The Organisers
Research Grants Council (RGC)
Established on 1 January 1991, the Research Grants Council (RGC) promotes research excellence by supporting Hong Kong’s higher education institutions with competitive research grants. As a non-statutory advisory council under the aegis of the University Grants Committee, it also advises the Government on Hong Kong’s higher education research needs. The RGC’s efforts demonstrate the Government’s strong and continued commitment to investing in academic excellence, innovation, and development in advancing learning for the benefit of the city, the nation, and the world. The RGC consisted of 14 members in its early days. Today, the RGC’s membership has grown to over 25, comprising leading academic leaders from business and other fields from Hong Kong as well as nationally and internationally, who are appointed by the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST)
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) is a world-class university renowned for its excellence in innovative education, research, and impactful knowledge transfer. Adopting a holistic and interdisciplinary approach to education, HKUST was ranked 33rd globally and 6th in Asia in the QS World University Rankings 2027 and QS Asia University Rankings 2026, respectively. It was also ranked 20th worldwide in the Times Higher Education Sustainability Impact Ratings 2026, placing first among universities in Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland for the third consecutive year. Eleven HKUST subjects were ranked among the world’s top 50 in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026. In addition, HKUST’s Computer Science discipline, which encompasses areas such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, was ranked No. 1 in Hong Kong for the tenth consecutive year in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2026. Its graduates are highly competitive, consistently ranking among the world’s top 30 most sought-after employees. In research and entrepreneurship, more than 80% of HKUST’s research was rated “world-leading” or “internationally excellent” in the University Grants Committee’s Research Assessment Exercise 2020. As of July 2026, HKUST members have founded more than 2,000 active start-ups, including 11 unicorns and 22 successful exits through initial public offerings (IPOs) or mergers and acquisitions (M&As).