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The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) and Great Bay University (GBU) joined hands to establish Great Bay University – The Chinese University of Hong Kong Joint Institute of Advanced Materials and Green Energy Research (JIAMGER) on 8 December 2022. On behalf of the two universities, CUHK Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Rocky S Tuan and GBU President Professor Tian Gang signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) on the joint institute.  The hybrid MoA signing ceremony was held in the presence of representatives from Hong Kong and Dongguan. CUHK participants included Pro-Vice-Chancellors Professor Chan Wai-yee and Professor Sham Mai-har; Professor Song Chun-shan, Dean of Science; Professor Ngai To, Assistant Dean of Science; Professor Wang Jian-fang, Chairman of Department of Physics; Professor Lam Hon-ming of School of Life Sciences; Professor Lu Xin-hui of Department of Physics; and Professor Wang Ying of Department of Chemistry. GBU members included Professor Dai Chang-liang, Vice President, and Professor Zhao Jin-kui, Executive Dean of the School of Material Science. These faculty members attended the signing ceremony and joined the seminar regarding the development of the JIAMGER.

Professor Tuan said at the ceremony, “Dongguan and Hong Kong shall give full play to their complementary advantages for joint development. The establishment of this joint research institute will be able to fulfil the industrial development plan of Dongguan and take advantage of the research and innovation strength of CUHK. I believe that our joint effort will serve the major needs and strategic goals of the country and the Greater Bay Area, as well as deepen our collaboration in research, promoting interflow and integration with the industry, and cultivating talents for the region.”

Professor Tian said at the meeting, “The national plan has clarified the goal of creating an international source of scientific and technological innovation. The Greater Bay Area will work side by side with Beijing and Shanghai for overall resource planning. The collaboration between Great Bay University and CUHK is coming at the right time. The joint research establishment in advanced materials and green energy will allow us to construct a scientific and technological innovation complex with world-class academic impact in the field of materials and energy.”

The agreement symbolises the solidification of a strategic alliance between CUHK and GBU to implement the establishment plans of the JIAMGER, and to develop an international innovation and technology hub in the Greater Bay Area. With the new joint institute, it is envisioned that the concerted efforts from both sides would boost regional and national development at the forefront and applied research and nurture technological and academic talents for technology innovation.

Professor Song introduced the research projects led by researchers from CUHK Faculty of Science (CUHK Science) in JIAMGER and their deliverables. Mr. GU Yan-Song, the Head of the GBU Office of Scientific Research presented the latest development of GBU and the establishment plan of the GBU Graduate School. Participants also exchanged views on the strategic development of the universities, research directions, infrastructure, facilities and postgraduate admission, just to name a few areas of discussion.

Professor Song said, “CUHK Science has been devoted to world-class research and transferring the research outcomes. We look forward to working with GBU in building up the joint institute JIAMGER towards forming a world-class centre for innovative science and technology development, collaborative research and nurturing future talents in Dongguan and the Greater Bay Area. We very much appreciate the support from leaders of CUHK and GBU and from Dongguan Municipal Government for establishing JIAMGER.”