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PolyU signs strategic agreements with China Railway Electrification Group to establish joint research laboratory

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PolyU’s AI and medicine-engineering integration empowers a new era of medical excellence

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is committed to harnessing medicine-engineering integration and adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare to drive innovations and translation of research outcomes into real-world solutions. These efforts support the development of precision medicine, preventive medicine, and primary healthcare, thereby enhancing the quality and efficiency of healthcare services in Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area (GBA), while also contributing to Hong Kong’s development into an international health and medical innovation hub. PolyU has established a strong foundation in medical and health research, supported by key infrastructure, including seven relevant research institutes and centres under the PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research, 19 university-level research institutes and centres, and four University Research Facilities. By integrating expertise from engineering, medicine, and public health, these facilities drive the development of innovative solutions to advance healthcare in Hong Kong and beyond. PolyU encourages interdisciplinary research that combines healthcare with AI, engineering, and data science. The newly-established PolyU Academy for AI empowers researchers to conduct research that integrates medicine and engineering. This initiative accelerates the deep integration of AI across key fields, including drug discovery, mental health, medical imaging, radiotherapy, Chinese medicine, biomedical engineering and cell immunotherapy. PolyU continues to attract world-class scholars to spearhead interdisciplinary research at the convergence of medicine, AI, engineering, and data science, pioneering a new era of healthcare innovation. The University has achieved notable success in securing funding for health and medical research, ranking first in Hong Kong for both the number of projects and the amount of funding received from the Collaborative Research Fund under the Hong Kong Research Grants Council (RGC), with 14 projects in the 2024/25 exercise. PolyU also ranked second among local tertiary institutions in terms of total RGC funding in 2023/24. Over the past five years, several of PolyU’s health and medical research projects have received RGC funding. Between 2018 and 2022, the University also ranks third among local tertiary institutions in terms of average funding secured from the HKSAR Government’s Health and Medical Research Fund. Prof. Christopher CHAO, PolyU Vice President (Research and Innovation) said, “PolyU adheres to a patient-centred approach, leveraging our strengths in medicine-engineering integration and AI-driven healthcare to advance medical innovation and knowledge transfer. With our world-renowned researchers, state-of-the-art research facilities, and extensive experience in medical education – particularly in training allied healthcare professionals – PolyU is confident in its ability to establish Hong Kong’s third medical school. We look forward to cultivating the next generation of clinician-scientists who will pioneer medical breakthroughs, ultimately contributing to the global vision of ‘Health for All’.” PolyU today showcased four outstanding research projects. AI-assisted radiotherapy support system to enhance treatment outcomes through precision medicine Lung cancer is the leading cancer killer in Hong Kong and worldwide, and radiotherapy is one of the most common forms of cancer treatment. A team led by Prof. CAI Jing, Head and Professor of the PolyU Department of Health Technology and Informatics has developed an AI-assisted lung radiotherapy support system that can automatically analyse patients’ CT scan images and create lung ventilation and perfusion maps without the need for contrast agents. It distinguishes the functions of different lung regions for designing optimal personalised radiotherapy plans through an innovative “function-guided” approach. This method avoids high-functioning lung areas and reduces radiation damage to the patient’s lungs, thereby improving post-operative quality of life. The team collected CT scan images from over a hundred lung cancer patients to train the AI model and employed cutting-edge image processing algorithms to ensure high accuracy and consistency. The system featured a user-friendly interface and a powerful backend and is compatible with major hospital operating systems. The team is currently collaborating with several local and mainland hospitals for clinical trials. They also plan to develop AI models for “function-guided” radiotherapy for liver and brain cancers. This innovation won a Silver Medal at the 50th International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva. Prof. Cai Jing and his team have developed an AI-assisted lung radiotherapy support system that can automatically analyse patients’ CT scan images and create lung ventilation and perfusion maps without the need for contrast agents. It helps design personalised optimal radiotherapy plans that avoid high-functioning lung areas and reduce radiation damage to the patient’s lungs. AI-assisted non-invasive angiography to help overcome the bottleneck of traditional diagnostic approach Diabetic retinopathy is a leading cause of blindness globally. The traditional diagnostic approach relies on fluorescein angiography, which is invasive, expensive and causes patient discomfort, putting constraints on primary healthcare screening capacity. A team led by Prof. HE Mingguang, Director of the PolyU-Wuhan Technology and Innovation Research Institute, Henry G. Leong Professor in Elderly Vision Health, Chair Professor of Experimental Ophthalmology of the PolyU School of Optometry, Director of the Research Centre for SHARP Vision and Global STEM