HKBU and BNBU debut premier cohort of 15 cross-border projects under Guangdong-Hong Kong Universities "1+1+1" Joint Funding Programme

In a historic stride for academic collaboration, the Guangdong-Hong Kong Universities "1+1+1" Joint Funding Programme celebrated the official commencement of its inaugural cohort of 15 cross-institutional projects on April 8, 2025. The ceremony, held at Beijing Normal-Hong Kong Baptist University (BNBU), marked a pivotal moment in fostering innovation-driven partnerships between Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) and BNBU, with co-principal investigators from both institutions leading each funded initiative.

Leaders in Politics and Academia Converge

Presided over by Professor Lyu Aiping, HKBU Vice-President (Research and Development) and Professor Pan Jianxin, BNBU Vice-President (Research and Development), the event drew distinguished attendees including Professor Alexander Wai  (HKBU President and Vice-Chancellor), Professor Chen Zhi (BNBU President), Ms Yang Huifang (GDSTC Communication and Cooperation Division Director) and Mr Dai Ge (Zhuhai Municipal Bureau of Science and Technology Innovation Deputy Director), alongside senior representatives from Department of Science and Technology of Guangdong Province (GDSTC), Zhuhai Municipal Bureau of Science and Technology Innovation, HKBU and BNBU.

A Tripartite Vision for Innovation

The programme, underpinned by a seed fund pool from 2024 to 2026 of approximately RMB 90 million, unites the Department of Science and Technology of Guangdong Province (GDSTC), HKBU, and BNBU in advancing cutting-edge research across strategic fields such as data science, artificial intelligence, and interdisciplinary applications. Each project will be jointly led by researchers from HKBU and BNBU, with teams collaborating on scientific and technological breakthroughs.

Professor Alexander Wai heralded the initiative as a transformative platform for advancing research excellence between HKBU and BNBU, emphasising its role in bridging institutional resources to accelerate technological breakthroughs with societal impact. He highlighted the programme’s potential to cultivate a synergistic effect within the Greater Bay Area, uniting Guangdong and Hong Kong’s research capabilities and academic networks to drive innovation in science and education development.

Professor Chen Zhi underscored the programme’s strategic focus on data science, artificial intelligence, and interdisciplinary innovation, noting its 15 flagship projects exemplify the programme’s alignment with national strategic imperatives and pressing technological priorities. He emphasised the initiative’s catalytic role in fortifying BNBU-HKBU’s synergistic academic partnership and propelling Guangdong-Hong Kong innovation leadership within the Greater Bay Area.

Certification and Collaboration

During the ceremony, leaders conferred certificates to the project leads, symbolising the formal launch of this ambitious partnership. Representatives from both universities underscored the programme’s role in catalysing high-impact outcomes. A networking session followed, enabling researchers to forge connections ahead of collaborative work commencing in 2025.

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Full List of Funded Projects: