Innovation the backbone of our society

There is a stereotype that holds Hong Kong to be a place where everyone is dedicated to finance and trading, and there's no creativity or innovation.

In fact, Hong Kong hosts a thriving community of designers and inventors. From fashion to art to architecture to computer games, Hong Kong has some world-class success stories.

The global outbreak of Covid-19 has spotlighted more successes, and several come from Hong Kong Polytechnic University.

A research team at PolyU using 3D printing technology teamed up with Hospital Authority medical staff to design and develop face shields for health-care workers. They came up with a prototype in February and passed it on to local industry to mass produce. Within weeks a critical local shortage of such shields was relieved.

The same team also produced a more basic version for general use. Maybe you have one!

PolyU also came up with the world's most comprehensive automated multiplex diagnostic system.

In one hour and using just one sample the device can screen for some 30 to 40 pathogens, including the Covid-19 virus and also for several types of flu strains including avian flu, SARS, MERS and other viruses that cause respiratory diseases.

One key feature of the device is that it can operate on site, thus enabling early and speedy diagnoses.

These are just two examples from one university. There are plenty of other examples, like the locally developed systems used for quarantine surveillance. Hong Kong is a serious innovator!

Bernard Charnwut Chan is chairman of Tai Kwun Cultural & Arts Co Ltd.

standard@bernardchan.com