The HKUST Fok Ying Tung Research Institute in Nansha, Guangzhou's sole HK-funded institute established in 2017. [File Photo]

Hong Kong, one of the largest international metropolis, has exerted great influence to nearby cities' development since its return to China. "Guangdong and Hong Kong see lots of innovation, entrepreneurship and cultural fusion, which reflects the potential value of Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the opportunity for HKUST Fok Ying Tung Research Institute," said Dr. Allen C. Miao, general director of the institute.

As the sole HK-funded institute established in Guangzhou in 2007, HKUST Fok Ying Tung Research Institute (FYTRI) has been committed to boost the scientific cooperation between Hong Kong and Guangdong, such as knowledge-to-product transfer, innovation and entrepreneurship, talents training and professional platform provision.

It is said that in the future, it will focus more in supporting the cooperation in Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, which is a plan for the development of a city cluster includes 9 Pearl River Delta cities and Hong Kong, Macao.

Creative youths gather for innovation cooperation

Young Contestants in the entrepreneurship competition [Photo provided to newsgd.com]

In the field of transferring knowledge to real-life applications, HKUST FYTRI has nurtured numerous enterprises, including APT Electronics, a large LED enterprise in Nansha.

According to Xiao Guowei, CEO of APT Electronics Co., Limited, "the institute and HKUST create an innovation environment in Nansha like Silicon Valley for start-ups with lots of freedom."

Besides, HKUST FYTRI opens a GD, HK & Macao (International) Youth Entrepreneur Hub to provide college students as well as youths from Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao international entrepreneur guidance and 7*24 services.

Karen Lee, a youth from Hong Kong who wants to operate data analysis business at Guangzhou, now is working with his team at the incubator. "Nansha is very close to Hong Kong and locates at an essential area of RRD Region. This will help us enter the large mainland market, so we choose starting business here," said Lee.

Also, HKUST FYTRI held "One Million Dollar International Entrepreneurship Competition" and established Alliance of Innovation and Entrepreneurship of Universities in GD, HK & Macao in 2016, attracting hundreds of students to participate.

Nansha, a promising place for talents

Dr. Allen C. Miao. [Photo provided to newsgd.com]

"As a promising district, Nansha has the power to attract talents to create the future," said Dr. Miao.

Currently, Nansha offers bonus for international top talents including a subsidy up to 10 million yuan and ten-year free accommodation of a 200 square-meters seaside flat.

As the heart of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Nansha starves for those top talents needed by Nansha's key industries, such as finance, modern services, shipping and logistics, etc.

In addition, Nansha district can offer visa and work permit services to foreigners and administrative committee of Nansha Area of Guangdong FTZ can approve the application of talents from Hong Kong, Macao and other foreign countries for talents green card. It grants non-local talents "local resident treatment" in the city, including property purchasing, vehicle license registration, children's schooling, bank account opening, etc.

According to Dr. Miao, Nansha is a very open district with a flexible talents policy. For instance, leading talents who are above 55 years-old can be admitted to work in Nansha due to their valuable professional experiences.

Advanced platforms to serve Greater Bay Area enterprises

The launching ceremony of International Smart Manufacturing Platform (ISMP) [Photo provided to newsgd.com]

As the sub center of National Supercomputer Center and International Smart Manufacturing Platform are located in HKUST FYTRI, the institute is able to provide advanced resources for industries, schools and institutes in PRD and Greater Bay Area.

The sub-center of National Supercomputer Center can access to Tianhe-2, the world's second fastest super computer. That platform is mainly used for research data sharing both for enterprises, colleges in HK and other regions of Greater Bay Area.

Besides, the supercomputer can be used in many emerging areas like bio-medicine, new materials, etc.

The International Smart Manufacturing Platform aims to be a leading technology service platform for Industry 4.0. It can provide professional solutions about technological upgrading, intelligent manufacturing for local enterprises with FYTRI’s core competences such as Internet of Things and Advanced Manufacturing.

Dr. Miao said, the institute will lead in the research-industry cooperation in future.