The Chinese University of Hong Kong has pledged to create space for research development and not confine it in any way.
Pro Vice-Chancellor Professor Kenneth Young said the university had formulated no practical research direction but would provide support and space for ongoing research projects.
'Delegation of research designs from top level down no longer works. It is important to build up a research culture within the institute. The university should merely set up a strategic direction and researchers should take the initiative and work according to their own interests,' he said.
More than 100 research projects selected by the seven panels under the university's research committee were displayed during the Research Grants Council's recent triannual visit to the university.
The projects covered various disciplines including engineering, medicine, physical science, social science, education, arts and humanities.
Professor Young said the quality of research in local universities had improved tremendously in recent years and now competed in the international arena.