News

COMP Year 2 Students Win Top Honours at HackTheEast 2026

Five Year 2 undergraduate students from the Department of Computing achieved outstanding results at HackTheEast 2026, one of Hong Kong’s largest student-led inter-university AI hackathons, held from 28 February to 1 March 2026.   HackTheEast 2026 was a hackathon where participants designed, implemented, and demonstrated functional AI solutions to address real-world challenges across all domains, including education, finance, legal, and insurance. Guided by industry mentors and equipped with modern AI development tools, teams competed for prizes, recognition, and internship opportunities from leading technology companies. Collaborated with team members from other local universities, the following COMP undergraduate students contributed to two winning projects in the hackathon:    Project: VibeQA Award: Second Runner-up & HKUST Innovation Award COMP Team members: LE Phan Trung Quoc NGUYEN Thi Minh Phuong VibeQA is an AI-powered quality assurance tool designed to help developers catch issues that AI coding assistants often miss. While AI tools can generate code quickly, they may overlook critical aspects such as security checks, error handling, and user experience. VibeQA automatically scans code repositories and tests applications in a real browser environment, then generates clear, actionable feedback along with suggested fixes, helping teams improve reliability, security, and usability.   Project: EDU Oasis Award: RevisionDojo Award COMP Team members: SO Lok Hei Daniel NGAI Torres Pui Hong ZHAO Chenxi EDU Oasis is an AI-based web learning platform that transforms studying into an interactive 2D world. Learners move around a virtual map where different elements provide AI tutoring, quizzes to track progress, and the ability to upload teaching materials for a personalised learning experience.  

Call for Nominations: Outstanding Alumni Award of PolyU Department of Computing 2026

The Department of Computing (COMP) is pleased to announce that the Outstanding PolyU Alumni Award (OPAA) of PolyU Department of Computing 2026 is now calling for nominations until 24 April 2026 (Friday).   The departmental OPAA aims to publicly recognise outstanding graduates of COMP for their professional achievements and significant contributions to the community and their alma mater. The departmental awardees will be officially honoured by the department and will be nominated for the Faculty Awards.   Award Categories and Selection Criteria There are three achievement categories, namely “Professional Achievement”, “Entrepreneurial Achievement” and  “Scholarly Achievement”. Selection is based on the nominee’s accomplishments in his/her personal achievements in the field, contributions to the community, and support and contributions to PolyU. A candidate who is aged at/under 40 in the award selection year would be eligible for the Outstanding Young Alumni Award. Eligibility The nominated candidate must be a bona fide graduate who has successfully completed the full-time or part-time programme offered by PolyU (or its forerunners: Hong Kong Government Trade School, Hong Kong Technical College, Hong Kong Polytechnic) which led to academic award accredited by the respective Institution.   The proposer can be a PolyU graduate, Honorary Graduate, University Fellow, PolyU staff, current PolyU Council and Court member and current Advisory Committee member. There is no limit to the number of nominations to be submitted by each proposer. However, the proposer cannot be the candidate himself/ herself.   Panel of Judges and Result Announcement A panel of judges, comprising both internal and external members, will be formed to examine the nominations and assess candidates’ qualifications and performance for the awards. The result will be announced on our website and social media platforms.   Nomination Please return the completed nomination form to comp.marketing@polyu.edu.hk with all required supplementary documents on or before 24 April 2026. Download Nomination Form   Enquiries Department of Computing The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Email: comp.marketing@polyu.edu.hk

Prof. Daniel Luo Receives Gold Award in the Government Departments and Public Bodies Sector of Cyber Security Professional Awards 2025

