The Project

School of Science and Technology Research University Research Facilities The Project

The Project

Project Title: University Research Facilities for Basic and Applied Coastal Wetland Research in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (HKMU)
粵港澳大灣區海岸濕地基礎及應用研究中心實驗室

Project Reference No.: UGC/IDS(R)16/19

Introduction:
The current National 13th Five-year Plan calls for the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA). With 11 cities in the area, eight of which are coastal cities, the plan involves collectively strengthening logistics integration, developing scientific innovation and green production centres and building a green and sustainable quality living zone that is resilient against environmental challenges. The protection and conservation of coastal wetlands is one of the key objectives of the newly announced GBA development plan. This objective is crucial to the sustainable development and success of the GBA because the loss of coastal wetlands in the area would lead to significant social and economic losses. Hong Kong is one of the key stakeholders in the efforts to protect coastal wetlands. The world-renowned Mai Po Marshes Nature Reserve is located on the Hong Kong side of Inner Deep Bay with the Guangdong Neilingding Island Futian National Reserve (GNIFNR) lying on the opposite shore. The two wetlands together have special ecological value to the city and the area. Also, as one of the leading cities in the area with the mission of providing quality living to attract international talent, Hong Kong has an inescapable obligation to contribute to the conservation of coastal wetlands in the area.

Hong Kong Metropolitan University (HKMU), with a long and excellent track record in environmental research, aims to contribute to Hong Kong's efforts in coastal wetland conservation through this project — the establishment of the University Research Facilities (URF) for basic and applied research on coastal wetlands in the GBA. We propose the acquisition of state-of-the-art equipment and facilities for environmental research, and the organisation of a seminar, a workshop and an international conference for knowledge dissemination and exchange among stakeholders. The mission of the URF will be to line up coastal wetland researchers in the GBA to foster scientific research in coastal wetland ecology and conservation. The URF will serve as a regional platform to rally and inform scientists, government officials, and NGO workers with evidence-based information on the formulation of coastal wetland conservation policies. This proposed project is also in line with HKMU's strategic development to systematically develop and strengthen its research infrastructures in environmental science. Building on the success of the Institute for Research in Innovative Technology and Sustainability (IRITS), which was established in 2015 with support from the Research Grants Council, the project will enhance research on coastal wetland conservation in the GBA along three research themes — (1) omics study, (2) cell physiology and signalling, and (3) environmental monitoring; and contribute to the city's and the GBA's environmental protection efforts.

This proposed project will expand and strengthen HKMU's research capability for environmental monitoring and protection research, which is currently constrained by the small number of general laboratory equipment and facilities. The URF, combining existing equipment and facilities in HKMU with the proposed acquisition, will leverage the integrated advantages of HKMU in environmental research. The facilities will also be open to other academics in the region to facilitate collaborations and knowledge exchange. The URF will nurture new ideas for cutting-edge coastal wetland research and put HKMU in a stronger position to contribute to coastal wetland research and conservation in the area.

More information: https://www.ugc.edu.hk/eng/rgc/funding_opport/ids_rig/funded_research/ids1920_abstract.html#IDS_R16

Jonathan Chiu
Marketing Director
3DP Technology Limited

Jonathan handles all external affairs include business development, patents write up and public relations. He is frequently interviewed by media and is considered a pioneer in 3D printing products.

Krutz Cheuk
Biomedical Engineer
Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital

After graduating from OUHK, Krutz obtained an M.Sc. in Engineering Management from CityU. He is now completing his second master degree, M.Sc. in Biomedical Engineering, at CUHK. Krutz has a wide range of working experience. He has been with Siemens, VTech, and PCCW.

Hugo Leung
Software and Hardware Engineer
Innovation Team Company Limited

Hugo Leung Wai-yin, who graduated from his four-year programme in 2015, won the Best Paper Award for his ‘intelligent pill-dispenser’ design at the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineering’s International Conference on Consumer Electronics – China 2015.

The pill-dispenser alerts patients via sound and LED flashes to pre-set dosage and time intervals. Unlike units currently on the market, Hugo’s design connects to any mobile phone globally. In explaining how it works, he said: ‘There are three layers in the portable pillbox. The lowest level is a controller with various devices which can be connected to mobile phones in remote locations. Patients are alerted by a sound alarm and flashes. Should they fail to follow their prescribed regime, data can be sent via SMS to relatives and friends for follow up.’ The pill-dispenser has four medicine slots, plus a back-up with a LED alert, topped by a 500ml water bottle. It took Hugo three months of research and coding to complete his design, but he feels it was worth all his time and effort.

Hugo’s public examination results were disappointing and he was at a loss about his future before enrolling at the OUHK, which he now realizes was a major turning point in his life. He is grateful for the OUHK’s learning environment, its industry links and the positive guidance and encouragement from his teachers. The University is now exploring the commercial potential of his design with a pharmaceutical company. He hopes that this will benefit the elderly and chronically ill, as well as the society at large.

Soon after completing his studies, Hugo joined an automation technology company as an assistant engineer. He is responsible for the design and development of automation devices. The target is to minimize human labor and increase the quality of products. He is developing products which are used in various sections, including healthcare, manufacturing and consumer electronics.

Course Code Title Credits
  COMP S321F Advanced Database and Data Warehousing 5
  COMP S333F Advanced Programming and AI Algorithms 5
  COMP S351F Software Project Management 5
  COMP S362F Concurrent and Network Programming 5
  COMP S363F Distributed Systems and Parallel Computing 5
  COMP S382F Data Mining and Analytics 5
  COMP S390F Creative Programming for Games 5
  COMP S492F Machine Learning 5
  ELEC S305F Computer Networking 5
  ELEC S348F IOT Security 5
  ELEC S371F Digital Forensics 5
  ELEC S431F Blockchain Technologies 5
  ELEC S425F Computer and Network Security 5
 Course CodeTitleCredits
 ELEC S201FBasic Electronics5
 IT S290FHuman Computer Interaction & User Experience Design5
 STAT S251FStatistical Data Analysis5
 Course CodeTitleCredits
 COMPS333FAdvanced Programming and AI Algorithms5
 COMPS362FConcurrent and Network Programming5
 COMPS363FDistributed Systems and Parallel Computing5
 COMPS380FWeb Applications: Design and Development5
 COMPS381FServer-side Technologies and Cloud Computing5
 COMPS382FData Mining and Analytics5
 COMPS390FCreative Programming for Games5
 COMPS413FApplication Design and Development for Mobile Devices5
 COMPS492FMachine Learning5
 ELECS305FComputer Networking5
 ELECS363FAdvanced Computer Design5
 ELECS425FComputer and Network Security5