HKSTP Joins Hands with Mainland and Overseas Institutions to Launch Global University Innovation Network
Establishment of GUIN to Foster Global Innovation and Talent Exchange
The newly established GUIN is a collaborative effort between HKSTP and 15 local institutions: The University of Hong Kong, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Baptist University, The Education University of Hong Kong, Lingnan University, Hong Kong Metropolitan University, The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Shue Yan University, Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Institute of Information Technology, Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education, and Tung Wah College.
GUIN is further supported by renowned universities, in the overseas including Nanyang Technological University (Singapore), Singapore Management University, Singapore University of Social Sciences, The University of Queensland (Australia), The University of Newcastle (Australia), Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (mainland China), Chulalongkorn University (Thailand), Universiti Malaya (Malaysia), and Astana Business Campus of Nazarbayev University (Kazakhstan).
The initiative aims to enhance innovation collaboration between Hong Kong and esteemed global institutions, facilitating cross-regional resource sharing, talent exchanges, and the commercialisation of R&D outcomes. GUIN will attract top-tier international I&T teams and startups to Hong Kong, further elevating the city's position as the international talent and I&T hub.
Profess Sun Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, remarked, 'Hong Kong enjoys a unique advantage of having strong support from the motherland and close connection with the world, converging global innovation resources, including high-calibre talents. The Government is committed to developing Hong Kong into an international I&T centre. Over the past two years, we have attracted over 200 I&T enterprises with high potential and representativeness to set up or expand their businesses here. I encourage all the young talents to seize this opportunity to collaborate, innovate and push the boundaries of what is possible.'
Mr Albert Wong, CEO of HKSTP, said: 'From a bold vision a decade ago, HK Techathon+ has evolved into a flagship Hong Kong and international intercollegiate I&T event, symbolising the collective commitment of HKSTP, our partnering institutions, and supporters in nurturing innovative talent. HKSTP has been committed to cultivate a vibrant I&T ecosystem, offering comprehensive support to young innovators – from ideation and R&D to business expansion. We look forward to seeing these young talents unleash their creativity and potential, becoming key drivers of Hong Kong's I&T development and co-creating an exciting new chapter in our city's innovation journey.'
Key initiatives Under GUIN:
1. Theme-based Global Incubation Programme
Leveraging the research strengths of Hong Kong's tertiary institutions, this Programme attracts global innovation teams to conduct R&D and commercialisation activities locally. The Programme will develop in various academic sectors. The initial phase includes partnerships with the University of Hong Kong's Faculty of Dentistry to establish the 'Global Hub for Future Dentistry' programme, and with The Hong Kong Polytechnic University's School of Optometry and InnoHK Centre for Eye and Vision Research to launch the 'Global Vision Tech Incubation' programme.
2. Talent Exchange Initiatives
Through HKSTP's Global Internship Programme and industry academia research frameworks, overseas talents gain valuable practical experience and industry engagement opportunities. This summer alone, HKSTP welcomed over 200 interns from world-leading institutions – including 32 students from The University of Newcastle, Australia, partner of GUIN – to work with five startups in the Science Park on credit-bearing projects.
HK Techathon+ Celebrates a Decade of Promoting Intercollegiate I&T Collaboration
Since its inception in July 2015, HK Techathon+ has grown significantly, attracting over 7,000 young innovators, generating more than 2,400 innovative projects, and nurturing hundreds of entrepreneurs and startups. Many alumni have gained global recognition, with several featured on the 'Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia' list.
