Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) has signed a landmark agreement with one of Europe's leading environmental technology companies. The agreement with General des Eaux of France is the result of a renewed drive by the French Government to assist wider academic and industrial co-operation between SAR universities and French establishments. HKUST is attracting wide interest with exploratory talks now under way between the university and at least one French institution. The renewable, three-year agreement is the first long-term deal HKUST has entered into with a commercial entity. Research collaboration will focus on waste water treatment, pollution control, and waste management. 'They [General des Eaux] are very strong in the environmental area. We hope to bring this technology to Hong Kong and refine it for local use,' said Professor Otto Lin Chui-chan, vice-president for research and development at HKUST. The General des Eaux group of companies has over the past 150 years been involved with the development of technologies for public utilities, including energy, transportation, telecommunications and construction. The group has annual net sales of FFr166 billion (HK$210 billion) and employs 220,000 people in 80 countries and regions including the SAR. The company will have a permanent staff based at HKUST and joint research and funding will be supervised by a steering committee. The agreement includes exchange and training with internships for HKUST students at General des Eaux. The company is the latest partner in the Europe Institute which will be later housed in an annex scheduled for completion next year at HKUST. The institute operates with partners from Germany, France, Britain and Sweden. Professor Woo Chia-wei, the HKUST's president, said: 'The purpose of the Europe Institute is to provide footholds for European universities, research institutes and multi-national technology-based corporations which are interested in this part of the world.' Professor Woo visited Paris recently where he met officials at the Centre National de la Recherche Scientific and other research institutions. Professor Lin said the Europe Institute was a gateway for institutions interested in setting up offices in the mainland, especially in the Guangdong city of Nansha, as part of the Pearl River Delta development. He said the institute would have a training facility to help companies understand Chinese culture and attitudes and how to increase their effectiveness. The consul for science and culture at the French consulate, Jean-Luc Maslin, said he expected scientific and industrial co-operation between France and the SAR to increase following Tung Chee-hwa's recent visit to France. 'The Chief Executive advocated co-operation in science, technology and education in his meetings with French officials,' he said. Science Attache Jean-Luc Bonefacino said the French Consulate's Cultural and Scientific Service boosted its efforts in recent months to increase awareness among French academics, industrialists and SAR universities of the many opportunities for co-operation. French firms showing an interest in local universities included Alcatel, Dassault, Bull and Matra, he said. Meanwhile, the French National Institute for Research in Computer Science and Control has had 'very encouraging talks' with HKUST officials. The head of the institute's international relations office, Gerard Huet, told Campus Post the two parties had agreed to meet again after examining the results of their preliminary talks last week.