HKUST Annual Report 2017-18

18 Joint laboratories with industry were boosted by the launch of the HKUST- NAVER/ LINE AI Lab, HKUST Value Partners Big Data Finance Research Lab, HKUST-CIL Joint Laboratory of Environmental Health Technologies, with Chiaphua Industries Ltd., and the HKUST ENVF-INA/LMA Joint Laboratory on Environment, which will share state-of-the-art, high-end equipment and facilities for environmental research. The University’s nine Central Research Facilities continued to provide vital access to top equipment and resources to support faculty and students’ research across disciplines and schools, and to researchers outside the University. HKUST was the first institution in Hong Kong to adopt the centralized facilities model which forms an essential part of the University’s research enterprise. In 2017-18, the on-going periodic review of the facilities completed its appraisal of the Advanced Engineering Materials Facility and Design Manufacturing Services Facility. FAR-SIGHTED PARTNERSHIPS The University recognizes the value of national and international collaborations with leading global institutions to foster research opportunities and insights. In 2017-18, HKUST formed a partnership with leading Chinese mobile transportation platform Didi Chuxing to collaborate on research and development in smart transportation systems. The HKUST- University of Manchester Seed Fund was also set up to deepen research links in areas of mutual interest and strength. Under this arrangement, three projects got underway, looking at achieving United Nations Sustainable Development Goals through economics research collaboration, 2D materials, and improved understanding of airborne biological particles. In recognition of the University’s capabilities and standing, Harvard Business Publishing Corporation and the School of Business and Management’s Thompson Center for Business Case Studies entered an agreement to carry and distribute HKUST’s EMBA case studies. Research Development 1 ST institution in Asia to join the Partnership on AI to Benefit People and Society In addition, HKUST became the first institution in Asia to join the Partnership on AI to Benefit People and Society, an international not-for-profit consortium to promote the development of ethical artificial intelligence. The University will seek to ensure safety, security, privacy, transparency and fairness in such technology in the Asian region. The consortium was founded by global technology platforms, including Amazon, Facebook, Google, and Microsoft. MOVING KNOWLEDGE BEYOND THE CAMPUS In 2017-18, 153 inventions were disclosed at both the Clear Water Bay and the Mainland platforms, and 244 new patent applications filed to protect the University’s intellectual property. With the granting of 143 newly granted patents, the number of active patents and patent applications in HKUST’s IP portfolio now stands at 1,390. HKUST R and D Corporation (RDC), the University’s business arm, explored channels and opportunities for IP licensing to industry, managing a total of 103 active patent and software licensing agreements, with an additional four active licenses managed by Mainland platforms. Together with licensing income generated from Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs), overall licensing income in 2017-18 came to $6.7 million.