The following is issued on behalf of the University Grants Committee:
The Task Force on Review of Research Policy and Funding launched a consultation exercise today (June 6) to solicit views from stakeholders on its preliminary recommendations.
At the invitation of the Chief Executive as announced in her Policy Address in October 2017, the Task Force was set up under the aegis of the University Grants Committee (UGC) to take 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. Having studied the prevailing research landscape in Hong Kong and making reference to the experience of the Mainland and jurisdictions overseas, the Task Force has consolidated its review findings and preliminary recommendations in an Interim Report for Consultation (Interim Report).
The salient preliminary recommendations include increasing research funding; setting up a Research Matching Grant Scheme to boost private research and development expenditure and donations; introducing three fellowship schemes to support the training of research talents; incentivising cross-institutional/cross-disciplinary collaborations; and strengthening the liaison among research funding bodies. The Interim Report has been endorsed by the UGC and uploaded to the UGC website: www.ugc.edu.hk.
In addition to conducting briefings for the heads of UGC-funded universities, heads of self-financing degree-awarding institutions and members of the Research Grants Council and a symposium for administrators, academics and researchers, the Task Force is reaching out to gauge views from other stakeholders on the issues covered in the Interim Report to converge insights for the betterment of Hong Kong's development in research. Members of the public are also welcome to tender their views to the Task Force.
The Chairman of the Task Force, Professor Tsui Lap-chee, appealed for views from stakeholders to facilitate the finalisation of recommendations with a view to building a stronger foundation for the research work of the higher education sector, enabling the research community to flourish, and promoting the development of innovation and technology, in order to meet the needs of the development of Hong Kong in the long run.
The consultation exercise will close on July 10, 2018. All views collected will be studied and duly considered by the Task Force for incorporation as appropriate in its final Review Report for submission to the Government later this year.
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