PolyU Hosts Signing Ceremony for Collaboration with Jinjiang Technology and Innovation Research Institute and Technology Matchmaking Conference

The signing ceremony of the collaboration projects of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) – Jinjiang Technology and Innovation Research Institute (Research Institute) and the Technology Matchmaking Conference were successfully held in Jinjiang on 9 August. The event was attended by Dr LAM Tai-fai, a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and the Council Chairman of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University; Dr Miranda LOU, Executive Vice President, Prof Christopher CHAO, Vice President (Research and Innovation), Mr ZHANG Wenxian, Member of the Standing Committee of Quanzhou Municipal Committee and Communist Party Secretary of Jinjiang, Mr CHEN Junwei, Deputy Director of Quanzhou Science and Technology Bureau, Mr LIU Jianjun, Member of the Standing Committee of Jinjiang Municipal Committee and Vice Mayor candidate, Mr WU Jingyu, Vice Mayor of Jinjiang and Secretary of Chen Dai Town Party Committee, along with nearly 160 officials and enterprise representatives from Quanzhou and Jinjiang, witnessing the achievements of the Research Institute since its establishment and looking forward to its future development.

In his opening speech, Dr Lam Tai-fai remarked that since the official launch of the Research Institute in September 2023, PolyU’s research resources have been effectively consolidated and integrated with the local industry of Jinjiang. Through talent nurturing and technology transfer, the collaboration with various sectors in Jinjiang has grown stronger. With the opening of PolyU InnoHub@Jinjiang, the transformation of technology into productivity in Jinjiang will be reinforced. He emphasised that PolyU will continue to work closely with Jinjiang to inject momentum into local technological innovation, promote the industrialisation of technology, and to contribute to the Nation’s technological advancement.

Mr Zhang Wenxian commended the substantial progress of the Research Institute over the past year. He stated that deepening cooperation between the university and the local industry is crucial for integrating technological and industrial innovation and developing new productive forces, aligning with the principles of the Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party. The Jinjiang municipal government will consolidate resources and provide comprehensive service guarantees to ensure the smooth implementation of collaboration projects.

The launching ceremony of the PolyU InnoHub@Jinjiang commenced, showcasing the official move-in of the first five outstanding start-ups. This marks a significant step forward in promoting the innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem in Jinjiang. The PolyU InnoHub@Jinjiang will provide a more inclusive entrepreneurial environment and resources support to help entrepreneurs achieve greater success in technological innovation and market expansion.

During the signing ceremony, the Research Institute signed a series of agreement with several enterprises, covering areas including technology transfer and the establishment of joint laboratories. These agreements symbolise a strong commitment to future cooperation and an unwavering pursuit of innovation, representing an important step towards the transformation of technological achievements.

A plaque unveiling ceremony was also held for the Joint Laboratory of The PolyU-Jinjiang Technology and Innovation Research Institute & Jinjiang Topone Anti-mold Material Company. Its establishment will further advance research and collaboration in food technology policies and other related fields, paving new paths for technological progress and industry development in Jinjiang.

Prof Yu Changyuan, Director of the PolyU-Jinjiang Technology and Innovation Research Institute, and Mr He Shuidong, Chairman of Jinjiang Topone Anti-mold Material Company, unveiled the plaque for the establishment of the Joint Laboratory.

Prof Christopher Chao, Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU, introduced the latest developments and plans of PolyU; Mr Kelvin WONG, Director of the Knowledge Transfer and Entrepreneurship Office, shared PolyU’s cases of knowledge transfer achievements and its entrepreneurial ecosystem; and Prof YU Changyuan, Director of the Research Institute, reported on its development progress and future plans. The event was also joined by Prof Xiaoming TAO, Director of Research Institute for Intelligent Wearable Systems of PolyU; Prof WONG Ka-hing and Dr Chili WU, Associate Directors of the Research Institute; Prof Eric CHUI, Head of Department of Applied Social Sciences; Prof LU Haitian, Director of Mainland Development Office; Prof Horace MUI, Associate Head of Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering; Prof Calvin WONG, Centre Director of Laboratory for Artificial Intelligence in Design; Dr Amber CHIOU, Associate Director of Research Institute for Future Food; Dr FUNG Siyuan, Department of Logistics and Maritime Studies; Dr Oscar CHAN, Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering; and Ms Amylia CHAN, Assistant Director of the Knowledge Transfer and Entrepreneurship Office. The event not only marked a milestone in the deepening of the cooperation between PolyU and Jinjiang but also opened a new chapter full of hope and opportunities.

On the same day, both parties visited the Research Institute to inspect the research progress, as well as the newly established PolyU InnoHub@Jinjiang, engaging in friendly exchanges with the first batch of five moved-in startups.

A friendly football match between the PolyU United Football Team and the Jinjiang Municipal Football Team was held at the Jinjiang Football Training Centre. Dr Lam Tai-fai and Mr Xu Zizhu, Director of the Jinjiang Science and Technology Bureau, also participated in the match. The match not only highlighted the athleticism of the participants but also further strengthened the friendship between PolyU and Jinjiang, making the event even more meaningful.