Since expanding into a global event in 2024, HK Techathon+ has welcomed participation from over 30 leading international institutions from mainland China, Taiwan, Macao, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Australia, and the United States, including world renowned institutions such as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Stanford University, and The University of Queensland. This international platform enables local and overseas academic innovators and startups to exchange ideas, deepen their understanding of Hong Kong's vibrant I&T ecosystem, and integrate seamlessly into the city's innovation landscape.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
16 hours ago
- The Sun
DBS Launches Gen AI-Powered Coaching Tool to Future Proof Its Workforce
HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 24 July 2025 - DBS announced today that it is democratising coaching for its workforce with the launch of iCoach, a Generative AI-powered (Gen AI) platform developed in collaboration with Marshall Goldsmith, one of the world's top executive coaches. While most corporations reserve coaching[1] for their top executives or high potential talent, DBS believes that employees at all levels would benefit from coaching by receiving expert advice on career development as well as topical issues such as work-life balance, personal and small team leadership, or mental wellness. However, the main challenge has always been scaling coaching in an efficient and cost-effective manner – coaching is usually done on a one-to-one basis and can be costly. With the advent of Gen AI, DBS saw an opportunity to leverage the technology to overcome these challenges, enabling the bank to avail coaching to employees across its network. Lee Yan Hong, Head of Group Human Resources, DBS, said, 'As the world of work continues to evolve, building career resilience has become more important than ever. At DBS, we are committed to helping our people thrive by equipping them with future-ready capabilities through our comprehensive Triple E framework – Education, Exposure and Experience. iCoach is a powerful new addition that complements these efforts, leveraging Gen AI to offer personalised, on-demand career guidance to help every employee confidently navigate and grow in the future of work.' Betty Lam, Head of Human Resources, DBS Hong Kong, said, 'DBS continues to entrench our standing as a Responsible AI leader and bring our employees along this responsible AI journey where AI is used ethically and effectively. iCoach is a powerful tool that allows our employees to focus on personal and career growth. At the same time, we also encourage our employees to equip themselves with the necessary AI skills, which will be crucial for our collective success.' iCoach's knowledge base was developed in partnership with Marshall Goldsmith, a leading coaching expert with over four decades of experience working with top CEOs and executives, including those from Fortune 500 companies. Dr Goldsmith was inducted by Thinkers50[2] into its Hall of Fame in 2018 and is the only two-time Thinkers50 #1 Leadership Thinker in the World. He was also the inaugural winner of the Lifetime Award for Leadership by the Harvard Institute of Coaching. iCoach is always-on and available 24/7 to provide employees with just-in-time personalised career guidance. It is tailored to each employee, drawing on the context of the bank's roles, functions and internal mobility pathways to deliver relevant and actionable career advice. Data from International Coaching Federation and Better Up Career Coaching showed 70% of people in organisations who underwent coaching benefitted from improved work performance, relationships and more effective communication skills. 80% of people who received coaching reported increased self-confidence. iCoach further reinforces the bank's commitment to upskilling its employees and building career resilience, and complements other DBS initiatives including: --> iGrow, an AI / machine learning-powered platform that offers personalised career advice by matching employees to tailored learning and job opportunities based on their career and training history. --> DBS Mentoring Programme, which connects employees with leaders and peers, enabling them to gain practical guidance, career insights and support at critical points in their professional growth. --> DBS Learning Hub, which provides employees with more than 10,000 curated courses, to learn and pick up new skills. --> Be My Guest Programme, where employees have the opportunity to participate in job shadowing, workshops and projects across departments. Last year, over 4,000 such opportunities were taken up by employees. The bank's commitment to supporting employees with career development has contributed to its recognition as an employer of choice. In 2025, DBS was ranked first in TIME's 500 Best Companies in Asia Pacific, while in 2024, the bank was named among Forbes World's Best Employers. In Hong Kong, DBS Hong Kong was also recognised at the 'Bloomberg Businessweek - Financial Institutions 2025 Awards', winning the 'Training Academy – Excellence Performance' and 'Training Program of the Year – Outstanding Performance' awards. Additionally, DBS