Message from Jake Koh, HKRITA’s CEO I am thrilled to lead The Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel (HKRITA), which is one of Hong Kong’s most valuable innovation assets, to elevate our industry and society through innovation. Today, we stand at a pivotal moment in the industry, where technology, sustainability and creativity converge to open up unprecedented possibilities. My vision is to further strengthen our role in pioneering cutting-edge research that not only meets the demands of today’s market but also anticipates the needs of tomorrow. From Ideas to Impact Hong Kong textile and clothing industry is a key player in the international market. HKRITA will leverage this advantage to forge strong global partnerships with industry leaders. Our goal is to leverage our teams’ scientific expertise and market knowledge to transform research breakthroughs into tangible business opportunities, ensuring our R&D efforts have a real-world impact on our society and region. This includes addressing the critical need to walk the talk, where commitments to sustainability often fall short in implementation. Moreover, the sustainability landscape needs enhanced collaboration. Our competent partnership will provide transparency and adaptability, fostering cooperation throughout the entire supply chain. Future Aspirations As we look to the future, our aspirations remain essentially on forward looking innovations including smart manufacturing and technologies, materials science and innovation, as well as holistic approaches to sustainability. By capitalising our centre’s professionals, we aim to invent technologies that will enhance production efficiency, reduce environmental impact and promote societal benefits. To scale our success, through the efforts of our experienced business practitioners, we must cultivate an inclusive ecosystem where all stakeholders along the innovation chain, including brands, manufacturers, small- and medium-sized enterprises and even companies across different industries, work together towards common goals. Achieving these objectives requires empowering our experts and researchers to drive innovation. Our diverse research team comprises 70% of PhD and master’s level graduates from tertiary education institutions around the world. They come from backgrounds such as fashion and textiles, chemistry, physics, biomedical engineering, mechanical engineering and materials science. Over the years, they have developed a wide range of research topics that are of concern to the industry. Their prolific expertise has been a cornerstone of our research institute. Moreover, our AI applications have accelerated technology breakthroughs and enhanced collaborative efforts across disciplines. Together, we will foster a culture of excellence and creativity that will steer our Institute to new heights. Thank you for your trust and support. I look forward to working with all of you to achieve our shared vision for a vibrant, innovative and resilient future in textiles and apparel. In line with the latest government policies on integrating into the overall national development and industry best practices, I am confident that we will achieve our objectives together with excellence and agility.
Jake Koh
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