HKU eyes Northern Metropolis expansion to boost research capacity, attract talent. The University of Hong Kong (HKU) is looking to secure more laboratory space in the Northern Metropolis university town to expand its research capacity and attract talent, its new vice-president for research has said. Professor Anderson Shum Ho-cheung, who took up the vice presidency in August, also called for more government funding, saying grant applications took time and returns on investment could be slow.