Dr. Chong visits Hong Kong Polytechnic University

The Hong Kong Research Grants Council (RGC) invited Dr. Ken Chong to a June 15 site visit of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, preceded by two days of panel meetings. The purpose of the visit was for “collegial exchange and discussion” with faculty and students on their research activities and on other areas of common concern. The visit began with a briefing by President Tim Tong, formerly the dean of GW-SEAS. One of the highlights was the report that the university’s external research grants jumped from US$150 million in 2011-2012 to US$253 million in 2015-2016. The University has a special niche in applied or translational research in the following areas: biomedical research, health care, safety (in food, disasters, mega-structures, etc.), transportation, aviation, aerospace engineering, and sustainable development. Their research includes some collaborative research with US professors.