The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) today marked the start of construction of the main building of the HKUST Fok Ying Tung Graduate School in Nansha, Guangzhou.
"Today's ceremony marks an important milestone in the development of the Fok Ying Tung Graduate School. We are moving one more step forward in boosting the cooperation between academia and industry between Hong Kong and the Pearl River Delta," said HKUST President Tony F Chan at the construction commencement ceremony.
"Our University's development on the Mainland has always been in line with the planning of the State. Through 'The Outline of the Plan for the Reform and Development of the Pearl River Delta' and the 'Guangdong-Hong Kong Cooperation Framework Agreement', China has been boosting the integration between Hong Kong and the Pearl River Delta in education, scientific research and economic development. In particular, Nansha has been named a key hub of cooperation between Guangdong and Hong Kong in technology and education. We believe that under the policy of the State, our Graduate School in Nansha will soar to new heights," President Chan said.
The ceremony was officiated by Mr Ian Fok, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Nansha IT Park, President Tony Chan, Mr Sun Lei, Deputy Director-General Nansha Development Zone and other government officials, as well as Mr Shi Donghong, Party Secretary of the Guangdong Fourth Construction Engineering Corporation.
"The Nansha IT Park was established to promote the development of science and technology in the Pearl River Delta, including Hong Kong. We are committed to promoting the collaboration between academic institutions and industrial enterprises in the Pearl River Delta to achieve commercialization of research. The construction of the Fok Ying Tung Graduate School Building will bring us one big step nearer the realization of this vision," said Mr Ian Fok.
The HKUST Fok Ying Tung Graduate School also officially opened the Building Energy Research Center. The Center will develop intelligent and efficient building energy technology and systems, thus helping to reduce demand on energy resources, while at the same time maintain sustainable social and economic development in China.
Meanwhile, the Guangzhou Science and Technology and Information Bureau (GZSTIB) will present to the Fok Ying Tung Graduate School the status of "Guangzhou Digital Life Engineering Technology Research Center. This award gives an integrated platform to lead the research and development efforts in digital life technologies, innovation, technology transfer and training. This platform will also be useful for collaborating with enterprises and research institutes.
In the meantime, impressed by the research and development performance of the Center for Polymer Processing and Systems - another of the School's research centers - CAE Molding Solution Alliance donated 150 sets of Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) mold design software to the Center for its research, development, education and training objectives.
The Fok Ying Tung Graduate School Building will have a total floor area of 25,000 square meters, complete with laboratories for research and education, teaching facilities, a library, a computer barn, and other student amenities.
Operating under the Fok Ying Tung Graduate School are 12 research centers and 2 joint laboratories. The research activities fall into four areas: information and communication technology, advanced materials, environment and sustainable development, as well as biomedical and biotechnology. Currently the Graduate School has about 130 staff members, most of whom are engaged in research and development related activities.
On top of the donation from the Fok Ying Tung Foundation, the Graduate School has been successful in applying for research funding. To date, they have secured over 50 research projects, including State 973 projects, National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) projects, and research funding from Guangdong Province, Guangzhou Municipality and Nansha District governments, Guangdong-Hong Kong cooperative ventures, as well as industrial and institutional cooperative projects.
The Fok Ying Tung Graduate School has also been awarded the title of "International Science and Technology Cooperation Base" by the Ministry of Science and Technology. It is also eligible to apply for State 863 and NSFC funding directly.
For media enquiries, please feel free to contact :
Ross Lai
Tel: 2358 6306 / 9103 2928
Email: rosslai@ust.hk
Donna Wong
Tel: 2358 6317
Email: donnaw@ust.hk
