Press Release - Cyberport Signs MoU with Saint Francis University Jointly Nurture Applied Science Talent to Lead Innovation and Entrepreneurship Connecting Industry and Academia to Accelerate Application of R&D Outcomes 2025-05-29
Cyberport Signs MoU with Saint Francis University Jointly Nurture Applied Science Talent to Lead Innovation and Entrepreneurship Connecting Industry and Academia to Accelerate Application of R&D Outcomes
29 May 2025
Hong Kong, 29 May 2025 – Cyberport and Saint Francis University (SFU) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) today (29 May) to formally establish a cooperative framework focused on advancing artificial intelligence, blockchain, Web 3.0, and emerging technologies. Through practical experience in innovative technology, the partnership supports youth development and career advancement, jointly building a vibrant talent ecosystem. By bridging academia and the innovation technology industry, and integrating research with practice, the collaboration aims to promote the application of research outcomes, drive technological progress, and foster entrepreneurship.
The signing ceremony was witnessed by Dr Rocky Cheng, CEO of Cyberport, and Prof Lo Tit Wing, Acting President of Saint Francis University. The MoU was signed by Ir Eric Chan, Chief Public Mission Officer of Cyberport, and Prof Anthony Chan, Dean of the Yam Pak Charitable Foundation School of Computing and Information Sciences at SFU.
Dr Rocky Cheng, CEO of Cyberport, said, "Youth represent the future of Hong Kong and the nation. As Hong Kong's digital technology hub and start-up incubator, Cyberport is dedicated to nurturing innovation and technology talent and inspiring the entrepreneurial spirit of young people. We are delighted to collaborate with SFU. Through the promotion of AI, blockchain, and Web 3.0 technologies, this partnership will broaden young people's career prospects, inject new momentum into Hong Kong's I&T ecosystem, strengthen the ties between academia and the I&T sector, and facilitate the translation of research outcomes into practical applications. This collaboration will further advance the deep integration of industry, academia, research, and application, enhance the I&T ecosystem and support Hong Kong's vision of becoming a global innovation hub."
Prof Lo Tit Wing, Acting President of Saint Francis University, said, "Saint Francis University, as a university of applied sciences, is committed to applied research, innovation, and knowledge transfer, engaging and collaborating with various stakeholders. This partnership provides valuable industry exchange and practical opportunities for our faculty and students, while accelerating the application of research outcomes and innovative technologies. SFU will work closely with Cyberport to deepen industry-academia-research collaboration, provide more space for start-ups to grow, and nurture innovative talents, contributing to Hong Kong's development as an international innovation hub."
Cyberport and SFU share common visions. Under the MoU, SFU agrees to collaborate with Cyberport on the following key areas:
- Entrepreneurship and Innovation: Jointly support start-ups and foster entrepreneurship, with a focus on AI, blockchain technology, Web 3.0, talent pool development, and continuous learning;
- AI Development: Facilitate knowledge exchange by organising events that bring together researchers, students, and industry professionals to jointly advance the AI industry in Hong Kong; and
- Cross-Sector Collaboration and Research Application: Promote collaboration between SFU and technology enterprises to foster synergies among industry, academia, research, and application, accelerating the adoption of research outcomes to benefit the society and industries.
Cyberport's key cooperation areas with SFU include:
- AI, Blockchain, and Web 3.0 Development: Through seminars, training programmes, and industry projects, provide SFU students with relevant technical guidance and inspire knowledge exchange to facilitate innovation implementation;
- Entrepreneurial Support: Share entrepreneurial knowledge and success stories through Cyberport's start-up network, support students' active participation in Cyberport's entrepreneurship programmes and collaborative projects, and leverage Cyberport's platform to support start-up journeys; and
- Youth and Talent Development: Utilise Cyberport's innovation network resources and facilities to support SFU's talent cultivation and development activities, as commitment to nurturing young innovation and technology talent in Hong Kong.
SFU is the first self-financing institution funded by the Research Grants Council to establish a "Distributed Artificial Intelligence Laboratory for Interdisciplinary Research" and offers multiple related programmes, including Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Artificial Intelligence, Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Digital Entertainment Technology, and Higher Diploma in Artificial Intelligence and Information and Communication Technology, nurturing outstanding innovation and technology talent.
Cyberport is committed to working closely with tertiary institutions and research bodies to leverage synergies between the innovation industry and academia, deepen the collaboration among industry, academia, research, and application, cultivate talent for the innovation industry, and contribute to Hong Kong's development as an international innovation hub.
