CityUHK and HKSAR Government’s London ETO Jointly Promote Innovation and Talent Cultivation
City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) and the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in London (London ETO) of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) hosted a seminar and networking reception on March 5 in London, United Kingdom, themed “Bridging Innovation: Connecting Talent and Partnerships”. The event aimed to strengthen innovation and entrepreneurship education, enhance collaboration between academia and industry, and support the success of deep-tech start-ups in the global innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem.
With support from Invest Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the reception was led by Miss Fiona Chau Suet-mui, Director General of the London ETO, and Professor Michael Tse Chi-kong, CityUHK Associate Vice-President (Innovation) and Director of the CityUHK Academy of Innovation.
Speaking at the event, Miss Fiona Chau, highlighted that Hong Kong’s universities provide a strong foundation for strengthening the city’s global competitiveness in innovation and technology. She noted that Hong Kong’s close integration with the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area offers extensive opportunities for collaboration and market access. She encouraged academic institutions, start-ups, entrepreneurs, investors, and global talent to consider Hong Kong as a base for scaling ventures, advancing careers and building global partnerships.
In his opening remarks, Professor Tse stated that CityUHK, as a leading global university in innovation and entrepreneurship (I&E), has yielded fruitful results through HK Tech 300, the University’s flagship I&E programme, and the CityUHK Academy of Innovation (CAI), established in recent years. “CityUHK is committed to nurturing talent through innovation education,” he said. “With its global focus, the CAI serves as a vital bridge for cross-sector collaboration between countries and cities, expanding our global footprint and empowering more deep-tech talent and start-ups to successfully enter international markets.”
The event attracted over 80 participants, including representatives from the University of Cambridge, Imperial College London, and leading corporations in the investment, technology and industrial sectors. Joining them were host companies in the UK that offer internships for students participating in the CAI’s Overseas Start-up Technology Entrepreneur Programme (STEP). Also participating in the event were CityUHK students currently interning in London start-ups, who engaged in fruitful exchanges.
The event commenced with a valuable presentation by Professor Omar Matar, Head of the Department of Chemical Engineering at Imperial College London. Along with several informal networking sessions, the reception facilitated talent exchange, promoted cross-sector collaboration, inspired innovation, encouraged experience sharing and helped build long-term partnerships.
Established in 2024, the CAI aims to nurture young innovators and entrepreneurs. As an integral part of HK Tech 300, CityUHK’s flagship Innovation and Entrepreneurship programme, the Academy has developed a leading international ecosystem that nurtures innovation talent, promoting innovation and technology for social and economic advancement.
The Academy provides a range of innovative programmes, including the PhD by Innovation, Master of Science in Venture Creation (MSVC), Graduate Research and Innovation Trek Programme (GRIT), and Overseas Start-up Technology Entrepreneur Programme (STEP). Among the inaugural graduates of the MSVC programme, nine start-ups joined HK Tech 300, receiving seed funding of HK$100,000 each for their innovative business proposals developed during their studies.
To date, the CAI has appointed more than 20 academy advisors and over 40 adjunct professors from various sectors, including business, industry and investment. Students from the inaugural STEP programme have interned at seven deep-tech start-ups located in London and Cambridge, UK, as well as in Beijing, China. The programme is set to expand to Melbourne, Australia. Looking ahead, the Academy will provide CityUHK students with more study and exchange opportunities in the global innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem.
Media enquiries:
City University of Hong Kong Office of the Senior Vice-President (Innovation and Enterprise)
Ms Phyllis Tsang Tel: 3442 8021
Email: phyllis.tsang@cityu.edu.hk
AsiaNet Communications Limited
Ms Kelly Yeung
Tel: 2114 4965 / 9784 6521
Email: kelly@asianet-sprg.com.hk
With support from Invest Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the reception was led by Miss Fiona Chau Suet-mui, Director General of the London ETO, and Professor Michael Tse Chi-kong, CityUHK Associate Vice-President (Innovation) and Director of the CityUHK Academy of Innovation.
Speaking at the event, Miss Fiona Chau, highlighted that Hong Kong’s universities provide a strong foundation for strengthening the city’s global competitiveness in innovation and technology. She noted that Hong Kong’s close integration with the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area offers extensive opportunities for collaboration and market access. She encouraged academic institutions, start-ups, entrepreneurs, investors, and global talent to consider Hong Kong as a base for scaling ventures, advancing careers and building global partnerships.
In his opening remarks, Professor Tse stated that CityUHK, as a leading global university in innovation and entrepreneurship (I&E), has yielded fruitful results through HK Tech 300, the University’s flagship I&E programme, and the CityUHK Academy of Innovation (CAI), established in recent years. “CityUHK is committed to nurturing talent through innovation education,” he said. “With its global focus, the CAI serves as a vital bridge for cross-sector collaboration between countries and cities, expanding our global footprint and empowering more deep-tech talent and start-ups to successfully enter international markets.”
The event attracted over 80 participants, including representatives from the University of Cambridge, Imperial College London, and leading corporations in the investment, technology and industrial sectors. Joining them were host companies in the UK that offer internships for students participating in the CAI’s Overseas Start-up Technology Entrepreneur Programme (STEP). Also participating in the event were CityUHK students currently interning in London start-ups, who engaged in fruitful exchanges.
The event commenced with a valuable presentation by Professor Omar Matar, Head of the Department of Chemical Engineering at Imperial College London. Along with several informal networking sessions, the reception facilitated talent exchange, promoted cross-sector collaboration, inspired innovation, encouraged experience sharing and helped build long-term partnerships.
Established in 2024, the CAI aims to nurture young innovators and entrepreneurs. As an integral part of HK Tech 300, CityUHK’s flagship Innovation and Entrepreneurship programme, the Academy has developed a leading international ecosystem that nurtures innovation talent, promoting innovation and technology for social and economic advancement.
The Academy provides a range of innovative programmes, including the PhD by Innovation, Master of Science in Venture Creation (MSVC), Graduate Research and Innovation Trek Programme (GRIT), and Overseas Start-up Technology Entrepreneur Programme (STEP). Among the inaugural graduates of the MSVC programme, nine start-ups joined HK Tech 300, receiving seed funding of HK$100,000 each for their innovative business proposals developed during their studies.
To date, the CAI has appointed more than 20 academy advisors and over 40 adjunct professors from various sectors, including business, industry and investment. Students from the inaugural STEP programme have interned at seven deep-tech start-ups located in London and Cambridge, UK, as well as in Beijing, China. The programme is set to expand to Melbourne, Australia. Looking ahead, the Academy will provide CityUHK students with more study and exchange opportunities in the global innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem.
Media enquiries:
City University of Hong Kong Office of the Senior Vice-President (Innovation and Enterprise)
Ms Phyllis Tsang Tel: 3442 8021
Email: phyllis.tsang@cityu.edu.hk
AsiaNet Communications Limited
Ms Kelly Yeung
Tel: 2114 4965 / 9784 6521
Email: kelly@asianet-sprg.com.hk