HKUST and ASTRI sign MoU on Joint R&D and Technology Commercialisation | The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) and The Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI) today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for R&D collaboration, involving leveraging the patented technologies and research strengths of both parties to develop impactful innovations. The two parties will also work jointly to commercialise their R&D deliverables in promoting Smart City development, bringing more positive impacts to various industries.

Under this MoU, intellectual properties (IPs) generated by R&D collaborations between HKUST and ASTRI will be jointly owned by both parties according to their respective Inventive Contributions. This marks the first time in Hong Kong that an applied research institute and a university have officially collaborated using this approach, setting an example in driving more cross-disciplinary R&D collaborations involving the sharing of technology transfers to advance the innovation and technology ecosystem in Hong Kong and beyond.

Dr. Denis YIP, Chief Executive Officer of ASTRI, said, “HKUST and ASTRI each have strong R&D capabilities, and both possess a large number of valuable patented technologies. We are looking forward to jointly creating even greater value through this new collaborative approach, while at the same time introducing a new paradigm to the I&T ecosystem. We are also pleased to be supporting the development of the Greater Bay Area into an international innovation and technology hub.”

Prof. Nancy IP, Vice-President for Research and Development at HKUST said, “Over the years, HKUST and ASTRI have collaborated on several research fronts, with many bringing benefits to the society. We are delighted today to take our partnership to the next level. By further streamlining and strengthening our collaboration framework (e.g. new IP framework), we hope to facilitate and foster more and deeper collaboration among our researchers. Our strengthened partnership will not only further promote knowledge transfer and technology commercialisation, but will also inject impetus into Hong Kong and Mainland’s development in innovation and technology.”

Under the new arrangement, ASTRI and HKUST or its affiliates will proactively identify joint research opportunities leveraging IPs owned respectively by each organization and drive the commercialisation of such research deliverables. Potential areas for co-operation include, among others, research in advanced 5G applications, third-generation semiconductors, as well as the use of sensors for the sorting of waste. 

While both organisations will complement each other across basic and applied research, ASTRI will further strengthen its role acting as a bridge between fundamental research and industry applications. Through the collaboration, both sides also aim at cultivating I&T talents, including young researchers and graduate students, providing them more opportunities to participate in R&D projects.

As of now, ASTRI owns around 900 patents in the Mainland, the US and other countries, and had transferred almost 800 technologies to the industry. Its applied research covers five technology domains, including AI and Big Data Analytics; Communications; Cybersecurity, Cryptography and Trusted Technologies; Integrated Circuits and Systems; as well as IoT and Sensors. ASTRI is committed to creating technology innovations that solve business painpoints and improve operational efficiencies for organizations in both private and public sectors.

HKUST is committed to promoting technological innovation and knowledge transfer. In 2020/2021, HKUST has disclosed 176 inventions, filed 332 new patent applications and was granted 205 new patents. HKUST possesses around a thousand cumulative active granted patents in areas spanning biotechnology, robotics and autonomous systems, communication and information technologies, artificial intelligence, semiconductor to advanced materials and sustainable technologies.

ASTRI and HKUST will continue to explore possibilities for similar collaborations with other R&D institutions and universities in Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area, in support of building the Greater Bay Area into an international innovation and technology hub as outlined in the 14th Five-Year Plan.
 

About The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) (https://hkust.edu.hk/) is a world-class research intensive university that focuses on science, technology and business as well as humanities and social science. HKUST offers an international campus, and a holistic and interdisciplinary pedagogy to nurture well-rounded graduates with global vision, a strong entrepreneurial spirit and innovative thinking. Over 80% of our research work were rated “Internationally excellent” or “world leading” in the Research Assessment Exercise 2020 of Hong Kong’s University Grants Committee. We were ranked 3rd in Times Higher Education’s Young University Rankings 2022, and our graduates were ranked 23rd worldwide and among the best from universities from Asia in Global University Employability Survey 2021.

About The Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute
The Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI) was founded by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in 2000 with the mission of enhancing Hong Kong's competitiveness through applied research. ASTRI’s core R&D competence in various areas is grouped under five Technology Divisions: AI and Big Data Analytics; Communications; Cybersecurity, Cryptography and Trusted Technologies; Integrated Circuits and Systems; and IoT and Sensors. It is applied across five core areas which are Smart City, Financial Technologies, Intelligent Manufacturing, Digital Health, and Application Specific Integrated Circuits.

Over the years, ASTRI has nurtured a pool of research, I&T talents and received numerous international awards for its pioneering innovations as well as outstanding business and community contributions. As of 2020/21, ASTRI has transferred almost 800 technologies to the industry and has been granted over 900 patents in the Mainland, the US, and other countries.

For further information, please visit https://www.astri.org/.