Professor Jin-Guang Teng, BBS, JP
President of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
President's Address
Council Chairman, honoured guests, graduates, colleagues, ladies and gentlemen,
Good afternoon. It is my great privilege to address you all on this meaningful occasion of the 31st Congregation of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University.
On behalf of the University, I would like to start by extending my heartfelt congratulations to our two distinguished honorary degree recipients, namely Professor Barry James Marshall, a Nobel Prize laureate and Distinguished Honorary Professor at PolyU, and Mr Han Bicheng, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Qiangnao Technology. Their exceptional accomplishments and unwavering dedication to the betterment of humankind embody the spirit of excellence, innovation, and social responsibility that we at PolyU deeply cherish.
Today, we also celebrate our Doctor of Philosophy degree recipients. At this November Congregation, we are proud to award PhD degrees to 258 graduates. Congratulations, graduates! This is an impressive milestone that represents years of determination, passion, and intellectual growth. By completing a doctorate, you have also developed the important qualities of resilience, critical thinking, and problem-solving that will empower you to make lasting contributions in your future professions and to the world at large. As you celebrate this moment of achievement, remember to express your gratitude to those who have supported you along the way – your families, supervisors, mentors, and friends – whose guidance and encouragement have been integral to your success.
You are graduating at a pivotal moment – a time when artificial intelligence and emerging technologies are transforming the way we live, learn, and work. In this rapidly evolving landscape, I encourage you to embrace technology with curiosity, responsibility, and creativity. Harness the power of AI and technological innovations to amplify your impact, enhance your work, and contribute to a smarter, more prosperous future.
As a university committed to preparing our students for the AI era, PolyU has been at the forefront of integrating AI into education. We were probably the first university in the world to implement compulsory AI education for all undergraduates back in September 2022, well before generative AI tools like ChatGPT or DeepSeek became widespread and popular.
We have since taken further steps to strengthen our leadership in AI. To meet the growing demand for talent and expertise in the age of AI, the Faculty of Computer and Mathematical Sciences was established in January this year. Building on this momentum, the PolyU Academy for Artificial Intelligence, also known as PAAI, was set up in April this year, which will propel PolyU to the forefront of AI research and applications.
Looking ahead, we are committed to leveraging AI to transform our educational offerings for the benefit of our students. For instance, to enhance our students’ language and communication skills to thrive in a globalised world, we are introducing a compulsory subject called “AI as a Tool for Language Learning” for first-year-first-degree students from the next academic year. We have also launched the PolyU Education 4.0 initiative, aiming to integrate AI and smart technologies into a student-centred approach that fosters innovation, promotes the wider use of AI and educational technologies in learning and teaching, and prepares students for the future.
However, making a genuine impact on the world requires more than just leveraging technology. It also requires a commitment to using knowledge and expertise for the greater good, reflected in PolyU’s motto, “To learn and to apply, for the benefit of mankind.” At PolyU, one way we foster this spirit is by promoting entrepreneurship and knowledge transfer, empowering the PolyU community to turn innovative ideas into real-world solutions.
For example, since the 2022/23 academic year, an “Innovation and Entrepreneurship” component has been incorporated into the undergraduate curriculum, fostering an entrepreneurial mindset among students and nurturing them to become leaders and drivers of innovation. Our University also has a vibrant startup ecosystem, known as PolyVentures, which supports aspiring entrepreneurs in bringing their visions to life for the benefit of society. Indeed, over the years, PolyU has proudly nurtured around 600 active startups, including three unicorns and two listed companies, and has trained over 7,600 entrepreneurs.
To further drive knowledge transfer, the University has set up 12 Mainland Translational Research Institutes in strategic cities across the Chinese Mainland, with several of them already in full operation. These institutes aim to conduct high-impact translational research and development work to address the industrial and societal needs of each city, thereby integrating PolyU into the national innovation ecosystem and driving the scientific and technological development of our country.
In terms of making a positive societal impact, we can also draw profound inspiration today from our two honorary degree recipients, Professor Barry James Marshall and Mr Han Bicheng. Professor Marshall’s pioneering work on Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) revolutionised the global understanding and treatment of gastric diseases, benefiting millions of people worldwide. For this landmark achievement, he was jointly awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine with Professor Robin Warren in 2005. As a world-renowned medical scientist, Professor Marshall remains at the forefront of cutting-edge medical research, with an ongoing commitment to solving real-world human health problems.
Equally inspiring is Mr Han Bicheng, whose visionary leadership and entrepreneurial spirit propelled Qiangnao Technology to become China’s first unicorn specialising in non-invasive brain–computer interface technology. Under his guidance, the company has developed the world’s first mass-produced intelligent prosthetic bionic hand, ushering in new possibilities for human–machine integration to benefit individuals with physical impairments. The company is also advancing innovations to help with the rehabilitation of neurological disorders.
I hope these exemplary individuals, who have harnessed science and technology to benefit humanity, motivate you to pursue breakthroughs and realise your aspirations. As a new industrial revolution unfolds due to emerging technologies, and as Hong Kong develops into an international innovation and technology centre and our Nation grows into a global science and technology powerhouse, exciting opportunities await those who are ready to innovate and lead. Dear graduates, with the strong foundation you have developed at PolyU, you are well-positioned to seize these opportunities and shape a brighter future.
With that said, I would like to extend my warmest congratulations once again to all of our graduates. Wherever your next chapter takes you, remember that you are, and will always be, part of the PolyU family. We look forward to witnessing the positive impact you will make on the world.
Thank you!
Good afternoon. It is my great privilege to address you all on this meaningful occasion of the 31st Congregation of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University.
On behalf of the University, I would like to start by extending my heartfelt congratulations to our two distinguished honorary degree recipients, namely Professor Barry James Marshall, a Nobel Prize laureate and Distinguished Honorary Professor at PolyU, and Mr Han Bicheng, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Qiangnao Technology. Their exceptional accomplishments and unwavering dedication to the betterment of humankind embody the spirit of excellence, innovation, and social responsibility that we at PolyU deeply cherish.
Today, we also celebrate our Doctor of Philosophy degree recipients. At this November Congregation, we are proud to award PhD degrees to 258 graduates. Congratulations, graduates! This is an impressive milestone that represents years of determination, passion, and intellectual growth. By completing a doctorate, you have also developed the important qualities of resilience, critical thinking, and problem-solving that will empower you to make lasting contributions in your future professions and to the world at large. As you celebrate this moment of achievement, remember to express your gratitude to those who have supported you along the way – your families, supervisors, mentors, and friends – whose guidance and encouragement have been integral to your success.
You are graduating at a pivotal moment – a time when artificial intelligence and emerging technologies are transforming the way we live, learn, and work. In this rapidly evolving landscape, I encourage you to embrace technology with curiosity, responsibility, and creativity. Harness the power of AI and technological innovations to amplify your impact, enhance your work, and contribute to a smarter, more prosperous future.
As a university committed to preparing our students for the AI era, PolyU has been at the forefront of integrating AI into education. We were probably the first university in the world to implement compulsory AI education for all undergraduates back in September 2022, well before generative AI tools like ChatGPT or DeepSeek became widespread and popular.
We have since taken further steps to strengthen our leadership in AI. To meet the growing demand for talent and expertise in the age of AI, the Faculty of Computer and Mathematical Sciences was established in January this year. Building on this momentum, the PolyU Academy for Artificial Intelligence, also known as PAAI, was set up in April this year, which will propel PolyU to the forefront of AI research and applications.
Looking ahead, we are committed to leveraging AI to transform our educational offerings for the benefit of our students. For instance, to enhance our students’ language and communication skills to thrive in a globalised world, we are introducing a compulsory subject called “AI as a Tool for Language Learning” for first-year-first-degree students from the next academic year. We have also launched the PolyU Education 4.0 initiative, aiming to integrate AI and smart technologies into a student-centred approach that fosters innovation, promotes the wider use of AI and educational technologies in learning and teaching, and prepares students for the future.
However, making a genuine impact on the world requires more than just leveraging technology. It also requires a commitment to using knowledge and expertise for the greater good, reflected in PolyU’s motto, “To learn and to apply, for the benefit of mankind.” At PolyU, one way we foster this spirit is by promoting entrepreneurship and knowledge transfer, empowering the PolyU community to turn innovative ideas into real-world solutions.
For example, since the 2022/23 academic year, an “Innovation and Entrepreneurship” component has been incorporated into the undergraduate curriculum, fostering an entrepreneurial mindset among students and nurturing them to become leaders and drivers of innovation. Our University also has a vibrant startup ecosystem, known as PolyVentures, which supports aspiring entrepreneurs in bringing their visions to life for the benefit of society. Indeed, over the years, PolyU has proudly nurtured around 600 active startups, including three unicorns and two listed companies, and has trained over 7,600 entrepreneurs.
To further drive knowledge transfer, the University has set up 12 Mainland Translational Research Institutes in strategic cities across the Chinese Mainland, with several of them already in full operation. These institutes aim to conduct high-impact translational research and development work to address the industrial and societal needs of each city, thereby integrating PolyU into the national innovation ecosystem and driving the scientific and technological development of our country.
In terms of making a positive societal impact, we can also draw profound inspiration today from our two honorary degree recipients, Professor Barry James Marshall and Mr Han Bicheng. Professor Marshall’s pioneering work on Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) revolutionised the global understanding and treatment of gastric diseases, benefiting millions of people worldwide. For this landmark achievement, he was jointly awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine with Professor Robin Warren in 2005. As a world-renowned medical scientist, Professor Marshall remains at the forefront of cutting-edge medical research, with an ongoing commitment to solving real-world human health problems.
Equally inspiring is Mr Han Bicheng, whose visionary leadership and entrepreneurial spirit propelled Qiangnao Technology to become China’s first unicorn specialising in non-invasive brain–computer interface technology. Under his guidance, the company has developed the world’s first mass-produced intelligent prosthetic bionic hand, ushering in new possibilities for human–machine integration to benefit individuals with physical impairments. The company is also advancing innovations to help with the rehabilitation of neurological disorders.
I hope these exemplary individuals, who have harnessed science and technology to benefit humanity, motivate you to pursue breakthroughs and realise your aspirations. As a new industrial revolution unfolds due to emerging technologies, and as Hong Kong develops into an international innovation and technology centre and our Nation grows into a global science and technology powerhouse, exciting opportunities await those who are ready to innovate and lead. Dear graduates, with the strong foundation you have developed at PolyU, you are well-positioned to seize these opportunities and shape a brighter future.
With that said, I would like to extend my warmest congratulations once again to all of our graduates. Wherever your next chapter takes you, remember that you are, and will always be, part of the PolyU family. We look forward to witnessing the positive impact you will make on the world.
Thank you!
