Print FriendlyStrategic, focussed, synergistic, world class
The University of Hong Kong, as a comprehensive world-class research-led university, has a strong foundation of internationally renowned researchers and high level facilities. We aim to nurture our researchers through offering clear direction and providing an environment conducive to fruitful collaboration and internationalisation. To best utilise limited resources and to maximise the impact of our research, we focus development on key areas of proven and potential strength in issues critical to the advancement of Hong Kong, China, and the rest of the world.
Solving complex problems often requires large multidisciplinary collaborative research teams with complementary strengths and identifiable niches. The University has a firm track record in attracting funding for collaborative programmes, for example securing the highest number of awards and largest amount of funding of any institution under the Hong Kong University Grants Committee’s Areas of Excellence scheme. Our collaborative approach helps us draw on expertise from across disciplines to face threats such as infectious diseases, climate change, and economic crises.
The areas and themes identified for strategic development in 2008–2011 reflect issues of local, regional and global concern and bring together experts from different disciplines. Biomedicine probes the mechanisms underpinning many diseases, offering insights into potential treatments and preventive measures. In China, our researchers are considering the issues and impacts of the country’s development into a significant world power. Community looks at public policy and law, and public health and education issues affecting Hong Kong and other world cities. Challenges such as sustainability, pollution, and alternative power sources addressed in Environment are some of the key issues currently faced by humankind. Through Frontier Technology, our researchers are opening up new possibilities for discoveries and developments in diverse medical and technological fields.
As well as supporting these research programmes, a number of emerging themes have been identified at the Faculty level for further development in coming years.
An outline of the themes and an introduction to some of the work being undertaken is provided in this website. To find out more about the research groups and projects, please contact the theme’s convenor or any of the key members (contact details are provided in the directory). A hard copy publication outlining our strategic research areas and themes is also available; please email sras@hku.hk to request copies. These areas represent just a fraction of the University’s outstanding research work, and more information on research by faculty, department, centre and institute can be found at www.hku.hk.
Professor P.K.H. Tam
Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Research)
April 2009
