Hong Kong Metropolitan University (HKMU) and the Federation of Hong Kong Industries (FHKI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) yesterday (14 January) to strengthen collaboration between academia and industry. Under the partnership, the two parties will work together to foster talent development, facilitate knowledge transfer, and promote applied research, contributing to Hong Kong's long-term social and economic development.
Witnessed by Prof. Paul Lam Kwan-sing, HKMU President, and Mr Anthony Lam, Chairman of the FHKI, the MoU was signed by Prof. Alan Au Kai-ming, HKMU Vice President (Strategic Initiatives), and Mr Ricky Chan Wai-chung, Executive Deputy Chairman of the FHKI. Guests of Honour also included Dr Sunny Chai, Honorary President of the FHKI and Chairman of Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation.
Prof. Lam remarked that this partnership exemplifies HKMU's commitment as a university of applied science (UAS) to integrate knowledge with practical applications. By deepening collaboration with industry, HKMU further bridges education with real-world practice. He stated, “We aim to co-develop work-based learning programmes that are closely aligned with industry standards and professional practice, ensuring that our graduates possess both the technical skills and soft skills that employers value.”
Chairman Lam is confident that this collaboration will mark a new milestone in the development of Hong Kong's industrial and technological sectors. “This represents a significant step forward in the strategic partnership between FHKI and HKMU,” he remarked. “Through this collaborative platform, we aim to assist students in securing more high-quality internship opportunities, enabling them to gain early insights into industry needs and build practical experience. In parallel, both parties are committed to integrating academic R&D with corporate expertise to co-develop innovative projects. This model of industry-academia collaboration will not only cultivate talent tailored to the sector's requirements but also inject new momentum into Hong Kong's industries, driving them towards high value-added development.”
As Hong Kong's first UAS, HKMU offers programmes that integrate theory and practice while maintaining close collaboration with professional sectors to nurture talent equipped with practical expertise for Hong Kong's economic development. Under this MoU, HKMU and the FHKI will establish regular dialogue between academics and industry representatives to better understand industry and economic trends and challenges. This will lay the groundwork for developing work-based learning programmes aligned with industry talent needs and applied research projects that deliver practical solutions and drive innovation.
HKMU and the FHKI will also explore other collaborative initiatives in knowledge transfer, industry policy research, professional development, and industry promotion. By strengthening the ecosystem for industry-academia-research collaboration, this partnership aims to enhance Hong Kong's competitive edge and support sustainable economic development.
