Saint Francis University’s president Stephen Cheung on Sunday suggested the government set up a cross-institutional research fund to encourage universities in the Northern Metropolis to collaborate with each other.

Announced in the SAR’s first five-year plan, Chief Executive John Lee said the government would expedite the development of three university towns in the Northern Metropolis, spanning more than 1,000 hectares in San Tin, Hung Shui Kiu and Ta Kwu Ling.

Speaking after a Commercial Radio programme, Cheung said a synergy effect would be achieved in the university towns.

“We will be glad to participate if there are some commonly-built facilities for research and development and also teaching as well.

"I envision there will be some facilities built to create a synergy effect between the high-tech industry, universities, and also the community. The usage will be mutual or common for all universities to use,” he said.

He hoped a cross-institutional fund could be established to boost research collaboration among universities.

“The aim to create such a fund is how we can push universities to contribute their best research areas together to create a synergy effect, particularly for multidisciplinary research, and also have a synergy effect with industry at the same time,” Cheung said.

However, he said Saint Francis University would not build a campus in the Northern Metropolis as the private college is going to build its second campus in Tai Wai, with construction work set to begin early next year.



Edited by Tony Sabine