As mentioned in the previous issue of this newsletter, academics in Hong Kong were
invited to submit "white papers" for the suggestion of
"grand challenge topics" for
the three selected themes of the Theme-based Research
Scheme. In
response, a total of over 300 white papers were received.
These white papers were examined and honed down to four to six initial topics
for each of the three selected themes by a White Papers Review Panel formed mainly by
external experts (with overseas academics or local experts who are not full time academic
staff).
To facilitate academic staff to discuss, refine
and recommend the selection of the final "grand challenge
topics", a 1-day workshop
on each of the research themes was held in August. On average, each of the workshops
was attended by over 200 academic staff. Following presentations and discussions at
the workshops, the initial grand challenge topics under each theme have been further
selected and refined by the facilitators who are external experts. They were subsequently
endorsed by RGC’s Ad Hoc Committee on Theme-based Research. The following grand
challenge topics will be adopted in the First Round of Theme-based Research Scheme:
The theme on "Promoting good health"
| ‧ |
Infectious diseases |
| ‧ |
Genomic medicine
|
| ‧ |
Stem cells and regenerative medicine |
The theme on "Developing a
sustainable environment"
| ‧ |
Water pollution and water treatment |
| ‧ |
Sustainable built environment
|
| ‧ |
Organic photo-voltaic and light emitting diodes |
| ‧ |
Air quality |
|
|
The theme on "Enhancing Hong Kong’s
strategic position as a regional and international business
centre"
| ‧ |
Hong Kong’s future as an international
financial centre |
| ‧ |
Promoting Hong Kong’s business through
networking capability
|
| ‧ |
Promoting Hong Kong as a centre
of excellence for business services innovation |
| ‧ |
Entrepreneurship and enterprise
organization |
Preliminary proposals under the grand
challenge topics are invited from local academics, who should submit their
proposals in the required format (see below) to the RGC through the Research Offices of
their institutions. Applications must reach the RGC by noon on 15 November 2010.
For further details, please visit RGC’s website
</eng/rgc>.
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