Scholar, has leveraged Generative AI technology to facilitate the diagnosis of eye diseases. Their innovation marks three significant breakthroughs. Firstly, it converts fundus photographs to high-precision angiographic images and dynamic videos within a couple seconds, eliminating the risks associated with traditional dye injections. Secondly, its smart diagnostic system enables early detection of pathological changes on the retina such as microaneurysms and retinal hemorrhages, with a sensitivity of 96.2% and specificity of 91.8%. Thirdly, by incorporating ultra-widefield imaging technology, it expands the detection area by 300%. The innovation has already secured five different international patents and is now undergoing multi-centre clinical trials in top medical institutions in GBA. Its teleconsultation system also enables patients in remote areas to receive ophthalmic diagnostic services. This breakthrough research won the Special Merit Award from French Inventors Federation and Europe-France Inventors and a Gold Medal with Congratulations of the Jury at the 50th International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva. Prof. He and his team have leveraged Generative AI technology to facilitate the diagnosis of eye diseases. It converts fundus photographs to high-precision angiographic images and dynamic videos within couple seconds, enables early detection of pathological changes on the retina such as microaneurysms and retinal hemorrhages, and expands the detection area by incorporating the ultra-widefield imaging technology. Embodied intelligent ankle rehabilitation robot to assist stroke patients with home-based rehabilitation Strokes pose a significant health challenge in an aging society, particularly for patients with mobility difficulties and those bedridden for extended periods. These patients require ongoing and repetitive rehabilitation training to prevent joint contractures and excessive muscle atrophy. A team led by Prof. ZHANG Dan, Director of the PolyU-Nanjing Technology and Innovation Research Institute, and the Consortium for Intelligent Robotics Research, and Chair Professor of Intelligent Robotics and Automation of the PolyU Department of Mechanical Engineering, has developed a first-of-its-kind robot product with three degrees of freedom (3-DoF) to provide comprehensive ankle rehabilitation. The robot assists patients with restricted ankle joints in home-based rehabilitation and aids in post-operative ankle joint functional rehabilitation for patients with cerebral hemiplegia and stroke. By integrating embodied intelligence technology and 3-DoF design, the robot can meet the rehabilitation exercise needs of different patients at different stages of rehabilitation. It uses sensors to track and adjust the ankle position for rehabilitation training and simulates natural movements such as dorsiflexion/plantarflexion, inversion/eversion, and internal/external rotation according to different scenarios. In addition, the robot can collect muscle activity data through electromyography signals, enabling real-time monitoring and adjustment of speed and force to tailor the training intensity and mode. The team is currently conducting clinical trials in collaboration with Huashan Hospital in Shanghai and plans to apply AI to offer personalised training for patients. This innovation holds significant potential for rehabilitation of the shoulder joint or hand. Prof. Zhang Dan and his team have developed the first-of-its-kind robot product with 3-DoF to provide comprehensive ankle rehabilitation. The robot assists patients with restricted ankle joints in home-based rehabilitation, and aids in post-operative ankle joint functional rehabilitation for patients with cerebral hemiplegia and stroke. Ultrafine high-sensitivity optical fibre sensor to enhance precision of cochlear implantation surgery The World Report on Hearing from the World Health Organisation indicates that hearing impairment affects over 1.5 billion people globally. However, due to the complexity of cochlear implantation surgery, only 1.5 million such procedures have been performed during the past 45 years. A team led by Prof. TAM Haw Yaw, Chair Professor of Photonics of the PolyU Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering and Associate Director of the Photonics Research Institute has overcome the technical bottleneck of excessive rigidity in traditional glass optical fibres. The team developed an ultrafine, biocompatible plastic optical fibre sensor and integrated it into the cochlear implant electrode arrays to enhance surgical navigation and reduce trauma during cochlear implantation procedures. As the electrode array must be precisely inserted into the scala tympani of the human ear, the integrated optical fibre sensors help guide the electrode array and monitor contact force during the implantation process. By integrating the novel fibre sensor into commercial electrode arrays, real-time adjustments to the electrode array’s bending angle can be made to further minimise tissue damage. With the technology patents filed, the team is collaborating with the renowned implantable hearing solutions company Cochlear Limited, the University of Melbourne, and the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital to advance its clinical trials and commercialisation. The team also plans to develop an AI model to enable robots to perform hearing restoration procedures, further enhancing their efficiency, safety, and precision. This invention won the Thailand Award for the Best International Invention and Innovation and a Gold Medal with Congratulations of Jury at the 50th International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva. Prof. Tam Haw Yaw and his team have developed an ultrafine, biocompatible plastic optical fibre sensor and integrated it into the cochlear implant electrode arrays to enhance surgical navigation and reduce trauma during cochlear implantation procedures. Dr Cui Jingxian (pictured) who participated in the research introduced the project details. ***END***

AI empowers legal services: leading the future of digital rule of law, PolyU hosts legal technology forum and innovation showcase

A wave of digitalisation has swept across the globe in recent years. Artificial intelligence (AI) is not only bringing disruptive changes to various industries but also creating a new ecosystem for legal services. The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) hosted the “Envision the Future of AI-Powered Legal Services” forum on campus last Saturday (26 April), jointly organised by the University’s Policy Research Centre for Innovation and Technology (PReCIT) and the Knowledge Transfer and Entrepreneurship Office (KTEO). Key figures in attendance included Mr LIU Chunhua, Director-General of Legal Affairs Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Barrister Ambrose LAM, Member of the Legislative Council and former President of the Hong Kong Law Society; The Hon Duncan CHIU, Member of the Legislative Council and President of the Hong Kong Information Technology Joint Council; Mr CAI Yi, Deputy to the National People’s Congress and Managing Director of Hong Kong Chengsheng Co., Ltd.; Mr YAO Maolong, member of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and President of the Hong Kong Jiangsu Federation of Community Organisations; Mr WONG Kai-yi, former Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data of the HKSAR; Prof. Miranda LOU, PolyU Executive Vice President; and Prof. Christopher CHAO, Vice President (Research and Innovation) and Director of PReCIT. Over 150 representatives, including legal scholars from Hong Kong institutions, partners from major law firms in the Greater Bay Area, leaders from the compliance sectors and entrepreneurs, gathered to explore innovative AI applications and developments in law and compliance. The forum attracted 190,000 online participants via PolyU’s new media platform. The event also showcased the latest technological advancements developed by PolyU-incubated company Wiselaw Digital Technology. Serving National Strategies: Modernising Legal Services with AI PolyU is committed to advancing world-class innovative research and contributing to national development, particularly in the integration of academia and industry in the legal technology sector. Under the national strategy of “Digital Rule of Law”, PolyU leverages the advantages of institutional innovation in the Greater Bay Area to actively explore new pathways for the integration of AI and law, setting new paradigms for reconstructing legal services. In his welcoming remarks, Prof. Christopher Chao, Vice President (Research and Innovation) and Director of PReCIT said, “Hong Kong greatly benefits from ‘One Country, Two Systems’ and plays an important role as the bridge connecting the Mainland and the rest of the world. With the power of technology, Hong Kong has the potential to play a larger role in promoting cross-border cooperation and legal technology innovation. The innovative results showcased at this forum, which deeply integrate AI technology with legal and compliance expertise, are outstanding examples of our PolyVentures ecosystem nurturing exceptional enterprises and reflect PolyU’s innovative culture. Additionally, PolyU PReCIT actively participates in local policy research and formulation, providing forward-looking strategic recommendations to help Hong Kong establish itself as a sustainable international innovation and technology hub.” Mr Liu Chunhua, Director-General of Legal Affairs Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR, pointed out that this year’s “Government Work Report” clearly outlines the need to develop new productivity tailored to local conditions, promote technological and industrial innovation, and continuously advance the “Artificial Intelligence +” initiative. This approach aims to enhance the innovation capabilities and outreach of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, providing clear guidance for empowering various industries with AI and bringing broad opportunities for Hong Kong’s innovative development. In considering how Hong Kong can contribute to the process of advancing Chinese-style modernisation and achieve better development through accelerated innovation, Mr Liu shared three key insights: Seize Opportunities: Capitalise on the momentum by actively adapting to the transformative upgrades in legal technology, enhancing core competitiveness and integrating into the national development framework. Innovate While Upholding Integrity: Promote the tradition of patriotism and love for Hong Kong, demonstrate professional rationality, embrace exploration, and try new approaches to drive AI in continuously empowering and adding value to the innovation and development of the legal industry. Leverage Advantages: Leverage the advantages of “One Country, Two Systems”, the connectivity of an international legal hub, and the platform advantages of world-class universities and research institutions in Hong Kong. Additionally, harness the talent pool of legal and innovation elites. In particular, capitalise on the unique strengths of Hong Kong’s common law system to meet the needs of the Nation. Cross-Disciplinary Development: AI Driving a New Paradigm in Legal Services With over 20 years of experience in law and finance, Prof. LU Haitian, Hong Kong Sustaintech Foundation Professor in Accounting and Finance, and core member of PReCIT, delivered a keynote speech titled “Al and the Future of Legal Services”. He discussed the innovative prospects of AI in global legal services, including applications in legal intelligent retrieval and reasoning, and showcased the groundbreaking research results from the PolyU team in AI-powered legal services. Prof. Lu emphasised, “AI is not meant to replace lawyers but to empower legal professionals, making legal services more efficient and precise.” During the event, top legal technology experts and industry leaders from the Greater Bay Area engaged in two panel discussions on the opportunities and developments of AI in legal services. Panel participants included Ms ZHANG Yunyan, Senior Partner of Jincheng Tongda & Neal Law Firm; Barrister Ambrose LAM, Member of the Legislative Council and former President of the Hong Kong Law Society; Ms ZHAO Tong, Chief Compliance Officer and Head of Legal and Compliance of Guotai Junan International Holdings Limited; Mr HUANG Haifeng, Partner at Jones Day; Ms YU Su, Partner of JunHe LLP’s Guangzhou office, The Executive Director of Guangdong Lawyers Association; and Mr Anthony Siu, Founder of Anthony Siu & Company Solicitors & Notaries, engaged in an in-depth discussion on the topic of “Envisioning a New Paradigm for Legal Services”. Additionally, Mr Kelvin WONG, Director of KTEO at PolyU; Prof. YANG Hongxia, Associate Dean (Global Engagement) of the Faculty of Computer and Mathematical Sciences; Ms Winnie HAN, former Senior Vice President of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange; Dr SHEN Peng, Founder and CEO of Waterdrop Inc. and a recipient of the Outstanding PolyUAlumni Award; and Mr LI Xihuan, CEO, Global Business Group at DCG, shared their insights on “The Infinite Future of AI+Industry Based on Large Models”, providing forward-thinking directions for the collaborative development of legal technology and industry.   (from left to right) Ms Zhang Yunyan, Senior Partner of Jincheng Tongda & Neal Law Firm; Barrister Ambrose Lam, Member of the Legislative Council and former President of the Hong Kong Law Society; Ms Zhao Tong, Chief Compliance Officer and Head of Legal and Compliance of Guotai Junan International Holdings Limited; Mr Huang Haifeng, Partner at Jones Day; and Ms Yu Su, Partner of JunHe LLP’s Guangzhou office, The Executive Director of Guangdong Lawyers Association; and Mr Anthony Siu, Founder of Anthony Siu & Co. Solicitors & Notaries, engaged in an in-depth discussion on the topic of “Envisioning a New Paradigm for Legal Services”.   Mr Kelvin Wong, Director of KTEO at PolyU (1st from left); Prof. Yang Hongxia, Associate Dean (Global Engagement) of the Faculty of Computer and Mathematical Sciences (online); Ms Winnie Han, former Senior Vice President of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (2nd from left); Dr Shen Peng, Founder and CEO of Waterdrop Inc. and a recipient of the Outstanding PolyU Alumni Award (2nd from right); and Mr Li Xihuan, CEO, Global Business Group at DCG (1st from right), shared their insights on “The Infinite Future of AI+Industry Based on Large Models”.                                                                                                                                                                                                        Breakthroughs from 0 to 1: Launch of an Innovative Smart Legal Platform During the event, Wiselaw Digital Technology, a start-up nurtured under PolyVentures, made its debut with its groundbreaking innovations in legal services. Its core products include four major modules: legal AI agents, a deep-search, a toolbox and a legal library, marking the first release of AI-powered innovations in legal academia and industry. Founded in September 2024 by Prof. Lu Haitan, Wiselaw Digital Technology is Hong Kong’s first innovative tech company applying cross-border legal and compliance large-model intelligent agents. It aims to deeply integrate AI technology with expert knowledge in the legal compliance field to provide legal compliance solutions and services for Chinese enterprises going global, international financial institutions and foreign-related law firms. Wiselaw Digital Technology has received funding from PolyU’s Angel Fund (TSSSU+) and support from the PolyVentures startup ecosystem, successfully entering programmes such as the Cyberport Incubation Programme, Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Youth Innovation and Entrepreneurship Base, and NVIDIA’s Startup Acceleration Program. Looking forward, PolyU will further promote the innovative development of AI in legal services, leveraging Hong Kong’s position as an international legal centre to provide valuable innovative solutions for global legal technology development and contribute to the national “Digital Rule of Law” initiative. The forum attracted more than 150 participants on site and close to 190,000 others online.  ***END***

