly developing industry. Prof. Chan Wai-yee, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of CUHK and Prof. He Lian-zhen, Vice President of ZJU joined the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing ceremony on 2 August. Prof. Martin D.F. Wong, Dean of Engineering of CUHK and Prof. Ben Shenglin, Dean of International Business School (IBS) of ZJU signed the MOU regarding the partnership on behalf of the two parties. The Scheme will commence in the academic year of 2021-22.
The Scheme is an initiative to realize the complementary advantages of the two FinTech related programmes offered by the two universities, combining IBS’ strength in business training with Engineering Faculty’s strength in technology training. It will enable the graduates to be all-round talents to serve the FinTech sector in both Hong Kong and mainland China. Students selected for the Scheme will enjoy an accelerated track to complete both the Master of Finance degree and Master of Science program in FinTech degree within two years of study in ZJU and CUHK.
Since the establishment of partnership in 1991, CUHK has been collaborating closely with ZJU via a range of projects in research, supervision of postgraduates and student interflow. Both universities have jointly established research units in biomedical engineering, natural products research, and advanced photonics. The Scheme further enhanced the partnership development in talent nurturing.
CUHK Signs Collaboration Agreement with Shandong University
The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) and the Shandong University signed an agreement online on 8 September to enhance academic and research collaboration. Professor Rocky Tuan, Vice-Chancellor of CUHK and Professor Fan Liming, President of Shandong University signed the agreement on behalf of both universities. CUHK participants joining the signing ceremony comprised of Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Chan Wai-yee; Professor Tang Xiao-bing, Dean of Faculty of Arts; Professor Chan Man-lok, Director of School of Biomedical Sciences; Professor Ho Che-wah, Associate Director of Institute of Chinese Studies and Director of D.C. Lau Research Centre for Chinese Ancient Texts; and Ms. Wing Wong, Director of China Engagement. Shandong University representatives included Professor Chen Zijiang, Chinese Academy of Sciences Academician; Professor Liu Qi-ji, Associate Dean of Cheeloo College of Medicine; Professor Zhou Chuan-jian, Head of Department of Science and Technology Management; and Ms. Sun Feng-shou, Director of Hong Kong Macau and Taiwan Affairs Office.
Shandong University and CUHK have started a range of projects in nursing, reproductive medicine and social sciences, including student interflow, academic exchange and research collaboration. In 2013, a Joint Research Laboratory on Reproductive Genetics was established to bolster collaboration between the two universities.