Media Releases

PolyU and China Foreign Affairs University sign MoU for joint talent development programme to cultivate diplomatic talent for the AI era

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and the China Foreign Affairs University (CFAU) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 31 July to launch a joint talent development programme. Leveraging PolyU’s leading expertise in artificial intelligence (AI) and CFAU’s strength in diplomat training, the two parties will collaborate in nurturing top-tier, interdisciplinary talent with both theoretical depth and practical skills, as well as a strong understanding of international norms, contributing to the Nation’s educational advancement and global competitiveness. The signing ceremony was held at CFAU in Beijing. Witnessed by Dr LAM Tai-fai, PolyU Council Chairman and Mr WANG Shiting, CFAU Party Committee Secretary, the MoU was signed by Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, PolyU President and Prof. WANG Fan, CFAU President. Other distinguished attendees included Prof. Wing-tak WONG, PolyU Deputy President and Provost; Prof. CAO Jiannong, Acting Vice President (Education); Prof. LI Ping, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities; Prof. XIONG Wei, CFAU Head of the Department of Diplomacy; Prof. RAN Jijun, Head of the Department of English; and Ms MA Xinyu, Director of the Foreign Affairs Office. PolyU is committed to nurturing socially responsible professionals with a strong sense of national pride and a global perspective. The new collaboration will adopt a “1+1” joint training model, launching postgraduate programmes in “Generative Artificial Intelligence and the Humanities” and “Artificial Intelligence and Global Governance.” The two parties will also actively explore a “2+2” model for joint undergraduate education, providing students with more diverse and integrated pathways for growth. PolyU looks forward to deepening cooperation with CFAU in faculty and student exchanges, academic seminars and join research, working together to cultivate high-calibre talent with a strong sense of social responsibility, national pride and global perspective for the development of Hong Kong and the Nation.   ***END***

PolyU research reveals neurocognitive correlates of testosterone in young men that shape generosity and self-worth

Hormones affect human physical functions, behaviour and mental well-being, with testosterone, a primary androgen hormone, playing a vital role in shaping male social cognition and behaviour. A research team of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has conducted interdisciplinary research to uncover the neurocognitive correlates of testosterone in the brain function of young men, and their impact on social behaviour. The findings provide valuable insights into potential applications of testosterone therapy in clinical and mental healthcare.  The research team is led by Prof. Yin WU, Associate Professor of the PolyU Department of Applied Social Sciences. By administering a single dose of testosterone or placebo gel to healthy young men who participated in the experiments and comparing their performance in assigned tasks, the team investigated the correlation between testosterone levels and various behavioural traits such as generosity, state self-esteem, sensitivity to angry facial expressions, aversion to inequality, prosocial learning and aggression. High testosterone may lead to increased selfishness Their first study focused on the impact of testosterone on socio-economic behaviour. The researchers combined pharmacological manipulation and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to discover how testosterone influences generosity and the underlying neural mechanisms. They evaluated the experimental subjects’ performance in a social discounting task, in which participants chose between benefiting only themselves and providing also some benefit to another person at a particular social distance, while also observing their brain activity through fMRI during the decision-making process.  Findings revealed that exogenous testosterone administration reduced generosity, particularly when interacting with more distant others. Additionally, the fMRI results showed that higher testosterone levels are linked to reduced neural activity in the temporoparietal junction (TPJ), an upper brain region associated with social cognition. The team suggested that testosterone may reduce concern for others’ welfare at the neural level by dampening activity in the TPJ, highlighting a correlation between increased testosterone levels, and selfishness and reduced empathy in economic decision-making. Prof. Wu said, “The role of hormones in human cognition is a growing research focus in psychology and neuroscience. Leveraging cutting-edge neuroimaging facilities, we have been able to make new discoveries in this area. However, key questions remain, such as how testosterone affects economic decision-making or how the stress hormone cortisol shapes social preferences like altruist behaviour. Our team is investigating these complex dynamics to drive impactful outcomes.” The research, conducted in collaboration with scholars from Peking University, Shenzhen University, South China Normal University and University of Zurich, was published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS). In recognition of his excellent work in this ground-breaking research, Prof. Wu has been honoured with the Second-class Award under the 9th Higher Education Outstanding Scientific Research Output Awards (Humanities and Social Sciences) by the Ministry of Education of China.  Increased testosterone levels help boost state self-esteem updating In another related study, the team explored the link between state self-esteem (SSE), a momentary sense of self-worth and perceived social status, and testosterone levels.  Experimental subjects were asked to complete a social evaluation task in which they adjusted their predictions of potential evaluation by others, while dynamically reporting their SSE based on the social feedback they received. The researchers then applied a computational modelling approach to investigate the dynamic changes in their SSE throughout the process. Persistent low SSE may induce aberrant behaviours and increase the risk of psychiatric conditions such as anxiety, depression and eating disorders. From a clinical perspective, low SSE in individuals with schizophrenia has also been associated with heightened self-aggression. The team found, however, that testosterone administration can boost SSE updating and alleviate these behaviours. Pharmacological studies have demonstrated that testosterone replacement therapy can significantly improve such aberrant behaviours, but chronic use may carry side effects. This research has provided valuable clinical insights in this regard, indicating that a single dose of testosterone can positively influence SSE, particularly in positive social environments. It is suggested that future clinical practice consider combining exogenous testosterone with behavioural interventions that foster supportive environments and social feedback to enhance SSE as a potential pre-clinical treatment for relevant aberrant behaviours and clinical symptoms. Prof. Wu remarked, “By combining computational modelling with behavioural pharmacology, we have uncovered the psychological mechanisms through which testosterone affects complex social processes. We envision that these findings could inform public organisations in developing public health policies and strategies that foster positive community environments and promote mental health and well-being.” Prof. Wu’s team collaborated with scholars from East China Normal University, University of California San Diego and University of Zurich in the research. The findings were published in the international journal Biological Psychiatry: Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging. Looking ahead, Prof. Wu and his team will continue to advance research into the implications of testosterone on social cognition and brain activity in young men, laying the foundation for future studies in this field, and further promoting the translation of the research outcomes into practical application. He is presently partnering with the PolyU Department of Aeronautical and Aviation Engineering to investigate the influence of hormones on pilot flying performance and the underlying brain mechanisms, thereby supporting airlines in developing effective strategies for recruiting and training cadet pilots.   ***END***