PolyU unveils large language model-based tourist satisfaction index, providing comprehensive analysis to enhance Hong Kong tourism service quality

As tourism, one of the major pillars of the Hong Kong economy, gradually recovers from the pandemic, the government has planned a series of measures to promote the all-round development of the tourism industry. The Research Centre for Digital Transformation of Tourism (RCdTT) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM) has developed an innovative, large language model (LLM)-based assessment framework – the Hong Kong Tourist Satisfaction Index (HKTSI) – to evaluate the satisfaction level of inbound tourists to Hong Kong from 2012 to 2024 across different tourism-related sectors, temporal scales and regions. Findings reveal that, while performance variations across different regions were clearly indicated, the TSI rebounded and reached its highest-ever recorded score after the temporary decline during the pandemic. Under the leadership of Prof. Haiyan SONG, Principal Investigator and SHTM Associate Dean, RCdTT Director and Mr and Mrs Chan Chak Fu Professor in International Tourism, the TSI was initially introduced in 2009, using a questionnaire-based methodology to evaluate tourists’ satisfaction with various tourism services. Seeking to provide a more comprehensive and accurate analysis, the team has transformed the framework by adopting an interdisciplinary approach that integrates theories from management science, economics and computer science, and leveraging the advanced LLM technology. The enhanced TSI framework offers multi-dimensional analysis, enabling TSI measurement across different dimensions (such as service topics, service sectors and trip types), temporal scales (monthly and annually) and regions. This adaptable approach provides stakeholders with timely, data-driven insights to guide service improvement, policy development and strategic decision-making. Prof. Kaye CHON, SHTM Dean, Chair Professor and Walter and Wendy Kwok Family Foundation Professor in International Hospitality Management, said, “Hong Kong’s competitiveness as a global tourism hub hinges on it delivering exceptional service quality that meets travellers’ expectations. The RCdTT-SHTM’s ongoing development of the TSI underscores our commitment to advancing Hong Kong’s reputation as a world-class destination for international visitors.” The team gathered over 1.25 million reviews from TripAdvisor, a global Online Travel Agency (OTA) platform, covering 13,694 Hong Kong service providers across five tourism service sectors, namely attractions, hotels, restaurants, retail shops and transportation. The LLM-based assessment framework then utilises Alibaba’s open-source General Text Embedding model to extract semantic insights from the visitor reviews in different languages and formats. Key findings include: 1. Topic-based analysis reveals that the largest proportion of reviews are about “service reliability and safety”. This reflects that reliability in tourism services emerged as the most crucial factor influencing tourist satisfaction, forming the foundation of trust in the travel industry. 2. Since 2012, the Hong Kong TSI has shown an overall upward trend, while consistently scoring above 75 points on a 0-100 scale for the past decade. Despite a temporary decline during the pandemic, Hong Kong TSI levels had fully recovered to pre-pandemic levels in 2024. 3. Notably, the transportation sector has consistently achieved high TSI scores, largely due to Hong Kong’s well-developed public transport infrastructure, which continues to enhance visitor experiences. Retail shops and restaurants, on the other hand, have lagged behind, primarily owing to price-related factors. The traditional price advantage of retail shops is gradually diminishing, significantly impacted by the rise of e-commerce. Similarly, restaurants in Hong Kong tend to be relatively expensive, prompting some tourists to seek more affordable dining options on the mainland. Figure 1: TSI at destination and sector levels 4. From a spatial perspective, all districts recorded TSI scores above 73 points, yet a north-south divide persists, with higher satisfaction levels in the southern regions and lower levels in the north. The highest TSI values were concentrated along both sides of Victoria Harbour, such as in the Central and Western, and Yau Tsim Mong Districts, while Kowloon City District recorded considerably lower TSI levels, creating a distinct localised satisfaction gap compared to its surrounding districts. Figure 2: TSI Spatial distribution 5. Tourists with different trip types exhibit significant variations in their satisfaction levels towards Hong Kong. Business tourists generally report the highest satisfaction across most sectors, whereas solo travellers exhibit lower satisfaction overall. This may be due to their different needs: business tourists typically prioritise standardised functional requirements, while the solo travellers place greater emphasis on unique and personalised experiences.  6. Language-based analysis further highlights differences in the TSI, with reviews in English and European languages yielding higher satisfaction levels than the Japanese- and Korean- language reviews. This highlights the impact of cultural differences on tourist satisfaction. Objectives of the TSI The LLM-based TSI framework is crafted to deliver regular, data-driven insights that benefit tourism service providers, policymakers and destination management organisations. Through topic-level TSI analysis, for instance, businesses can pinpoint specific areas for service enhancement, while destination- and sector-level assessments provide a broader perspective for strategic planning and policy formulation. Additionally, monthly TSI updates ensure that assessment results remain timely and relevant, enabling swift and informed decision-making. Although the Hong Kong economy has largely recovered from disruptions caused by the pandemic, challenges such as labour shortages, supply constraints, changing economic conditions, evolving consumer behaviour and competition persist. Highlighting the significance of the TSI in tackling these challenges and facilitating relevant decision-making and planning, Prof. Song remarked, “To sustain ongoing recovery, accurate and timely assessment of the satisfaction level of inbound tourists is essential for policymakers and industry practitioners to develop sustainable tourism strategies that will further fortify Hong Kong’s tourism advantages, propel its tourism industry and ultimately promote long-term economic growth in the City.” As technology advances, both destinations and visitors increasingly rely on information and communication technologies to make their decisions. In support of the long-term sustainability of the tourism sector, by harnessing artificial intelligence, LLM and big data analytics, the enhanced TSI assessment framework aims to offer more precise and targeted advice for strengthening tourism service quality and bolstering Hong Kong’s global competitiveness. ***END***

PolyU becomes Hong Kong’s first tertiary institution supported by China National Arts Fund to nurture digital art curation talents

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has become Hong Kong’s first tertiary institution to receive funding from the prestigious China National Arts Fund 2025 under the art talents training category. The funded Digital Art Curation Talents Training Programme will be launched by the PolyU Research Centre for Cultural and Art Technology (CAT) under the School of Design, with support from the PolyU-NVIDIA Joint Research Centre. This initiative aims to nurture the next generation of talent in digital art curation across the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) and fostering Hong Kong’s position as an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange. The Nation’s strategy of prioritising cultural digitalisation, along with the HKSAR Government’s commitment to integrating art and technology into the creative industries, underscore the strong demand for professionals who can navigate both cultural heritage and innovation. Led by Prof. Henry Been-Lirn DUH, Associate Dean (Global and Industry Engagement) of the PolyU School of Design, Director of the Research Centre for Cultural and Art Technology and Director of the PolyU-NVIDIA Joint Research Centre, the Programme is set to launch in the summer of 2025, targeting experienced curators, art management professionals and researchers from Hong Kong and the GBA. Scholars from PolyU, and universities in Macao and mainland China, as well as experts from art institutions, will provide advanced training in digital art management. This will include lectures on theory, case studies, curatorial practice workshops, field trips, presentations, exhibitions and seminars, which will be held in Hong Kong and Shenzhen. The topics will cover the applications of generative artificial intelligence, virtual reality and augmented reality, immersive technology, and digital spatial design in the field of art and curation, highlighting the revitalisation of traditional art and promotion of digital transformation of cultural industry. Prof. Henry Duh said, “We are honoured to receive this National funding, which not only sustains our commitment to nurturing digital art curation talents but also acknowledges our team’s contribution to advancing art technology. This Programme will empower the next generation of innovative curators who will inherit and innovate Chinese culture, and integrate creativity and technology to promote cultural exchange between east and west, helping shape the future of the art world. It will also help strengthen art and technology collaboration among GBA cities, which will, in turn, enhance the region’s cultural soft power.” CAT, housed within the PolyU School of Design, serves as a collaborative platform for academia-industry research, advocating interdisciplinary studies in culture, art and technology. By leveraging Hong Kong’s connection with the GBA, CAT aspires to foster partnerships among researchers, designers, artists and other creative practitioners, cultivating a vibrant environment for artistic activities to expand market opportunities. ***END***

PolyU develops innovative Language Model Linguistic Personality Assessment system, advancing AI for diverse applications in manufacturing, business and education

Large language models (LLMs) are at the forefront of artificial intelligence (AI) and have been widely used for conversational interactions. However, assessing the personality of a given LLM remains a significant challenge. A research team at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has developed an AI-driven assessment system, the Language Model Linguistic Personality Assessment (LMLPA), with capabilities to quantitatively measure the personality traits of LLMs through linguistic analysis. This innovative interdisciplinary research in AI and computational linguistics has led to the development of robust, data-driven AI tools for evaluating nuanced LLM personality traits and behaviours. The LMLPA system represents a critical step forward in understanding LLMs and developing them to be more aligned with human values and needs. Led by Prof. Lik-Hang LEE, Assistant Professor of the PolyU Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, the research has been published in Computational Linguistics. LMLPA is designed to evaluate and characterise the personalities of LLMs by examining the linguistic patterns, style and other language-related features in their outputs. The system comprises two main components: the Adapted Big Five Inventory (Adapted BFI) and the AI rater. LMLPA first administers the Adapted-BFI, which is derived from previous language-based personality assessment theories, to LLMs. The AI rater then evaluates the responses, converting the textual answers into quantifiable numerical values representing personality traits. This innovative technology not only advances human-centred AI and computational linguistics by providing a robust framework for refining AI personality assessments, but also applications in various fields, including education and manufacturing, as well as in business such as by helping companies with compliance requirements and Environmental, Social and Governance reporting. It also supports sustainable development goals and the enhancement of legal services. Prof. Lee said, “In addressing the limitation of LLMs in capturing the cognitive and affective dimensions of human personality, our team has successfully developed novel assessment tools to evaluate LLM personalities in linguistic terms, aligning with their functional capabilities and operational paradigms.” The research opens up new possibilities of understanding and interacting with AI. By quantifying LLM personalities, their communication styles for specific applications can be tailored, paving the way for more personalised interactions between humans and machines. Prof. Lee has translated the technological foundations of his research to create an AI-driven business compliance platform. Leveraging natural language processing, the platform can analyse and interpret large volumes of textual data and reports, including those generated by LLMs. AI technology is used to perform automated data collection, analysis and insight generation, significantly streamlining the business compliance and reporting process. The integration of LMLPA highlights AI’s nuanced capabilities in assessing language-based personality traits, suggesting potential applications in the analysis of qualitative business and human data. ***END***

PolyU and Peking University Third Hospital establish Medicine-Engineering Collaborative Innovation Research Laboratory

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and Peking University Third Hospital (PUTH) have joined hands to establish the “Medicine-Engineering Collaborative Innovation Research Laboratory”, guided by the shared vision of “interdisciplinary medicine-engineering”. In alignment with the national strategy of “medical-engineering collaborative innovation,” the two institutions aim to drive practical innovation in the field of smart healthcare. The unveiling ceremony of the joint laboratory took place on 17 April in Beijing, marking a significant milestone in deepening collaboration between two leading institutions in the fields of medicine and engineering. The ceremony was held in the Surgical Building Conference Hall of PUTH and officiated by Prof. Wing-tak WONG, Deputy President and Provost of PolyU; Prof. H.C. Man, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering of PolyU; Prof. FU Wei, PUTH President, Prof. SHEN Ning, PUTH Vice President and Prof. YUAN Chunhui, Director of the Department of General Surgery of PUTH. The event was witnessed by academic leaders and students from various disciplines, including advanced materials, aerospace engineering, biomedical engineering, and artificial intelligence. The launch and signing ceremony for the laboratory’s three-year scientific research plan also took place at the same occasion. Prof. Fu Wei, PUTH President, remarked that medicine-engineering collaborative innovation is a driving force behind modern medical advancements. He expressed hope that this collaboration would accelerate the alignment between clinical needs and engineering solutions, promote the rapid translation of innovations, and make a profound impact on the quality of medical technologies. Prof. Wing-tak Wong, Deputy President and Provost of PolyU, said that PolyU has a solid foundation in healthcare education and a wealth of experience in nurturing medical professionals. He expressed his hope that the establishment of the Joint Laboratory would further leverage PolyU’s strengths in medicine-engineering integration and facilitate collaboration with PUTH to advance medical technology and benefit society at large. On the same day, the PolyU delegation visited PUTH’s Medical Animal Experimentation Centre and Clinical Teaching Centre to gain an in-depth understanding of its clinical teaching and research facilities. The two institutions also engaged in exchanges on topics such as surgical navigation, virtual reality simulation training, and biomaterials compatibility. The PolyU delegation also visited the campus of Peking University Health Science Center, touring the Peking University Medical Museum to appreciate the mastery of medical pioneers and the evolution of modern medicine in our Nation. PolyU has extensive experience and a solid foundation in health science education and research. Over the past 40 years, in support of the development of the local healthcare system, PolyU has nurtured over 50,000 allied healthcare professionals in various disciplines, including medical laboratory science, medical imaging, radiotherapy, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, nursing, optometry, prosthetics and orthotics, and speech therapy. In addition to its collaboration with PUTH, PolyU has established partnerships with several universities in mainland China, and is actively preparing for the establishment of the third medical school in Hong Kong to meet the high demand for quality healthcare services in Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area. ***END***

PolyU and Stanford Medicine join hands to establish joint collaboratory for longitudinal deep omics

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and Stanford Medicine have recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the establishment of the PolyU-Stanford Joint Collaboratory for Longitudinal Deep Omics (LDO). Leveraging PolyU’s strengths in biomedical engineering, AI-driven health analytics, and precision medicine–alongside Stanford Medicine’s pioneering expertise in genetics and multi-omics–this partnership aims to establish a standardised multi-omics ageing cohort to investigate the biological mechanisms underpinning healthy and pathological ageing, identify personalised biomarkers, predict ageing-related diseases, and advance the development of precision medicine. Witnessed by Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, PolyU President; Prof. David SHUM, Dean of the PolyU Faculty of Health and Social Sciences; Prof. Larry CHOW, Head of the PolyU Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology; Prof. KEE Chea-su, Head and Professor of the PolyU School of Optometry and Associate Director of the Research Centre for SHARP Vision; Prof. HE Mingguang, Chair Professor of Experimental Ophthalmology of the PolyU School of Optometry, Director of the Research Centre for SHARP Vision and Global STEM Scholar; Prof. YIP Shea-ping, Chair Professor of Diagnostic Science and Molecular Genetics of the PolyU Department of Health Technology and Informatics; Prof. ZHOU Lei, Professor of the PolyU School of Optometry; Prof. Thomas LAM, Associate Professor of the PolyU School of Optometry; and Dr ZHOU Xin, Basic Life Research Scientist in Genetics at Stanford Medicine, the MoU was signed by Prof. Christopher CHAO, PolyU Vice President (Research and Innovation), and Prof. Michael SNYDER, Stanford W. Ascherman Professor of Genetics at Stanford Medicine. Prof. Jin-Guang Teng remarked, “PolyU’s commitment to advancing medical innovation and nurturing talent for positive health outcomes has never been stronger. Recently, the University submitted a comprehensive and innovative proposal to the HKSAR Government to establish the city’s third medical school. Our aim is to cultivate the next generation of medical professionals and leaders who can excel in the future AI-driven healthcare landscape by leveraging our strong foundation of excellence in health sciences, engineering, and AI. The establishment of LDO will further develop and reinforce our strengths in the fields of healthcare and AI.” Prof. Michael Snyder also shared Stanford Medicine’s commitment to advancing research on ageing, improving lives and promoting healthy ageing. Ageing is a primary factor contributing to chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, neurodegenerative conditions, and cancer. However, individuals age differently, exhibiting distinct patterns and pathways known as ageotypes. Current ageing research remains limited by its narrow focus on specific markers and ageotypes, lacking a comprehensive view of ageing’s impact on health. Through this partnership, PolyU and Stanford Medicine will conduct joint research on deep omics and related disciplines, focusing on the Asian population. Research will centre on integrative analysis of ageing mechanisms and individual variability. LDO will perform longitudinal multi-omics analysis of existing cohorts, including genomic, proteomic, metabolomic, and lipidomic profiling, along with retinal imaging and electronic health records. The collaboration will also develop a real-time health monitoring platform, predictive algorithms for age-related diseases, and institutional exchanges for PhD students and postdoctoral fellows. Over the past half-century, PolyU has trained over 50,000 healthcare professionals, including nurses, physiotherapists, optometrists, radiologists and more, playing a pivotal role in the development of Hong Kong’s medical system. Supported by a robust team of over 1,300 healthcare-related teaching and research staff and equipped with more than 90 specialised laboratories and research facilities, PolyU has leveraged its strengths in medicine-engineering integration to advance healthcare technology. In addition to its collaboration with Stanford Medicine, PolyU has established partnerships with several universities and hospitals both globally and in Mainland China, and is actively preparing for the establishment of the third medical school to address the medical needs of Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area. ***END***

PolyU’s new Advanced Therapy Product Laboratory gives hope to spinal cord injury patients, supporting Hong Kong’s development into an international health and medical innovation hub

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) strives to promote educational and research development in the fields of medicine and health. Leveraging its state-of-the-art facilities and strengths in interdisciplinary research, the University is committed to supporting Hong Kong’s development into an international health and medical innovation hub by advancing precision medicine and personalised treatment. PolyU will actively promote precision and personalised medicine through the introduction of advanced therapy products (ATPs). This initiative will promote medical innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration, accelerating the development of the local ATPs ecosystem while enhancing Hong Kong’s global competitiveness in biopharmaceuticals. The University is now planning to manufacture cell therapy products for spinal cord injuries, which will be further complemented by the post-surgery rehabilitation programme and utilise the expertise of PolyU Department of Rehabilitation Sciences (RS), offering a one-stop approach from precision medicine to rehabilitation to bring new hope to hemiplegia and paralysis patients. The newly established PolyU Advanced Therapy Product (ATP) Laboratory is a Pharmaceutical Inspection Co-operation Scheme’s Good Manufacturing Practice (PIC/S GMP)-compliant facility, focusing on clinical research in immunotherapy, cell therapy, gene therapy and regenerative medicine. Led by Prof. Larry CHOW Ming-cheung, Head of the Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, the team has made plans to collaborate with the biopharmaceutical industry and will commence clinical trials once the Laboratory is granted the Licence for Manufacturer and the Certificate for Clinical Trial and Medicinal Test by the HKSAR Government’s Department of Health. Medical needs of spinal cord injury patients The spinal cord is an essential part of the central nervous system. Any damage to it may affect the function of the spinal nerves at and below the injury site. According to the World Health Organization, more than 15 million people are living with spinal cord injuries globally. Common symptoms include tetraplegia, paraplegia, loss of sensation, impaired bladder and bowel control, chronic pain, and movement disorders, which seriously affect patients’ physical and mental health. Currently, there is no effective cure for spinal cord injuries. The medical sector has, in recent years, endeavoured to develop technology for precision medicine, including stem cell therapy, gene therapy, biomaterials and tissue engineering, and electrical stimulation therapy, to help repair the injured spinal nerves. Previous research has indicated that, nevertheless, advanced therapy alone is not effective enough for patients to fully regain their mobility. It has to be combined with cross-professional rehabilitation training to enhance the treatment outcomes. PolyU ATP Laboratory: A pioneer in precision medicine The Laboratory has been established with the grants provided by the University Grants Committee (UGC) and PolyU. Equipped with a Production Site, Quality Control Laboratory and Training Laboratory, it will serve as a robust platform for the development and clinical application of local ATPs. The ATP team, in collaboration with scientific research enterprises, the biopharmaceutical industry, and academic institutions, will focus on clinical trials for spinal cord injury patients during its first phase of work. It will make use of human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-matched umbilical cord blood received from the industry partner to produce umbilical cord blood-derived mononuclear cells. Quality control and product packaging procedures will also be performed. PIC/S GMP-compliant final products will then be sent to the hospitals for transplantation in patients. The project will also foster collaboration on neurological disorders research at PolyU, further unleashing the University’s interdisciplinary strengths across neuroscience, molecular biology, immunology, biological engineering, rehabilitation sciences, and more. Interdisciplinary integration enables patient-centred care PolyU is the only local university that offers a one-stop solution from treatment to rehabilitation. It has been nurturing numerous allied health professionals such as physical therapists and occupational therapists who work with medical teams to provide extended care through rehabilitation and the application of technology-assisted diagnosis. With the ATP Laboratory concentrating on advanced therapy and RS providing physiotherapy and other relevant allied health services, patients will be able to receive comprehensive care. During spinal cord injury treatment, for instance, the injured tissue of the patients can be repaired by stem cell transplantation, and their muscle strength and mobility can be retrained through a rehabilitation programme. Prof. Larry Chow said, “There is significant potential for growth in the production of advanced therapy products in Hong Kong nowadays. The ATP Laboratory at PolyU aligns with the international good manufacturing practices, and will contribute to nurturing more biopharmaceutical talents in the region. Through collaboration with industry partners, we aim to achieve breakthroughs in cell therapy and immunotherapy, translating the research outcomes of the University by facilitating cutting-edge medical research and clinical trials, thereby advancing Hong Kong’s medical technology development.” PolyU has submitted a proposal to the HKSAR Government for the establishment of the third medical school in Hong Kong. Capitalising on its research strengths in health technologies, engineering and artificial intelligence, as well as its experience in training allied health professionals over the past half-century, the University is confident in its ability to nurture interdisciplinary medical leaders and foster the development of Hong Kong into an international health and medical innovation hub. ***END***

