The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has joined forces with the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft (Fraunhofer) and the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), two leading research organisations in Germany, to drive collaborative applied research and technology development in the area of life sciences and engineering for the benefits of the global community.

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) signing ceremony was held recently on PolyU campus.  The agreement was signed by Ir Professor Ping-kong Alexander Wai, Vice President (Research Development) of PolyU; Dr Claus-Dieter Kroggel, Head of Central Office of Fraunhofer Group for Life Sciences and Dr Pavel Levkin, Head of Research Group of Biofunctional Materials of KIT.  It was witnessed by Dr David Chung, Under Secretary for Innovation and Technology of The Government of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Mr Karsten Tietz, Deputy Consul-General of German Consulate General Hong Kong; Dr Siegbert Klee, Director of DAAD Information Centre Hong Kong & Macau, German Academic Exchange Service; Mr Wolfgang Ehmann, Executive Director of German Industry and Commerce Ltd., plus a number of senior leaders from PolyU.

With PolyU's long term commitment and track record in fostering multidisciplinary research and translating innovations into reallife applications, this tripartite partnership will bring about more applied research and translational deliverables in the fields of life sciences and engineering.