Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki led a delegation to inspect higher education and innovation infrastructure on the second day of his visit to Germany.

As leader of the Working Group on Planning & Construction of the University Town under the Committee on Development of the Northern Metropolis, Mr Chan toured the University of Stuttgart. The visit aims to provide a solid reference for the planning and development of the Northern Metropolis University Town (NMUT).

Founded in 1829, the university is a member of Germany’s prestigious TU9 alliance and excels in engineering, intelligent systems, energy research, quantum technologies and architecture.

The delegation toured the High-Performance Computing Center Stuttgart and the ARENA2036 automotive research campus. Meeting university representatives, the group studied how the institution integrates academia with industry.

They focused on its success in building innovation campuses, translating research into practical applications and fostering industrial clusters. The two sides also exchanged views on boosting higher education ties and talent cultivation.

Mr Chan described the NMUT as a core engine for technological innovation and economic transformation. He noted that the University of Stuttgart’s industry-led innovation model has successfully merged education, cutting-edge research and industry development.

The Chief Secretary hoped the visit would help draw on the university's experience in aligning talent cultivation and academic achievements with market demands. This would strengthen Hong Kong's linkages between education, technology and industry to develop the NMUT into a vibrant education and innovation hub.