CUHK
News Centre

The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) welcomes the Chief Executive’s 2021 Policy Address and its focus on innovative biomedicine, and strengthened support for world-class research across Hong Kong’s university system.

CUHK’s Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Rocky S. Tuan said, “Life and health sciences and biomedical innovations are fundamental to enhancing Hong Kong’s global competitiveness and positioning the city as a unique hub in the Greater Bay Area’s emerging research and development ecosystem.

Hong Kong’s role as a magnet for innovation has grown dramatically over the past five years with the city now home to more than 250 biotechnology companies and a world-leading platform to connect emerging health technology with capital markets. None of this happens in a state of isolation – with more universities in the top 100 on a per capita basis than any jurisdiction in the world, our university system is an essential ingredient in bolstering this capacity. The initiatives outlined in today’s Policy Address will enhance and expand existing innovation and technology infrastructure and capacity, and are crucial for further growth of higher education and research in Hong Kong.

We also welcome the government relaxing the over-enrollment ceiling of UGC-funded research postgraduate (RPg) programme students from 70% to 100%, and its consideration of an increase in the number of funded places. This initiative will strengthen our talent training for the development of Hong Kong as an international innovation and technology hub. The extension of the Research Matching Grant Scheme for two years will further enhance the competitive firepower of our universities.”

Innovative biomedicine is one of four strategic research themes under the University’s new five-year strategic plan. The University recently opened the CUHK Medical Centre (CUHKMC), the city’s first non-profit private teaching hospital, enabling us to make greater impact on health services and technology for the community, for the region and for the world.

“The opening of our new world-class Medical Centre is a major milestone in building an ecosystem of education, research and innovation intensity and is set to emerge as a significant health and research precinct. As the University seeks to play a major role in the implementation of the 14th national 5-year plan, we are pleased that the Government will support CUHK in the next phase of the Medical Centre development and the building of new research facilities for biomedical innovations, ” Prof. Tuan said.