The Hong Kong SAR Government will unveil the new Policy Address next Wednesday (Sept. 17). Hong Kong Wen Wei Po has learned exclusively that the government will introduce an "Industry-Academia Innovation and Technology Talent Exchange Program" to encourage university professors to participate in corporate research and development while inviting representatives from technology enterprises to engage in university teaching. This initiative aims to foster deeper collaboration among industry, academia, and research.
As the only city in the world with five top-100 global universities, Hong Kong boasts strong academic capabilities. Several education and technology experts believe this program can transform Hong Kong's educational advantages into industrial momentum, effectively translating research outcomes into practical applications. By tightly integrating innovation, talent, and funding, the program aims to cultivate more unicorn enterprises while strengthening Hong Kong's position as an international innovation and technology hub. Suggestions include inviting research engineers from tech giants like Microsoft and Tencent to teach in Hong Kong, bringing real-world problems into frontline teaching and research.
Government sources revealed that the "Industry-Academia Innovation and Technology Talent Exchange Program" will be government-led and coordinated across departments. It will innovatively bridge the education and innovation sectors, promoting closer collaboration between academia and industry. Compared to previous exchanges driven by individual institutions, this program will provide resource support and expand its impact. University professors will not only focus on theoretical research but also gain hands-on experience in corporate practices. Meanwhile, tech executives or experts will bring the latest industry insights and market dynamics to students, enhancing their practical skills.
Scholar: Public Funding Expected to Expand Impact
Professor Wong Kam-fai, Associate Dean (External Affairs) of the Faculty of Engineering at the Chinese University of Hong Kong and Legislative Council member, welcomed the program. He told Wen Wei Po that the education sector has already been actively promoting similar exchanges, but often faces resource constraints. "Each institution has its own approach, such as appointing Professors of Practice who have achieved success in the industry to assist in teaching. However, these efforts are mostly funded by the institutions themselves, resulting in limited capacity. If the government launches an exchange program, it could expand the impact and allow us to invite one or two more industry experts."
Professor Wong emphasized that the exchange program would help students move beyond theoretical learning. He suggested inviting research engineers from successful tech companies like Microsoft and Tencent to teach. "These companies typically have their own R&D departments. By bringing real-world problems into the classroom, students can gain exposure to the latest industry operations, which also benefits the companies. Students will not only excel in exams but also gain insights into real business environments with the help of industry professionals."
Regarding university professors participating in corporate R&D, Professor Wong pointed out existing regulatory obstacles and proposed that the government introduce measures to relax restrictions, such as providing flexibility in project applications and corporate services, to help professors balance teaching and entrepreneurship. "If professors are willing to start businesses, universities generally support them. However, full-time staff must guarantee a certain amount of teaching time. If entrepreneurship affects teaching, universities need to hire replacements. Particularly, if a professor spends more than 50% of their time on entrepreneurship instead of teaching, they may no longer qualify as full-time staff under the University Grants Committee, making it difficult to apply for research grants."
Entrepreneur: Nurturing More Innovation and Technology Talent
Dr. Ricky Chiu, founder of a tech company and Chairman of Phase Scientific International, believes the program will help integrate academic and industry entrepreneurship experiences, nurture more innovation and technology talent, and enrich Hong Kong's innovation ecosystem. He noted that innovation and entrepreneurship require unique thinking, and the government's role as a "middleman" to facilitate collaboration between academia and industry is highly valuable. "In places like the United States, the innovation ecosystem is more mature, and entrepreneurship has been integrated into university education. This program can match university professors' research with corporate needs or enable professors interested in entrepreneurship to engage deeply with the industry, promoting the practical application of innovative technologies."
Dr. Chiu emphasized that the three key elements for successful innovation and technology enterprises are innovation, talent, and funding, with talent being the most critical. "Previous policies have focused more on technology and funding, but without the right talent, even the best technology and ample funding cannot guarantee success."
He suggested that Hong Kong not only import foreign talent but also cultivate a local innovation soil. "Strengthening innovation education will equip young people with an entrepreneurial mindset."
Education Sector: Attracting International Talent to Return
The Secretary-General of the Hong Kong Federation of Education Workers stated that Hong Kong's universities enjoy a high reputation in the international academic community. If the government can leverage this advantage to integrate academic research closely with the innovation and technology industry, it could address the current disconnect between the two sectors. "It might even create more successful enterprises like DJI."
It is believed that innovation and technology are new growth drivers for Hong Kong's future economy, and government guidance is crucial. Promoting industry-academia-research exchanges can not only encourage scholars to participate in corporate R&D but also attract international talent to return. Some academics originally based in Silicon Valley may be more motivated to return to Hong Kong to start businesses if they see a seamless industry-academia-research environment in Hong Kong.
(Source: Wen Wei Po, CUHK | English Editor: Liu Yu)
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