Wednesday, 25 February 2026
Below is the response of Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) to the 2026-27 Budget delivered by the Financial Secretary of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region today (25 February):
Professor Alex Wai, President and Vice-Chancellor of HKBU, welcomes the Budget’s reaffirmation that the Government will lead Hong Kong to proactively align with the 15th Five-Year Plan and to formulate Hong Kong’s own five-year plan for the first time. This initiative will contribute to building a modernised industrial system and accelerating high‑level scientific and technological self‑reliance of our country, promoting high‑standard opening up, and bringing together high‑calibre talents from across the globe. As a major university in Hong Kong, HKBU will strive to create impact in these focused areas by leveraging its unique position characterised by transdisciplinarity, internationalisation, creativity, and an emphasis on integrating humanities with technologies.
Professor Wai also welcomes the Government’s initiative to roll out three sites in the Northern Metropolis (NM) University Town for application by UGC‑funded universities and universities of applied sciences for campus development, as well as earmarking HK$10 billion in loans to support campus development. He believes that the implementation of the NM University Town development plan will provide the necessary supporting infrastructure for the sustainable development of Hong Kong’s tertiary education sector in the long run. This will also enable local institutions to diversify their teaching and research endeavours, deepen collaboration with the Chinese Mainland and international partners, and help establish Hong Kong as an international hub for higher education while promoting the “Study in Hong Kong” brand.
HKBU is encouraged by the multiple measures proposed by the Budget to support the development of the artificial intelligence (AI) industry, including the establishment of the Committee on AI+ and Industry Development Strategy. “Data Analytics and Artificial Intelligence” is one of the University’s key research clusters, particularly in AI applications for life and health sciences and art-tech, where it has garnered substantial experience and achievements. HKBU will actively align with the Government’s relevant policies and initiatives, supporting the development of Hong Kong’s AI industry through talent development, innovative research, and technology transfer. Professor Wai says that HKBU’s newly established Frontier Translational Medical Research Institute will fully support the R&D and transformation of biomedicine technology in Hong Kong, helping the city develop into an international health and medical innovation hub.
HKBU also welcomes the Government’s commitment to advancing the development of Hong Kong’s low-altitude economy. HKBU will host its inaugural “Intelligent Altitudes: The HKBU Low-Altitude Economy Summit 2026” on 27 February. Leveraging HKBU’s advantages of adopting a transdisciplinary approach in AI, business, and art technology, the Summit will bring together government officials, academics and industry leaders to conduct in-depth discussion and analysis on the essential aspects of low-altitude economy and its transformative potential in Hong Kong, ranging from technical implementation, capital strategy, business opportunities, regulatory framework to social impact. Professor Wai states that HKBU will actively collaborate with diverse stakeholders across the Government, industry, academia, and research sectors to jointly promote the development of the low-altitude economy.
The Budget has also introduced a number of measures to strengthen innovation and technology infrastructure development, including earmarking about HK$220 million to establish in Hong Kong the first national manufacturing innovation centre outside the Chinese Mainland, injecting HK$10 billion into the Hetao Hong Kong Park to accelerate its development, and establishing a dedicated company to drive the development of the San Tin Technopole. HKBU is in full support of these initiatives, which provide the necessary infrastructural support for the further development of Hong Kong’s innovation and technology sector.