Campus Digest

GDST, HKBU and UIC launch “1+1+1” Joint Funding Programme to boost research collaboration

Thursday, 3 October 2024

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Members of HKBU and BNU-HKBU UIC attend the launch meeting for the "1+1+1" Joint Funding Programme.
Professor Lyu Aiping says that the joint funding programme represents a remarkable step forward in fostering academic development and technological innovation.
Professor Chen Zhi said BNU-HKBU UIC and HKBU will work together to deepen research collaboration.

 

HKBU and Beijing Normal University-Hong Kong Baptist University United International College (BNU-HKBU UIC) participated in the launch meeting for the "1+1+1" Joint Funding Programme on 11 September. Hosted at BNU-HKBU UIC, the event brought together over 140 participants, both online and offline. Among the esteemed attendees were Professor Alex Wai, President and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Lyu Aiping, Vice-President (Research and Development), and Professor Chen Zhi, President of BNU-HKBU UIC, along with representatives from both universities.

This groundbreaking initiative stems from a collaborative agreement signed in May this year among the Department of Science and Technology of Guangdong Province (GDST), HKBU, and BNU-HKBU UIC. Under this agreement, from 2024 to 2026, the three parties will jointly contribute to a seed fund pool, totalling approximately RMB 90 million over three years, aimed at supporting in-depth technological collaborations and prioritising strategic research areas such as data science, artificial intelligence, and interdisciplinary applications.

Professor Lyu Aiping, Vice-President (Research and Development), highlighted that this joint funding programme marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter in research partnership between universities in Guangdong and Hong Kong. He expressed his anticipation for even closer and stronger collaboration between the two universities in talent cultivation and research excellence, leading to high-impact scientific outcomes.

Professor Chen Zhi underscored BNU-HKBU UIC's unwavering commitment to deepening research collaboration with HKBU, aligning with national development strategies, and addressing major technological needs. He emphasised that the joint funding programme will serve as a crucial platform for advancing scientific innovation through research team exchanges, joint talent cultivation, key technology breakthroughs, joint laboratory construction, and academic discussions.