HKPC Partners With CAICT and PolyU to Establish Joint Laboratory Launching International Testing and Certification Services to Propel Businesses Globally

(Hong Kong, 19 November 2024) At the 2024 International Symposium on Computility Technology Standards and Applications (the Symposium) in Shanghai, Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC), China Academy of Information and Communications Technology (CAICT), and the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) signed a strategic partnership agreement. This collaboration is set to jointly conduct research in computing infrastructure, industrial internet, smart manufacturing, Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and cyber security to build a new industrial ecosystem. The three parties will also establish a joint laboratory and introduce domestic and international testing and certification services. Spearheaded by HKPC, the focus will be on the "Three Bigs and One New" （「三大一新」）areas: new industrialisation, big communications, big digitalisation, and big security, to deepen the industrialisation of research outcomes and promote the high-quality development of strategic emerging industries.

Furthermore, an award ceremony was held during the seminar. The "StationInspector- 3D point cloud enhanced AI visual detection robot for potential ceiling and fixtures hazardous of metro station" project, jointly submitted by HKPC and MTR Corporation Limited, was granted the "International Symposium on Computility Technology Standards and Applications (ISCT) Innovation of the Year" (「ISCT國際算力年度創新」). A 3D scanning robot equipped with intelligent sensors can detect the condition of ceilings, such as loose fixtures or structural issues. This solution can survey large areas and provide data to optimize facility maintenance, identifying problems with far greater accuracy than traditional manual inspections. Its unique scanner system design outperforms other 3D scanning robots. The implementation of this project will significantly benefit the advancement of technology in Hong Kong, as well as various public sectors, yielding substantial social benefits.

Revolutionary "One Assessment, Multiple Certifications"（ 「一檢多證」）Service to Provide One-stop Solution for Enterprises to Meet Multiple International and Mainland Standards
In the presence of distinguished guests participating including representatives from the Chinese Academy of Engineering, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, and the Shanghai Municipal Government, with industry experts from the United States, Malaysia, Germany, the United Kingdom, Japan, Kazakhstan, Indonesia, and other countries gathered with the theme “Global Computility, Inspiring Intelligence”. During the Symposium, the strategic partnership agreement was witnessed by Ms Zhiqin WANG, Vice Dean of CAICT, Mr Edmond LAI, Chief Digital Officer of HKPC, and Prof LI Wenjie Maggie of the Department of Computer at the PolyU, representing the three parties.

In response to the Co-operation Agreement on the Development of New Quality Productive Forces & the Promotion of New Industrialisation between the Hong Kong SAR Government and the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, this agreement aims to drive collaboration among the Government, industry, academia, research and investment sectors, building a co-operative platform for new industrialisation, advancing international computility and new productive forces in the Mainland. The joint laboratory established by the three parties will boost the competitiveness of the Greater Bay Area (GBA) innovation and technology (I&T) enterprises through comprehensive hardware and software R&D and testing, further solidifying Hong Kong's pivotal role as an international I&T centre.

Mr Edmond LAI, Chief Digital Officer of HKPC, expressed: “This collaboration, led by HKPC in conjunction with CAICT and PolyU, establishes a solid partnership foundation. Through this strategic alliance, we aim to utilize the joint laboratory as a platform to jointly promote the high-quality development of strategic emerging industries, as outlined in the '14th Five-Year Plan', to position Hong Kong as a top I&T centre. The joint laboratory, will be located at the HKPC, is poised to promote national standards internationally, attract global opportunities, under the "One Country, Two Systems", Hong Kong has the distinctive advantages of enjoying strong support of the Motherland and being closely connected to the world."

LAI stated that the laboratory will undertake three missions, including aligning domestic standards with international benchmarks with the help of HKPC and CAICT, assisting local and GBA enterprises in obtaining digital and cyber security certifications for global market access, and promoting high-quality development of strategic emerging industries. We aim to strengthen regional testing platforms by offering comprehensive services, from consultation to capability evaluation, on-the-job and between jobs training for the industry. PolyU, specialises in R&D for hardware, software, and standard setting, will deepen the commercialisation of research outcomes and accelerate the “One Accessment, Multiple Certifications” and the feasibility of joint testing certifications. This will incubate pilot cases with international impact, enhancing new productive forces in Hong Kong and accelerating national information technology development.

Ms Zhiqin WANG, Vice Dean of CAICT pointed out, “The collaboration with HKPC and PolyU will officially commence with the signing of this agreement. This strategic partnership serves as a vital conduit, bridging the Mainland and Hong Kong in the spheres of industry and information technology, and marks the beginning of a new era of cooperation with a primary focus on computing technology. The joint laboratory will concentrate on infrastructure, IT equipment, and platform applications related to various types of computing power, including general computing power, intelligent computing power, edge computing power, and supercomputing power. This collaboration will encompass testing and certification, standards research, and industrial applications, aiming for multi-dimensional and comprehensive cooperation. Together, we will explore new models, new business forms, and new pathways in the industry.”

Ensure Cyber Security and Support Enterprises Expansion in GBA and International Markets
HKPC has continuously enhanced support for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and startups through its extensive industry network to help explore opportunities in GBA and international markets, fostering enterprises’ long-term sustainable development. In terms of cyber security, HKPC provides consulting services to critical infrastructure, Government agencies, and enterprises, offers IoT cyber security testing services, and conducts training to cultivate cyber security talent. Managed by HKPC, the Hong Kong Computer Emergency Response Team Coordination Centre (HKCERT), established in 2001, handles approximately 8,000 cyber security incidents annually and proactively responds to new threats, raising security awareness. HKCERT collaborates with over 110 national centres to exchange intelligence on cross-border incidents. Moving forward, HKCERT aims to protect cyber security, combat malicious cyber activities, and enhance defensive awareness by working closely with international organisations to address new threats and expand the cyber security network.

The 2024 International Symposium on Computility Technology Standards and Application, hosted by CAICT with the theme “Global Computility, Inspiring Intelligence” focused on cutting-edge innovations in computility technology and global industry collaboration. The three parties signing the strategic partnership agreement aim to link regional technological innovation, promote the international development of the industrial information sector, and enhance new productive forces.

Download the short video of the signing ceremony here: 
Video

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Ms Zhiqin WANG, Vice Dean of CAICT (middle), Mr Edmond LAI, Chief Digital Officer of Hong Kong Productivity Council (left), Professor LI Wenjie Maggie, Department of Computing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (right), witnessed the strategic partnership agreement on behalf of their respective organisations.

Mr Edmond LAI, Chief Digital Officer of HKPC , highlighted that this collaboration, led by HKPC, has established a solid foundation with CAICT and PolyU. This strategic partnership, using the joint laboratory as a platform, aligns with the national “14th Five-Year Plan” to support Hong Kong as a leading international innovation and technology centre. Located at the HKPC, the joint laboratory aims to promote national standards internationally and attract global opportunities, under the “One Country, Two Systems”, Hong Kong has the distinctive advantages of enjoying strong support of the Motherland and being closely connected to the world.

Mr Alex CHAN, General Manager, Digital Transformation of HKPC (third from left), attended the award ceremony. The “StationInspector- 3D point cloud enhanced AI visual detection robot for potential ceiling and fixtures hazardous of metro station” project, jointly submitted by HKPC and MTR Corporation Limited, was granted the “ International Symposium on Computility Technology Standards and Applications (ISCT) Innovation of the Year”. (「ISCT國際算力年度創新」)