CUHK
News Centre

The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) welcomes 2025 Policy Address delivered by the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong SAR Government today (17 September). CUHK supports the government’s initiatives to promote innovation and technology (I&T), strengthen industry-academia-research collaboration and enhance the “Study in Hong Kong” brand. CUHK will continue to leverage its strengths in academic research, knowledge transfer, and talent development to support Hong Kong’s development into an international hub for post-secondary education, and an international innovation and technology centre, while contributing to the Greater Bay Area (GBA)’s innovation ecosystem.

Professor Dennis Lo Yuk-ming, CUHK’s Vice-Chancellor and President, said: “The 2025 Policy Address introduces a series of forward-looking policies and measures that closely align with CUHK’s vision. These initiatives are poised to inject powerful momentum into higher education and research, particularly in I&T and talent cultivation. As a leader in education and research in Hong Kong and the GBA, CUHK will promote regional collaboration with a global perspective. The University will support the development of the Northern Metropolis, drive innovation in artificial intelligence and aerospace technology, strengthen industry-academia-research collaboration and nurture local talent. We will continue to work closely with the government and industry to build a vibrant ecosystem of innovation and talent, driving Hong Kong and the GBA toward global leadership in innovation and knowledge.”

Drive innovation and healthcare development

He further said that CUHK will actively respond to the I&T, education and talent development policies outlined in the Policy Address and fully support the acceleration of the Northern Metropolis development. The University will collaborate with the government to facilitate the planning and construction the University Town and contribute its research strengths in artificial intelligence (AI), new energy, life and health technology and more to the region’s I&T development. CUHK looks forward to the development of San Tin Technopole and the Loop as the base for the regional I&T industry, facilitating the translation of cutting-edge technologies into applications, reinforcing Hong Kong’s position as a global innovation centre and injecting new momentum into the regional economy.

Professor Lo supports the government deepening healthcare system reform, consolidating Hong Kong’s leading position in cancer research, prevention and control, as well as expediting the evaluation and approval of medical products and innovative drugs. CU Medicine has always been committed to making a difference to the world by improving people’s health through advancing health care, medical education and research. Over the years, faculty members have led collaborative discoveries which have changed the global clinical practice and shifting treatment paradigms in cancer therapies, digestive, metabolic diseases and more. And the State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology also focuses on novel diagnostic and therapeutic developments of cancers and translates research outcomes into clinical applications. CUHK will continue to leverage its extensive experience and competitive advantages to help promote Hong Kong as an international health and medical innovation hub.

Professor Lo welcomes the launch of Innovation and Technology Talents Exchange Scheme, which encourages university professors to engage in corporate research and development (R&D) activities and promotes the collaborative development of industry, academic and research sectors. CUHK has long encouraged its faculty members and students to apply their research and expertise for the betterment of society. It actively promotes patent applications and other forms of intellectual property protection for research outcomes. To date, it held over 2,400 granted patents and has incubated 131 spin-off companies, including unicorns such as Cornerstone Robotics, SenseTime and SmartMore, exemplifying the integration of industry, academia and research. Professor Lo is pleased to see the government strengthening intellectual property promotion, which helps safeguard inventors and lays the groundwork for commercialising research achievements. CUHK will continue to provide robust support for researchers and implement policies that maintain its research standards at international levels, contributing to Hong Kong’s transformation into a knowledge-based innovation economy.

Strengthen AI research and education

AI has become a pillar of global technological advancement, and Professor Lo is delighted with the government’s proactive efforts to promote AI innovation and application, including the launch of HK$3 billion Frontier Technology Research Support Scheme to help local universities attract international top-notch scientific researchers. In recent years, CUHK has been at the forefront of AI education and research, having 54 AI-related spin-off companies to date. The Centre for Perceptual and Interactive Intelligence has joined the InnoHK research clusters, with focuses on cutting-edge AI research, interdisciplinary collaboration and ethical education. For the recent Policy Address, the Centre provided AI solution for its live broadcast, enhancing the efficiency of information dissemination. The centre is also actively developing an interdisciplinary framework that balances the transformative capabilities of AI with its potential risks, ensuring that technological development adheres to principles of fairness and responsibility. It has also pioneered Hong Kong’s first pre-tertiary AI curriculum, which has been mainstreamed by the Education Bureau. This curriculum aims to cultivate students’ technological literacy and ethical awareness from the secondary level, promoting the integration of technology and the humanities. Besides, the University offers 11 undergraduate and postgraduate programmes related to the subject, including Artificial Intelligence: Systems and Technologies and the interdisciplinary Computational Data Science. CUHK-Shenzhen also established the School of Artificial Intelligence in February this year. Both campuses will continue to leverage the advantages of “one university, two campuses” to attract more talented students, nurturing future leaders who will drive innovation and technological advancement in Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area.

Expand aerospace technology research and build a low-altitude economy ecosystem

Professor Lo strongly supports the government’s initiative to establish a dedicated fund of over HK$1 billion to empower local universities in advancing aerospace science and technology research. CUHK has been committed to aerospace research and has successfully launched its first Earth observation satellite. This marks the University’s first direct involvement in satellite design, development and data application. This satellite focuses on monitoring environmental and geographical data across Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area, representing a significant milestone in aerospace and AI large-model technologies. In early September, CUHK signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Hainan Satellite Data and Application Research Center to jointly build an international satellite data hub, foster cross-border cooperation and develop an integrated platform that connects industry, academia, research and application. CUHK also places strong emphasis on space science education. In 2024, CUHK and CUHK-Shenzhen launched “Aerospace Science and Earth Informatics & X” double major undergraduate programme, which aims to provide students with professional technical knowledge and hands-on experience, thereby nurturing talent for the aerospace technology sector.

Professor Lo also supports the government’s commitment to developing the low-altitude economy and propelling Hong Kong as an Asia-Pacific hub for innovative low-altitude applications. CUHK has notable research outcomes in this area. Its research team has developed an unprecedented amphibious drone that integrates advanced robotics, AI, data analytics, and edge computing with environmental science and coastal engineering.  This drone can be used for aerial and aquatic surveys, remote sensing, and search-and-rescue operations, contributing to the advancement of smart city initiatives. CUHK will also sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the Greater Bay Area Low Altitude Economy Alliance. Looking ahead, the University will participate in more pilot projects, standard-setting initiatives, technology transfer and talent development to promote an innovative ecosystem for the low-altitude economy in the region.

Broaden international student recruitment and cultivate future talent

Besides, Professor Lo is pleased to see the government to establish the Task Force on Study in Hong Kong, as well as increase the quota of non-local students in government-funded universities to 50% and the over-enrolment ceiling of self-financing places of funded research postgraduate programmes to 120%, which will help attract more outstanding students to pursue their studies in Hong Kong. CUHK has long been dedicated to attracting global talent by launching innovative academic programmes, enhancing faculty quality and expanding campus facilities. Notably, the University launched the first university-endorsed off-campus accommodation in this academic year to provide students with a suitable learning and living environment. The University will continue to enhance global partnerships, exchange programmes, academic conferences and scholarships, as well as publicity efforts, to promote academic and research excellence, boosting Hong Kong’s global competitiveness in higher education.