University plans major expansion in loop area

The Southern University of Science and Technology is planning a major expansion in the Lok Ma Chau Loop area, according to an agreement signed on July 28.

Under its terms the university will build its Sino-UK Artificial Intelligence Research Institute, SUSTech Business School, SUSTech-Columbia University International Business School and high-tech innovation incubator in the area.

In addition, SUSTech will work with the University of Hong Kong to set up a joint lab for the development of the loop area.

SUSTech will become the first mainland university to settle in the loop area.

The area will be turned into an innovation and technology park, based on the concept of combining higher education with creative industry, through cooperation between the Shenzhen and Hong Kong governments.

Shenzhen and Hong Kong signed a memorandum this January for the loop's development.

According to the construction plan, higher education and cultural creativity facilities will be built to support the development of high technology and innovation.

Hong Kong will also support Shenzhen in building the Shenzhen Science Innovation Park in the 3-sq-km area adjacent to the loop, north of the Shenzhen River.

The two sides will cooperate in building the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Technology Innovation Zone.

The park will be a scientific research center for the world's top universities, research institutes and enterprises.

It will focus on the development of intelligent manufacturing, artificial intelligence, application technology of big data and the internet, as well as environmental protection technology.

It will provide comprehensive support and advanced training courses for startups and small and medium-sized enterprises.

The loop covers an area of 87 hectares, which will make it the largest science and innovation park in Hong Kong, at four times the size of Hong Kong Science Park.

It will play an important role in cultivating the international competitiveness of Shenzhen and Hong Kong.

"The strategic cooperation can speed up the innovation development and will provide a broader platform for industrial and education development," said Xiao Yafei, Futian Party chief, after the signing ceremony.

Chen Shiyi, president of SUSTech, said the university will support Futian's development in strategic decision-making, education cooperation, talent exchange and innovation.

Shenzhen Daily provided the story.

(HK Edition 10/20/2017 page22)