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that all institutions limit faculty and staff members to spending incentivise applied research and commercialisation of research
Policy recommendations for the governments of Hong Kong and Shenzhen
less than the equivalent of one day per week in a year on outcomes.
outside work, inclusive of weekends, public holidays, and annual
leaves. Such a policy undoubtedly hampers talent from engaging Permitting researchers in Hong Kong and Shenzhen to spend
in knowledge transfer and innovative work. Overseas academic more time on research and exchange is key to biotech
institutions are, in contrast, more proactive in encouraging collaboration in the two cities. Given that it takes considerably
researchers to commercialise their research outcomes. For more time for Hong Kong researchers to travel to other GBA cities
instance, the MIT put in place a policy in 2015 to give professors compared to engaging in local activities, it is far from enough to
complete autonomy over time dedicated to outside professional allow only one day per week for outside work. We therefore
activities, provided that they have fully satisfied their teaching recommend that universities in Hong Kong revise regulations
and research duties, and that declaration of the nature of on researchers engaging in outside work and ease relevant
professional activities is made to avoid conflict of interest. restrictions, including increasing hours available for
The intention of the policy is to encourage collaboration and knowledge transfer activities. For example, to encourage more
exchange between academics and industry, businesses, researchers to engage in knowledge transfer and research
government bodies and other organisations, as well as to commercialisation, universities should at least permit researchers
to engage in knowledge transfer-related activities during
weekends, public holidays and annual leaves.

Recommendation 4.3 Nurturing
multi-skilled talent with backgrounds
in biotech and business

It takes multi-skilled talent with expertise in research and
professional knowledge to excel in biotech entrepreneurship and
investment. Those in management of biotech enterprises, for
instance, have to be well-versed in business management and
scientific knowledge; likewise, a good understanding of biotech
is essential to venture capitalists and relevant legal practitioners.
Unfortunately, there is a dearth of such multi-skilled talent in
Hong Kong. For example, management positions of universities’

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