Chief Executive Carrie Lam today visited two research centres at the Science Park.

The research centres were established by the University of Hong Kong and the Chinese University of Hong Kong in collaboration with world-renowned universities and research institutes under the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government’s InnoHK research clusters.

Mrs Lam first toured the Microbiota I-Center which focuses on utilising human gut microbiome for developing a new class of medicines and therapeutics, with a view to reaching a new pharmaceutical and healthcare frontier in Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area.

She then visited the Laboratory of Data Discovery for Health, where she was briefed on how the laboratory will enhance disease control and prevention by developing deep data analytics through collaboration with international health authorities.

Highlighting that she had set out an eight-pronged approach to develop innovation and technology (I&T) in her 2017 Policy Address, the Chief Executive said: “It is encouraging to see today the relevant research centres commencing operation progressively with a large pool of young scientists, which is testimony to the gradual realisation of the vision of Hong Kong to advance I&T development.”

With the National Five-year Plan clearly supporting Hong Kong to develop as an international I&T hub, and the central authorities stating their support for I&T growth, coupled with the bay area’s rapid development, Mrs Lam believes Hong Kong’s I&T field is entering a golden era.

“I encourage different sectors of the community to join hands with the Hong Kong SAR Government to seize the valuable opportunities to contribute to the development of our country into a science and technology power.” 

Mrs Lam also toured the Experience Centre which showcases art tech exhibits and the city’s I&T ecosystem, and met Hong Kong Design Institute students at the centre to learn about how they integrate technology into their design work and realise design concepts at the Science Park.

She said: “By attracting more young people who aspire to develop in I&T to join the InnoHK research clusters and art tech, a steady supply of talent can be ensured. I am pleased to have seen a large number of young people who are committed to scientific research during the visit today.”

A major initiative of the current-term Government on I&T development, the InnoHK research clusters aim to pool together talent from around the world to establish Hong Kong as a global research collaboration hub. So far, the clusters have focused on healthcare technologies, and artificial intelligence and robotics technologies.

Currently, 25 research centres that have been selected to set up a presence at the Science Park have already completed laboratory renovation works and have begun operation progressively. Two other research centres are expected to start operation later this year.