On 6 October 2009, The Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel (HKRITA) organised a brainstorming session to collect opinions from its major stakeholders, researchers of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) about its funding work since its inception in 2006. Over 30 academics and researchers from the Institute of Textiles and Clothing, Industrial and Systems Engineering, Department of Management and Marketing and Department of Computing attended.

Presiding at the brainstorming session were Mr Haider Barma, CEO of HKRITA, and two representatives from PolyU, Prof Tao Xiao Ming, Head of Institute of Textiles and Clothing, and Mr Andrew Young, Director of Partnership Development.

The meeting was kicked off with a review of HKRITA’s works over the past three years. HKRITA has injected over HK$250 millions for 34 projects under four of its R&D focus areas: New Materials and Textiles and Apparel Products, Advanced Textiles and Clothing Production Technologies, Innovative Design and Evaluation Technologies, and Enhanced Industrial Systems and Infrastructure.

Project application procedures and IP benefits sharing are two of the key concerns to the research staff. HKRITA detailed the funding mechanism, vetting procedure, together with things to pay attention to about budgeting, procurement process and sourcing sponsorships. Since more projects are completed now, discussions were also made on arrangement of projects moving towards commercialisation, such as setting up a commercialisation panel to devise related plans, approach and terms.

The open and lively discussion achieved a better understanding between HKRITA and its research partners which is expected to further help turn great ideas into tangible results.