NetDragon and HKUST Partner to Advance Medical Technology Innovation and Deepen Interdisciplinary Collaboration

HONG KONG, Sept. 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- NetDragon Websoft Holdings Limited ("NetDragon" or "the Company"; Hong Kong Stock Code: 777), a global leader in building internet communities, is pleased to announce that it has supported The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology ("HKUST") to establish the "NetDragon Professorship in Medical Technology". This will support the University's pursuit of research excellence. By integrating academic strengths in engineering and medicine, the Professorship will foster scientific breakthroughs in frontier areas of healthcare and public health, further solidifying HKUST's leadership in interdisciplinary research.

This Professorship will be conferred upon a distinguished scholar from the School of Engineering, recognizing exceptional contributions to the field and supporting ongoing academic and research endeavors. The signing ceremony was held on the HKUST campus. Witnessed by Prof. Nancy IP, President of HKUST, and Dr. LIU Dejian, Chairman and Executive Director of NetDragon, the agreement was signed by Prof. Charles NG, Vice-President for Institutional Advancement of HKUST, and Dr. Simon LEUNG, Vice Chairman and Executive Director of NetDragon.

President Ip expressed her heartfelt gratitude for NetDragon's support, stating: "The convergence of medicine, engineering, and data science is creating unprecedented opportunities for innovation in healthcare and medical science. This vision is also a key impetus behind the establishment of the HKUST School of Medicine. By integrating the cutting-edge technologies of the School of Engineering with the clinical expertise of the School of Medicine, we aim to build a vibrant ecosystem for interdisciplinary innovation. This will further solidify HKUST's position as a global leader in interdisciplinary research."

Dr. Liu strongly endorsed HKUST's strategic vision, said, "NetDragon has long been committed to integrating education and technology. From digital entertainment and online learning to immersive technologies, artificial intelligence, and AI-enabled education, we believe that technology can break down barriers, make knowledge more accessible, and empower individuals to realize their full potential. Today, AI is transforming the way we learn, work, and interact with the world. NetDragon is actively harnessing AI to improve people's lives and create new sources of value and growth.

Its subsidiary, Cherrypicks, is dedicated to advancing smart healthcare through technological innovation and has established a strong presence in Hong Kong's health-tech sector. In recent years, Cherrypicks has played a key role in the development of major public healthcare platforms, including HA Go and eHealth, as well as a number of healthcare workflow management projects, such as the Ward Work Management System. Beyond the public sector, Cherrypicks has extended its smart healthcare capabilities to leading private healthcare institutions, contributing comprehensively to the digital transformation of Hong Kong's healthcare ecosystem. Through the establishment of the 'NetDragon Professorship in Medical Technology', we hope to support outstanding scholars, advance frontier research, and accelerate the translation of research breakthroughs into real-world applications that benefit patients and society. At the same time, we see this initiative as the beginning of an even deeper and more enduring partnership between NetDragon and HKUST."

As a pioneer in digital transformation, NetDragon is committed to connecting people through technology and driving social progress across online gaming, digital education, and immersive technologies. The establishment of the "NetDragon Professorship in Medical Technology" embodies the shared vision of both parties to advance innovative research for a brighter future. HKUST looks forward to this partnership fostering interdisciplinary research collaboration and accelerating breakthroughs in cutting-edge fields like precision medicine and digital health. By fully harnessing the University's robust research capabilities, this initiative aims to spearhead advancements in medical technology and drive the translation of frontier discoveries into real-world applications that benefit society.

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About NetDragon Websoft Holdings Limited

NetDragon Websoft Holdings Limited (HKSE: 777) is a global leader in building internet communities, with a long track record of developing and scaling multiple internet and mobile platforms that impact hundreds of millions of users. Over the desktop and mobile internet eras, NetDragon previously established China's first online gaming portal, 17173.com, and China's most influential smartphone app store platform, 91 Wireless.  

Established in 1999, NetDragon is one of the most reputable and well-known digital entertainment IP developer and operator in China with a history of successful flagship game titles deeply welcomed by users both at home and abroad. For more than a decade, NetDragon has also achieved success with its EdTech business both domestically and globally. Fully embracing the new AI era, NetDragon is driving its vision of "Infinite Growth" through AI enabled digital entertainment and online learning, whilst building a systematic AI product methodology to create value growth.

NetDragon's overseas edtech business entity, currently a U.S.-listed subsidiary named Mynd.ai, is a global leader in interactive technology and its award-winning interactive displays and software can be found in more than 2 million learning and training spaces across 126 countries. 

About The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) (<https://hkust.edu.hk>) is a world-class university renowned for its innovative education, research excellence, and impactful knowledge transfer. Adopting a holistic and interdisciplinary approach to education, HKUST was ranked 33rd globally and 6th in Asia in the QS World University Rankings 2027 and QS Asia University Rankings 2026, respectively. It was also ranked 20th worldwide in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2026, placing first among universities in Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland for the third consecutive year. Eleven HKUST subjects were ranked among the world's top 50 in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026.

In addition, HKUST's Computer Science discipline, which encompasses areas such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, was ranked No. 1 in Hong Kong for the tenth consecutive year in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2026. Its graduates are highly competitive, consistently ranking among the world's top 30 most sought-after employees.

In research and entrepreneurship, more than 80% of HKUST's research was rated "world-leading" or "internationally excellent" in the University Grants Committee's Research Assessment Exercise 2020. As of July 2026, HKUST members had founded more than 2,000 active start-ups, including 11 unicorns and 22 successful exits through initial public offerings (IPOs) or mergers and acquisitions (M&A).

SOURCE NetDragon Websoft Holdings Limited