Asia's First Social Media Research Laboratory HKUST NIE Social Media Laboratory Officially Opens

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(From left) Prof Danny Tsang, Associate Director, HKUST NIE Social Media Laboratory, HKUST; Prof On-ching Yue, Science Advisor, Innovation &

Technology Commission, HKSAR; Mr Samson Tam, JP, Member of Legislative Council, Information Technology; Mr Herman Lam, CEO, Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited; Prof James She, Director, HKUST NIE Social Media Laboratory, HKUST; Prof Tony F Chan, President, HKUST; Mr Bill Nie, CEO, TS First Fortune Asset Management; Prof Khaled Ben Letaief, Dean, School of Engineering, HKUST; Mr Charles Mok, Founding Chairman of the Internet Society Hong Kong; Prof Ross Murch, Department Head, Electronic and Computer Engineering, HKUST

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15/02/2012 Asia's First Social Media Research Laboratory HKUST NIE Social Media Laboratory Officially Opens Established by the Hong Kong University of Science & Technology (HKUST), HKUST NIE Social Media Laboratory officially opens today. As Asia's first research laboratory specializing in the study of social media culture and technologies, HKUST NIE Social Media Laboratory will bring academic and commercial significance to the development and application of social media in the region.

The laboratory celebrates its opening this day at Tin Ka Ping Hall, Lo Ka Chung University Centre at the Hong Kong University of Science & Technology, with the presence of Prof Tony F Chan, President of the Hong Kong University of Science & Technology; Mr Samson Tam, JP, Member of Legislative Council (Information Technology); Prof Khaled Ben Letaief, Dean of School of Engineering of the Hong Kong University of Science & Technology; Mr Herman Lam, CEO of Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited; Ms Jan Wong, General Manager of Openrice Ltd and Mr Charles Mok, Founding Chairman of the Internet Society Hong Kong. Speaking at the ceremony, Prof Tony F Chan, President of the Hong Kong University of Science & Technology said, "At HKUST, we believe that innovation should play a strong role in the globalized world. We are proud to establish the first social media laboratory in Asia. With this laboratory, our faculty and researchers are taking an active part in nurturing research and development talents in the blooming new arena of social media, and building Hong Kong as a leading hub of creative media and IT technologies in the region."

Prof Khaled Ben Letaief, Dean of School of Engineering of the Hong Kong University of Science & Technology remarked "The establishment of HKUST NIE Social Media Laboratory fortifies our university's commitment to attracting next generation research and development talents in the area of social media development. The fruits of our research are to be applied to different aspects, and we look forward to seeing commercialization of research results, in answer to the market needs."

Prof James She, Director of HKUST NIE Social Media Laboratory of the Hong

Kong University of Science & Technology said "I would like to express my gratitude to the partners who are officiating the ceremony here with us today for their generous support. Together with the local business sector, the Laboratory strives to derive utilizable and wildly recognized results from research data, and to promote social media research globally."

Collaboration with Cyberport

HKUST NIE Social Media Laboratory also sealed collaboration with Cyberport in establishing a video mobile social network, to provide an electronic platform for showcasing video programs produced by HKUST students introducing latest digital media technologies. Cyberport will offer technical support and demonstration platform that connects the students with local SMEs through its Technology Centre. Students are also encouraged to join training courses, workshops, seminars and forums organized by Cyberport to keep up with the latest I.T. trend and technologies, in order to explore business opportunities. Mr Herman Lam, CEO of Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited remarked "The collaboration between Cyberport and the Laboratory is in line with our mission of promoting digital technology. We aim to attract and nurture a pool of next-generation talents in social media and digital technology, and to provide a bridging platform between technology research and commercial sector." Other Collaboration

HKUST NIE Social Media Laboratory will also be working with local telecommunication giant PCCW, renowned international digital content provider Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. and local social media group OpenRice.com. About HKUST NIE Social Media Laboratory:

HKUST NIE Social Media Laboratory, the first social media laboratory in Asia, focuses on the research and design of next-generation social media systems, networks and applications in emerging cyber-physical societies. These cover media broadcast in human-mobile networks, interactive and sensing flexible displays, cyber-physical social media and more. It will also help talented individuals, researchers and high-tech companies to make the most of the

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About Cyberport

Cyberport is a creative digital community with a cluster of technology and digital content tenants. It is owned and managed by Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited which is wholly owned by the Hong Kong SAR Government. With a vision to establish itself as a leading information and communications technology (ICT) hub in the Asia-Pacific region, Cyberport is committed to facilitating the local economy by nurturing ICT industry start-ups and entrepreneurs, driving collaboration to pool resources and create business opportunities, and accelerating ICT adoption through strategic initiatives and partnerships. Equipped with an array of state-of-the-art ICT facilities and a cutting-edge broadband network, the Cyberport community is home to four grade-A intelligent office buildings, a five-star design hotel, and a retail entertainment complex.

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Brenda Yau

Tel: 2358 6317 / 9103 2928 Email: brendayau@ust.hk

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