The Institute for the Environment of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Hong Kong), Institute for Environmental and Climate Research of the Jinan University (Guangzhou), Lunar and Planetary Science Laboratory of the Macau University of Science and Technology (Macao); and Center for Sustainability Sciences of the Academia Sinica (Taipei) reached a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 15 August 2017. The purpose of the MoU is three-fold: to facilitate cross-boundary academic exchange, to develop academic and scientific relationships, and to support collaborative research activities.

By signing the MoU, the four institutions consent to giving a high priority to cooperative research in climate change and air quality over the next three years. This is expected to forge stronger relationships among the area’s leading research institutions through increased academic personnel exchange and visits and more exchange of scientific materials.

Under the MoU, post-graduate students from the different institutions can look forward to greater opportunities of joint activities to pursue their common interest. These will include post-graduate training, co-supervision of Master and PhD students, guest professorships and visiting senior scientist positions, as well as co-application for research grants.

Meanwhile, in light of China’s mission to form a green, livable and world-class metropolis regional cluster in the Hong Kong, Guangdong and Macao Bay Area, the Institute for the Environment of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Hong Kong), Institute for Environmental and Climate Research of the Jinan University (Guangzhou) and Lunar and Planetary Science Laboratory of the Macau University of Science and Technology (Macao) have signed a Joint Lab Agreement on Hong Kong-Guangdong-Macao Ambient Environment and Climate Research. The agreement is a commitment by the institutions to carry out cooperative research for the Bay Area, to harness strong scientific evidences to support decisions of, and provide development strategies to governments, and to further educate the public about ambient environment and climate change.