City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) and école Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) announced the establishment of the Institute for Materials Innovation on 11 February. Several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed with industry partners to co-develop a premier institute dedicated to advancing research in cutting-edge areas of materials science.

The Institute for Materials Innovation will serve as a hub for innovative research, leveraging the unique strengths of both institutions. This collaboration aims to foster interdisciplinary cooperation among diverse scientific disciplines and facilitate interaction between industry, academic researchers and investors.

Together, CityUHK and EPFL will explore the frontiers of materials science, developing innovative solutions to address pressing global challenges. The collaboration will promote faculty engagement and facilitate undergraduate and postgraduate exchanges, equipping students to make meaningful contributions to the materials science and engineering sectors, both locally and internationally. The synergy between the two institutions will enhance research capabilities and create unique opportunities for students and researchers alike.

The establishment of the Institute for Materials Innovation and the MoU signing ceremony were witnessed by Professor Sun Dong, JP, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, and Professor Freddy Boey, President of CityUHK.

CityUHK is recognised for its pioneering work in nanomaterials, biomaterials, and smart materials, and was recently ranked eighteenth for Materials Science & Engineering in the Global Ranking of Academic Subjects (GRAS) 2024 published by ShanghaiRanking Consultancy.

The leading position is also supported by several relevant research centres, including the Hong Kong Branch of the National Precious Metals Material Engineering Research Centre, the Hong Kong Institute for Clean Energy, the Centre for Advanced Structural Materials, the Centre of Super-Diamond and Advanced Films, the Centre for Neutron Scattering, and the Centre for Functional Photonics. Notably, eight out of the thirty-two Clarivate Highly Cited Researchers in 2024 from CityUHK are esteemed scholars in the field of materials science.

President Boey is a renowned researcher in materials science, boasting an impressive h-index of 86, further underscoring the University’s commitment to excellence and its leading role in this field.

EPFL is renowned for its rigorous academic standards and its emphasis on applied research, particularly in the fields of nanotechnology, robotics, and sustainable energy. Its state-of-the-art facilities and collaborative approach have positioned EPFL as a leader in materials science, making it an ideal partner for CityUHK in this important initiative. In the QS World University Rankings, EPFL is ranked twenty-sixth, and it holds the tenth position in the QS Subject Rankings for Materials Science, consistently placing within the world Top Ten for the last three years.