Collaboration in fostering innovation and entrepreneurship
Engaging in social entrepreneurship is a way for CUHK members to create a positive social impact in a sustainable manner. A number of schemes and programmes set out to do this within the CUHK community. The Sustainable Knowledge Transfer Project Fund, the first funding scheme of its kind in Hong Kong, is a structured programme with two-year seed funding, which provides incubation services, training and support for CUHK academics to launch evidence-based social enterprises, which will ultimately be supported by self-generated income, external investors and other funding sources. From nurturing ideas to developing a business canvas, competitive analysis and go-to-market strategy, the Social Innovation Team of the Knowledge Transfer Office will accompany teams in embracing challenges and opportunities in the early start-up stage, helping create values and social impact for a sustainable society. The Social Enterprise Start-up Scheme of the Office of Student Affairs supports students and recent graduates in their social enterprises. Under the mentorship programme in 2024/25, three selected teams were awarded up to HK$100,000 in seed funding to develop and operate their social enterprises . The three awarded teams each have distinct focuses and visions. USIMS Career Path AI utilizes AI technology to support students in their career planning. Pawsitive offers prospective pet owners experiences related to pet care and the entire lifecycle of a pet, fostering a culture of respect for life and responsible adoption. Lastly, WriteRight has developed its own handwriting analysis technology to provide intelligent error detection, effectively supporting students’ needs for learning traditional Chinese characters.
Six CUHK research projects, all in key areas at CUHK, including biomedicine, artificial intelligence and robotics, and new energy technologies, have secured funding from the second round of the Research, Academic and Industry Sectors One-plus (RAISe+) Scheme initiated by the Innovation and Technology Commission, which aims to help local universities transform and commercialize their research and development outcomes and to facilitate collaboration between the government, academia and industry. Including the seven projects accepted last year, this brings the total number of CUHK projects to receive funding to 13, more than in any other local institution.
Fostering global collaboration and innovation in higher education
CUHK hosted the SDSN Thailand University Sustainability Study Tour 2024 in December 2024. The tour brought 29 distinguished leaders from 14 leading Thai universities to CUHK, laying the groundwork for a collaborative exploration of innovative approaches to sustainable development in higher education. During the tour, the leaders from Thai universities engaged in a series of sessions designed to facilitate in-depth discussion and practical knowledge exchange. These interactions highlighted exemplary sustainability research and the practical integration of the SDGs into university governance and operations. They emphasized student engagement in sustainability initiatives by means of innovative programmes that empower them to actively champion sustainability on campus and in the wider community. The event also featured tours of CUHK’s sustainability-focused facilities, which provided a solid view of how CUHK implements sustainable practices within its operations.
The Worldwide Universities Network (WUN) consists of 25 research-intensive universities across six continents. Since joining WUN in 2011, CUHK has engaged in nearly 100 projects and initiatives backed by the alliance, focusing on crucial subjects including climate change, public health, culture, higher education, and the SDGs. More than 20 of these projects have been led by CUHK scholars. CUHK is also involved in WUN’s working groups on early career development, campus sustainability, student mental health, and artificial intelligence. Hosted by CUHK, the WUN Annual General Meeting 2025 took place from 21 to 23 May. The event brought together over 100 attendees from all over the world, including university officials, scholars, and administrators. The participants discussed recent advances in higher education and considered how to pursue impactful global research collaborations to drive beneficial social change.
Collaboration for the development of medicines and sharing of medical data
The Belt and Road Alliance for Traditional Chinese Medicine, proposed by CUHK, is a non-profit cooperative organization formed in 2023 which unites over 20 government, industry, academic, and research institutions related to traditional medicine in countries and regions associated with the BRI. The Alliance currently includes over 40 universities and colleges from China (including Hong Kong and Macao) and the BRI countries which specialize in traditional medicine. The Alliance held its Presidents’ Forum on 18 July 2025 in CUHK to bring together presidents and representatives from 30 of these institutions to explore strategies for advancing the internationalization and modernization of traditional Chinese medicine.
CUHK’s Faculty of Medicine (CU Medicine) and The Hong Kong Sports Institute (HKSI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), aimed at reinforcing cooperation on the development of sports medicine and enhancing medical support for elite athletes. The strategic partnership establishes a framework for collaboration on the development of sports medicine and the support provided to elite athletes, including regular consultations at the HKSI from CU Medicine’s orthopaedics and traumatology specialists; the enhancement of sports medicine services at the HKSI; the development of research and innovation projects in the field of sports medicine and science; the establishment of a collaborative network of sports medicine professionals to support athletes participating in major international competitions; and strengthening professional training and knowledge exchange for relevant personnel.
The CUHK Centre for Entrepreneurship, the International Data Space Association (IDSA), the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation, the China Future Internet Engineering Center, and the CU Datahub Limited, announced on January 17 the establishment of the first cross-border medical data space in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area that meets international standards. This initiative will promote the construction of key infrastructure for the data economy, including data space and cross-border data communication technology.
Collaborative partnerships to driving sustainable development
Rethink HK, an annual event that helps organizations integrate sustainable business practices into all levels of their value chain, was held on 11-12 September 2025 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The event showcases innovation and solutions that accelerate sustainable transformation. CUHK’s Centre for Business Sustainability was one of the session partners and SDSN Hong Kong, co-hosted by CUHK and the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, was a supporting organization. The Knowledge Transfer Office (KTO) of CUHK hosted a booth and 4 teams from the Faculty of Medicine, Faculty of Engineering and Faculty of Science demonstrated their latest technologies toward sustainability and environmental protection at the booth. Over 30 student volunteers from CUHK also joined the event to gain valuable experience and network with like-minded peers with a passion for accelerating sustainability in Hong Kong. This event demonstrated CUHK’s dedication to strengthening global partnerships and building capacity for sustainable development through fostering multi-stakeholder collaboration and knowledge sharing.
