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HKBU expands commitment to GBA with opening of Qianhai Institute for Technology, Innovation and Entrepreneurship

30 Jun 2026

 

HKBU opened a cross-boundary joint Incubation and innovation hub in Qianhai, building a new platform to develop advanced technologies and enhancing the influence and significance of HKBU in Qianhai and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA).

Located at the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Youth Innovation and Entrepreneur Hub, the Hong Kong Baptist University Qianhai Institute for Technology, Innovation and Entrepreneurship (the Institute) is jointly established by HKBU and the Authority of Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Cooperation Zone of Shenzhen Municipality (Qianhai Authority). Establishment of the Institute demonstrates HKBU’s commitment to align with the National 15th Five-Year Plan and the development strategy of the GBA. It aims to serve as a bridge for technology, talent and capital between Shenzhen and Hong Kong, and foster collaboration among scholars, researchers, students, entrepreneurs, enterprises and investors.

Strengthening Shenzhen–Hong Kong innovation and technology collaboration

An opening ceremony for the Institute was held on 29 May. It was graced by the presence of distinguished guests including Mr Wang Shourui, Member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Shenzhen Municipal Committee, Secretary of the Qianhai Cooperation Zone Work Committee of the CPC Shenzhen Municipal Committee, and Director of the Administration Committee of China (Guangdong) Pilot Free Trade Zone’s Qianhai & Shekou Area in Shenzhen; Mr Wu Junbin, Deputy Director of the Shenzhen Liaison Unit of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Ms Grace Lai Sui-king, Director of the Shenzhen Liaison Unit of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Ms Wen Ping, Member of the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Cooperation Zone Work Committee of the CPC Shenzhen Municipal Committee and Deputy Director General of Qianhai Authority; together with Dr Sunny Chai, Deputy Chairman of the Council and the Court of HKBU; Professor Alex Wai, President and Vice-Chancellor of HKBU; Dr Albert Chau, Vice-President (Teaching and Learning) of HKBU; Ms Christine Chow, Vice-President (Administration) and Secretary of HKBU; and Professor Terence Lau, Interim Chief Innovation Officer of HKBU, and more than 200 guests.

Dr Sunny Chai remarked that the Institute is a testament to the productive partnership established between HKBU and its counterparts in Shenzhen. By combining HKBU’s competitive edge in research and entrepreneurship support with Qianhai’s policy strengths and market connectivity, HKBU will further deepen its connection with the GBA, accelerate the journey of scientific research from discovery to application, and offer impactful solutions for economic and social issues.

Professor Alex Wai noted that the inauguration of the Institute marks a new milestone in HKBU’s innovation and technology journey. He also outlined the Institute’s comprehensive one-stop support and hoped that the start-ups developed by HKBU community would leverage the advantages of Qianhai Authority’s preferential policies, including various subsidies and incentives, to accelerate their progress.

During the ceremony, HKBU signed Memoranda of Understanding with Shenzhen Angel FOF, Greater Bay Area Development Fund Management Limited, Shenzhen Kehua Huijian Technology Co., Ltd, and Bioching Capital to establish strategic alliances to strengthen their collaborations.

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Mr Wang Shourui, Member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Shenzhen Municipal Committee, Secretary of the Qianhai Cooperation Zone Work Committee of the CPC Shenzhen Municipal Committee, and Director of the Administration Committee of China (Guangdong) Pilot Free Trade Zone’s Qianhai & Shekou Area in Shenzhen (5th right, front row); Dr Sunny Chai, Deputy Chairman of the Council and the Court of HKBU (5th left, front row); Mr Wu Junbin, Deputy Director of the Shenzhen Liaison Unit of Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR (4th right, front row); Professor Alex Wai, President and Vice-Chancellor of HKBU (4th left, front row); Ms Grace Lai Sui-king, Director of the Shenzhen Liaison Unit of the Government of the HKSAR (3rd right, front row); Professor Terence Lau, Interim Chief Innovation Officer of HKBU (3rd left, front row); Ms Wen Ping, Member of Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Cooperation Zone Work Committee of the CPC Shenzhen Municipal Committee and Deputy Director General of Qianhai Authority (2nd right, front row); Dr Albert Chau, Vice-President (Teaching and Learning) of HKBU (2nd left, front row); Mr Gary Wong Chi-him, Chief Hong Kong and Macao Liaison Expert of Authority of Qianhai (1st right, front row); Ms Christine Chow, Vice-President (Administration) and Secretary of HKBU (1st left, front row), and other guests officiate at the Institute’s opening ceremony.
Mr Edmond Lam, Director of Knowledge Transfer of HKBU (left, front row), and Mr Junxue Ren, Deputy General Manager of Shenzhen Angel FOF (right, front row), sign an MOU, witnessed by Dr Sunny Chai, Deputy Chairman of the Council and the Court of HKBU (2nd left, back row); Professor Alex Wai, President and Vice-Chancellor of HKBU (1st left, back row); Professor Terence Lau, Interim Chief Innovation Officer of HKBU (1st right, back row); and representative of Shenzhen Angel FOF.
The first batch of 11 start-ups, founded by HKBU professors, alumni, or students, participates in the move-in ceremony.

Empowering start-up enterprises

Offering over 1,500 m² of dedicated space, the Institute possesses the functions of novel research and development. It has established five major bases, namely the Cross-border Incubation Base, Technology Innovation Base, Knowledge Transfer and Industrial Empowerment Base, Student Employment and Entrepreneurship Base, and the Local and International Joint Academic Exchange Base.

The Institute has also established an AI Life and Health R&D Centre and a Sustainable Development Technology R&D Centre. By leveraging the GBA’s rich application scenarios and supply chains, the centres will conduct pilot research and production to speed up the commercialisation of innovative technologies. The Institute will also integrate incubation support for novel research and development, technology transfer services, and talent development, as well as provide training in areas such as management, marketing, finance and regulatory compliance.

The first batch of 11 start-ups, founded by HKBU professors, alumni or students, has moved into the Institute. Their research outputs focus on a diverse range of fields including artificial intelligence, life sciences, sustainability and modern service industry.