We are delighted to announce that Prof. LUO Xiapu Daniel, Associate Dean (Research) of the Faculty of Computer and Mathematical Sciences and Professor of COMP, has been honoured with the Gold Award in the Government Departments & Public Bodies Sector of the Cyber Security Professional Awards 2025 (CSPA 2025). Organised by the Cyber Security and Technology Crime Bureau of the Hong Kong Police Force, this award recognises Prof. Luo’s outstanding achievements and significant contributions to the cybersecurity community.   Prof. Luo and his team have developed pioneering methods for identifying severe security vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure and applications, as well as innovative strategies to defend against cyberattacks. Their research spans a wide range of platforms, including fintech systems such as Layer-1 blockchain networks (e.g., Ethereum), Layer-2 rollups (e.g., Arbitrum, Polygon), Android and vendor-customized Android implementations from leading manufacturers (e.g., Samsung, Xiaomi, Vivo), real-time operating systems (RTOS) like QNX, and key automotive components such as Tesla’s lane detection module. They have also uncovered numerous security issues in mobile apps and smart contracts, proactively informing developers and companies to facilitate swift resolutions and safeguard millions of users.   Additionally, Prof. Luo’s advanced defensive techniques have enabled the analysis of sophisticated mobile malware and the defence against attacks targeting blockchain platforms, smart contracts, and vehicles. His research findings have been published at top security conferences and in leading journals, earning multiple awards and industry recognition. Notably, he received the BOCHK Science and Technology Innovation Prize (FinTech) 2023 for his contributions to blockchain security and was recognised by Stanford University as one of the World’s Top 2% Scientists, further highlighting his global impact and research excellence.

COMP Co-Organises Inaugural One-Day High School Hackathon "HACK852" to Promote AI-empowered Learning

Hong Kong’s inaugural HACK852, a one-day hackathon for high school students, successfully concluded last Saturday (14 March 2026) at PolyU, sparking creativity and technical passion among local youths. Co-organised by COMP and Genesis, HACK852 aimed to broke down barriers to technology by welcoming high school students of all coding backgrounds. The vibrant event drew an impressive turnout, bringing together over 170 student participants, alongside a gathering of parents and experts from academia and industry.   The hackathon featured two competition tracks: AI Track and Coding Track. COMP, as a local pioneer in computing education, led the design of the Coding Track, ensuring a robust, challenging, and rewarding experience for individual participants. Participants showcased their advanced technical skills while tackling real-world solutions with code.   In the AI Track, competing teams were challenged to transform their own ideas into real, working projects with AI tools. Leveraging the power of AI, and supported by friendly mentors and on-site workshops, students experienced the excitement of expressing creativity with the aid of technology. Joining hands with a group of experts from academia and industry, Prof. YIU Man Lung Ken, Professor and Associate Head (Teaching & Learning), and Prof. SHI Jieming, Assistant Professor, served on the judging panel of the AI Track to evaluate the students' innovative projects and provided invaluable, real-world feedback.   Another highlight of the event was the talk presented by Dr LUI Wing Cheung Richard, Senior Lecturer. He shared insights from his pioneering AI education project titled “AI Literacy to Workplace Excellence: Transforming Education for Next-Generation Professionals.” The project was honoured with the Silver Award in the “AI in Education” category at the QS Reimagine Education Awards 2025 (Read More).   As part of its commitment to nurturing young talent, COMP provided internship opportunities to the awardees. This initiative will allow outstanding secondary school students to gain hands-on research experience, providing them with a significant head start in their future STEM careers.

COMP Alumnus Ir WONG Chi-kwong, Tony, JP Honoured with Outstanding PolyU Alumni Award 2025

We are proud to announce that Ir WONG Chi‑kwong, Tony, JP, has been awarded the Outstanding PolyU Alumni Award 2025. This prestigious honour was presented to four distinguished awardees at the Award Ceremony held at Hotel ICON on 13 January.   Ir WONG graduated from Hong Kong Polytechnic, the University’s predecessor, in 1987 with a Higher Diploma in Systems Analysis, and has since dedicated over 35 years of distinguished service in various IT-related departments of the Hong Kong SAR Government.   As the current Commissioner for Digital Policy, Ir WONG leads the Digital Policy Office in formulating data-driven, user-centric, and outcome-based policies that accelerate the development of a digital government. His leadership enhances the efficiency and quality of public services, benefiting both citizens and businesses.   Ir WONG oversees key areas including digital government strategies, data governance, IT infrastructure, cybersecurity, and the promotion of digital transformation across public services and industries. He also plays a pivotal role in closing the digital divide, fostering IT collaboration with the Mainland, especially within the Greater Bay Area, and supporting Hong Kong’s integration into national development.   PolyU takes great pride in its alumni’s remarkable achievements and contributions to their professions and the community. The Outstanding Alumni Award celebrates the university’s commitment to nurturing future leaders and innovators. This year’s awardees were selected through a rigorous process, and Ir WONG’s recognition is a testament to his enduring impact and professional excellence.

