HKUST Opens Four New Research Centers in Nansha

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) today (Thursday) opens four new research centers at the HKUST Fok Ying Tung Research Institute in Nansha, Guangzhou.

The four new centers which would spearhead research efforts in advanced materials,

Applied Genomics Center

Center for Bioengineering and Biomedical Devices

Center for Polymer Processing

Center for Green Products and Processing Technologies

This latest boost in research capability brings to 10 the total number of research centers at the Research Institute in addition to two central research facilities.

Dignitaries officiating at the opening ceremony included Senior Chinese Government Officials, Chairman of Fok Ying Tung Foundation, Mr Timothy Fok, Managing Director of Fok Ying Tung Foundation, Mr Ian Fok, Chairman of Fok Ying Tung Ming Yuan Development Company Ltd, Mr Ho Ming Sze, President of the HKUST, Prof Paul Chu and Dean of HKUST Fok Ying Tung Graduate School, Prof Tongxi Yu.

Speaking at the ceremony, HKUST President Prof Paul Chu paid tribute to Dr Fok for turning Nansha into a sparkling cluster of jewels of hi-tech research in the PRD region.

Also speaking at the ceremony, Mr Timothy Fok thanked HKUST and the Mainland authorities for their support in making the Nansha dream a reality.

"Early this year we opened the Graduate School which was then barely operation-ready. Today we have 10 research centers operating in full swing in the frontiers of science and technology. The rapidity of development at the Graduate School is truly amazing," said Mr Fok.

Dean of HKUST Fok Ying Tung Graduate School Prof Tongxi Yu briefed the guests on the latest development of the Graduate School. He said that plans for building the new campus were underway for completion in late 2008. In addition, approval for the proposed projects of the research centers are being sought from the relevant government departments. Collaborations with industry in Pearl River Delta are also in good progress.

The Reading & Common Room for staff leisure were also officially opened along with the four new research centers today.

Formally established in Nansha IT Park, the HKUST Fok Ying Tung Graduate School plays a key role in making a meaningful and significant impact on the technological advancement of HK and the PRD. The Graduate school will build on and extend HKUST's wealth of research capability to better serve the region's development need.

For media enquiries, please feel free to contact :

Luk Kam Wing

Tel: 2358 6306

Email: kluk@ust.hk

Donna Wong

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Email: donnaw@ust.hk