PolyU hosts Hong Kong’s first Clinical Education Conference and collaborates with The University of Queensland to establish a joint research laboratory, advancing clinical education in physiotherapy and occupational therapy

The Department of Rehabilitation Sciences at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) hosted the inaugural Clinical Education Conference, the first event of its kind in Hong Kong, on 12 July on campus, aiming to promote the advancement of clinical education in physiotherapy and occupational therapy. During the Conference, PolyU signed a collaboration agreement with the University of Queensland to officially establish a Joint Health Professions Education Research Laboratory, with the aim of fostering collaborative research and innovation in healthcare professional education. The Conference brought together over 300 clinical educators and experts in physiotherapy and occupational therapy from government agencies, non-governmental organisations and private practices. Mr David NG, Assistant Director (Rehabilitation and Medical Social Services) of the Social Welfare Department of the HKSAR Government; Prof. Marco PANG, Shun Hing Education and Charity Fund Professor in Rehabilitation Sciences, Chair Professor of Neurorehabilitation, Head of the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, and Director of the University Research Facility in Behavioural and Systems Neuroscience at PolyU; Prof. Sandy BRAUER, Deputy Executive Dean of the Faculty of Health, Medicine and Behavioural Sciences at The University of Queensland; Prof. Kenneth FONG, Associate Head of the PolyU Department of Rehabilitation Sciences; Prof. Shirley NGAI, Associate Head of the PolyU Department of Rehabilitation Sciences and Chair of the Organising Committee of the Clinical Education Conference; Mr Alexander WOO, President of the Hong Kong Physiotherapy Association; and Ms Sanne FONG, Chairperson of the Hong Kong Occupational Therapy Association, attended the Conference opening ceremony. Prof. Marco Pang and Prof. Sandy Brauer subsequently signed the collaboration agreement on behalf of both parties, symbolising the official establishment of the Joint Health Professions Education Research Laboratory and marking a significant step forward in their collaborative efforts in teaching and research. Prof. Marco Pang stated, “With PolyU’s extensive experience in the education of healthcare professionals, the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences has nurtured countless exceptional occupational therapists and physiotherapists, contributing to the healthcare industry and society at large. We look forward to leveraging the strengths of both PolyU and The University of Queensland to foster innovation in healthcare professional education and research, and to facilitate collaboration between educators and the industry, thereby advancing the development of physiotherapy and occupational therapy education.” The Clinical Education Conference featured keynote speeches, roundtable discussions and panel discussions. Prof. Sandy Brauer and Prof. Jodie COPLEY, Head of Occupational Therapy and Professor of the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences at The University of Queensland, delivered keynote speeches on allied health curricula and mastering clinical and professional reasoning, sharing the latest advancements and insights in clinical education with attendees. Seasoned industry practitioners from the Hospital Authority, non-governmental organisations and private practices also chaired roundtable and panel discussions, exploring innovative clinical placement models and coaching skills for clinical educators. ***END***

Nominations for PolyU Yuen Ren Chao Prize in Language Science 2026 open this August

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is pleased to announce that the Yuen Ren Chao Prize in Language Science (Chao Prize) 2026 will be open for nominations from 1 August until 31 October 2025. This biennial international award, now in its second edition, honours scholars and researchers worldwide who have made distinguished contributions to the field of language science. Initiated and hosted by the PolyU Faculty of Humanities, the Chao Prize is named after the late Professor Yuen Ren Chao, who is widely regarded as the father of modern Chinese language studies, with his legacy as a distinguished linguist, poet, composer, translator and educator. Two awards are presented in each cycle: the Lifetime Achievement Award, which honours long-term, internationally recognised contributions to the field, and the Early Career Contribution Award, which celebrates outstanding work by scholars or researchers aged 45 or below. The Prize also includes cash awards of US$100,000 and US$50,000, respectively. Placing significant emphasis on demonstrated leadership and impact on language science, the selection of award recipients is based solely on merit, regardless of background or affiliation. Prof. LI Ping, Dean of the PolyU Faculty of Humanities, remarked, “The Chao Prize not only celebrates excellence, but also fosters interdisciplinary dialogue, serving as a catalyst for global scholarly exchange and innovation in language science and calling the international academic and research community to engage, to reflect and to aspire. It reaffirms the Faculty’s commitment to advancing language science research with real-world impact, and embodies PolyU’s dedication to the pursuit of knowledge and its application for the benefit of mankind.” The nomination timeline and the latest details regarding the 2026 Chao Prize are available on its official website. For enquiries, please contact chao.prize@polyu.edu.hk.   ***END***

PolyU and Ant Digital Technologies establish AI and Web3 Joint Lab

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and Ant Digital Technologies today signed a strategic cooperation agreement to establish the “PolyU and Ant Digital Technologies Joint Lab on AI and Web3”. This collaboration will drive breakthroughs in cutting-edge technologies, innovation ecosystem and incubation, as well as a source of innovation and technology. By exploring the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and Web3 technologies, the Joint Lab is poised to be a global innovation hub. Ant Digital Technologies plans to invest up to HKD100 million over the next three years to support the Joint Lab’s research work and project incubation. Witnessed by Mr CHAN Ho Lim, Joseph, Under Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury of the HKSAR Government; Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, PolyU President; and Mr Eric Xiandong JING, Chairman of Ant Group, the agreement was signed by Prof. Christopher CHAO, PolyU Vice President (Research and Innovation) and Mr Wenbiao ZHAO, Chief Executive Officer of Ant Digital Technologies. The Joint Lab will focus on three core domains: trustworthy AI agents, AI-enhanced blockchain security architecture and data privacy verification technologies. Related initiatives will accelerate the development of intelligent services and help ensure the secure circulation of digital assets. To foster the development of innovation ecosystem and incubation, an “AI + Web3 Education Fund Platform,” will be established to fully leverage PolyU’s strong research capabilities and Ant Digital Technologies’ extensive industry resources, supporting Hong Kong’s development into a digital technology talent hub. The Joint Lab will host international technology seminars and innovation competitions, solidifying its position as a world-class academic brand. Prof. Jin-Guang Teng said, “The Joint Lab is a strategic initiative designed to foster interdisciplinary convergence of cutting-edge technologies, propelling Hong Kong’s development into an international innovation and technology hub and a global hub for digital asset innovation. We anticipate this strong partnership will drive deep integration and breakthrough innovation in AI and Web3 applications, yielding globally impactful solutions that accelerate the growth of a digital economy in Hong Kong and beyond.” Mr Wenbiao Zhao said, “Harnessing its robust technological expertise and comprehensive service scenarios, Ant Digital Technologies will partner closely with PolyU to bridge industry, academia and research capabilities. This collaboration will accelerate breakthroughs in cutting-edge technologies and facilitate their widespread commercial implementation.” Mr Eric Jing said, “Ant Group is optimistic about Hong Kong’s future and remains committed to investing in the City. We look forward to this collaboration, which unlocks Hong Kong’s transformative potential at the intersection of AI and Web3 – accelerating its growth as a global hub for innovation and technology, finance, and trade.” Reflecting its academic leadership in AI and Web3 technologies, PolyU was ranked first in CoinDesk’s Best Universities for Blockchain 2022, outperforming 240 other universities globally. Building on this excellence, PolyU established the Faculty of Computer and Mathematical Sciences in January 2025, combining the expertise of its Department of Applied Mathematics, Department of Computing, and Department of Data Science and AI. The University offers comprehensive programmes in AI, big data computing, blockchain technology and metaverse studies – all designed to develop future-ready technologists with both visionary thinking and practical skills. This strong academic foundation creates an ideal platform for this collaboration. As Ant Group’s digital technology subsidiary, Ant Digital Technologies possesses industry-leading expertise in AI and Web3 innovation. The company’s pioneering solutions – including its Agentar AI development platform and financial large language model – have achieved widespread adoption across the financial services sector. In 2024, Ant Digital Technologies participated in the Hong Kong Monetary Authority’s Ensemble project, applying its advanced blockchain technology to facilitate multi-enterprise tokenisation of renewable energy real-word assets. The company further strengthened its Hong Kong presence this April when it was named a “Key Enterprise Partner” by the HKSAR Government and established its international headquarters in the City. This extensive industry experience positions the Joint Lab to forge industry connections and create valuable partnership opportunities. ***END***

PolyU Jockey Club Design Institute for Social Innovation and EdUHK Xiqu and Intangible Cultural Heritage Centre jointly submit Policy Address Recommendations; Proposing two pivotal cultural infrastructure projects in Northern Metropolis to promote urban-rural integration and community making

The Jockey Club Design Institute for Social Innovation (J.C.DISI) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), in collaboration with the Policy Research Centre for Innovation and Technology (PReCIT), the Department of Building and Real Estate, and the Xiqu and Intangible Cultural Heritage Centre at The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK), today submitted their recommendations to Dr Stephen WONG, Head of the Chief Executive’s Policy Unit at the Central Government Offices of HKSAR for the 2025 Policy Address. Titled “Living Intangible Heritage: ‘Cantonese Opera and Intangible Cultural Heritage Archive’ and ‘Northern Metropolis Cultural Trail’ as Urban-Rural Integration and Community Making Initiatives in the Northern Metropolis,” the proposal advocates for cultural preservation and community engagement in the region. J.C.DISI hosted the “Northern Metropolis Future Forum” in early July, which attracted nearly 500 participants. The Forum featured keynote speeches and roundtable discussions where academic and industry leaders from Mainland China and Hong Kong shared their views on some highlights of the Chief Executive’s 2022 and 2023 Policy Addresses regarding the development plan of the Northern Metropolis which included developing “landmark cultural facilities” and establishing “iconic cultural and arts facilities” in the region. Leveraging these discussions, the proposal integrates expert insights from the Forum with professional expertise of PolyU and EdUHK scholars, focusing on two pivotal cultural infrastructure initiatives in the Northern Metropolis: Establishing the “Cantonese Opera and Intangible Cultural Heritage Archive” Echoing the initiative of providing iconic cultural and arts facilities in the Northern Metropolis raised in the Policy Addresses, the proposal recommends establishing Hong Kong’s first “Cantonese Opera and Intangible Cultural Heritage Archive” in that region, most ideally located close to local villages, to help foster urban-rural integration and community making through Cantonese opera. The Archive should move beyond a traditional museum model of simply displaying cultural artifacts. It should instead provide visitors with immersive experience of the cultural context of Hong Kong’s rural villages through spatial design that incorporates both diverse village characteristics and elements of daily life, with an aim of creating an interactive platform where traditional culture is integrated into everyday life. Creating the “Northern Metropolis Cultural Trail” It is advised that the Government conducts comprehensive research into public spaces in the region that are used as performance venues for “Cantonese Opera for Appeasing Gods” during traditional festivals, such as important historic buildings, and connect them with the routes of village parades for traditional events such as Jiao (Da Chiu) and Xingxiang (burning incense in a prayer service) , as well as with existing heritage trails. This will enable the creation of an unique cultural landscape that helps promote both preservation of traditional village culture and distinctive local tourism. Prof. LING Kar-kan, PolyU Interim Vice President (Campus Development and Facilities) and Director of J.C.DISI, commented, “The two proposed initiatives not only proactively revitalise intangible cultural heritage, but also serve as pioneering models of cultural infrastructure in Hong Kong, highlighting the unique cultural soul of the Northern Metropolis. This aligns with the industry-led development approach and responds to the notion of building iconic cultural and arts facilities. The recommendations also respond to the Nation’s 14th Five-Year Plan, which positions Hong Kong as an East-meets-West Centre for International Cultural Exchange—suggesting using Cantonese opera not only as a cultural bond to foster urban-rural integration, deepen community making and nurture local creative talent, but also to develop sustainable cultural tourism. We believe that the momentum of large-scale urbanisation in the Northern Metropolis can be channelled into a force for preserving and perpetuating traditional culture.” Prof. LEUNG Bo Wah, Executive Director of the EdUHK Xiqu and Intangible Cultural Heritage Centre, stated, “At the Northern Metropolis Future Forum Roundtable, experts from fields including Cantonese opera and joss house arts, intangible cultural heritage preservation and promotion, built environment, engineering and innovation, cultural research and sustainable development, heritage conservation, rural revitalisation, placemaking, creative tourism, and social innovation reached a consensus. They agreed that the ‘Cantonese Opera and Intangible Cultural Heritage Archive’ should adopt a living heritage approach, integrating Cantonese opera and intangible heritage into everyday life and creating participatory cultural spaces for the public. Meanwhile, the ‘Northern Metropolis Cultural Trail’ would connect suitable Cantonese opera performance venues and traditional villages, restoring cultural threads severed by urban development and enabling the continuation of traditional festive activities amid urbanisation.” The proposal also suggests leveraging digital technology to enhance preservation of cultural heritage, including through the establishment of a Cantonese Opera Digital Archive for the Northern District, development of immersive experience technologies and the setting-up of an interdisciplinary innovation lab to explore the integration of Cantonese opera with modern industries. Furthermore, the proposal addresses urban-rural integration and cultural talent development in the Northern Metropolis. It suggests launching a cultural integration programme to facilitate interaction between local and incoming residents through cultural heritage activities, as well as establishing a Cantonese opera talent development system that covers basic knowledge and professional training. These initiatives aim to advance the sustainable development of the new community, and build a comprehensive cultural conservation and innovation ecosystem. With regard to funding, the proposal recommends harnessing existing government resources such as the Countryside Conservation Funding Scheme, the Lantau Conservation Fund, as well as the resources of the Arts Development Council and the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, while also exploring innovative funding models like public-private partnership matching funds and social impact bonds to help ensure the sustainability of the initiatives. Prof. Eric CHUI, Co-Director of PReCIT and Head of the PolyU Department of Applied Social Sciences, expressed his hope that “Government, academia and all other sectors of society will work together to advance cultural conservation in the Northern Metropolis, creating a livable environment with a strong sense of belonging and identity for the 2.5 million future residents, while also enhancing Hong Kong’s international standing as an East-meets-West Centre for International Cultural Exchange.” This proposal by J.C.DISI focuses on issues of urban-rural integration and community making in the Northern Metropolis. Meanwhile, PReCIT will separately submit recommendations for the 2025 Policy Address on other aspects, such as innovation and technology, research and development, and talent cultivation. Through these efforts, PolyU aims to assist the Government from multiple perspectives in formulating forward-looking policies to drive the comprehensive development of the Northern Metropolis. ***END***

PolyU scholars honoured as RGC Senior Research Fellows and Research Fellow in recognition of outstanding research achievements

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) excels in impactful research and is committed to translating research outcomes into innovative applications that benefit people’s lives. Three PolyU scholars have been awarded fellowships under the Research Grants Council’s (RGC) Senior Research Fellow Scheme (SRFS) and Research Fellow Scheme (RFS) 2025/26, in recognition of their outstanding research achievements in the fields of biomedical engineering, artificial intelligence, and advanced materials. The award recipients are Prof. Lei SUN, Professor of the Department of Biomedical Engineering; and Prof. Kay Chen TAN, Head of the Department of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence and Chair Professor of Computational Intelligence, both of whom have been named RGC Senior Research Fellows. Prof. Jiong ZHAO, Professor of the Department of Applied Physics, has been conferred as RGC Research Fellow. Prof. Christopher CHAO, PolyU Vice President (Research and Innovation), extended his congratulations to the awardees and said, “The recognition of our scholars not only reflects PolyU’s pursuit of academic and research excellence, but also demonstrates our commitment to fostering researchers’ professional growth. These achievements underscore the University’s significant impact on the global academic and research community, as well as our contributions to Hong Kong’s development as an international hub for post-secondary education.” The SRFS project, “Development of sonogenetics for non-human primates,” led by Prof. Lei Sun, aims to develop a new version of sonogenetics specifically for non-human primates and to investigate its performance in terms of cellular specificity, spatial accuracy and penetration capability. This non-invasive method for modulating specific brain regions has the potential to open a new dimension for ultrasound stimulation, offering a ground-breaking and critical approach to non-invasive, precise brain stimulation with deep brain penetration. This  new sonogentics may lead to the dissection of global neural network connections, a better understanding of the circuits underlying neurological and psychiatric disorders, and ultimately serve as a valuable therapeutic tool. The SRFS project, “Towards adaptive pretrained vision-language foundation models for medical image analysis,” led by Prof. Kay Chen Tan, aims to lay out key roadmaps that guide the development and deployment of vision-language model based healthcare models, with a primary focus on four key areas: framework, data, application, and generalisation. An integrated intelligent interpretation system will be developed to provide personalised and human-centric healthcare, featuring several functionalities such as visual question answering, radiology reports and computer-aided diagnosis. The project aims to improve quality of healthcare services, ease strain on medical resources and solidify Hong Kong’s leadership in AI-powered healthcare innovation. The RFS project, “From slidetronics to twistronics: a twisting platform for dissipationless ferroelectricity”, led by Prof. Jiong Zhao, primarily focuses on Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and 2D materials. The team has developed expertise and achieved significant advancements in structural characterisations and physical field measurement utilising in situ TEM, STEM, 4D-STEM and others. By integrating these cutting-edge methods with synthesis, device fabrication and theoretical frameworks, the project contributes to improving material quality and enabling device applications. These advanced 2D materials and 2D ferroelectric materials are set to be game changers for future electronics and optoelectronics, with significant potential to enhance device performance. SRFS and RFS aim to provide sustained support to exceptionally outstanding researchers at the University Grants Committee-funded universities in Hong Kong. Each scheme provides ten grants to scholars from any academic disciplines, with funding support for a period of 60 months. The supporting university will receive a fellowship grant of around HK$8.2 million per award for SRFS projects and HK$5.5 million for RFS projects. ***END***

PolyU initiates cognitive remediation programme using memory encoding strategies to provide early intervention for people with mild cognitive impairment

