City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) and Baoshan Iron & Steel Co., Ltd (Baosteel) have jointly established the Baosteel-CityUHK Joint Research Centre (BCJC). The opening ceremony was held at CityUHK on 2 July. The BCJC aims to create a world-class platform for industry-academia research through university-industry collaboration, driving digital transformation in the sector, and supporting Hong Kong's vision of becoming an international innovation and technology centre, while promoting new industrialisation.
The BCJC will focus on advanced areas of the steel industry, including high-end development, intelligent manufacturing, green transformation, and enhanced efficiency. Through collaborative projects, the BCJC aims to bring together top talent and establish comprehensive mechanisms for talent development. The establishment of the BCJC represents a significant milestone in technological innovation for both CityUHK and Baosteel. It will foster cross-disciplinary collaboration in new materials, AI and advanced manufacturing, contributing to the development of Hong Kong and the nation.
Mr Zou Jixin, Chairman of Baosteel, led a delegation to the opening ceremony of the BCJC. Members included Mr Mao Xiaoming, Vice President of the Baosteel Central Research Institute (R&D Center); Mr Lv Yunyong, Director of the Administrative Office of Baosteel; Mr Zhou Xueying, General Manager of Bao-trans Enterprises Limited; Mr Ma Yongzhu, Director of the Baosteel Hong Kong R&D Centre; and Ms Chen Beibei, Senior Manager of the Baosteel Hong Kong R&D Centre.
In his speech, Mr Zou said, "Baosteel and CityUHK are joining forces, leveraging their respective strengths to establish the BCJC as a pragmatic response to the shared vision for the future of the steel industry. This collaboration will be needs-driven, focusing on fundamental research and pooling resources to achieve breakthroughs in original, leading-edge new materials and technologies. This partnership will also promote innovation in AI-driven research paradigms, empowering the future of the steel industry and supporting Hong Kong's development as an international innovation and technology centre."
Professor Freddy Boey, President and University Distinguished Professor of CityUHK, expressed his gratitude to Baosteel for their trust and support. He highlighted that CityUHK has achieved outstanding academic and research accomplishments internationally in AI, innovation and entrepreneurship, and advanced materials. He expressed confidence that the BCJC would inject new momentum into Hong Kong's development as an international innovation and technology centre. He remarked, "We believe that under the joint leadership of CityUHK and Baosteel, the Joint Research Centre will become a cradle for technological breakthroughs, a magnet for top talent and an engine for industrial transformation."
Other CityUHK representatives attending the ceremony included Professor Lee Chun-sing, Provost and Deputy President; Professor Wang Jianping, Dean of the College of Computing; and Professor Lu Jian, Dean of the College of Engineering.
Representatives from Baosteel, a subsidiary of China Baowu Steel Group Corporation Limited, have visited CityUHK multiple times to learn about the University's research strengths in the development and enhancement of metal materials. These visits facilitated in-depth discussions on education and research, establishing a solid foundation for this collaboration.
