In a recent interview with the South China Morning Post, Prof. Alex He Jingwei, Associate Professor at the Division of Public Policy of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, shared his perspectives on how the Northern Metropolis could reshape Hong Kong’s economic trajectory. His comments highlighted the crucial role of higher education and research collaboration in supporting the city’s innovation and technology (I&T) ambitions.
Key Insights from Prof. He
Building a Dynamic University Town: Prof. He emphasized that the planned university town should not only provide physical space for institutions, but also serve as a shared platform for collaboration between universities, industries, start-ups, and government. “The objective is to foster a dynamic ecosystem with a shared platform where research universities, industries, start-ups and government entities collaboratively navigate the innovation journey,” he said.
Fostering University-Industry Synergies: He further noted that the clustering of high-tech industries, start-ups, and research institutes could significantly strengthen university-industry partnerships and accelerate the commercialization of R&D outcomes. Such synergies, he argued, are essential if Hong Kong is to turn research potential into real-world economic transformation.
Strategic Areas of Strength: Prof. He highlighted that Hong Kong should capitalize on strategic areas such as biotechnology, where the city already possesses expertise and comparative advantages. Leveraging these strengths, combined with better infrastructure and policy support, would allow the Northern Metropolis to become a genuine innovation hub.
Conclusion
Prof. He’s insights underscore the importance of integrating education, research, and industry into the Northern Metropolis vision to ensure Hong Kong’s sustainable economic growth. His remarks reflect his continued engagement in shaping public policy debates on innovation, higher education, and long-term development strategies for the city.
Acknowledgments
In addition to Prof. He, the interview also featured insights from other scholars and experts, including Professor Tang Heiwai (University of Hong Kong), Professor Christopher Chao (Polytechnic University), and representatives from industry and think tanks, who provided complementary perspectives on the challenges and opportunities of the Northern Metropolis.
This interview was published by Edith Lin in the South China Morning Post under the title “In Northern Metropolis, can tech help Hong Kong’s economy achieve lift-off?”.
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