The Secretary for Education, Mr Kevin Yeung, has given thanks to the Task Force on Review of Research Policy and Funding, which submitted its Review Report today (September 11), for its significant contribution to the sustainable development of research work in the higher education sector.

     Mr Yeung said, "I would like to give my heartfelt thanks to the Chairman of the Task Force, Professor Tsui Lap-chee, and all of its members for their hard work and contribution. In less than a year since its inception last October, the Task Force has done considerable work to look into and discuss, in great depth, various issues of concern in the research work of the higher education sector.

     "The Task Force has laid an even more solid foundation for research work of the higher education sector to enhance the research standard, which helps enhance Hong Kong's competitiveness in the long run by promoting the vibrant development of industries and innovation in technology. I am pleased to learn that the Task Force has earlier on consulted different stakeholders about its recommendations and has taken into account all the views and feedback received. The Government will study the Report in detail and take follow-up action and implement the related policies."

    The full Report is available at the University Grants Committee's website (www.ugc.edu.hk).
 

The following is issued on behalf of the University Grants Committee:

     At the invitation of the Chief Executive as announced in her Policy Address last October, the Task Force on Review of Research Policy and Funding was immediately set up under the aegis of the University Grants Committee (UGC). The Task Force submitted to the Government today (September 11) its Review Report on Research Policy and Funding.
     
     In addition to reporting the review findings on the existing research support strategy in Hong Kong and other jurisdictions, the Task Force put forth an array of recommendations which aim to:

(a) allocate research funding in a more streamlined and transparent manner;
(b) incentivise the higher education sector to conduct more cross-disciplinary and cross-institutional research collaborations; and
(c) encourage the higher education sector to engage in research commercialisation as well as knowledge transfer with the industry and the community.

     Having considered carefully the views received from the consultation exercise, the Task Force submitted recommendations for the Government's consideration, which include:
 

• increasing research funding substantially;
• setting up a Research Matching Grant Scheme;
• introducing three new fellowship schemes for researchers;
• augmenting support for research infrastructure by a review of the Research Grants Council (RGC)'s mode of operations and enhancing the effectiveness of the UGC's Research Portion grant;
• streamlining and rationalising the existing three collaborative research funding schemes under the RGC;
• setting up an internal government liaison group for enhancing and improving the co-ordination among different funding bodies; and
• adopting a common researcher identity for grants applications prior to the setting up of a central database on research in the long run.

     The Chairman of the Task Force, Professor Tsui Lap-chee, said, "Hong Kong is now presented with the most advantageous environment to become a research hub of the region over the next few years. I hope the Government's adoption and timely implementation of the recommendations made by the Task Force will help improve the research policy and further the research excellence of Hong Kong with enhanced support for research work."

     The Review Report has been endorsed by the UGC and its English version, as well as the Chinese version of its Executive Summary, is available at the UGC website: www.ugc.edu.hk/eng/ugc/index.html. The Chinese version of the full report will be published as soon as possible.
 
Background
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     The Task Force was led by Professor Tsui Lap-chee to conduct a holistic review on the existing research support strategy and the level and allocation mechanism of research funding for the higher education sector in Hong Kong. Along with the invitation, the Government had set aside no less than $10 billion as additional funding for university research.

     After it was set up, the Task Force proceeded in full swing to review the existing funding allocation mechanism in Hong Kong and study closely the experience of the research ecosystems in other regions. To converge the insights from the research community, the Task Force published an Interim Report for Consultation in order to gauge views from the various sectors on its observations and preliminary recommendations. The Interim Report was published for consultation on June 6 this year and the consultation period ended on July 10. A series of consultation activities were conducted during the two months. The Task Force studied and duly considered all feedback and views collected during the consultation period, and submitted the review results together with the final recommendations to the Government.

  

   Following is the transcript of remarks by the Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, at a media session before the Executive Council meeting this morning (September 11):
 
Reporter: Mrs Lam, regarding the high-speed rail, have you been in talks with Beijing authority over the Wi-Fi privacy and, you know, is there any blacklist of the passengers? And secondly, about your upcoming Policy Address, are there any big changes, or what is your major emphasis there?
 
Chief Executive: On the upcoming Policy Address, which will be delivered in almost exactly four weeks later, I am afraid I cannot disclose any details. But like every Policy Address of the Chief Executive, this is an annual occasion for the Chief Executive to take stock of what the Government has achieved over the past 12 months, and what further measures and initiatives the Government will implement in order to meet the needs and aspirations of the people of Hong Kong. But it is beyond doubt that the number one issue that is of major concern to the people of Hong Kong is housing. So, I have already said that, in this Policy Address, there is no question of not addressing the issue of housing, which means that I need to be able to say something about land supply, because without land supply, there is no way that I could build more flats, whether for sale or for rental, to meet the needs of the people.  Particularly on June 29 this year, I have already announced a series of housing policy measures, so we are now waiting for land supply to fulfill those promises in the new housing policy.
 
     As far as other operational issues concerning the high-speed rail, I am sure my colleagues in the Transport and Housing Bureau, as well as the MTR Corporation, will address your concern. As I said here last Tuesday, the most important thing in the lead-up to the commissioning of the high-speed rail is for us to be even more transparent, even more speedy, in responding to any queries members of the public have.
 
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)  
 
 

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

     The Civil Engineering and Development Department today (September 11) announced that as the Standby Signal No. 1 has been issued by the Hong Kong Observatory, the Chai Wan Public Fill Barging Point will be closed at 12.40pm until further notice.

Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations:
 
     Please broadcast the following message as soon as possible and repeat it at suitable intervals:
 
     As Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 1 has been issued, the Marine Department reminds vessel owners, masters and persons-in-charge of vessels that they should take precautionary measures immediately and properly secure their vessels at safe locations.
 
     In case of an accident, a report should be made immediately to the Vessel Traffic Centre at 2233 7801.