HUN-REN and CityUHK Sign MoU to Deepen Cooperation in Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Research Commercialisation

CityUHK is recognised as the “Most International University in the World” in both 2024 and 2025 by Times Higher Education and is consistently ranked among the leading young institutions globally. Despite its relatively short history, the university has built a strong reputation for high-impact, application-driven research. CityUHK’s strengths are especially notable in Materials Science and Artificial Intelligence, fields in which it has developed world-class expertise and a high concentration of research excellence.

Under the MoU, HUN-REN and CityUHK will explore opportunities in research commercialisation, researcher mobility, co-authored publications, and the organisation of joint scientific and innovation events. The partnership aims to connect HUN-REN’s research capabilities with CityUHK’s proven track record in translating discoveries into real-world applications.

A dedicated focus of the collaboration is CityUHK’s signature entrepreneurship initiative, HK Tech 300. Recognised as a global role model for university-led deep-tech start-up development, HK Tech 300 offers seed funding, mentorship, structured entrepreneurial training, and extensive industry links. Both institutions expressed strong interest in enabling Hungarian researchers and innovators to participate in the HK Tech 300 international start-up competition and to benefit from CityUHK’s experience in scaling research-based ventures.

Senior Vice-President (Innovation and Enterprise) Professor Michael Yang Mengsu, who oversees CityUHK’s global partnerships and innovation strategy, outlined several promising areas for joint work, particularly in building pathways for commercialising early-stage technologies, supporting spin-off creation, and connecting entrepreneurs across the Greater Bay Area, Asia and Central Europe.

Earlier in the week, the HUN-REN Presidential Delegation visited the CityUHK (Dongguan) Campus, gaining first-hand insight into the university’s expanding cross-border innovation presence. The campus, embedded within the Greater Bay Area’s industrial environment, showcased CityUHK’s integrated Hong Kong–Dongguan model, which supports applied research, talent development, and early-stage start-up incubation.

This MoU sets the foundation for a forward-looking partnership aimed at strengthening innovation, accelerating research translation, and creating new opportunities for joint research outcomes, events and start-up pathways between Hungary and Hong Kong.