Overview

Hong Kong Metropolitan University (HKMU) was among the first tertiary institutions in Hong Kong to establish a presence on the Chinese Mainland. In 2000, the University set up HKMU Consultants (Shenzhen) Limited in Shenzhen to enhance communication and collaboration between HKMU and the Mainland. In alignment with the industrial and technological development strategies of the Greater Bay Area, HKMU signed an agreement with the Shenzhen Science and Technology Innovation Commission on 14 November 2023, becoming the first self-financing tertiary institution in Hong Kong to join the Shenzhen Virtual University Park (SZVUP).

As part of this initiative, the “Hong Kong Metropolitan University Shenzhen Research Institute” (HKMU SZRI) was established within the SZVUP. Featuring four state-of-the-art laboratories in its initial phase, the Institute commenced operations in June 2025. HKMU SZRI is committed to fostering collaboration between Shenzhen and Hong Kong in education, research, and innovation, while also driving the commercialisation of research outcomes.

The institute aims to integrate the educational resources and research expertise of both cities, with a strong emphasis on advancing regional collaborative innovation and promoting high-quality development. Through impactful research and projects, HKMU SZRI seeks to facilitate knowledge transfer, benefit the community, and contribute to national economic growth.

Guided by the main theme of “Innovation and Integration”, HKMU SZRI focuses on four cutting-edge fields during its initial phase: “Biomedical Life Science”, “Net Zero and Environmental Technologies”, “Quantum Technology”, and “Digital Fabrication and Art-Tech”. The Institute actively pursues interdisciplinary research, promotes the application of scientific and technological advancements, and aims to provide valuable intellectual support and evidence-based recommendations for the development of public and social policies.