The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) and Huawei Technologies (Huawei) have formed a strategic partnership to promote high impact research and strengthen the University’s academic caliber.
Huawei – a leading global provider of information and communications technology infrastructure and smart devices – has multiple partnerships with institutions around the world but it is the first such partnership that focuses on research and talent grooming. Under this partnership, Huawei will contribute an annual sum of US$3 million for a term of three years to the University for recruiting top-notch visiting researchers from various disciplines and establishing seed funding for high impact research.
The visiting researchers – whom will be recruited globally, are set to reinforce the University’s research competence through academic and research collaborations with HKUST faculty; they will also help nurture research postgraduates of the University. On the social aspect, they are expected to participate in conferences and activities organized by the University to help raise community interests towards latest scientific and technological discoveries, and to facilitate the region’s socio-economic development with their innovation and research.
Part of the funding provided by Huawei will also be used as a seed fund for discovery-driven research in potential high impact areas such as information and communications technology.
Mr. XU Wenwei William, Chief Strategy Marketing Officer of Huawei and a member of its Board of Directors said, “HKUST is a renowned university focuses on basic research, and it is our common goal to spearhead innovation by nurturing and attracting the best of talent. Given our long history of collaboration, I am sure this new partnership will bear more fruits not just for our own benefits but the society and the region as a whole.”
HKUST President Prof. Wei SHYY expressed heartfelt gratitude to Huawei’s long-term support. “Our collaboration with Huawei dated back to 2004. Over the years, it has not only resulted in many patents and standards, but also nurtured great talents, some now leaders in the field. Huawei’s gift would substantially help HKUST to further advance our mission.”
The Huawei–HKUST Innovation Laboratory was set up in 2009, studying topics spanning advanced wireless communications, core technologies for 4G, 5G+ wireless systems and machine learning algorithms. Professionals from the two sides regularly exchange ideas during projects, seminars and conferences. A full-day workshop co-organized by the two parties in November, for example, attracted over 150 attendants.
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 research 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. HKUST attained the highest proportion of internationally excellent research work in the Research Assessment Exercise 2014 of Hong Kong’s University Grants Committee, and is ranked as the world’s best young university in Times Higher Education’s Young University Rankings 2018. Its graduates were ranked 16th worldwide and top in Greater China in Global Employability University Survey 2018.
For media enquiries, please contact:
Anita Lam
Tel: 2358 6313
Email: anitalam@ust.hk
Lindy Wong
Tel: 2358 6306
Email: lindywong@ust.hk
