HKU Seeks Northern Metropolis Lab Space to Expand Research, Attract Talent

The University of Hong Kong is seeking more laboratory space in the Northern Metropolis university town as it looks to expand research capacity and attract talent, according to its new vice-president for research.

Professor Anderson Shum Ho-cheung, who took up the vice presidency in August, said the megaproject could provide the space needed for research hardware, including new dry and wet labs.

The proposed expansion would give HKU room to develop facilities while supporting its efforts to bring in researchers and other talent.

Research linked to Northern Metropolis plans

Shum said HKU’s research development would align with the government’s emphasis on integrating education, technology, industry and talent.

That approach is intended to expedite the development of the Northern Metropolis, as laid out in the policy address.

Shum also called for more government funding, saying grant applications took time and returns on investment could be slow.

His comments point to the funding and time required to build research capacity, alongside the need for laboratory infrastructure.

A closed-loop research strategy

Shum described a “closed-loop strategy” in which discoveries move from the laboratory to industry and back.

Under the model, top talent drives breakthrough research, while industry partnerships and start-ups translate those discoveries into applications.

Successful ventures would then feed new research problems back to scientists, linking research, commercial applications and further scientific work.

The strategy places talent, laboratory capacity, industry partnerships and start-ups within one research-development cycle.

Source: South China Morning Post