The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) has entered into two agreements with China United Network Communications Group Company Limited (China Unicom), a state-owned telecommunications operator in China, to enhance strategic collaboration and establish the “HKUST – China Unicom Joint Laboratory on Smart Society”.
The agreements focus on facilitating joint research, technology transfer and talent development, as well as developing a smart campus and promoting the advancement of a digital government to facilitate Hong Kong’s transition to a smart society.
The Joint Laboratory will launch initiatives in critical fields such as smart cities, industrial internet, artificial intelligence (AI) computing power, and cybersecurity. It will also take an active role in supporting the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government and national initiatives to facilitate the commercialization of research outcomes.
The two parties will also collaborate on 5G communication technologies, specifically in areas such as commercial applications and wider adoption. Additionally, the two entities will collaborate to promote the development of digital economic infrastructure platforms, such as smart computing and data trading centres, in the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park.
The strategic collaboration agreement and the framework agreement for the establishment of the joint laboratory were signed by the Acting President of HKUST and the Chairman of China Unicom, in the presence of the HKSAR Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry.
The speech by the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry emphasised the importance of developing Hong Kong into a smart city and promoting the digital economy, as outlined in the Hong Kong Innovation and Technology Development Blueprint. The collaboration between HKUST and China Unicom, covering key areas such as AI computing power and smart cities, demonstrates a strong partnership between industry, academia and research. The Joint Laboratory is expected to drive the application of advanced technologies, particularly in digital infrastructure, to accelerate Hong Kong’s transformation into a smart city.
The Acting President of HKUST acknowledged the importance of developing the digital economy in the 14th Five-Year Plan announced by the State Council and the HKSAR Government’s budgetary focus on local digital infrastructure projects, including an AI Supercomputing Centre. The collaboration between HKUST and China Unicom will bolster the University’s research capabilities in crucial areas such as smart cities, AI computing power, data trading and cybersecurity. The agreements signed will support the establishment of a smart society, enabling Hong Kong’s transformation into an international I&T hub.
The Chairman of China Unicom emphasised the strategic importance of developing a digital economy to capitalise on the latest technological advances and industrial transformations. He expressed eagerness to deepen collaboration with HKUST and actively participate in national and governmental technology projects. In addition to commercialising research outcomes and cultivating talent, China Unicom will contribute its expertise to support the development of a smarter Hong Kong.
In the future, China Unicom will actively assist HKUST in its development of a smart campus by providing guidance on the necessary communication technologies required for the University’s “Sustainable Smart Campus as a Living Lab” programme. The two entities will also collaborate closely to foster the growth of skilled professionals in smart technology by jointly mentoring postgraduate students in relevant fields and offering exceptional students and graduates internships and employment opportunities.