Research teams at City University of Hong Kong (CityU) have been awarded RMB 40 million in funding for 70 research projects in 2015 through the CityU Shenzhen Research Institute (CityUSRI). The amount of funding granted from the mainland has increased by 45% compared to 2014.

The National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC), a public institution that promotes and finances research projects in China, will fund 29 CityU research projects with RMB 18.425 million, locating CityU firmly among the top local universities in terms of the number of grants from NSFC and their total value.

In addition, the Shenzhen Science and Technology Programme (SSTP), which is under the Shenzhen Science, Technology and Innovation Commission, is funding 20 research projects at CityU. For example, Professor Xue Quan, Chair Professor in the Department of Electronic Engineering, has obtained RMB 4.5 million in funding under the Industrial Technology Research category for a project that aims at developing and designing multi-functional medium-frequency (i.e. L/S/C/X- frequency band) and high-frequency antenna (i.e. microwave frequency band) for CubeSat satellites.

In addition, Dr He Mingliang, Associate Professor in the Department of Biomedical Sciences, has received RMB 4 million in grants under the same category to develop and test a novel synthetic drug tailored to combat major cancers.
 
The SSTP will fund major projects under the Industrial Technology Research category with the purpose of obtaining original and innovative research achievements, independent intellectual property rights, and core key technologies. CityU is the first tertiary institution in Hong Kong to be granted these types of funds, exemplifying its outstanding academic and research capability.

“CityUSRI’s couldn’t achieve this level of success without the unfailing support of all CityU’s academic departments, colleges and schools,” said Professor Lu Jian, Vice-President (Research and Technology).

“This achievement should also be attributed to the concerted efforts of research staff. Our success will help to improve the competitiveness of CityU’s research, and lay a solid foundation for encouraging our researchers to undertake advanced research,” he added.

Furthermore, CityUSRI is among the first batch of new R&D institutions to be recognised by the Guangdong Provincial Government, which highlights CityUSRI’s success in scientific research, technical R&D, knowledge transfer, innovation and entrepreneurship and incubation. The institute is set to become a new type of innovative research centre that brings industry, teaching and research together for further sustainable development.