COMP PhD Graduate Dr LI Zihao wins 2025 Outstanding Doctoral Dissertations Award from the Chinese Institute of Communications

We are delighted to announce that our PhD Graduate, Dr LI Zihao, supervised by Prof. LUO Xiapu Daniel has been awarded the prestigious 2025 Outstanding Doctoral Dissertations Award by the Chinese Institute of Communications (CIC). Established to promote technological advancement and nurture young academic talent in China’s information and communications field, the annual award recognises top doctoral graduates nationwide for innovative contributions. Among 58 nominations across the country, 10 dissertations were selected after rigorous review. Dr Li is the only awardee in the domain of blockchain, underscoring the originality and impact of his research.   Dissertation Summary: Dr Li’s thesis delivers a comprehensive, layer-by-layer security assessment of blockchain systems—spanning applications, smart contracts, state storage and scalability—introducing practical tools and findings that expose real-world risks and strengthen defences. His work includes automated discovery of DeFi MEV behaviours (ActLifter/ActCluster), source-free recovery of smart contract function signatures (SigRec), the first demonstrated DoS attack on blockchain state storage (NURGLE), and behaviour-guided fuzzing to detect finalisation failures in zkRollups (fAmulet), offering actionable methodologies for more secure blockchain infrastructure and applications.   About CIC: The Chinese Institute of Communications (CIC) is a major national academic organisation and a tier-1 society in China’s information and communications field. Established in 1964 under the supervision of the China Association for Science and Technology, CIC has 54 subordinate branches and over 68,000 members, fostering deep collaboration between academia and industry through high-level conferences, scientific exchanges, standards development and technical consulting.

COMP team wins Excellent Paper Award at the 8th International Conference on Technology in Education (ICTE 2025)

We are pleased to announce that the paper “Human–AI Collaboration in the STEM Classroom: A Systematic Literature Review of GenAI as a Complement in Higher Education,” authored by a COMP PhD student and academic staff, has received the Excellent Paper Award at the 8th International Conference on Technology in Education (ICTE 2025).   Authors: Mr JIA Ye, COMP PhD Student Prof. LI Chen Richard, COMP Assistant Professor Prof. Alexander CHAN, School of Business, Molloy University, New York, USA Prof LI Qing, Chair Professor of Data Science and Head of COMP   Paper Overview: This work synthesises findings from 94 empirical studies to map how Generative AI is reshaping STEM disciplines. The review reveals a pivotal shift in adoption models: while Large Language Models (LLMs) are currently used predominantly as "Tutors & Assistants" to boost academic performance, there is a growing trend toward treating AI as a "Collaborative Partner" for co-creation and higher-order thinking. This evolution transforms the student from a passive recipient into an "Active Agent & Critical Evaluator" and the educator into a "Learning Architect," though significant challenges regarding content accuracy and pedagogical integration remain. By categorising current collaboration models, impacts on learning outcomes, and technical limitations, this paper offers a comprehensive framework for educators and researchers navigating the future of AI-augmented higher education.

Prof. ZHANG Chen Secures Over HK1.1 Million Funding Under The NSFC/RGC Joint Research Scheme

We are pleased to announce that our Assistant Professor Prof. ZHANG Chen Jason’s research project, “Developing a database and computational platform to predict material properties of non-fullerene acceptors in organic solar cells,” has secured over HK$1.1 million under the Joint Research Scheme (JRS) jointly administered by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) and the Research Grants Council (RGC) of Hong Kong.   Project Overview: This project is dedicated to accelerating the development of non-fullerene acceptors (NFAs)—core materials for advancing organic solar cells (OSCs)—by building a reliable computational prediction framework, which addresses the inefficiency of current trial-and-error experimental approaches. Alkyl chains attached to NFA molecules are key to modulating solubility and electron mobility, two fundamental properties that directly determine OSC performance. However, optimising these alkyl chains is highly time-intensive, as demonstrated by the nearly six years of research needed to upgrade the Y6-family NFAs to the high-efficiency L8-BO-C4 variant. Drawing on prior work that developed high-precision machine learning models (with significantly lower prediction errors than conventional methods) for analysing molecular structures, this project integrates two core tasks: experimental measurements to clarify the relationship between alkyl chain structures and NFA key properties, and computational model expansion to develop a specialised module for alkyl chain analysis. The resulting integrated framework will predict optimal alkyl chain designs for NFAs, thereby streamlining material development and propelling OSC technology forward.   PolyU has secured funding for 13 research projects, totalling approximately HK$20.3 million, under the 2025/26 funding exercise of CRS and JRS. The NSFC/RGC CRS supports larger-scale, cross-disciplinary collaboration between Mainland and Hong Kong institutions to enhance research output and impact, while the JRS promotes collaboration between researchers and teams on both sides by leveraging complementary strengths.

