The Review 2017

RESEARCH AND INNOVATION ACROSS THE DIVIDE HKU promotes interdisciplinary research through its Seed Funding for Strategic Interdisciplinary Research Scheme, interdisciplinary appointments, and activities in the Graduate School aimed at budding scholars, often with fruitful results. In 2016–17 two HKU interdisciplinary Theme-based Research Scheme proposals, on personalised medicine and air pollution, received a combined $83.33 million, and a new Area of Excellence Scheme project on molecular medicine was awarded $83.82 million. HKU was also a member of all other funded projects of both schemes. In 2017 the Graduate School, Postgraduate Students Association and Graduate House launched the first Interdisciplinary Research Competition for postgraduate students. First place went to the project ‘Artificial Intelligence for the Rehabilitation, Retrofit and Renovation Design of Buildings’ by students in civil engineering, real estate and construction, and electrical and electronic engineering who were inspired to improve the state of worn-out buildings on Hong Kong’s older streets. Group spokesperson Pan Mi said: “This competition was a valuable opportunity because it allowed us to collaborate. It left us feeling that we need to be bold and creative and innovative, and draw lessons from other disciplines.” The Graduate School also initiated other new activities during the year to add to its slew of ongoing programmes to groom young researchers and develop their capacity for impact. Of note were a new dialogue series with veteran researchers, the 2 nd HKSTP Internship and Career Expo@HKU – co-organised by the Graduate School, Graduate House and the Centre of Development and Resources for Students – and a pilot scheme to provide RPG students with overseas and Mainland China experiences, such as exchanges, workshops, summer schools and other group activities. In 2016–17, 119 students had at least one consecutive week abroad, involving institutions in 15 countries and territories. Competition winners (from left) Meng Nan, Zhang Suj u an, Pan Mi and Zhang Yang. Graduate School Initiatives Planting rice in Lai Chi Wo paddy fields. Sustainable Solution The United Nations Development Programme selected an HKU programme to be part of its Solutions Database, which showcases the best nature-based solutions for sustainable development. The Sustainable Lai Chi Wo Programme, led by the Policy for Sustainability Lab in the Faculty of Social Sciences, involves scholars from the faculties of Engineering and Science, as well as villagers, government departments and the private sector, in revitalising rural communities through incubating a variety of socio-economic start-ups. This long-term undertaking meets 13 of the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals and its activities include training, research and education, as well as eco-farming. Straddling Medicine and Engineering Biomedical engineer Dr Alan Wong Siu-lun is one of 19 academics jointly appointed between two or more faculties. He is based in both the School of Biomedical Sciences and the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, which suits his research focus of combining synthetic biology and genome engineering techniques to decode the complex genetic bases of disease. Dr Wong said he was attracted to the post by HKU’s research strengths in each discipline and its ability to combine the two. “HKU has set up a solid foundation to promote these strengths and bridge multiple faculties so they can foster the development of new discoveries,” he said. Spanning disciplines: Dr Alan Wong Siu-lun. 28 | 29