The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) and Thales have entered into a collaborative agreement, marking a milestone in the joint efforts to boost innovation, nurture young engineering innovators, and serve the development of smart cities in the region.
Under the agreement, HKUST and Thales will work closely on collaborative research projects including next-generation information technology on aeronautical, space, defense, transportation, security and x-ray imaging. The agreement will also see the exchanges of researchers and mutual visits, student internship and co-nourishment of engineers.
Signifying at the ceremony was the launch of the Innovation Hub in Hong Kong by Thales. The Innovation Hub is set to be an incubator of ideas for academics, government and industry representatives to develop industrial products for smart cities with a focus on transportation and security. HKUST is the sole university partner in Hong Kong in this bold initiative.
Dr Eden Woon, Vice-President for Institutional Advancement of HKUST, and Dr Jean-Luc Lambla, Vice-President of International Chief Technical Officer of Thales Group, signed the umbrella collaborative agreement outlining the continuous collaborations between HKUST and the Thales Group. Mr Edward Wong, Chief Operating Officer of HKUST R and D Corporation Limited, and Mr James Kilazoglou, Chief Executive Officer of Thales Transport & Security (HK) Ltd, signed the agreement for first research collaborative project formulated under the collaborative agreement. Also officiating at the signing ceremony was Mr Arnaud Barthelemy, Consul General of France in Hong Kong & Macau.
"It is our great pleasure to have established a strategic partnership with the renowned innovation leader Thales. The School of Engineering at HKUST has been delivering remarkable achievements in innovation research. Driven by the synergy created from the collaboration, we believe such new momentum will definitely help our city and the region as a whole to become a science and technology hub in the foreseeable future," Dr Eden Woon said.
HKUST is a young and energetic University. Within a short span of 23 years, it has developed into a dynamic, world-class university powered by the dedicated efforts of its outstanding faculty members, staff and students. Thales is a world leader in the areas of aerospace, defense, security and transportation technology. "The university-industry collaboration is essential and beneficial to both parties, and to Hong Kong as a whole. Together, we can translate breakthroughs into novel technologies and solutions, groom talents, and create employment opportunities," Dr Woon added.
Mr Arnaud Barthelemy was excited by the collaboration between HKUST and Thales. He said, "This agreement was signed at the right moment and time by the right partners. It is expressing the strong aspiration for excellence in electronic and computer engineering of both HKUST and Thales and a common desire to attract the best Hong Kong engineers."
"Through our partnership with the HKUST and the Hub, we aim, together with the students and Thales' engineers, at inspiring innovation for the development of future products. The Hub's proximity to our various stakeholders, will allow to swiftly co-develop new solutions," Dr Lambla declared. "Customers will be invited to interact with all of us here, in order to bring products relevant for the region."
About the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) (www.ust.hk) is a world-class international research university excelling in science, technology and business as well as humanities and social science. Internationally renowned for its academic rigor and accomplishments, the University promotes interdisciplinary studies and provides holistic education, nurturing well-rounded graduates with a strong entrepreneurial spirit, innovative thinking and relevant skills to thrive in a knowledge economy. As an international university with strong ties to global thought leaders, HKUST has wide-ranging connections with Mainland China while aspiring to be a global premier knowledge hub and a center of research breakthroughs.
About Thales
Thales is a global technology leader in the Aerospace, Transportation and Defense & Security markets. In 2013, the company generated revenues of €14.2 billion with 65,000 employees in 56 countries. With its 25,000 engineers and researchers, Thales has a unique capability to design, develop and deploy equipment, systems and services that meet the most complex security requirements. Thales has an exceptional international footprint, with operations around the world working with customers and local partners.
For media enquiries, please feel free to contact :
Anita Lam
Tel: 2358 6313
Email: anitalam@ust.hk
