HKUST Delegation Meets Guangzhou Party Secretary and Mayor to Strengthen GBA Collaboration
A high-level HKUST delegation, led by Council Chairman Prof. Harry SHUM, President Prof. Nancy IP, and HKUST(GZ) President Prof. Lionel NI, met with Guangzhou Party Secretary FENG Zhonghua and Mayor SUN Zhiyang in Guangzhou to discuss deepening university-city collaboration and advancing high-quality development in education, science, technology, and talent across the Greater Bay Area (GBA).
Secretary Feng and Mayor Sun, on behalf of the Guangzhou Municipal Government, welcomed the HKUST delegation and extended their congratulations on the University's 35th anniversary. Secretary Feng noted that HKUST is a world-renowned research university, and since the establishment of HKUST(GZ), collaboration between Guangzhou and Hong Kong in higher education, scientific innovation, and research translation has deepened significantly and yielded substantial results.
Looking ahead to the 15th Five-Year Plan period, Secretary Feng expressed his hope that HKUST would seize opportunities arising from Guangzhou's industrial transformation and upgrading, as well as the development and opening-up of Nansha. He encouraged the University to expedite the Phase II development of HKUST(GZ) and actively participate in the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Corridor, particularly the Innovation Zone surrounding HKUST(GZ). He highlighted the importance of aligning HKUST's strengths in biomedicine, artificial intelligence, and low-altitude economy with Guangzhou's industrial needs and application scenarios. He also called for greater efforts to attract top talent and innovative outcomes to Guangzhou, so as to foster new quality productive forces and provide strong support for the GBA's role as a "strategic hub for innovation and a key node in the national development landscape." He warmly welcomed HKUST faculty, students, and alumni to pursue innovation and entrepreneurship in Guangzhou, reaffirming the Municipal Government's commitment to providing the best possible services and support.
Prof. Harry Shum, Prof. Nancy Ip, and Prof. Lionel Ni expressed their sincere gratitude to Guangzhou for its long-standing support for both HKUST and HKUST(GZ).
Council Chairman Prof. Harry Shum noted that Guangzhou, as a core engine of the GBA, boasts a comprehensive industrial system, diverse innovation application scenarios, and a world-class business environment — making it an ideal fertile ground for translating research outcomes from universities into real-world impact.
He reaffirmed the University's unwavering commitment to serving national strategies and deepening innovation within the GBA. Leveraging its international research network and interdisciplinary strengths, HKUST will align closely with Guangzhou's industrial landscape. With the establishment of HKUST's new medical school as a strategic opportunity, the University will focus on deepening collaboration in clinical medicine, embodied intelligence, new energy, and advanced materials — driving the translation of more original research outcomes in Guangzhou and jointly contributing to the development of the GBA International Science and Technology Innovation Center, while demonstrating even greater commitment to integrating into and serving the nation's overall development.
President Prof. Nancy Ip said, "We are deeply grateful to Guangzhou for its long-standing and generous support for HKUST's development in the city, especially for the comprehensive assistance and thoughtful care provided throughout the establishment and growth of HKUST(GZ). Looking ahead, we look forward to deepening our partnership with Guangzhou. The upcoming HKUST medical school presents a timely opportunity to strengthen collaboration in clinical medicine, while further integrating HKUST's research strengths with Guangzhou's industrial ecosystem. We aim to facilitate the translation of more original research outcomes in Guangzhou and contribute to the development of the GBA International Science and Technology Innovation Center."
President Prof. Lionel Ni of HKUST(GZ) emphasized that HKUST(GZ) remains steadfast in its educational mission to serve national strategies and regional development. Aligning with Guangzhou's long-term development plans, the campus will continue to leverage its distinctive approach of Guangdong-Hong Kong synergy and integrative innovation. Focusing on key areas such as artificial intelligence, low-altitude economy, and carbon neutrality, HKUST(GZ) will continue to empower industrial upgrading and the development of an innovative city, driving Guangzhou's high-quality development with original research outcomes and a high-caliber talent pool.
The meeting was also attended by Guangzhou Municipal leaders BIAN Liming, LIU Wei, and JIANG Zhitao, alongside HKUST Vice-President Prof. Tim CHENG and HKUST(GZ) Vice-President Prof. Ricky LI.
