HKBU and SIAT jointly launch PhD Programme to nurture research talent

HKBU and the Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology (SIAT) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) signed an agreement on 4 March to jointly launch a PhD programme, marking a pivotal step in fostering high-calibre research talent and deepening scientific collaboration within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

Professor Martin Wong, Acting President and Vice-Chancellor of HKBU, said: “This partnership is a vital move towards integrating higher education and research in the Greater Bay Area (GBA), symbolising our dedication to fostering outstanding research talent and driving scientific progress.”

Professor Liu Chenli, President of SIAT, praised HKBU’s achievements in transdisciplinary innovation and internationalised talent development. He said: “This collaboration will nurture versatile talent with both a global perspective and a strong sense of national responsibility. We look forward to building pathways for talent development and pioneering new avenues in research collaboration, contributing distinctive ‘Shenzhen-Hong Kong solutions’ to establishing the GBA as a world-class hub for scientific innovation.”

The signing ceremony was held at HKBU. Professor Lyu Aiping, Vice-President (Research and Development) of HKBU, and Ms Wang Zhu, Secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission of SIAT signed the agreement, in the presence of Professor Martin Wong and Professor Liu Chenli. A discussion session followed the ceremony, after which the SIAT delegation toured HKBU’s Visualization Research Centre and Life Science Imaging Centre.

The PhD programme implements a dual-supervisor system and an elite training model, capping enrolment to 20 students per year. It focuses on key areas such as data analytics, artificial intelligence, life sciences and new materials. Students will benefit from the expertise of both institutions, access to advanced facilities, and abundant research resources. Students will be required to participate in international conferences or poster exhibitions, and undertake at least one month of overseas research experience.

The agreement between HKBU and SIAT is signed by Professor Lyu Aiping (2nd left) and Ms Wang Zhu (2nd right), witnessed by Professor Liu Chenli (1st left) and Professor Martin Wong (1st right). Representatives from HKBU and SIAT unite to usher in a new chapter in research and the Shenzhen-Ho

Representatives from HKBU and SIAT unite to usher in a new chapter in research and the Shenzhen-Hong Kong partnership.