Hong Kong was honoured with the 'Employer of the Year', 'HR Team of the Year', and the 'Grand Award of Recruitment' at the Jobsdb Hong Kong HR Awards 2024/25. [1] Coaching focuses on achieving specific, short-term goals through structured guidance, while mentoring emphasises long-term personal and professional growth through a supportive relationship. For more info here. [2] Thinkers50 is the world's pre-eminent global ranking of management thinkers and has been described by The Financial Times as 'the Oscars of management thinking'. About DBS DBS is a leading financial services group in Asia with a presence in 19 markets. Headquartered and listed in Singapore, DBS is in the three key Asian axes of growth: Greater China, Southeast Asia and South Asia. The bank's 'AA-' and 'Aa1' credit ratings are among the highest in the world. Recognised for its global leadership, DBS has been named 'World's Best Bank' by Global Finance, 'World's Best Bank' by Euromoney and 'Global Bank of the Year' by The Banker. The bank is at the forefront of leveraging digital technology to shape the future of banking, having been named 'World's Best Digital Bank' by Euromoney and the world's 'Most Innovative in Digital Banking' by The Banker. In addition, DBS has been accorded the 'Safest Bank in Asia' award by Global Finance for 16 consecutive years from 2009 to 2024. DBS provides a full range of services in consumer, SME and corporate banking. As a bank born and bred in Asia, DBS understands the intricacies of doing business in the region's most dynamic markets. DBS is committed to building lasting relationships with customers, as it banks the Asian way. Through the DBS Foundation, the bank creates impact beyond banking by supporting social enterprises: businesses with a double bottom-line of profit and social and/or environmental impact. DBS Foundation also gives back to society in various ways, including equipping communities with future-ready skills and building food resilience. With its extensive network of operations in Asia and emphasis on engaging and empowering its staff, DBS presents exciting career opportunities. For more information, please visit
The Sun
19 hours ago
- The Sun
DL Holdings Solidifies Web3.0 with '3-Phase' Plan
HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 24 July 2025 - Recently, DL Holdings Group ( has entered into strategic cooperation agreements with ViaBTC, Asseto, and Rich Dragon Consultants, while actively advancing the tokenization of HK$500 million in assets for the DL Tower. These initiatives have sparked significant market attention, with the stock price surging over 70% in a single day. On July 23, DL Holdings issued a voluntary announcement on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, detailing its latest strategic plans and development roadmap for the digital finance sector. Three-Phase Strategic Plan to Build a Comprehensive Digital Finance Ecosystem DL Holdings' digital finance development strategy will be implemented in three phases: In the first phase, DL will establish a licensed virtual asset over-the-counter (VA OTC) and prime brokerage business. This will focus on providing compliant virtual asset trading services for institutions and ultra-high-net-worth clients, creating stable trading and clearing channels, and establishing it as the core revenue engine for the group's digital finance operations. In the second phase, the group plans to build an RWA tokenization and asset management platform. Leveraging its existing client resources and technological infrastructure — particularly its ultra-high-net-worth community and professional investor network — DL will tokenize real-world assets (RWA) to enhance liquidity and optimize asset management efficiency. In the third phase, DL will construct a compliant cross-border digital asset fund ecosystem. The 'International - Hong Kong' hybrid model will combine the advantages of open-market regulations with the needs of global investors. Leveraging top-tier quantitative trading teams and fund-of-funds (FoF) networks, the group aims to scale its assets under management (AUM) and lead the development of a globalized digital capital market. Core Strengths Lay the Foundation for Growth DL's ambitious plans are backed by years of solid groundwork. As a compliant financial institution holding full licenses from the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission (Types 1, 4, 6, and 9), Singapore's MAS, and the Cayman Islands, DL has a first-mover advantage in cross-border regulatory adaptation. Its inclusion in the 'Stock Connect' program has not only attracted more capital but also increased investor awareness of DL. Currently, the group has established a three-tier user matrix: a core circle of over 60 ultra-high-net-worth family offices, more than 1,000 professional investors active on DL Securities' platform, and NeuralFin's social platform targeting millions of mass users. This 'pyramid' structure supports a full spectrum of services, from high-end asset trading to inclusive finance. Notably, DL boasts strong technological and resource reserves. NeuralFin, a subsidiary of DL, has secured a strategic investment from Qraft, a top Asian FinTech company backed by SoftBank. In the Web3.0 space, DL has partnered with ViaBTC, Asseto, and other leading institutions for RWA technology platforms. With operational networks spanning Hong Kong SAR, Silicon Valley, Singapore, and other key markets, DL is shaping a cross-border ecosystem bridging traditional asset management and digital finance. Looking Ahead: Accelerating the Implementation of Digital Finance Strategies The market's most pressing question—the timeline for execution—has also been addressed. DL revealed in its announcement that it will focus on three key tasks in the second half of the year: 1. Extending its existing Hong Kong SFC licenses to cover virtual assets, with approval expected by October 2025. 