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Mr Zhang Xian-en, Director General of the Department of Basic Research, Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST), led a five-member delegation to City University of Hong Kong (CityU) on 23 May to visit the world class technologies of the Centre for Marine Environmental Research and Innovative Technology (MERIT) and the Applied Electromagnetics Laboratory.

The delegation, which also comprised senior officials from the China Science and Technology Exchange Centre and Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, was warmly welcomed by Professor Way Kuo, President of CityU. He was joined by senior management, including

Professor David Tong Shuk-yin, Deputy President, Professor Roderick Wong Sue-chuen, Vice-President (Research) and Dean (Graduate Studies), Professor (Chair) Richard Ho Yan-ki, Special Advisor to the President, Professor (Chair) Chan Chi-hou, Dean of the Faculty of Science and Engineering, and Professor (Chair) Rudolf Wu Shiu-sun, Department of Biology and Chemistry and Director of MERIT and representatives of MERIT.

In his welcoming speech, Professor Kuo outlined MERIT’s history and key research areas. He said he was proud of CityU’s attainment of excellence in innovative chemical and biological technologies and added that MERIT had great potential. “I am very happy to have so many experts and academics visiting us. I hope all of you can provide suggestions so that MERIT can strive for perfection,” Professor Kuo said.

Following an introduction of MERIT and its achievements by Professor Wu, the delegation visited the centre and was shown the high impact research and novel technology developed there, including artificial mussels, biosensors for toxin detection, microarray for water borne pathogen detection, transgenic fish for detection of endocrine-disrupting chemicals and an algal bioreactor for the removal of toxicants.

The visitors then toured the Applied Electromagnetics Laboratory where Professor Chan showed them how applied research on millimetrewave and other technologies benefited society.

Mr Zhang commended the University for its research development and accomplishments. He particularly praised the state-of-the-art facilities and the strong research ethos at CityU.

MERIT has been awarded HK$45 million by the University Grants Committee with the mission to develop innovative chemical, biological and engineering technologies for monitoring, assessing, and controlling the effects of human activities on the marine environment. Recently, the MERIT team developed a suite of 13 bio-indicators for the HKSAR Government in an $8.3 million marine pollution project, a first in the Asia-Pacific region.