The Innovation & Technology Commission today held a launch ceremony for the third InnoHK research cluster, SEAM@InnoHK, which focuses on four frontier technology fields: sustainable development, energy, advanced manufacturing and materials.

Eight research centres have been approved for admission to SEAM@InnoHK, receiving total government funding support of around $2.5 billion. Led by renowned local and overseas universities and research institutions, these centres have established collaborations with top-tier partners from the Chinese Mainland and worldwide, creating a network that includes the UK, France, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Japan.

Speaking at the launch ceremony, Secretary for Innovation, Technology & Industry Prof Sun Dong said that the research of the eight research centres spans next-generation semiconductors, sustainable energy, innovative materials, space manufacturing, advanced manufacturing technologies and smart energy management. He noted that the initiative echoes the call to drive high-end manufacturing, accelerate growth of strategic emerging industries, and deepen the green transition under the National 15th Five-Year Plan.

Prof Sun added that by integrating advanced technologies into local industries, the third research cluster demonstrates the Government's unwavering commitment to promoting real-world applications of research outcomes to accelerate Hong Kong's development into an international innovation and technology (I&T) centre.

The participating institutions include many of the world's top 100 universities and research and development institutes in frontier technology fields. This demonstrates Hong Kong's unique advantage as a “super connector” to seamlessly bridge top-tier international academic resources with local industrial needs.

Currently, the eight research centres are preparing to set up their laboratories and will come into operation progressively to inject new momentum into Hong Kong's I&T ecosystem. As a flagship international I&T initiative of the Government, InnoHK aims to bring together world-class institutions and local universities to establish premier research centres in the city.