PCCW Solutions and City University of Hong Kong join hands to develop smart city solutions and nurture digital technology talent

PCCW (SEHK: 0008) – HONG KONG, 11 May 2022 – PCCW Solutions has signed two Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) with City University of Hong Kong (CityU) to jointly develop smart city solutions and nurture digital technology talent. Leveraging the strong research capabilities of CityU and the proven digital expertise of PCCW Solutions, the collaboration will transform the latest research into real-life industry applications.

Under the first MoU, PCCW Solutions and Hong Kong Institute for Data Science (HKIDS) of CityU will jointly develop innovative solutions using data analytics and artificial intelligence technologies. The strategic research will focus on developing solutions for sustainable urban development, such as smart energy management for industrials, asset health monitoring, predictive maintenance, and traffic flow optimisation for aviation and railway industries. The two parties will also work jointly to commercialise their research deliverables from pilot projects to tackle challenges facing the industries.

The second MoU was signed between PCCW Solutions and School of Data Science (SDSC) of CityU to nurture digital technology talent. PCCW Solutions will offer exclusive placement and internship opportunities to students of SDSC, providing on-the-job training and mentorship programmes to equip them with hands-on experience and cross-industry exposure. Students demonstrating outstanding performance may receive early job offers from PCCW Solutions prior to their graduation.

Mr Jerry Li, Managing Director of PCCW Solutions, said, “As a leading technology services company, we aspire to accelerate smart city development and groom digital technology talent in Hong Kong. We are excited about collaborating with CityU to translate research findings into cutting-edge industry solutions that benefit our clients. We look forward to welcoming CityU students with fresh ideas and creative minds to join the PCCW Solutions family and unleash their potential to thrive in the digital economy. This collaboration will also create a robust environment for our team to foster innovation and co-develop new future-oriented digital solutions.”

In his address, Professor Richard Yuen Kwok-kit, Chief-of-Staff of City University of Hong Kong, shared his excitement in witnessing CityU’s alliance with PCCW Solutions. He said, “We are delighted to collaborate with a leading IT services giant in Hong Kong, mainland China and Southeast Asia, which not only puts into practice our academic achievements for the betterment of society but also brings real experiences from the industry to the campus, thus nurturing talented data scientists.”

Professor S. Joe Qin, Dean and Chair Professor of the School of Data Science, and Director of Hong Kong Institute for Data Science, City University of Hong Kong, added, “Data science has always been a pioneer discipline when it comes to practical applications. I am glad that the MoU seeks to apply the latest and most advanced research work in the fields of data analytics and artificial intelligence to resolving real-world challenges. We look forward to co-developing useful smart city solutions for Hong Kong. I am confident that our students will play a significant role through proactively participating in internships.”

Mr Jerry Li, Managing Director of PCCW Solutions (2^nd from right), Professor Richard Yuen Kwok-kit, Chief-of-Staff of City University of Hong Kong (2^nd from left), Mr Kevin Cheung, Senior Vice President of PCCW Solutions (1^st from right), and Professor S. Joe Qin, Dean and Chair Professor of the School of Data Science, and Director of Hong Kong Institute for Data Science, City University of Hong Kong (1^st from left) at the MoU signing ceremony.

About PCCW Solutions

PCCW Solutions is the IT and business process outsourcing flagship of PCCW Limited, which also holds interests in telecommunications, media, property development and investment, and other businesses.

Responsible for a growing number of large-scale IT projects in the public and private sectors, PCCW Solutions holds a wealth of experience and expertise and is viewed as a major industry player in Greater China and Southeast Asia. To learn more about PCCW Solutions, please visit www.pccwsolutions.com.

About PCCW Limited

PCCW Limited (SEHK: 0008) is a global company headquartered in Hong Kong which holds interests in telecommunications, media, IT solutions, property development and investment, and other businesses.

The Company holds a majority stake in the HKT Trust and HKT Limited, Hong Kong’s premier telecommunications service provider and leading operator of fixed-line, broadband, mobile communication and media entertainment services. HKT delivers end-to-end integrated solutions employing emerging technologies to assist enterprises in transforming their businesses. HKT has also built a digital ecosystem integrating its loyalty programme, e-commerce, travel, insurance, big data analytics, FinTech and HealthTech services to deepen its relationship with customers.

PCCW owns a fully integrated multimedia and entertainment group in Hong Kong engaged in the provision of over-the-top (“OTT”) video service locally and in other places in the region.

Through HK Television Entertainment Company Limited, PCCW also operates a domestic free TV service in Hong Kong.

Also wholly owned by the Group, PCCW Solutions is a leading IT and business process outsourcing provider in Hong Kong, mainland China and Southeast Asia.

In addition, PCCW holds a stake in Pacific Century Premium Developments Limited and other overseas investments.

To learn more about PCCW, please visit www.pccw.com.

About City University of Hong Kong

City University of Hong Kong (CityU), a world-class institution ranked among the top 55 (QS World University Rankings 2022) internationally, is committed to nurturing and developing the talents of students and creating applicable knowledge in order to support social and economic development. With an emphasis on professional education and research, CityU produces graduates with the ability to anticipate and precipitate change in a quickly evolving, globalised world. It is a fast-growing institution with undergraduate and postgraduate students and academic staff in business, creative media, data science, energy and environment, engineering, humanities and social sciences, law, science and veterinary medicine and life sciences. Our curriculum emphasises innovation and creativity, and this principle underlies all aspects of the University’s professional education and problem-driven research. For more information about CityU, please visit: www.cityu.edu.hk.

About School of Data Science

The School of Data Science (SDSC) is the first stand-alone school in the region to focus on data science and its applications. It offers comprehensive curricula in undergraduate and postgraduate programmes to nurture future data scientists, and provides a solid foundation in data science for students with specialised domain knowledge such as business analytics, financial technology, social media analysis, health informatics, engineering systems, and smart city technology. Its extensive industry partnerships and outreach will prepare students with real-world problem-solving skills. The School embraces the opportunity and challenges to develop a world-class school of data science with lasting regional and global societal impacts. To learn more about SDSC, please visit www.sdsc.cityu.edu.hk.

About Hong Kong Institute for Data Science

Hong Kong Institute for Data Science (HKIDS) is the international focal point of excellence for research initiatives and translational activities in data science, and region’s leading data science platform. It works closely with the School of Data Science to develop cutting-edge research and knowledge in the field. It serves as a research and educational hub to integrate data science strengths across the campus, and help train next generation of data scientists. We offer research opportunities to PhD students and support interdisciplinary research projects. To learn more about HKIDS, please visit https://www.cityu.edu.hk/hkids/.

For more information, please contact:

Ivan Ho
PCCW
Tel: +852 2883 8747
Email: ivan.wy.ho@pccw.com

Pennie Lai
City University of Hong Kong
Tel: +852 3442 4394
Email: pennie.lai@cityu.edu.hk

Jointly issued by PCCW Limited and City University of Hong Kong.