The University of Hong Kong (HKU) has secured funding for seven projects in the third round of the Research, Academic and Industry Sectors One-plus (RAISe+) – the highest number among local institutions. This success highlights the University's robust commitment to translating world-class research into practical, market-ready solutions that address pressing global challenges.
Professor Xiang Zhang, President and Vice-Chancellor of HKU said, "By translating breakthrough research into tangible solutions, HKU continues to address global challenges and drive societal progress, fulfilling our vision as a world-leading university dedicated to shaping the future of humanity. We remain committed to reinforcing our role as a global nexus for knowledge exchange, leveraging our interdisciplinary excellence to support the strategic growth of both the nation and Hong Kong as an international I&T centre."
Professor Stephanie MA, Vice-President and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research) (Interim) of HKU, expressed her enthusiasm for the selection results. "We are extremely proud of our research teams for their success in the third round of the RAISe+ scheme. These seven projects exemplify HKU's 'impact-driven' research philosophy - where scientific breakthroughs go beyond theoretical and academic achievements to address real-world challenges. By bridging the gap between academia and industry, we are not only advancing knowledge in vital areas such as biotechnology, new materials, and AI, but also actively contributing to the technological and economic development of Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area. This success also reflects the University's ongoing efforts to foster an environment conducive to the incubation of startups and effective knowledge transfer, further enhancing our role as a catalyst for innovation and enterprise."
The seven HKU projects are:
Wafer-Scale Flexible Diamond Membranes
Project Leader: Professor Zhiqin CHU, Associate Professor (joint appointment with School of Biomedical Sciences), Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Faculty of Engineering
iEarth
Project Leader: Professor Peng GONG, Vice-President and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Academic Development) and Chair Professor of Global Sustainability, Department of Geography, Faculty of Social Sciences
Industrialization of Advanced Cooling Materials for Power Semiconductor
Project Leader: Professor Mingxin HUANG, Chair Professor of Materials Technology, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering
Peptide Drug Innovation and Discovery
Project Leader: Professor Xuechen LI, Morningside Professor in Chemical Biology & Chair Professor of Medicinal Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science
Liver-in-Cube: Novel Precise Theranostics for Liver Cancer and Diseases
Project Leader: Professor Nancy Kwan MAN, Chair Professor of Transplant Oncology and Immunology, Department of Surgery, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine
AI-powered Platform for 3D Content Generation, Visualization and Interaction
Project Leader: Professor Dong XU, Professor, School of Computing and Data Science
Production of Human Pluripotent Stem Cell-derived Islet Organoid for Diabetes Treatment
Project Leader: Professor Zhongjun ZHOU, Chui Fook-Chuen Professor in Molecular Medicine, School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine
The RAISe+ scheme, supported by the Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC) of the HKSAR Government, aims to foster cooperation between the research, academic, and industry sectors to accelerate the commercialization of R&D outcomes. By bridging the gap between laboratories and industrial application, these projects are poised to deliver substantial societal and economic benefits.
The seven selected projects encompass a diverse range of disciplines, including new materials and new energy, AI and robotics, health and medical sciences, as well as computer science and information technology, reflecting the broad scope of HKU's research excellence. As these projects move forward, HKU remains dedicated to fostering an ecosystem that encourages innovation, nurtures entrepreneurship, and delivers research with deep societal impact.
