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[Hong Kong, 5 September 2012] More than 250 academics and industry leaders packed the Charles K. Kao Auditorium in the Hong Kong Science Park yesterday (5 September) to attend the “2012 ASTRI Industry and University Consultation Forum (IUCF)” organized by the Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI). Dr Roy Chung, Chairman, Federation of Hong Kong Industries, and Miss Janet Wong, Commissioner for Innovation and Technology, Hong Kong SAR Government, officiated at the Forum’s Opening Ceremony.

In welcoming the participants, Dr Cheung Nim-kwan, Chief Executive Officer of ASTRI, said, “ASTRI’s mission is to undertake innovative and customer-focused R&D, and by transferring our technologies to industry, enhance Hong Kong’s competitive strengths and sustainable growth.” He highlighted a couple of recent, major achievements of ASTRI, which include the establishment of the Hong Kong Branch of the National Application Specific Integrated Circuit System Engineering Research Centre and an exclusive licensing agreement signed to transfer its intellectual properties in LTE technologies to a long-time partner Innofidei (Hong Kong).

In addressing the Ceremony, Dr Roy Chung, also a former member of ASTRI’s Board of Directors, urged local industrialists to use ASTRI’s services to the fullest potential. “It is clear that the future of Hong Kong’s industry rests heavily on how innovation and creativity are embraced. A higher level of financial commitment in R&D is therefore essential for the long-term benefit of both the enterprises as well as the society as a whole.” Dr Chung also hoped the Innovation and Technology Commission could be more flexible in considering project proposals submitted by the research institute.

During the one-day IUCF, ASTRI shared information of more than 120 projects (project list) it is currently undertaking. Presentations by R&D leaders from its Communications Technologies Group, Enterprise and Consumer Electronics Group, IC Design Group, Material and Packaging Technologies Group, Bio-Medical Electronics Team and Exploratory Research Laboratory covered a wide range of topics, including 4G/LTE Small Cell Baseband Technologies, Broadband Cable Access Technologies, Cloud Applications for eLearning, Telehealth Technology Platform, Automotive Infotainment SoC with Android Software, Imaging, Green Energy, Display Systems, Packaging and Sensing, Computer Aided Pathology Diagnosis, Sphygmology, Security and Privacy in Cloud Storage for SME, and Location‐Based Service in Mobile Computing. Panel discussions, business matching meetings and laboratory tours were also arranged.

Miss Janet Wong, Commissioner for Innovation and Technology, Hong Kong SAR Government, introducing the government’s initiatives in promoting the development of innovation and technology in Hong Kong to the participants.

ASTRI organized IUCF annually to inform potential partners of the institute’s latest technical developments, solicit suggestions for future R&D projects and cultivate opportunities to establish collaborations. The Forum this year will also be held at the Grand Hyatt Shenzhen Hotel in Shenzhen on 19 September.

 

The 2012 IUCF is supported by Innovation and Technology Commission of the Hong Kong SAR Government; Shenzhen Science, Technology and Innovation Commission; The Chinese General Chamber of Commerce; The Chinese Manufacturers’ Association of Hong Kong; Federation of Hong Kong Industries; The Hong Kong Electronic Industries Association; Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce; Hong Kong Institution of Engineers – Electronics Division; CEO Club; Hong Kong Productivity Council; Shenzhen International Science & Technology Business Platform; Shenzhen United Property and Share Rights Exchange; Technology Transfer Association of Shenzhen, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan; and Shenzhen Nanshan Science & Technology Institute. Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation is Supporting Organization of 2012 IUCF and Co-organizer of “Apps Development Updates” Seminar at 2012 IUCF (Hong Kong).

(From left) Mr C.K. Chao, Chairman, CEO Club; Ir Victor Ng, Chairman of the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers – Electronics Division; Dr Roy Chung; Dr Cheung Nim-kwan; Mr Johnny Yeung, Chairman, The Hong Kong Electronic Industries Association, and Vice President, The Chinese Manufacturers’ Association of Hong Kong; Mr K.C. Leung, Chairman, Industry & Technology Committee, Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce; Mrs Agnes Mak, Executive Director, Hong Kong Productivity Council; Ms Ada Tam, Principal Manager of Publicity & Communication, Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation