Media Releases

PolyU holds flag-raising ceremony to celebrate 28th anniversary of establishment of the HKSAR

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) today held a flag-raising ceremony on campus to celebrate the 28th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). The University is honoured to have had Mr HUANG Jingrui, Spokesperson and Director-General of the Department of Media and Public Relations of the Commissioner’s Office of China’s Foreign Ministry in the HKSAR; Mr LAI Jianhua, Deputy Director General of the Kowloon Sub-office of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR (LOCPG); and Mr ZHANG Guolai, Second-level Inspector of the Youth Department of LOCPG officiate at the ceremony. They were joined by PolyU Council Chairman Dr LAM Tai-fai; President Prof. Jin-Guang TENG; Deputy Council Chairman Dr Daniel YIP Chung-yin; Treasurer of the University Mr Arthur LEE Kin; Honorary Court Chairman Dr Roy CHUNG Chi-ping; and President Emeritus Prof. the Honourable POON Chung-kwong, together with Council and Court members, other University senior management, University Fellows, Outstanding Alumni, members of the PolyU Foundation, and over 700 distinguished guests, staff, students and alumni, wishing prosperity and stability for the Nation and Hong Kong. The ceremony was performed by the PolyU Student Flag-Raising Team. Dr Lam Tai-fai said, “In the 28 years since Hong Kong returned to the Motherland, the City has fully leveraged its distinctive advantages of enjoying the strong support of the Nation and being closely connected to the world. It has actively integrated into the overall national development and contributed to the Nation’s high-quality development. Five years after the implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law, the City has transitioned from chaos to order, leaving behind turmoil and returning to stability and harmony. With public order restored, Hong Kong is now advancing from stability to prosperity. As a member of Hong Kong’s higher education sector, PolyU is committed to serving the Nation’s needs with its own strengths, nurturing professionals and social leaders with a strong sense of national pride and a global perspective, and supporting Hong Kong’s development into an international innovation and technology centre and international hub for post-secondary education.” Prof. Jin-Guang Teng remarked, “This year marks the 28th anniversary of the establishment of the HKSAR. Under the principle of ‘one country, two systems’, Hong Kong has received staunch support from the Nation and has capitalised on its unique advantage while reinforcing its connectivity with both the Mainland and the world, maintaining long-term prosperity and stability for society. Being an innovative world-class university, PolyU will continue to strive for excellence in talent development, research and knowledge transfer to contribute to the further development of Hong Kong and the nation.” ***END***

Professor Christopher Chao receives prestigious ASHRAE Louise and Bill Holladay Distinguished Fellow Award 2025

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is proud to announce that Prof. Christopher CHAO, Vice President (Research and Innovation) and Chair Professor of Thermal and Environmental Engineering, has been awarded the esteemed Louise and Bill Holladay Distinguished Fellow Award 2025 from the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE). This prestigious recognition was presented at the ASHRAE Annual Conference in Phoenix, Arizona, USA on 21 June 2025. Founded in 1894, ASHRAE is a global professional society committed to serving humanity by advancing the arts and sciences of heating ventilation, air conditioning, refrigeration and their allied fields. The ASHRAE Louise and Bill Holladay Distinguished Fellow Award, initiated in 1979, honours individuals for their continuing preeminence in engineering and research work. As one of ASHRAE’s most prominent awards, the Louise and Bill Holladay Distinguished Fellow Award is presented to one Fellow each year, or sometimes not awarded at all if no suitable nominee is identified. Prof. Chao is the third recipient from Asia to receive this distinguished honour, joining professors from the University of Hong Kong and the National University of Singapoe. As the only awardee invited to deliver his acceptance speech on stage, Prof. Chao stated, “I am deeply honoured to receive this recognition from ASHRAE. This award reflects not only my work but also the dedication and innovation of my colleagues at PolyU over the years. Together, we strive to advance research and innovation in the field of building energy and environment, contributing to the academic and professional communities that inspire us to push the boundaries of engineering excellence.” Prof. Chao’s research integrates intelligent building systems with infectious disease prevention. Using AI-driven energy optimisation, he creates infection-resilient, energy-efficient environments. This dual focus positions smart buildings as essential for health and sustainability. This recognition of Prof. Chao’s work underscores PolyU’s commitment to excellence in research and innovation, reinforcing its status as a leading university in the region. His contributions to the field, particularly in sustainable building technologies, have made a significant impact on both academic and practical applications. For more information about the ASHRAE Louise and Bill Holladay Distinguished Fellow Award, please visit ASHRAE’s official website. ***END***

PolyU and Huawei Cloud sign a strategic cooperation agreement to deepen industry-academia-research collaboration and promote the global commercialisation of research outcomes

Chinese version only

PolyU Fashion Show 2025 spotlights emerging local fashion talents, showcasing creative designs that blend craftsmanship and technology

The School of Fashion and Textiles of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU SFT) held the much-awaited annual PolyU Fashion Show 2025 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre yesterday. The Show featured spectacular runway shows of collections designed by 24 exceptionally talented students, and the presentation of six awards and scholarships supported by SFT’s industry partners and sponsors. Representing modern fashion concepts with distinctive styles, the Show attracted nearly 1,600 industry experts, designers and fashion enthusiasts, as well as an online audience of over 20,000 viewers from across the globe, injecting strong impetus into the Hong Kong fashion industry.   This year, the Show unveiled 88 outfits from 24 remarkable collections embracing casual outfits, evening wear, activewear and lingerie. All pieces were designed by the graduating students from PolyU SFT’s flagship programme, BA (Hons) Scheme in Fashion and Textiles. Leveraging their creativity and knowledge, the students explored various social ideologies, identities, perceptions and cultures in their creations, while combining textile techniques like quilting and crocheting with advanced technologies such as laser engraving and knitting technology. Their designs demonstrate a wide spectrum of aesthetics, a range of profound design concepts and a great diversity of arts forms in fashion. Prof. Erin CHO, Dean of PolyU SFT, said, “As the epicentre of sartorial education in Asia, PolyU SFT stands as a testament to the transformative power of creativity. Leveragingour state-of-the-art ateliers, cutting-edge research laboratories and a revered faculty, we equip students with a global perspective and the audacity to challenge conventions, ensuing that they evolve into work-ready innovators armed with specialised expertise and the ability to harness emerging technologies. This year’s collections are more than garments. Each stitch, silhouette and texture reflects a synthesis of knowledge, skill and cultural introspection. These young creators do not merely design—they interrogate, reimagine and redefine the zeitgeist.” At the Show, six awards and scholarships were presented to recognise outstanding designs and to encourage students to pursue their fashion dreams while embracing their academic journey at PolyU SFT. Among them, the judging panel for the Consinee Grand Award, sponsored by one of the event’s diamond sponsor Consinee Group, comprised fashion industry leaders including Ms Anne CHOW, Marketing and Business Development Manager of the Group; Mr Kinyan LAM, Design Director of Kinyan Lam; Ms Natacha VAN, Founder and Creative Director of Natacha Van; alongside four PolyU SFT alumni who stand out as fashion practitioners in various fields, namely Mr Derek CHAN, Design Director and Co-founder of DEMO; Dr Jenny CHUI, Fashion Illustrator and Founder of The Profile Studio; Ms Constance LEE, Fashion Stylist and Founder of CONSTYLE; and Mr Karmuel YOUNG, Founder of Karmuel Young. Another highlight of the night, the HKIAIA Overall Grand Award, sponsored by another of the event’s diamond sponsor Hong Kong Intimate Apparel Industries’ Association (HKIAIA), was judged by Ms Karen NG, Secretary of HKIAIA. Judging panel members for the other awards and scholarships included Ms Janet CHEUNG, Project Director of the Hong Kong Fashion Designers Association; Prof. Alice CHU, Hon. Education Consultant of SFAA Foundation Limited; Ms Brenda YANG, Technical Manager of the Flinders Merino Group and The Woolmark Company; and Ms Dilys YIU, Design Director of Anteprima Ltd., Fenix Group Holdings Limited. After fierce competition, the winner of the Consinee Grand Award was announced as XU Lulu, who specialised in knitwear design, with her outstanding work themed “Embodied Perception”. Her collection investigates the unexpected transformation of the tactile and visual characteristics of materials through a wide range of advanced knitting technologies and traditional textile craftsmanship. The HKIAIA Overall Grand Award winner was WONG Wai Kit, who specialised in Contour Fashion and Activewear. His exceptional collection “The First Light” is inspired by the transitions from murky depths of midnight to misty colors of dawn.  For a full list of awardees and photos of the winning outfits, please refer to the appendix. “Echoes of Bronze Timeless Resilience” by DUAN Qiqi Annie, winner of the Fenix Young Talent Award. “Mesmecipher” by LEE Yee-man Madgy, winner of the SFAA x Stella Blu Go Green Award. “Who You?” by CHENG Sau-wun Iris, winner of the HKFDA Scholarship of Creativity 2025. “Echoes of Bronze Timeless Resilience” by Duan Qiqi Annie, winner of the Best Use of Australian Merino Wool Award. Thanks to generous support from numerous industry partners and sponsors, the PolyU Fashion Show has connected PolyU SFT students with many influential figures from across the fashion and technology sectors, facilitating their understanding of current industry trends and helping to propel them further along their career path. The success of the Show as a major local fashion event highlights the growing influence of the School and strengthens its position as a pioneer in fashion education. ***END***

PolyU Fun-Tech Competition 2024/25 concludes, enhancing digital capabilities of secondary students to cultivate next-gen I&T talents

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is committed to equipping students with cutting-edge technological skills and cultivating the next generation of innovation and technology (I&T) talents. With the support of the Innovation and Technology Commission, PolyU’s Department of Applied Social Sciences (APSS) ran the “Fun-Tech Competition 2024/25” (the Project) from September 2024 to May 2025, aiming to ignite secondary school students’ interest in I&T through diverse teaching activities and competition. Attracting over 1,000 students from 29 schools, the Project concluded today with an award presentation ceremony, hosted by APSS in collaboration with the University’s Policy Research Centre for Innovation and Technology (PReCIT), to recognise students who demonstrated outstanding creativity and digital skills. The Project organised an academic conference, as well as a series of workshops, online classes and guided tours, enabling students to keep abreast of the latest technology trends and master cutting-edge digital skills associated with virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR) and radio-frequency identification (RFID) technologies. It also included a competition which involved participants either producing VR videos or designing innovative applications for RFID. Divided into junior and senior secondary student groups, the competition encouraged students to unlock their innovative spirit and apply the skills they had learnt to everyday scenarios or to addressing social issues. The award presentation ceremony was officiated by Dr Jeff SZE, Under Secretary for Education of the Education Bureau of the HKSAR Government, along with Prof. Wing-tak WONG, PolyU Deputy President and Provost, and Prof. Eric CHUI, Head of APSS and Co-Director of PReCIT. Distinguished guests exchanged insights with the winning students, while principals and teachers from participating schools attended in a strong show of support. Dr Jeff Sze stated that the use of digital technology and tools enables students to explore infinite possibilities and said, “The Government continues to promote STEAM and digital education in primary and secondary schools and to advance the use of innovative technology in empowering education, with the aim of nurturing I&T talent for the Nation. This competition carried profound meaning for the students; it has served as a robust platform for them to unleash creativity, gain a deeper understanding of cutting-edge technologies through practice and develop an interest in I&T, while also enhancing their problem-solving skills.” Prof. Wing-tak Wong summarised the project outcomes and highlighted the achievements in resource integration, driving creativity and transforming innovative thinking into social value. He added, “Supported by the Innovation and Technology Fund, the Project integrated educational technology with STEAM education and established a collaborative platform linking PolyU and Hong Kong secondary schools, and enabling secondary students to learn and apply cutting-edge technologies. The intelligent solutions developed by students in the competition combined creativity with practicality, embodying the spirit of benefiting society through technology.” Prof. Eric Chui said, “APSS is committed to fostering the exchange of knowledge and practice through the integration of education, research and service, and to providing more effective and empathetic social services. PReCIT, on the other hand, brings together scholars from different disciplines and professions to promote interdisciplinary cooperation and policy research. In this competition, the students identified the needs of vulnerable communities and utilised innovative technology to raise social awareness of relevant issues, aligning with APSS’s mission to cultivate socially responsible future leaders.” The Project leader Dr Rodney CHU, Senior Lecturer of APSS, explained the project outcomes at the Ceremony. He applauded the remarkable perseverance and resilience demonstrated by the participating teachers and students throughout the Competition’s midterm evaluations, rehearsals, on-site presentation, Q&A sessions and other activities.  He added, “Our team has maintained close contact with the participating schools since the Project began nearly a year ago. We not only designed activities for students but also engaged teachers in training workshops. This experience has fostered meaningful teaching and learning exchange and collaboration between the University and secondary schools.” After evaluation by the judging panel, the champions and the first runners-up of the VR video creation competition were the teams from SKH Lui Ming Choi Secondary School and St. Stephen’s Church College for the senior group, and teams from STFA Cheng Yu Tung Secondary School and St. Clare’s Girls’ School for the junior group. For the RFID application design competition, in senior category, teams from Po Leung Kuk Ngan Po Ling College and Salesians of Don Bosco Ng Siu Mui Secondary School were crowned the co-champions and Po Chiu Catholic Secondary School won the first runners-up prize, while in the junior category teams from Chinese Y.M.C.A. Secondary School and Ju Ching Chu Secondary School (Yuen Long) were declared co-champions. For more information on the results and the winning projects, please visit the Project website. Following the award ceremony, a Teaching and Learning Summit focusing on educational innovation was held. Prof. Manuel CASTRO, Professor of Electronics Technology of the National University of Distance Education in Spain, shared his insights into STEM tools and remote laboratories for secondary school settings. His talk sparked dynamic discussion among principals, teachers and students on integrating educational technology into secondary school education. “Fun-Tech Competition 2024/25”, supported by the Innovation and Technology Fund of the Innovation and Technology Commission, aspired to equip secondary school students with knowledge of cutting-edge technologies and to enable them to apply technological innovations to their daily life and learning. The project also aims to facilitate interaction between teachers, students, schools and industry, advancing Hong Kong’s technological culture and nurturing a new generation of I&T talents with technical capabilities and humanistic care. ***END***  

PolyU and Guangdong University of Technology present stage drama celebrating Dongjiang Water Supply to Hong Kong, with official city premiere on 10 July

To celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Dongjiang Water Supply to Hong Kong and to nurture a strong sense of national pride among young people, a series of events will be held from 9 to 10 July, organised by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and Guangdong University of Technology (GDUT), and co-organised by Bauhinia Magazine. Highlights include the Hong Kong premiere of the "Original Stage Production: The Legacy of Youth" and an exhibition on the history of Dongjiang Water Supply to Hong Kong. These activities aim to provide political, business and community leaders, as well as faculty members, students and alumni from the two universities, with the opportunity to be inspired by the remarkable stories of the Project’s builders. Committed to promoting Chinese culture, the University last year launched the PolyU Chinese Culture Festival to celebrate the rich value and diversity of Chinese culture through various artistic themes and forms. The Festival aims to deepen appreciation of Chinese heritage and to strengthen a sense of pride and belonging to the Nation among staff, students and the wider community. As part of this year’s PolyU Chinese Culture Festival, the preview (9 July) and official performance (10 July) of the stage drama will be held at the PolyU Jockey Club Auditorium. Centred on the theme of “Role Model of the Times”, the script is inspired by the real-life builders of the Dongjiang Water Supply Project and recounts heart-stirring stories of university students from mainland China in the 1960s who answered the Nation’s call and devoted themselves to the construction of the Project. Faculty members, students and alumni from the PolyU Choir will also take part in the performance, contributing their voices to the production. The stage drama highlights the Nation’s commitment to the well-being of Hong Kong residents and the strong bond between the two regions. It has been included in the commemorative activities for the 60th anniversary of the Dongjiang Water Supply to Hong Kong by the Guangdong Province and has received commendation from the Ministry of Education. PolyU and GDUT hope that the stage drama not only serves as a bridge for cultural exchange between mainland China and Hong Kong, but also fosters understanding among young students from both regions, encouraging active participation in the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the Nation’s modernisation efforts. For more details, please visit the event website. ***END***

PolyU research projects win funding support from RAISe+ Scheme

The Innovation and Technology Commission of the HKSAR Government has recently announced the second batch of projects selected for funding under the Research, Academic, and Industry Sectors One-plus (RAISe+) Scheme. Among the successful projects, four from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) showcase the University’s research excellence and strong commitment to commercialisation of its research outcomes. Prof. Christopher CHAO, PolyU Vice President (Research and Innovation) congratulated the PolyU research teams, stating, “We are delighted that four PolyU research projects have been named among the second batch of those funded under the RAISe+ Scheme. This achievement not only underscores the University’s robust research capabilities, but also the strong confidence that government, industry and community stakeholders have placed in our ability and efforts in driving innovations and translation of research outcomes. Moving forward, PolyU will continue to foster effective collaboration among the Government, industry, academia and research sectors, injecting new momentum into its research projects and accelerating the translation of research outcomes into real-world impact, which in turn contributes to the development of Hong Kong, our Nation and the world.” The funded projects cover a wide range of innovation and technology fields, including AI and robotics, Chinese medicine, computer science/information technology, and electrical and electronic engineering. Details of the projects are listed below: Project Title  Project Leader  Project Description High-Speed 3D Stacked AI Vision Sensors Prof. Yang CHAI Associate Dean, Faculty of Science; Chair Professor of Semiconductor Physics, Department of Applied Physics; and Director, Joint Research Centre for Microelectronics This project focuses on the development and commercialisation of an advanced AI vision sensor with high-speed operation, high dynamic range, and ultra-low power consumption. The sensor overcomes key limitations of conventional image sensors, particularly motion blur in high-speed scenarios. Key applications of the AI vision sensor include security surveillance systems, autonomous navigation, and motion analysis in extended reality devices and smartphones. The sensor achieves high-speed, high-dynamic-range, and low-power imaging through the integration of conventional image sensors with dedicated visual information processing chips. Novel Nutraceuticals for Neurodegenerative Diseases Prof. Simon Ming-yuen LEE Cally Kwong Mei Wan Professor in Biomedical Sciences and Chinese Medicine Innovation; Chair Professor of Biomedical Sciences, Department of Food Science and Nutrition; and Director, PolyU-BGI Joint Research Centre for Genomics and Synthetic Biology in Global Ocean Resources This project develops novel nutraceuticals and drugs derived from natural resources for treating neurodegenerative diseases. It establishes the LifeChip technology platform, combining next-generation DNA sequencing, AI-driven discovery, advanced chemical separation, high-throughput in vivo screening, and synthetic biology. Focusing on neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, as well as neurological disorders including insomnia, depression, and anxiety, this integrated approach delivers a comprehensive solution for both prevention and treatment using innovative nutraceuticals with unique mechanisms of action. For instance, the development candidate Oxyphylla® is a first-in-class drug targeting α-synuclein, an emerging therapeutic target for Parkinson’s disease. Oxyphylla® is anticipated to become a disease-modifying therapy, offering a breakthrough in neurological health. Reallm: World-leading Enterprise GenAI Infrastructure Solution Prof. YANG Hongxia Executive Director, PolyU Academy for Artificial Intelligence; Associate Dean (Global Engagement), Faculty of Computer and Mathematical Sciences; and Professor, Department of Computing   The project aims to develop a comprehensive Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) infrastructure solution, including by: establishing a decentralised pretraining and post-training system architecture to support distributed model training frameworks; developing a domain-adaptive continual pretraining and post-training system to continuously optimise large language models using domain-specific unlabelled data, enabling adaptation to target domain distributions; and designing a low-bit training framework that requires only half the computational and storage resources of traditional training, while still achieving high-quality, end-to-end training from pretraining to post-training—significantly lowering the entry barrier for enterprises. Ultimately, the project will launch a platform specifically designed to enhance cross-domain collaboration through enterprise-grade GenAI services, including Software-as-a-Service, Platform-as-a-Service, and Infrastructure-as-a-Service. Tunable Laser Chip Based on Metasurface Structure and its Application Prof. YU Changyuan Director, PolyU-Jingjang Technology and Innovation Research Institute; and Professor, Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering   This project pioneers a novel broadband tunable laser chip that, for the first time, integrates both a metasurface reflector and phase-change materials within a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser. This enables an ultra-high quality factor resonant cavity and dynamic continuous tuning of the output wavelength over an exceptionally wide bandwidth (40nm). Compared to traditional laser structures, the chip not only features a more compact design but also achieves the same kHz-level tuning speed as leading international competitors. With the cost just one-twentieth that of existing market solutions, the chip is expected to achieve widespread adoption in battery monitoring systems, industrial production processes, autonomous driving technologies and high-speed optical communication modules. Inaugurated in 2023, the RAISe+ Scheme aims to provide funding, on a matching basis, for at least 100 research teams from universities funded by the University Grants Committee which demonstrate strong potential to evolve into successful startups. Each approved project will receive funding support ranging from HK$10 million to HK$100 million. ***END***

PolyU showcases innovative research in AI and medicine-engineering integration at BIO International Convention 2025

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) participated in the BIO International Convention 2025 (BIO 2025) held in Boston from 16 to 19 June. Showcasing its groundbreaking innovations and translational research across the fields of artificial intelligence (AI), medicine and engineering for global industry leaders, the University highlighted its interdisciplinary excellence and leading position in medical and health research. The world’s largest biotechnology convention, BIO 2025 brought together over 20,000 industry leaders and professionals from about 70 countries and regions. It embraced all key aspects of the biotechnology ecosystem, spanning from research and development, clinical trials and manufacturing, to investment, business development and commercialisation. Ten cutting-edge PolyU innovations in drug discovery, medical devices and diagnostics, biomedical engineering, rehabilitation technologies, optometry and food science were showcased at the Convention. Apart from presentations, the research teams also engaged in business forums and thematic discussions during the event to cultivate meaningful connections, forge strategic partnerships and explore new avenues for collaboration with global industry leaders. Prof. Christopher CHAO, PolyU Vice President (Research and Innovation), stated, “PolyU has demonstrated excellence in translational research by leveraging its academic strengths and innovative capabilities, particularly in medicine-engineering integration and AI-powered medical advancements. We have achieved significant technological breakthroughs with strong support from the Government and industrial partners, along with consistent global recognition through prestigious awards. For over a decade, the University has participated in the BIO International Convention, fully leveraging this global platform to showcase PolyU’s research and innovation strengths while also forging valuable partnerships worldwide.” PolyU innovations exhibited at BIO 2025: “PocNova™: Ultra-Fast Nucleic Acid Testing System,” led by Prof. Thomas LEE, Associate Professor of the Department of Biomedical Engineering “Hybrid Robotic IoT for Telerehabilitation after Stroke,” led by Prof. Xiaoling HU, Associate Professor of the Department of Biomedical Engineering “Vcare: Vision Training VR Device,” led by Ir Dr Yu Ming TANG, Senior Lecturer of the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering “Innovative Hormones for the Treatment of Diabetes and Related Metabolic Complications,” led by Prof. WONG Chi Ming, Associate Professor of the Department of Health Technology and Informatics “HAND-HEART: An AI-Based Hand Hygiene Augmented Reality Tool,” led by Prof. Lin YANG, Associate Professor of the School of Nursing “ABarginase: First-in-class Drug for Treatment of Multiple Obesity-related Metabolic Diseases,” led by Prof. LEUNG Yun-chung, Thomas, Professor of the Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology “First-in-Class Antibiotic Therapeutics,” led by Prof. MA Cong, Associate Professor of the Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology “Novel Nutraceuticals for Neurodegenerative Diseases,” led by Prof. LEE Ming-yuen, Simon, Chair Professor of Biomedical Sciences of the Department of Food Science and Nutrition “AkkMore™: a Fungus- and Plant-based Supplement against Obesity and Prediabetes,” led by Dr Gail CHANG Jinhui, Research Assistant Professor of the Department of Food Science and Nutrition “Safe & Eco-friendly Antimicrobial Materials,” led Dr Gavin ZHANG, Research Fellow of the School of Fashion and Textiles A special highlight of PolyU’s participation this year in the business presentation session was Prof. Ma Cong sharing his latest breakthrough in antibiotic therapeutics. Prof. Ma has led a research team to make a first-in-class antimicrobial drug discovery with a unique mechanism of action to tackle antimicrobial resistance. His innovative approach focuses on disrupting protein–protein interactions (PPIs) within the bacterial transcription complex — igniting hope for the development of new antimicrobial agents. Building on its robust foundation in medical and health research, PolyU is dedicated to advancing interdisciplinary research at the convergence of medicine, AI, engineering, and data science, pioneering a new era of healthcare innovation, while also contributing to Hong Kong’s development into an international health and medical innovation hub. ***END***  

