(Hong Kong, 12 June 2024) – Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) and Arrow Electronics (Arrow) co-organised the HKSTP X Arrow Hardware Lab Innovation Day at Hong Kong Science Park today. Themed "Connecting Global Minds to Bring Chips to Life," the event united about 400 industry professionals, academia, innovators, and engineering students to explore emerging microelectronics technologies and opportunities arising in Hong Kong as a world-class microelectronics innovation and talent hub.
Hardware Lab to Empower Innovators
The Innovation Day also celebrated the first anniversary of the Hardware Lab that provides state-of-the-art facilities and network of expert and resources that fosters R&D to a new level and at the same time, provides end-to-end support, empowering innovators from concept to creation and enabling microelectronics and electronic engineering breakthroughs to thrive globally. The Hardware Lab has supported over 40 companies in their innovative projects. University students studying electronics engineering have also benefitted from the training sessions that equip them with the first-hand experience and pave their way to a career in the electronic engineering sector upon graduation.
Showcasing Microelectronics Innovation Through Collaboration
Over 20 technology showcases (refer to Appendix) from HKSTP Park companies and Arrow’s technology suppliers demonstrated Hong Kong’s strength and innovation in microelectronics and electronic engineering sector. Key areas including Smart Living, Smart Construction and Smart Home have been featured while engaging panel discussions and presentations featured renowned experts sharing insights on talent development, research advancements, and application sharing. Seventeen companies demonstrated their innovation in the Experience Zone, showcasing their transformative potential to visitors.
Fostering a Collaborative Microelectronics Ecosystem
The HKSAR Government has declared the microelectronics industry as a key pillar of Hong Kong's I&T development, as set in the “Hong Kong Innovation & Technology Development Blueprint”. Professor Dong Sun, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, HKSAR Government, said, ”The Government has spared no effort to accelerate the development of the microelectronics ecosystem in Hong Kong. We are pressing ahead with the establishment of the Hong Kong Microelectronics Research and Development Institute to lead and facilitate collaboration among universities, R&D centres and the industry on third‑generation semiconductor core technology. We will continue to adopt a multi-pronged approach to promote the advanced manufacturing industry by creating a vibrant I&T ecosystem in Hong Kong, and contribute to propelling the development of Hong Kong’s new quality productive forces.”
Mr. Albert Wong, CEO of HKSTP, said, ‘’We are delighted to celebrate the first anniversary of the Hardware Lab. The commitment from Arrow fostering innovation perfectly aligns with HKSTP's mission to nurture entrepreneurship and develop our I&T ecosystem in Hong Kong. The city has strong capability in basic research and HKSTP has been experienced in driving commercialisation of research results into market-ready solutions, reinforcing Hong Kong’s leading role in the world’s microelectronics sector.”
Ms. Jacqueline Leung, president of Arrow Electronics Greater China components business, said, “The global microelectronics market is predicted to reach a value of US$678 billion by the year of 2030. The growth of AI and IoT technologies are opening up new opportunities for microelectronic components. We are excited to further step out efforts and collaborate with HKSTP to help innovators and engineers in navigating the complex technological landscape and commercialization journey. By providing our engineering know-how, supply chain expertise, and access to a global network of electronics suppliers, we are able to help them solve complex technical problems, accelerate their idea-to-prototype-to-production journey, and bring their impactful innovations to market faster”.
HKSTP is committed to promoting Hong Kong’s new industrialisation mission and building a world-leading microelectronics ecosystem with more than microelectronics-related companies. The microelectronics ecosystem of HKSTP is flourishing, with more than 200 microelectronics related companies out of the 1,800 Park companies and over 500 industry players and academia. HKSTP has established an extensive network of microelectronics hardware infrastructure, together with the Hardware Lab, the Sensor Packaging and Integration Laboratory (Sensor Lab) and Heterogenous Integration Lab (HI Lab) can support the end-to-end process of design, prototyping and pilot production of chip-related equipment and systems as well as products.
The Microelectronics Centre in Yuen Long Innovation Park is set to begin operation in the second half of the year, supporting HKSTP's infrastructure to accelerate microelectronics R&D pilot production, creating opportunities for upstream and downstream enterprises in the industry chain.