Prof. CAO Jiannong and Prof. Peter NG won Gold and Silver Medals at AEII

COMP faculty members achieved a standout performance at the 5th Asia Exhibition of Innovations and Inventions Hong Kong (AEII), capturing both a Gold Medal and a Silver Medal across highly competitive fields, including robotics, AI, and cultural technologies.  Award: Gold Medal PI: Prof. CAO Jiannong, Vice President (Education), Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Professor in Data Science; Chair Professor of Distributed and Mobile Computing; Founder & Chief Scientist, UbiquiTech Innovations Limited (a PolyU Start-up) Dr LIANG Zhixuan, Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Computing; Founder & CEO, UbiquiTech Innovations Limited (a PolyU Start-up) Project: PolyPi: Edge-AI Empowered Autonomous Robot for Pipeline Inspection and Maintenance PolyPi-bot is an edge-AI robot for autonomous inspection and cleaning in confined spaces such as pipelines, ducts, and underground infrastructure. It combines real-time AI defect detection, a deformable structure, and full autonomy. Compressed AI models run directly on the robot, enabling real-time identification of cracks, corrosion, and debris without cloud connectivity. Its adaptive design allows it to traverse complex, curved, or collapsed pipelines with ease. The robot also supports modular cleaning tools for removing sediment and obstructions. With no human intervention required, PolyPi enhances safety in hazardous environments.   Award: Silver Award PI: Prof. NG Hiu Fung Peter, Assistant Professor, Department of Computing and Department of Rehabilitation Sciences Project: MetaBridge: A 3D Gaussian Splatting and Blockchain Platform for Cultural Heritage Digital Assetization and Immersive Experience MetaBridge is an innovative platform that integrates 3D Gaussian Splatting (3DGS) and blockchain authentication to digitise, secure, and share cultural heritage. Using multi-sensor 3D reconstruction, MetaBridge generates highly realistic digital twins of relics and environments. Each asset is secured with blockchain-based certificates, ensuring authenticity, ownership, and traceability. The platform features Web-based editing and one-click deployment to VR, WebXR, or LED immersive systems, enabling creators and institutions to publish cultural experiences without technical barriers easily. MetaBridge supports flagship projects such as Ferryman Academy, where students and communities co-create VR heritage stories, and the Grand Canal Time-Travel Experience, an immersive cultural tourism showcase. By combining advanced rendering, secure asset management, and accessible dissemination, MetaBridge provides a sustainable model for heritage preservation, immersive education, cultural tourism, and creative industries, positioning Hong Kong as a global leader in cultural innovation and digital economy.   AEII is a prestigious annual exhibition cum competition devoted to innovations and inventions in Asia, organised by The Hong Kong Exporters’ Association in partnership with Palexpo, the organiser of the International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva. This year, the event attracted about 140 projects from around Asia.

Dr Richard Lui’s Project Wins Silver at QS Reimagine Education Awards 2025

Our Senior Lecturer, Dr Richard LUI, has received the Silver Award in the “AI in Education” category at the QS Reimagine Education Awards 2025 for his project, “AI Literacy to Workplace Excellence: Transforming Education for Next-Generation Professionals.” The project’s Co-Principal Investigator is Dr Jessica Neuville, Associate Professor of Practice at the School of Optometry.   The project incorporates experiential learning activities designed to engage students from diverse disciplines in exploring real-world AI applications. GPTutor, a generative AI-powered learning platform developed by the project team, supports self-directed learning by enabling students to explore course content, ask questions, and receive instant, personalised feedback through tailored review questions. By developing immersive 3D simulations that bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application, the project equips students with essential workplace skills, preparing them to become career-ready professionals.   Selected as one of the top applications from a pool of 1,600 submissions, the project demonstrated exceptional innovation, impact, and scalability. It advanced through four rigorous evaluation rounds conducted by a panel of 1,300 international higher education and edtech experts, earning recognition for its transformative approach to AI literacy and skills development.