2. Applying for a virtual asset OTC license while preparing stablecoin use cases and pursuing stablecoin qualifications. 3. Closely monitoring the Hong Kong SFC's policies on security token offerings (STOs) and RWA issuance to adjust business strategies accordingly. 'RWA and stablecoins are not just technological innovations but a transformative shift toward financial inclusivity' said Andy Chen, Chairman of DL Holdings and NeuralFin. 'DL doesn't ride trends; it pioneers them. We don't fear change; we lead it. Because true wealth belongs to those who can see the future.' From the tokenization of HK$500 million in DL Tower assets to the clear outline of its 'three-Phase' strategy, DL is steadily navigating the Web3.0 wave with compliance as its anchor and technology as its oar. This confidence stems from its belief in Hong Kong's vision to become a global Web3.0 hub. By adhering to principles of compliance, security, and foresight, DL is driving the next generation of financial infrastructure, pioneering digital capital markets and RWA tokenization to build a unique digital financial ecosystem. Moving forward, DL will continue to balance innovation with compliance, accelerating growth through organic expansion and strategic acquisitions to create long-term value for shareholders and partners in the Web3.0 era.
The Sun
3 days ago
- The Sun
FaatGo Officially Launches: A Hong Kong-Based Legal Platform Specializing in Criminal Defence and Injury Compensation
HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 21 July 2025 - In response to the increasing demand for accessible and trustworthy legal information, FaatGo ( has officially launched as a new digital legal platform focused on two of the most pressing legal needs in Hong Kong: criminal defence and personal injury compensation. Designed to address the information gap faced by many residents when encountering legal trouble, the platform provides professionally written legal content, free consultation tools, and direct access to experienced lawyers—without intermediaries or commission-based referrals. The platform offers in-depth legal insights and resources in two major areas. First, FaatGo covers a wide range of common criminal offences, including indecent assault, physical assault, criminal intimidation, theft, money laundering, and drug-related offences. Each topic is explained clearly and precisely, with a focus on legal procedures, sentencing considerations, and practical steps to be taken after arrest or charge. Second, the platform also features comprehensive guides on work injury and traffic accident compensation, helping victims understand their entitlements, calculation methods, documentation requirements, and potential for pursuing additional damages beyond basic insurance. The content is developed in consultation with legal practitioners and aims to simplify what are often highly complex legal processes. All materials are published in Traditional Chinese and tailored to the Hong Kong legal context. Legal information is structured for clarity and ease of understanding, without the use of excessive legal jargon. The platform is specifically designed to empower users to understand their legal position and take action accordingly, whether they are facing prosecution or seeking rightful compensation. FaatGo also provides a free legal consultation form, allowing individuals to submit a summary of their case. The internal team will assess the information and match the user with a suitable lawyer for an initial legal opinion. The service is free of charge, with no commissions or obligations, and all consultations are handled directly by qualified legal professionals. A verified criminal defence lawyer directory is also available for those who wish to engage legal representation independently. Since its soft launch, FaatGo has already supported multiple individuals, including families seeking mitigation strategies for loved ones facing charges, and injured workers who were initially unaware of their full compensation rights. These early successes reflect the platform's commitment to delivering fair, unbiased, and timely legal assistance to those who need it most. FaatGo operates under the principle that legal knowledge should not be limited to a privileged few, but rather made available and understandable to all. By providing regularly updated articles, case studies, and consultation tools, the platform aims to improve public legal literacy and ensure that legal support is accessible in moments of real need.