With its ageing population, the prevalence of dementia in Hong Kong is expected to increase. Healthcare researchers from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) have developed an innovative mobile application-based cognitive remediation programme, Enhancing Memory in Daily Life (E-MinD Life), targeting those who experience memory complaints, mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and mild dementia. The programme, leveraging memory encoding strategies, provides early intervention to delay the functional deterioration associated with cognitive decline, supporting these individuals’ independent living and enhancing their quality of life. As individuals age, cognitive functions and memory gradually decline, affecting their ability to perform daily activities independently. Such memory decline is more pronounced in people with MCI. MCI is a significant area of interest in ageing and dementia research, and, more importantly, various studies suggest that it can indicate early dementia-related neuropathological changes years before a clinical diagnosis of dementia. Among the three stages of memory, namely encoding, storage and retrieval, the encoding stage is often the first to be affected in people with MCI, causing memory decline. Developed by Prof. Karen LIU, Professor of the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences at PolyU, in collaboration with Dr Nikki TULLIANI, Associate Lecturer at Western Sydney University, the E-MinD Life programme is built on the principles of semantic and perceptual memory encoding, and innovatively integrates cognitive remediation into daily activities. As an early intervention, it aims to train older adults in the early stages of cognitive decline, while they still have the capacity to learn new skills and adopt memory strategies to better manage daily activities. The programme lasts for nine weeks, with three 60-minute sessions per week: one individualised therapist-led meeting followed by two self-administered sessions. Humans can register new information to memory through semantic encoding and perceptual encoding of information. Prof. Karen Liu elaborated, “Semantic-based memory, also referred to as conceptual knowledge or declarative memory, encompasses our long-term understanding of objects, word meanings, facts, concepts, rules and people, acquired through our lifetime experiences. While these knowledges are organised into networks of connected ideas or concepts, semantic memory encoding enables us to associate new information with what we already know and remember it more efficiently. Perceptual-based memory encoding, on the other hand, involves capturing and storing visual information, such as images, in memory to help with recall.” As memory decline sets in, people with MCI often have difficulties with instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), involving essential tasks such as household chores, shopping and managing finances, which are crucial for maintaining their independence in both home and community living. E-MinD Life incorporates semantic and perceptual encoding techniques into 12 common IADLs. These IADLs are categorised into three blocks: “meal preparation and clean-up activities”, “laundry activities” and “communication and community activities,” each comprising four tasks. By engaging participants in these structured tasks, the programme shows significant potential in fostering cognitive engagement and practical learning. The encoding techniques enable participants to organise pertinent aspects like person, place, time and object, and establish connections between these concepts, enhancing learning and memory. The techniques include “visual imagery” and the “method of loci,” which help participants connect visual information from memory; “chunking,” which requires them to break down the IADL into different steps, give context to the chunks of information and then form a contextual story; and “self-generation,” which asks them to use their own words to describe the IADL. Based on a user-friendly mobile application, E-MinD Life utilises knowledge and methods derived from previous research, allows tailoring of the programme to meet participants’ individual needs, and provides real-time feedback. In addition, by reaching out to larger populations, E-MinD Life is able to provide community-based interventions, extending the impact of cognitive remediation programmes beyond professional-led training. Prof. Liu added, “Non-pharmacological treatments are essential for alleviating the decline in memory and cognitive abilities through effective preventive and early intervention measures. Enabling older adults and MCI individuals to easily use E-MinD Life at home, we aspire to create a cost-effective, self-administered and time-flexible means for personalised interventions. By teaching participants to apply semantic and perceptual encoding principles in everyday tasks, the programme supports individuals in overcoming challenges associated with memory decline. This initiative also marks a notable advancement in leveraging memory encoding to facilitate cognitive remediation.” To further refine the administration of E-MinD Life, focus groups and expert reviews were conducted to gain insights from healthcare professionals, as well as from older adult participants and their caregivers. A pilot study on E-MinD Life was conducted in Australia to evaluate its usability. The qualitative analysis revealed that participants found the programme enjoyable and beneficial. Specifically, it increased memory awareness in daily life, stimulated the learning of new skills and technology, and provided an appropriate level of challenge. A Chinese version of E-MinD Life is currently being developed for trial use in Hong Kong. Inspired by their prior endeavours in stroke rehabilitation, Prof. Liu and her team have explored memory encoding for older adults since 2006. After conducting a series of studies to understand the neuro-mechanisms associated with these memory encoding techniques, the findings were translated into clinical projects to assess their applicability within the clinical population. Subsequently, E-MinD Life has been developed with a commitment to promoting cognitive training for older adults in home settings. ***END***  

PolyU and Soy-Sky FarmTech establish joint laboratory for innovative soy research and functional food development

