Four projects led by School of Engineering (SENG) faculty members were among the first batch of 24 projects selected in the Hong Kong government’s Research, Academic and Industry Sectors One-plus (RAISe+) Scheme. These projects span AI and robotics, wastewater treatment technology, sensing chips, and cancer imaging. A signing ceremony was held on May 28, 2024 by the Innovation and Technology Commission where representatives of the 24 research teams signed a Memorandum of Understanding.

The four SENG projects are:

Agile Executive Terminal for Robots
Prof. SHEN Yajing and Prof. YANG Xiong, Department of Electronic and Computer Engineering

Commercialization of Electrochemical Technologies for Wastewater and Sludge Treatment
Prof. CHEN Guanghao, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering

On-the-Spot Cancer Imaging by CHAMP Microscopy
Prof. Terence WONG, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering

Next Generation High Performance Smart Digital Sensing Chip Solutions
Prof. George YUAN Jie and Mr. Jenkin CHAN Chun-Kit, Department of Electronic and Computer Engineering

In addition to these four projects, a project led by HKUST President Prof. Nancy IP and Dr. Fanny IP Chui-Fun of the Hong Kong Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, titled “Development of Genome-Editing Strategy for Familial Alzheimer’s Disease Therapy”, adds to a total of five HKUST projects selected in the Scheme. Research teams of these five projects were recognized on HKUST Unicorn Day (May 31, 2024), a major event that showcased the University’s cutting-edge technologies and drew over 1,000 guests to the campus.

Launched in 2023 with a funding allocation of $10 billion, the RAISe+ Scheme aims to unleash potential of local universities in transformation and commercialization of R&D outcomes, and facilitate relevant collaboration among the government, industries, universities, and research sectors. It targets to fund at least 100 research teams from universities funded by the University Grants Committee, which have good potential to become successful start-ups on a matching basis. Each approved project will receive funding support ranging from $10 million to $100 million.

Related link:

• HKSAR Government press release (May 28, 2024): ITC welcomes first batch of projects participating in RAISe+ Scheme
• HKSAR Government press release (Oct 18, 2023): Government launches RAISe+ Scheme to promote commercialisation of research and development outcomes