Research Mixer delivers key updates and application tips as third cohort of “1+1+1” Joint Research Collaboration Scheme opens

On 17 June, the Research Office of Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) and the Research Development and Knowledge Transfer Office of Beijing Normal–Hong Kong Baptist University (BNBU) jointly hosted an online Research Mixer briefing session for those interested in applying for the third cohort of the Guangdong–Hong Kong Universities “1+1+1” Joint Research Collaboration Scheme, following the official announcement of the second cohort earlier that month.

Over 100 participants across the Hong Kong and Zhuhai campuses joined the event and were first welcomed by the research leads of both HKBU and BNBU, prior to a detailed sharing session on the essential application information and procedures (application period: 16 Jun to 30 Sep).
 

Professor Lyu Aiping, Vice-President (Research and Development) and Dean of Graduate School at HKBU, emphasises that the Scheme has consistently positioned itself at the forefront of the region’s higher education synergy and scientific innovation since its inception, dedicated to cultivating impactful transdisciplinary outcomes for the Greater Bay Area.

In the welcoming remarks, Professor Lyu stressed that the initiative's operational backbone relies heavily on the profound integration of the "One University, Two Campuses" model. "This is a joint initiative built on seamless, tight-knit collaboration with BNBU. True innovation invariably sparks at the intersection of disciplines, and the 'One University, Two Campuses' architecture is uniquely engineered to foster such synergies. Through shared resources and mutual intellectual integration, we can amplify our respective strengths, shoulder more complex research tasks of higher societal value, and unlock a genuine win-win scenario."

This model serves as a core mechanism for HKBU to translate institutional synergy into a scalable model of institutional innovation, aligning with the strategic imperatives of the Nation's 15th Five-Year Plan to build the Greater Bay Area (GBA) into a world-class international technology hub, he added.
 

Professor Pan Jianxin, Vice President (Research and Development) of BNBU, delivers a welcome address highlighting the strategic objectives and goals of the Scheme.

Aligning closely with national strategies and the pressing demands of industrial upgrading in the Greater Bay Area, Professor Pan Jianxin, Vice President (Research and Development) of BNBU, noted that the value of this partnership goes far deeper than capital injection. "Currently, the Nation's 15th Five-Year Plan places self-reliance and strength in science and technology at its core, while the development of the Greater Bay Area demands rigorous innovation and high-impact knowledge transfer. Against this backdrop, the significance of the '1+1+1' Joint Research Collaboration Scheme extends far beyond mere financial funding.” 

More importantly, it establishes a problem-driven collaborative channel for researchers from both campuses to leverage cross-border synergy and interdisciplinary advantages, he said. 
 

Brian Yang from the Research Development and Knowledge Transfer Office of BNBU provides a granular walkthrough covering institutional eligibility, necessary application materials, and compliance protocols.

The briefing concluded with an interactive question-and-answer segment where attending researchers discussed collaborative mechanics and structural requirements.

The briefing follows a period of strong momentum for the cross-border initiative. In May, a high-profile symposium saw the first cohort of funded researchers introduce their transdisciplinary progress directly to government officials, academic peers, and prominent industry leaders. This milestone was quickly followed by the official announcement of the second cohort's selected projects in early June. For more information, please visit: Projects | HKBU Research