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and Soy-Sky FarmTech Company Limited (Soy-Sky FarmTech) have announced the establishment of the PolyU-Soy-Sky FarmTech Joint Laboratory for Innovative Soy Research and Functional Food Development (the Laboratory). The Laboratory is dedicated to advancing research on soy-based functional foods and promoting the translation of sustainable agricultural technologies. The donation ceremony for the Joint Laboratory was held on 10 July on the PolyU campus, where Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, President of PolyU, and Mr Kenneth TING, Chairman of Soy-Sky FarmTech, exchanged commemorative souvenirs. Other distinguished guests in attendance included Ms Clara CHAN, Chief Executive Officer of the Hong Kong Investment Corporation Limited (HKIC), members of PolyU senior management and scholars, Soy-Sky FarmTech senior management, shareholders and industry partners. In his welcoming remarks, Prof. Jin-Guang Teng highlighted PolyU’s commitment to research and innovation, noting that the University’s Research Institute for Future Food (RiFood) conducts impactful, cutting-edge research in food science and human health. He remarked that the establishment of the Laboratory not only demonstrated PolyU’s recognised research strengths in food science and human health but also underscored the importance of industry-academia collaboration in promoting national food security, advancing sustainable agricultural development and supporting national strategies. He also stated that PolyU and Soy-Sky FarmTech would leverage their respective strengths to contribute to food technology innovation in Hong Kong, as well as to national food security and agricultural modernisation. Mr Kenneth Ting stated that the establishment of the Laboratory provided strong support and opportunities for the company to expand into soybean value chain downstream businesses beyond its existing upstream operations. He expressed hope that, through collaboration with PolyU RiFood, innovative soybean products could be developed. He also looked forward to leveraging Hong Kong’s agricultural technology and food innovation capabilities to create a “Hong Kong Soybean Story” from laboratory to dining table and showcasing Hong Kong’s unique advantages in these sectors and contributing to national food security and sustainable development. In her speech, Ms Clara Chan expressed her anticipation that the strong collaboration between PolyU and Soy-Sky FarmTech would bring together more resources and talent in the field of agricultural technology, resulting in fruitful research outcomes. HKIC looks forward to the Laboratory’s research achievements and will actively promote the commercialisation, implementation and internationalisation of these outcomes, enabling Hong Kong’s innovations and solutions to benefit the world. Through interdisciplinary collaboration, the Laboratory will conduct innovative research on soybeans and food development, support the industry in developing novel soy-based functional foods and related sustainability, and foster a “Healthy Eating and Sustainable Living” culture. PolyU and Soy-Sky FarmTech aim to jointly advance the Nation’s agricultural and food technology sectors, extend research achievements to Belt and Road countries, and work together to build a healthier and greener future. Prof. Jin-Guang Teng (left) presented a commemorative souvenir to Mr Kenneth Ting (right). Mr Kenneth Ting (right) presented a commemorative souvenir to Prof. Jin-Guang Teng (left). ***END***

PolyU researchers unveil novel strategy to achieve both strength and toughness in 2D materials design, advancing applications in electronic and photonic devices

The mechanical strength and toughness of engineering materials are often mutually exclusive, posing challenges for material design and selection. To address this, a research team from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has uncovered an innovative strategy: by simply twisting the layers of 2D materials, they can enhance toughness without compromising material’s strength. This breakthrough facilitates the design of strong and tough new 2D materials, promoting their broader applications in photonic and electronic devices. The findings have been published in the international journal Nature Materials. While 2D materials often exhibit exceptional strength, they are extremely brittle. Fractures in materials are also typically irreversible. These attributes limit the use of 2D materials in devices that require repeated deformation, such as high-power devices, flexible electronics and wearables. Efforts to improve toughness by introducing defects, such as vacancies and grain boundaries, often degrade intrinsic electrical properties, leading to a trade-off between mechanical durability and electronic performance. Therefore, enhancing both the strength and toughness of bulk materials for engineering applications has remained a significant challenge. To overcome these limitations, a research team led by Prof. Jiong ZHAO, Professor of the PolyU Department of Applied Physics, has pioneered a novel twisting engineering approach whereby twisted bilayer structures enable sequential fracture events, addressing the conflict between strength and toughness in 2D materials. The finding was supported by nanoindentation and theoretical analysis. Typical transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) is a class of 2D materials known for their unique electronic, optical and mechanical properties. These characteristics enable their diverse application in electronics and optoelectronics, energy storage and conversion, sensors and biomedical devices, quantum technologies, mechanics and tribology. By focusing on TMDs, such as molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) and tungsten disulfide (WS₂), the team discovered a new fracture mechanism in twisted bilayers. Using in situ transmission electron microscopy, the team found that when cracks propagate in twisted bilayer structures, the lattice orientation mismatch between the upper and lower layers leads to the formation of interlocking crack paths. Following the initial fracture, the crack edges in both layers spontaneously form stable grain boundary structures through interlayer self-assembly. This distinctive “crack self-healing” mechanism protects subsequent fracture tips from stress concentration, effectively preventing further crack propagation. Notably, this process consumes more energy than conventional fracture, and the degree of toughness enhancement can be tuned by adjusting the twist and twist angle. Prof. Jiong Zhao said, “By breaking through the framework of conventional fracture mechanics theory, this study presents the first demonstration of autonomous damage suppression in 2D materials, establishing a groundbreaking strategy for designing integrated novel strong-and-tough 2D materials. This research also extends the application of twistronics to mechanical performance design, such as with regard to material strength, opening exciting possibilities for the development of future electronic and photonic devices. As fabrication techniques for twisted 2D materials continue to mature, a new generation of smart materials combining superior mechanical properties with exotic electrical characteristics, holds great promise for technological innovation in the fields of flexible electronics, energy conversion, quantum technology and sensing.” ***END***