CityUHK Academy of Innovation Anniversary Dinner. Bringing Innovation Together

City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) held the inaugural Anniversary Dinner of the CityUHK Academy of Innovation (CAI) on 4 Nov 2025. Over 260 esteemed guests from government, industry, academia, as well as students, gathered to celebrate the CAI’s remarkable journey. At the Anniversary Dinner, CityUHK hosted a presentation ceremony for the CAI’s adjunct professors, further enriching the university’s innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem dedicated to nurturing tech talent and deep-tech start-ups.

The dinner was graced by distinguished officiating guests, including Professor Sun Dong, JP, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China (the Government of the HKSAR); Professor Freddy Boey, President and University Distinguished Professor of CityUHK.

In his address, Professor Sun praised CityUHK for fostering a thriving ecosystem that connects talent, start-ups and industry. “Interactive collaboration between the Government, industry, academia, research and investment sectors has helped drive Hong Kong’s I&T development,” he said. “The Government’s commitment to promoting Hong Kong’s I&T development and accentuate I&T ecosystem is evident. The number of start-ups in Hong Kong continues to grow at an impressive rate and has reached a record high of 4,700 last year.” He encouraged students to prepare themselves to ride the wave of opportunities, and “grow not only as innovators but also as responsible contributors to our society.”

In his welcome remarks, President Boey said the dinner was a pivotal moment in CityUHK’s journey towards fostering innovation and excellence. “We firmly believe in ‘Innovating into the Future’, he said. “CityUHK and the CAI’s strategic vision align seamlessly with that of the Government of the HKSAR, as we are dedicated to expanding international connections and creating a diverse environment for young talent. This will further equip the next generation to become future leaders with a global perspective.”

Together with the presentation ceremony for the CAI’s adjunct professors, the dinner featured a series of inspiring programmes, including the “Milestone Presentation”, hosted by Professor Michael Tse Chi-kong, CityUHK Associate Vice-President (Innovation) and Director of the CAI, who shared the journey and achievements of the CAI.

A highlight of the evening was the “Fireside Talk”, delivered by Professor Chau Yiu-chung, Adjunct Professor and Academy Advisor of the CAI, along with a graduate from the Master of Science in Venture Creation (MSVC) programme. Both illustrated the journey of transforming an innovative idea from classroom learning into a deep tech start-up focused on wireless charging for robotics, utilising CityUHK's patented technologies.

CityUHK launched the CAI in 2024 to provide a range of innovative programmes, included the PhD by Innovation, MSVC, Graduate Research and Innovation Trek Programme (GRIT), and Overseas Start-up Technology Entrepreneur Programme (STEP). The aim of these initiatives is to equip young talent with the business acumen needed for technology transformation and the creation of deep-tech ventures.

To date, the CAI has appointed over 20 academy advisors and more than 40 adjunct professors, from various sectors, including business, industry and investment, providing students with real-world experience guided by interdisciplinary professionals. Among the 70 graduates of the inaugural MSVC cohort (2024/25), nine start-ups joined HK Tech 300, CityUHK’s flagship I&E programme, receiving seed funding of HK$100,000 each for their innovative business proposals developed during their studies.

Another highlight of the dinner was the “STEP Sharing” segment. Two students who participated in the STEP programme shared their experiences last summer. One interned at a deep tech start-up affiliated with the University of Cambridge in the UK, while the other interned as an electronic engineer at Huayi Quantum (focusing on quantum computing) in Beijing. The two students shared insights from their internships and expressed their eagerness to contribute to the future of high-tech innovation and commercialisation in Hong Kong.