PolyU achieves record high 54th place in QS World University Rankings

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has been ranked 54th in the newly released Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings 2026, a record-high and a three-place rise from the previous year. This reflects the international recognition PolyU has earned for its academic and research excellence, underscoring the University’s influence and accomplishments in the global higher education sector. The Rankings assessed over 1,500 universities across 106 countries and regions worldwide based on nine indicators. PolyU performed exceptionally in several of these, ranking first in Hong Kong for “International Research Network” and third for “Citations per Faculty,” both of which are research-related indicators. The University also ranked third in Hong Kong for “Sustainability,” affirming its commitment to promoting sustainable development. Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, President of PolyU, said, “We are pleased that PolyU has achieved its highest position ever in the QS World University Rankings 2026. PolyU aspires to be an innovative world-class university that pursues excellence in education, research and knowledge transfer. The University is committed to nurturing socially responsible professionals and leaders with a strong sense of national pride and a global perspective. PolyU will continue to strengthen its ties and collaborations with partners around the world, aiming to play a more significant role in the global higher education landscape and contribute to developing Hong Kong into an international hub for post-secondary education.” PolyU also excelled in the recently announced QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025, with seven subjects being ranked in the global top 30: Hospitality & Leisure Management (11th), Nursing (16th), Architecture & Built Environment (17th), Civil & Structural Engineering (17th), Art & Design (22nd), Marketing (22nd) and Environmental Sciences (27th). Notably, Nursing has achieved its highest ranking in a decade, while Hospitality & Leisure Management, Art & Design and Environmental Sciences are the top-ranked in Hong Kong. For more information on the QS World University Rankings 2026, please visit: https://www.topuniversities.com/world-university-rankings ***END***

“Belt and Road Advanced Programme in Power and Energy 2025” successfully completed

