Calendar 2012–13

8 Part 1 • General Information Part 1 The University’s Research Committee is one of the main bodies responsible for allocating internal funding for research. It is supported by eight subject panels, each consisting of up to 23 experienced researchers. In addition to allocation of research funding, it is also charged with the responsibility of evaluating and recommending project proposals for external grant applications. It is supported by the Research Administration Office, which is responsible for research administration as well as for implementation of policies for the enhancement of the University’s research portfolio. Knowledge Transfer Teaching, research and knowledge transfer (KT) are the three functional pillars of the University. At CUHK, the Knowledge Transfer Office (KTO) is dedicated to promoting beneficial interactions and partnership opportunities with enterprises through marketing, contracting, and licensing innovations from CUHK technical and non-technical research base, as well as to increasing awareness on campus of the values of research engagement, with dual emphasis on both the economic and social impact. With determination from the University management to individual departments, the KT agenda is now well embedded in the institutional infrastructure. Through strategic endeavours of KTO during the first triennium (2009–12), KT activities are systematically creating synergies between CUHK researchers and the industry. Significant support from the University Grants Committee has made possible a spectrum of KTO seminars and events to create and sustain the KT culture, as well as for continued implementation of funding schemes, which include Knowledge Transfer Project Fund (KTPF), Patent Application Fund (PAF), Technology and Business Development Fund (TBF), and the newly launched Professional Enhancement Fund (PEF). In the past three years, 63 KTPF projects have successfully translated academic knowledge to improve the social, cultural, environmental and economic fabric of our society. Over these years, some 340 patents were filed in jurisdictions around the world through the support of PAF, with stringent measures in funding guidelines on intellectual property management to ascertain quality public investment. During the same period, a large number of contracts and agreements were signed through KTO, in order to support the University faculty staff to share their knowledge and expertise for the benefits of the local and international community and industry. The TBF has provided valuable seed money to extend CUHK inventions to the exploitation of the commercialization potentials of research findings. The new PEF has supported capacity building initiatives in KT among academic and research staff to create a ripple effect in cementing KT engagement.