About MOE/MSRA Key Lab

As the highest acknowledgement of Ministry of Education (MOE) of China, the MOE/Industry Key Lab has innovatively emerged to become solid foundations of research, education, and collaboration. With a focus on fundamental research, the MOE key labs network, attract, develop, and contribute exceptional talents nationally and globally. By leveraging the reputation of the MOE/MSRA key lab, more opportunities will open to researchers for funding support from various resources, as well as high academic recognition. The mission of MOE/Industry key labs is three-fold.

Research

Providing leadership for high quality research throughout the region
Linking to and being recognized among the worldwide research community

Education

Partnering with industry (e.g. Microsoft Research Asia) to increase the quality of PhD graduates
Supporting the placement of research students in industrial and research internships as part of their training

Collaboration

Building solid partnerships with industry, research institutions and universities
Leveraging both tangible and intangible support provided by government agencies and industries

MOE/MSRA Key Lab is the first MOE/Industry Key Lab recognized by China Ministry of Education due to MSRA's reputation and commitment to high standard and world-class research. Only five universities, four in China and one is Hong Kong, are selected.

Benefit from MOE

Although MOE has no commitment of fixed funding support to the key labs, the brand name will optimize the opportunities in a broad range in sponsoring research projects of the labs and the universities.

Benefit from MSRA

Fostering academic achievement and research talent training are the keys. Programs include:

Project-based funding support
Academic exchange: guest professors in universities, adjunct researchers in MSRA, seminars
Event and community: Faculty Summit, 21st century computing conference, various workshops
Joint PhD student supervision
Joint curriculum development
Software donation
Internship opportunity
MS Fellowship opportunity

Benefit to HKUST

Comparing with the traditional model, the new arrangement brings in first-class industry research institution. As a result, it will generate more vigor in the aspects of a wider area of expertise engaged, a more formal agenda of student co-supervisor with industry, more publication in world-class journals and conferences, more advanced research directions and fields, etc.

As the first acknowledgment in HK, HKUST MOE/MSRA key lab will continue serving as an example and leadership to demonstrate the successful collaboration among government, industry, and universities throughout China, in the region, and in the world. Since this is the ONLY and the FIRST one at this point of time in Hong Kong to be granted the brand name, it will also benefit HKUST in attracting high quality faculty members and students.