PolyU PReCIT hosts dialogue with Consul General of Malaysia in Hong Kong on the theme of “ASEAN-Malaysia Chairmanship 2025”

The Policy Research Centre for Innovation and Technology (PReCIT) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), in collaboration with PolyU Department of Applied Social Sciences (APSS) and the Global Engagement Office (GEO), hosted the seventh Consul General Talk on 9 April, which featured a dialogue with Mr Muzambli MARKAM, Consul General of Malaysia in Hong Kong SAR and Macao SAR. Titled “ASEAN-Malaysia Chairmanship 2025”, the talk promoted deeper understanding among PolyU community of ASEAN policy frameworks, opportunities under the Belt and Road Initiative, and Hong Kong’s role as a “super connector” and a “super value-adder” in the region, while also fostering meaningful connections with leaders from the business, technology and policy sectors. The event commenced with opening remarks by Prof. Christopher CHAO, PolyU Vice President (Research and Innovation) and Director of PReCIT, and Mr Nicholas HO Lik-chi, Commissioner for Belt and Road of the Government of HKSAR. A dynamic dialogue, featuring Mr Muzambli Markam and moderated by Prof. Chea-su KEE, Head of School of Optometry and K.B. Woo Family Professor in Optometry, followed. The event concluded with closing remarks by Prof. Eric CHUI, Head of APSS and Co-Director of PReCIT. Prof. Christopher Chao underscored PolyU’s strategic vision for global collaboration and technological advancement. He remarked, “PolyU is committed to advancing innovation and knowledge exchange through cross-border partnerships. At the heart of our engagement with Malaysia, ASEAN and beyond lies a shared commitment to technological progress, knowledge transfer and impactful partnerships with industry practitioners. By bridging academia, industry and policy, we are forging pathways that empower our students to thrive in an interconnected and knowledge-driven world while also transforming our collaborations into tangible and sustainable growth.” Mr Nicholas Ho highlighted Hong Kong’s role in the Belt and Road Initiative, saying, “Hong Kong serves as a functional platform for the Belt and Road Initiative, acting as both a ‘super connector’ and a ‘super value-adder’ for our partners. In our drive to deepen international exchanges and cooperation, we align perfectly with Malaysia’s aspirations for economic growth and regional resilience.” Mr Muzambli Markam elaborated on Malaysia’s ASEAN priorities and said, “As the ASEAN Chair for 2025, Malaysia embodies the theme of ‘Inclusivity and Sustainability’ by ensuring that ASEAN’s growth benefits all member states and their populations, leaving no one behind, while prioritising sustainable development. Malaysia also seeks to strengthen ASEAN centrality through dialogue and diplomacy, promote intra-ASEAN trade and investment, and advance digital transformation by leveraging science, technology and innovation.” During the dialogue, Prof. Chea-su Kee raised critical questions regarding “Inclusivity and Sustainability,” including how neighbouring countries and academic sectors could collaborate with ASEAN to advance scientific research and innovative technologies, prompting audience to reflect on ASEAN’s policy frameworks. Prof. Kee stated, “As a Malaysian in Hong Kong’s innovation hub, I’m committed to advancing ASEAN’s sustainable growth. This dialogue connects Hong Kong’s tech ecosystem with ASEAN’s universities and industries to co-develop impactful solutions. Together, we’ll turn vision into action.” Prof. Eric Chui called for interdisciplinary collaboration in his speech. He said, “We are optimistic about a brighter future together, built on mutual respect, shared goals and continued cooperation. By uniting diverse perspectives and expertise, we can tackle complex challenges more effectively. Beyond education, this collective effort elevates Hong Kong’s standing as a global hub for innovation, driving impactful connections that extend across academia, industry, and policy. In coming together, we lay the foundation for solutions that pave the way to a more inclusive and sustainable future.” A first-year Malaysian PolyU undergraduate student, Ms Fong Wen Yan, shared her journey to Hong Kong and her experience at PolyU. She said, “My time here has transformed my independence and adaptability. Exploring the University’s vibrant campus and cityscape has been as enriching as my academic journey. Meanwhile, PolyU and its Malaysian Student Associations organises activities like the Malaysian Cultural Night to help international students like me adapt to this new environment.” Launched in February 2023, the Consul General Talk Series fosters dialogue between the PolyU community and leaders from Belt and Road nations. The series offers insights into global innovation, policy trends and educational opportunities, reinforcing PolyU’s role as a hub for international engagement. ***END***