The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) has concluded a high-level visit to Sweden, deepening academic and research partnerships with some of the country’s leading institutions. The initiative positions Hong Kong as a strategic bridge for Sino-Swedish collaboration in innovation and technology.
Led by President Prof. Nancy Ip, the HKUST delegation met with senior leaders from the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences (IVA), Karolinska Institutet and KTH Royal Institute of Technology. The visit also included exchanges with the Science for Life Laboratory (SciLifeLab), one of Sweden’s national research infrastructures, and a tour of the Nobel Forum at Karolinska Institutet.
During the trip, HKUST and KTH signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to expand joint initiatives in engineering, science and innovation. Discussions with Karolinska Institutet focused on strengthening collaborations in medical education and research, while talks with IVA highlighted opportunities for increased cooperation between Sweden and the Greater Bay Area in life sciences, HealthTech, ageing, energy, robotics and sustainability.
“Sweden’s innovation ecosystem is a global benchmark, and its historic ties with China provide a strong foundation for collaboration,” said Prof. Ip. She emphasized that HKUST aims to act as a connector linking Sweden’s research strengths with China’s scale and market opportunities.
The initiative builds on a long history of Sino-Swedish cooperation, with Hong Kong playing an increasingly important role as a hub for innovation in the Greater Bay Area. The region is ranked among the world’s top innovation clusters by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), underscoring its potential to accelerate partnerships between European and Asian research communities.
The HKUST delegation also hosted an alumni and student gathering in Stockholm, underlining the university’s commitment to nurturing talent and building stronger academic networks across borders.
Source: HKUST
