Capitalizing
on Hong Kong's Strengths
Under the shadow of recession, people's confidence in and enthusiasm
for high technology has flagged. However, we must keep our eyes
on the big picture. Technological advancement is recognized
as a world trend and provides the fuel for economic development.
For the long-term benefit of Hong Kong, we have no choice but
to speed up our transition to a knowledge-based economy by boosting
high-tech development. The question is: How should Hong Kong
chart its path to high technology? What role should a research
university such as HKUST play in Hong Kong's high-tech development?
To answer these questions, we have to understand Hong Kong's
strengths and how to leverage them.
Hong Kong possesses many of the qualities a knowledge-based
society needs: healthy legal and financial systems, free access
to information, and rich experience in management, all of
which are first-rate. Hong Kong's edge lies in its capacity
to coordinate scientific knowledge of various disciplines,
talented manpower, market needs, and business research and
development in creating high value-added products. Hong Kong
should therefore focus on invention, design, and integration,
and collaborate with multinational enterprises to develop
high-tech goods and services. Enterprises can help in the
selection of research areas and by providing the necessary
financial support and information for research and development,
while in turn HKUST can provide the required technology and
human resources for high-tech enterprises.
As the only research university specializing in science,
technology, and business and management studies in Hong Kong,
HKUST plays a major role in the discovery of new knowledge,
development of technology, and nurturing of talent. The University
has over 40 multidisciplinary research institutes and centers,
focusing on frontier areas such as nanotechnology, biotechnology,
new materials, microelectronics and microsystems, information
technology, e-commerce, logistics management, thermal energy
and systems, environmental studies, China business and management,
and cultural studies. These academic pursuits are what constitute
the driving force behind the most advanced global economies.
With HKUST's high impact research areas registering world-class
achievements, the HKSAR Government and the general public
should capitalize on the strengths of Hong Kong and HKUST,
support the creation of advanced scientific knowledge and
the development of high technology, and nurture well-rounded
talent for a knowledge-based society.
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