Co-organised by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), Xi’an Jiaotong University (XJTU), State Grid Corporation of China (SGCC) and The Hongkong Electric Company, Limited (HK Electric), the “Belt and Road Advanced Programme in Power and Energy 2025” (the Programme) concluded on 17 June with a Graduation Ceremony, marking another milestone in international collaboration and knowledge exchange in the energy sector. The Programme, held for the eighth consecutive year, continues to serve as a robust platform for facilitating communication and fostering long-term partnership in electric power industry among the Belt and Road (B&R) countries and regions. This year’s theme, “Promoting Collaborations on Green Energy; Building New Type of Power System”, and the topics covered, not only align with the global momentum towards carbon neutrality and sustainable development, but also emphasise the balance between energy security and environmental responsibility. The 13-day Programme attracted 28 energy professionals and scholars from 6 B&R countries and regions – Chile, Mainland China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, the Philippines and Russia – for dynamic dialogue on advancing green energy initiatives and shaping a sustainable energy future through a series of lectures, discussions, sharing sessions, and field visits in Jinan and Xi’an of Mainland China and Hong Kong. Prof. H.C. MAN, Dean of the PolyU Faculty of Engineering; Mr Francis C. Y. CHENG, HK Electric Managing Director; Mr OU Xiaoming, Chief Representative of the State Grid Hong Kong Representative Office; Mr WANG Lixin, Deputy President of the State Grid Technology College; and Prof. TIAN Feng, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Electronics and Information Engineering at Xi’an Jiaotong University officiated at the Graduation Ceremony. Also in attendance were esteemed guests including Mr CHAN Pak Cheung, Deputy Director/Regulatory Services of the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department; Ir Eric MA, President of The HK Institution of Engineers; Prof. Alfred SIT, Chief Executive and Secretary of The Hong Kong Institution of Engineers; Mrs Karina CONCHA, Consul General of Chile in Hong Kong; Mr Allan G Revote, Vice Consul, Consulate General of the Philippines in Hong Kong; Mrs Fithonatul Mar’ati, Consul for Economic Affairs, Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia in Hong Kong; Mr Petr Larionov, Attache, Consulate-General of the Russia Federation in Hong Kong, together with senior executives from the co-organisers. Their presence underscored the Programme’s growing international recognition and its pivotal role in fostering cross-border collaboration in the energy sector. Addressing the audience, Prof. H.C. Man said, “PolyU is harnessing its world-class academic and research excellence to pioneer innovative solutions for a sustainable future. In alignment with global and national strategic goals in carbon neutrality and green energy, PolyU has been at the forefront of advancing cutting-edge research in these critical areas. The Programme serves as one of our vital platforms fostering in-depth exchanges and collaboration among researchers and senior management professionals across the region to address key challenges in green energy and sustainable energy management. The initiative highlights PolyU’s commitment to global sustainability leadership and strengthens its role as a hub for interdisciplinary innovation and international cooperation.” Mr Francis C. Y. Cheng noted, “At HK Electric, we are proud to have shared our journey in building a new type of power system—one that is cleaner, smarter, and more resilient. In 2024, we achieved a major milestone by reducing our carbon emissions by 40% compared to that of 2005, while at the same time maintained a world-class reliability of over 99.9999% in our electricity supply. Thanks to the continued transition from coal to natural gas, close to 70% of our electricity is generated from gas, and we are on track to phase out all coal-fired units for daily operations by 2035.” Mr Ou Xiaoming said, “China is committed to promoting the building of a community with a shared future for mankind and hopes that all countries join hands in sharing the fruits of development. As the world's largest utility company, the State Grid Corporation of China actively upholds the principles of extensive consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits in the high-quality co-construction of the Belt and Road Initiative. Aligned with this vision, State Grid strives to advance the development of a new power system and strengthen international cooperation in the electricity and power sectors. We hope this joint Belt and Road Programme will serve as a collaborative platform for the exchange of cutting-edge technologies in power and energy, driving green and low-carbon development across participating countries and regions along the Belt and Road." Mr Wang Lixin stated, “Since its inception in 2013, the Belt and Road Initiative has consistently fostered vibrant hubs of cultural and technological exchange wherever it reaches, promoting mutual learning, trust among civilisations, and the coexistence and integration of diverse perspectives. Building on this foundation, this joint collaborative Programme launched in 2018 has increasingly become a high-quality platform for international exchange among professionals in the energy and power industry, yielding fruitful outcomes and radiating dynamic vitality. We sincerely hope that everyone will continue to cultivate and refine this platform, further elevating the ‘golden reputation’ of the Belt and Road research and collaboration project.” Prof. Tian Feng said, “This year’s Programme, themed ‘Promoting Collaborations on Green Energy; Building New Type of Power System,’, is closely aligned with the global recognised research vision supporting the ‘carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals’. As one of the eight progressive steps, this initiative represents not only a profound responsibility but also a shared honour for every participant in our Programme. May the collective wisdom gathered here today illuminate sustainable pathways to a brighter, carbon-neutral future for all.” A highlight of the Programme was a lecture on “First Supply-Territory-Wide Internet of Things (IoT) Platforms for Public Utility in Hong Kong” delivered by Mr Jason CHUNG, Chief Technical Services Engineer (Computer Hardware) of HK Electric Transmission and Distribution Division. He outlined how HK Electric is actively harnessing IoT and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance operational efficiency and energy management, aligning with Hong Kong’s smart city and carbon neutrality goals. As part of this vision, HK Electric is deploying a comprehensive network of IoT sensors and AI-driven systems across its service area. These innovations are designed to enhance the reliability, efficiency and resilience of HK Electric’s power grid.  The Programme offers participants firsthand exposure to some of the region’s most advanced energy infrastructure. Site visits this year included SGCC’s Vehicle-Grid Interactive Charging Station Demonstration Project in Jinan, XJTU’s State Key Laboratory of Electrical Insulation and Power Equipment in Xi’an, PolyU’s Solar Energy Performance Management System. Participants also visited HK Electric’s Marsh Road Station Building, System Control Centre, Virtual Reality Training Centre, and Mobile Battery Energy Storage System, as well as the headquarters of the Electrical Mechanical Services Department of the HKSAR Government. These immersive experiences not only showcased the latest advancements in energy innovation but also enriched participants’ understanding of integrated energy management and smart grid technologies. As the world accelerates its transition to a low-carbon future, this cross-regional and multi-cultural university-industry collaboration programme stands as the first-of-its-kind in both Mainland China and Hong Kong to foster international cooperation and nurture talent, advancing the shared vision of a sustainable energy landscape. Since its inception in 2018, the Programme has attracted over 850 industry professionals from 44 B&R countries and regions, facilitating more than 10,000 hours of exchanges through online and offline training, discussions and field trips. Over the years, it has built its reputation as a leading global hub for capacity building in the power and energy sectors. In the 13-day Programme, participants attended a series of thematic lectures and seminars, and visited leading power facilities, including HK Electric’s Marsh Road Zone Substation and the headquarters of the Electrical Mechanical Services Department of the HKSAR Government, to gain insights into advanced technologies and professional management practices. ***END***