Research Grants Council members pay familiarization visit to CityU
Catherine Ng
The aim was to gain a closer perspective of CityU’s overall research activities, strategies, achievements, initiatives, project highlights and important research outputs, according to Professor Roland Chin Tai-hong, RGC Chairman, who led the delegation.
“The visit is also a very good opportunity for RGC members to talk with research colleagues and students. The ultimate goal is to learn more from each other and help improve the research culture in Hong Kong,” he said.
Professor Richard Ho Yan-ki, Acting President of CityU, welcomed the delegates, and thanked them for helping the University to fulfil its roles: providing professional education that turns students into professionals and producing applied research that has a major impact on the community.
Professor Ho explained how CityU’s applied research heavily emphasized applications that benefited society, citing as an example the wireless charging platform. This innovative technology for charging handheld electronic devices has been adopted recently by a six-star hotel in Tokyo, demonstrating that CityU’s applied research has a strong impact not only in Hong Kong but beyond.
Professor Roderick Wong Sue-cheun, Vice-President (Research) and Dean of Graduate Studies, gave an overview of the University’s research efforts and achievements, focusing on three key aspects: the emphasis on applied research, the focus on supporting international competitiveness in selected areas, and the use of research outcomes for technology transfer.
“The University has taken new initiatives to promote applied research by setting up a new mission statement, revising staff recruitment policies and creating a new Applied Research Grant,” Professor Wong said.
“In addition, we have focused resources on selected areas, such as setting up a system of research centres and developing award schemes to give recognition to academic staff and research students for their research excellence,” he added.
The eight areas of strength at CityU selected for presentation to the RGC delegation were applied mathematics, computational science, creative media, electronic engineering, environmental science, knowledge and innovation management, materials science and engineering and social sciences.
A central display showcased the applied research programmes as well as achievements in these eight areas, and RGC members were invited to visit CityU’s departments and laboratories. To allow ample time for discussion and questions, small group discussions between the RGC members and CityU academic staff and research students were held.
The RGC visits one University Grants Committee-funded institution each year as part of its regular business practice. The RGC’s last visit to CityU was in 1998.