CUHK VC Visits SIAT and Signs Collaboration Agreement
Professor Rocky S. Tuan (left) , Vice-Chancellor and President of CUHK, and Professor Fan Jianping, Director of SIAT, sign an agreement of collaboration
Represetatives of CUHK and SIAT meet to hold a disssion meeting
CUHK delegation visit joint laboratories of SIAT
A group photo of representatives of CUHK and SIAT
Professor Rocky S. Tuan, Vice-Chancellor and President of The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) led a delegation to Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology (SIAT) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) on 28 March 2023. CUHK members included Professor Alan Chan, Provost; Professor Chan Wai-Yee, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Strategic Development); Professor Sham Mai-Har, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research); Professor Qin Ling, Assistant Dean of Faculty of Medicine, and Director of CUHK Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Research Institute (Futian) (FITRI); Professor Xu Jianbin, Assistant Dean of Faculty of Engineering; Professor Zhang Li, Department of Mechanical and Automation Engineering; and Ms. Wing Wong, Director of China Engagement. The delegates received updates on the recent developments of SIAT and visited CUHK-CAS joint laboratories at SIAT. A discussion meeting was held with Professor Fan Jian-Pin, Director of SIAT, and other senior members from relevant research institutes. Professor Tuan and Professor Fan signed a collaboration agreement between CUHK and Shenzhen University of Technology (tentative name) on behalf of both parties during the meeting.
Professor Fan said that this is the first meeting after the reopening of the border. The rapid development of SIAT relied a lot on the key support from CUHK. He hoped to strengthen the interaction with CUHK and utilize the full advantages of the new developments to come, contributing to scientific and technological innovation in the Greater Bay Area. Professor Tuan responded that SIAT is the core science and technology force of CAS, and an important exchange base for CUHK in the Greater Bay Area. The University will continue its diversified collaboration in talent cultivation and innovation developments to make greater contributions to the construction of the Greater Bay Area.
CUHK has been in close collaboration with CAS in academic exchange and joint research projects since the partnership was established in the 1980s. The two parties joined hands with Shenzhen Municipal Government to establish SIAT in February 2006. It aims to enhance the innovative capacity of the equipment manufacturing and service industries in the Guangdong-Hong Kong region. SIAT is the first national research unit with the involvement of overseas institutions and the only national institute in Shenzhen.
CUHK Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Research Institute Integrates into GBA Development
(From left) Mr Huang Wei, Secretary of the Futian District Committee, Mr Wang Youming, Party Chief of the Shenzhen Science, Technology and Innovation Commission, Mr Wang Daping, Vice-Chairman of the Shenzhen Municipal Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), Mr Yang Shengjun, member of the Party Leadership Group of the Shenzhen Municipal People’s Goverment, Professor Rocky S. Tuan, Vice-Chancellor and President of CUHK, Professor Alan K. L. Chan, Provost of CUHK, Professor Chan Wai-yee, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Strategic Developments) of CUHK, Professor Sham Mai-har, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research) of CUHK, and Professor Qin Ling, Director of the CUHK Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Research Institute (Futian) (FITRI) officiate at the plaque unveiling ceremony of FITRI
Professor Rocky S. Tuan, Vice-Chancellor and President of CUHK, delivers an opening address
Guests visit a laboratory at FITRI
The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Research Institute (Futian) (FITRI) celebrated a new chapter in contributing to the national innovation and technology (I&T) agenda at the plaque unveiling ceremony on 28 March 2023. Representing CUHK were Professor Rocky S. Tuan, Vice-Chancellor and President of CUHK, Professor Alan K. L. Chan, Provost of CUHK, Professor Chan Wai-Yee, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Strategic Developments) of CUHK, Professor Sham Mai-Har, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research) of CUHK, Professor Qin Ling, Director of FITRI. Other guests included Mr. Yang Sheng-Jun, CPC Leadership Group Member of the Shenzhen Municipal People’s Government; Mr. Wang Da-Ping, Vice-Chairman of the Shenzhen Municipal Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC); Mr. Wang You-Ming, Director of the Shenzhen Science, Technology and Innovation Commission, Mr. Huang Wei, CPC Secretary of the Futian District Committee, Mr. Fan Kun, member of the Standing Committee of the Shenzhen Municipal Committee of the CPPCC and Director of Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and Foreign Affairs Committee. The event was also attended by representatives from across Shenzhen, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (Shenzhen), hospitals and industry partners in Shenzhen, and media from both sides of the border.
CUHK attaches great importance to strengthening engagement across a range of areas with mainland partners. It seeks to actively integrate into national development and cater to the needs of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) through cultivating talents and engaging in cutting-edge research and innovation. CUHK launched strategic cooperation with the Futian District People’s Government in May 2020 with the co-establishment of the FITRI in the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Innovation and Technology Co-operation Zone. CUHK’s Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Rocky S. Tuan said at the event, “CUHK advocates research and innovation that goes beyond the discovery and creation of knowledge and focuses on the translation of research outcomes into practical benefits for society. The establishment of FITRI responds to the call for the Outline Development Plan for the GBA and the 14th Five-Year Plan. It is a critical step for CUHK to deepen its collaborations with Shenzhen and expand its mainland foothold in order to achieve the goals set out in the University’s five-year strategic plan. The University will continue to translate high-quality scientific research into practical applications, and harness its strengths as a cradle of talents to cultivate top-notch talents who are eager to contribute to the development of the GBA as an international innovation and technology hub, and inject further impetus into the technological advancement of the country.”
After the ceremony, guests visited FITRI’s exhibition halls and laboratories, and saw a range of exhibits including patented design robots, sensors, algorithms, new orthopedic implant materials, and test kits. The visit was followed by a presentation on a major I&T project of the University, “The CUHK Shenzhen-Hong Kong Smart Medical Robotics Innovation Platform”, by CUHK’s project leader, Professor Liu Yunhui, Choh-Ming Li Professor of Mechanical and Automation Engineering.
Since its inception, FITRI has aspired to become a world-class research facility specializing in robotics, AI, medicine and medical devices. Harnessing Hong Kong’s strengths in basic scientific research and Shenzhen’s advantages in commercialization, it will continue to explore feasible models to strengthen its connection with industry in Shenzhen to facilitate the translation of research outcomes and deepen the cooperation between Shenzhen and Hong Kong, in order to facilitate the integration and sustainable development of industry, education and research. It will work closely with all strategic partners to drive the development and internationalization of the GBA in the areas of smart healthcare and public health services.