City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK), MTR Corporation (MTR) and MTR Academy (MTRA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 6 January. This MoU aims to establish a partnership to focus on advanced railway-related research, talent development, and innovation while fostering a railway-related I&T (innovation & technology) ecosystem through collaborative efforts and knowledge exchange.

Leveraging the strengths of CityUHK, MTR and MTRA, the MoU establishes a framework for exploring collaborative research on railway-related solutions, facilitating the exchange of knowledge and fostering the development of I&T ecosystem. MTR and MTRA will identify potential partnerships with the University on railway-related innovations, particularly those under the HK Tech 300, the flagship innovation and entrepreneurship programme launched by CityUHK, transforming innovative ideas into practical applications and jointly propelling the development of “smart mobility”.

CityUHK, MTR, and MTRA will also establish talent-nurturing collaboration to explore opportunities for exchange of researchers, students, and faculty members. This includes exploring the possibility of CityUHK offering railway-related research topics, and MTR and MTRA recommending eligible staff to attend training programmes offered by CityUHK including the PhD by Innovation research graduate programme under the CityUHK Academy of Innovation (CAI).

Witnessed by Professor Freddy Boey, President and University Distinguished Professor of CityUHK, and Dr Jacob Kam, Chief Executive Officer of MTR Corporation, the MoU was signed by Professor Michael Yang Mengsu, Senior Vice-President (Innovation and Enterprise) of CityUHK, Professor Johnny Ho Chung-yin, Associate Vice-President (Enterprise) of CityUHK, Ms Jeny Yeung, Managing Director – Hong Kong Transport Services of MTR Corporation and Ms Margaret Cheng, President of MTR Academy.

“This industry-academia-research collaboration marks a remarkable fusion of MTR and MTRA’s expertise with CityUHK’s dynamic innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystem,” said President Boey. “I am confident that our joint efforts will empower our future leaders to develop advanced railway technologies and provide a positive societal impact through applications.”

“MTR Corporation is committed to fostering ‘industry-academia-research’ and application of innovative solutions to continuously enhance MTR operations and service with the aim of advancing to a smart railway. We look forward to this MoU deepening the exchange of expertise and further advancing the development of the railway I&T ecosystem in Hong Kong through collaboration between the University and MTR,” said Dr Kam.

Based in Hong Kong for 45 years, MTR is committed to delivering high quality railway services, expanding the railway network and building communities. With extensive experience in railway operations, asset management and maintenance, MTR firmly believes that adopting and developing innovative technologies is essential for enhancing service and operational efficiency.

MTR actively collaborates with universities, research institutions and start-ups to promote smart railway services, contribute to local scientific research and cultivate a rail-tech ecosystem.

CityUHK launched the HK Tech 300 programme in 2021 to build an extensive start-up ecosystem for aspiring entrepreneurs among CityUHK students, alumni, research staff and others to launch start-ups and ignite their entrepreneurship journey. This programme has provided seed fund to launch over 700 start-ups projects and invested in over 190 start-ups with an angel fund investment of up to HK$1 million each. The programme has attracted over 230 experienced industrialists and entrepreneurs to serve as mentors and engaged more than 90 public and private institutions as strategic partners, co-investment partners and supporting organisations. In 2024, CityUHK established the CAI that offers a comprehensive range of degree and non-degree programmes for future entrepreneurs to develop deep-tech start-ups, reaffirming the University’s position as a leading university in innovation and entrepreneurship education.