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HKMU tops the research grant table with HK$29.1 million secured from the Research Grants Council, accounting for over 35% of its total funding for self-financing institutions

13 Sep 2023

HKMU's efforts in creating a lively scientific research environment gain recognition.

In the latest round of the Competitive Research Funding Schemes for the Local Self-financing Degree Sector of the Research Grants Council (RGC), Hong Kong Metropolitan University (HKMU) secured a total of HK$29.1 million for 27 projects, accounting for over 35% of the total RGC allocation, making it the largest player among all local self-financing institutions.

This year, HKMU achieved outstanding results under the major funding category “Faculty Development Scheme” (FDS), surpassing other self-financing institutions in terms of both the number of funded projects and funding amount. Twenty-five projects secured a total of HK$22.1 million, marking a substantial increase of 78% in the number of projects compared to last year, and the total funding amount was the highest among its peers for the fifth consecutive year.

HKMU President Prof. Paul Lam Kwan-sing said he was very pleased with the encouraging results of this year's funding schemes, and said the University's overall performance was also its best to date. “The University has always emphasised the quality of teaching and learning, and in recent years, it has also promoted innovation and research. RGC's support is not only affirmation of HKMU's research capabilities, but also recognition of the University's efforts to foster an innovative and scientific research environment,” he said.

He emphasised that HKMU will continue to allocate resources for forward-looking and impactful research, and to fully leverage its research strengths to contribute to Hong Kong, as well as the region as a whole.

Nine projects under the FDS secured funding exceeding HK$1 million, with the School of Science and Technology's project on enhancing the performance of construction materials receiving HK$2.03 million, which was the highest funding amount under the FDS this year.

Under the category “Institutional Development Scheme Research Infrastructure Grant”, the University secured about HK$6.5 million to set up its first Exergaming Research Centre for Healthy Aging. It aims to develop gerontechnology that will benefit the community through its research findings.

HKMU established the Research Impact Fund in 2021 to focus on the development of impactful research, concentrating on the following research areas: Digital Humanities and Literature, Public and Social Policy, International Business, Responsible Business, Bilingual Learning and Teaching, Gerontechnology, Personalised Care, Environmental Science, Smart City, and Open and Innovative Education.