Operation

The AoE will develop by mounting aggressively initiatives and requests for funding in the project areas each with a convenor. The Executive Committee in consultation with the Advisory Board will allocate funding on an annual basis upon review of summary proposals from each project area. A certain proportion of the funding is reserved to fund new initiatives. Annual workshops will be held to review progress and to publicise the AoE development and research outcomes to the local and international communities.

Sustainability

Although the AoE members come from many disciplines, the research themes and project areas are well-focused and coherent - which is of paramount importance to the success of the AoE. At the same time, there is sufficient scope for academic development in the ‘home disciplines’. With the provided resources, the critical mass and visible success can be achieved in three years. The richness, diversity and importance of the problems, together with the commitment and vitality of the AoE members, will enable a successful and sustainable operation. Once developed, the AoE will flourish and have a life of its own. The quest for RGC and similar funding will continue and benefit greatly from the cross-pollination and cross-fertilization of ideas. In addition, since there is a clear mission-oriented component, the prospects of securing funding from government departments, ITF funds, industry and private foundations, and international agencies are very good. 

There are no foreseeable personnel (e.g. retirement of key members from the AoE) or other problems that may hinder the success of the AoE. Key members are experienced in developing group projects, and there is already tremendous goodwill and trust among members from different fields, built up over the years. The AoE will help foster the long term association and friendship among members (which will be a most valuable lasting impact), and accumulate a wealth of experience in identifying and developing large inter-disciplinary projects. The credibility as a centre for innovative research and development, and technology transfer will be established. In the longer term, this may lead to direct funding (e.g. from government or private foundation) for the continual management of the AoE, which can be run along similar lines as highly targeted research institutes in Germany or Japan.