[Hong Kong, 2 March 2023] The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and The Modernized Chinese Medicine International Association (MCMIA) co-organised a forum titled University-Industry Collaboration on Chinese Medicine Innovations (“the Forum”) at PolyU. The Forum connected academic and industry leaders from Hong Kong, the Greater Bay Area (GBA) and beyond, with the aim of deepening a common understanding of the policies and practices needed to promote Chinese Medicine (CM) development. The Forum attracted over one hundred participants, including industry experts, CM practitioners and researchers, exchanging knowledge and insights on the latest CM development under the latest national plan and policies.
In his welcoming remarks, Prof. Wing-tak Wong, Deputy President and Provost of PolyU, said, “The HKSAR government has always been supporting research and development of CM. The additional
funding into the Chinese Medicine Development Fund in the 2023-24 Budget as well as the expected opening of the first Chinese Medicine Hospital in year 2025 will promote the integration of CM as an increasingly significant part in the primary healthcare system. The GBA development brings invaluable opportunities for the local CM industry. Policymakers, industry and academics need to work closely to seize these opportunities and develop a long-term plan for improving the ecosystem of the local industry.”
In his opening speech, Mr. Lawrence Lo, President of MCMIA, said “The launch of the Outline Development Plan for GBA and the Construction Plan for TCM Highlands in the GBA shows that the Nation attaches great importance to the development of TCM. MCMIA will launch a new project to increase local industry’s knowledge of health industry policies of the GBA, and help the local industry to formulate strategies to integrate into the development of GBA health industry.”
Mr Harry Kwok Chun Yeung, Chairman of the MCMIA Foundation, introduced how the industry could attract outstanding talents and fill the talent gap by providing better support to postgraduate students aspiring to pursue CM studies. Mr Yeung emphasised that innovative CM research is vital for industry development and he appreciated the Vincent and Lily Woo Foundation’s commitment in nurturing young talents in the GBA through the a fellowship scheme.
The Forum explored how stakeholders in CM, including governments and scientific research institutions in Hong Kong, Macao, and Mainland China, could deepen collaboration to promote CM development and seize the research and business opportunities in the GBA. It featured a Panel Discussion, Initiatives in Talent Nurturing for Chinese Medicine Innovation as well as Universities’ Initiatives in Chinese Medicine Innovation. Moderated by Prof. Eric Chui, Head of the Department of Applied Social Sciences and Co-director of the Policy Research Centre for Innovation and Technology (PReCIT) of PolyU, the panel discussion explored the long-term measures to promote CM innovation in Hong Kong from business, technology and policy perspectives. These recommendations will be submitted to the HKSAR government during the public consultation for the 2023 Policy Address. Other presentations by scholars and experts facilitated the sharing of the competitive edges of universities in relation to interdisciplinary collaboration, artificial intelligence and advanced technology.
