News

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.

Dr Mohammed Aquil Mirza‘s Project Awarded Second Prize at National Competition

COMP’s Senior lecturer, Dr MOHAMMED Aquil Mirza, and his team have been awarded the Second Prize at the OLVI-säätiö NeuroChallenge 2025, a national competition organised by the Finnish Neurocenter and Business Centre. The event, held from November 14 to 16, 2025, focused on developing innovative solutions to enhance brain health among 55-year-old working adults. Dr Mohammed’s team included international faculty and students, working collaboratively to address important health challenges. Their project utilised Sirius Ception technology to accurately detect early-stage symptoms of movement disorders, particularly Parkinson’s disease and Essential Tremor. The Second Prize recognises the innovative approach and significance of their work in medical diagnostics, with potential impact in both healthcare and wellness markets. This achievement reflects the team’s commitment to advancing early detection and improving outcomes for individuals at risk of movement disorders.

COMP Student’s Collaborative Research Wins Best Paper Award at ACIRA 2025

We are delighted to announce that a collaborative research paper, featuring a COMP undergraduate student, ZHEN Zhang Alex, and our Senior Lecturer, Dr MOHAMMED Aquil Mirza, as co-authors, has received the prestigious Best Paper Award at the 2025 International Conference on Advanced Computing and Intelligent Robotics Applications (ACIRA 2025), held in Guangzhou, China, from 7- 9 November 2025.   The paper, titled "Texture-Based Classification Techniques for Sports Surface and Equipment Analysis Using Deep Learning," is the result of a cross-disciplinary effort involving students from COMP, Department of Applied Mathematics (AMA) and Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE), staff members from the Industrial Centre (IC).   Authors: ZHEN Zhang Alex (COMP Year 4 Student) LIO Kun Hon (CEE Student) CHAN Ka Wan (CEE Student) YIP Hiu Ying, (CEE Student) NG Hoi Yin (CEE Student) LUI Matthew (CEE Student) ZHANG Jiaming (AMA Student) SUN Wanxu (AMA Student) Dr MOHAMMED Aquil Mirza (Senior Lecturer, COMP) Mr LEE Kam-pui (IC) Dr XIAO Mingxiang (IC) Mr CHAN Yu-Keung (IC)   Originating as a semester project in COMP1012 in 2024 and later extended in collaboration with the IC department, the study explores the application of advanced texture-based classification techniques using deep learning (DL) architectures for analysing sports surfaces and equipment. Recognising the critical role of surface textures and material properties in sports performance, safety, and maintenance, the team evaluated the effectiveness of various deep learning models—including Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) and Vision Transformers—in accurately identifying and categorising surface materials and equipment textures.   This work provides a robust framework for automated quality control and predictive maintenance in sports facility management, demonstrating a practical application of advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI) in automation to enhance safety and operational efficiency. The study also addresses practical considerations such as computational efficiency, model interpretability, and deployment challenges, paving the way for real-world implementation of AI-driven surface and equipment analysis in sports technology.

HKXRA x PolyU MScMT Best Project Awards cum XR Dialogue Successfully Held at PolyU

We collaborated with the Hong Kong Extended Reality Association (HKXRA), proudly co-hosted the “HKXRA x PolyU MScMT Best Project Awards cum XR Dialogue” on 17 November 2025. The event celebrated outstanding student innovation in extended reality (XR) and fostered dialogue on the future of immersive technologies.   A highlight of the event was the panel discussion, “Powering the Future of Cultural Tourism Through XR,” featuring distinguished speakers: Mr Lawrence CHEUNG, Director, BD & Services, HTC (GBA/HK), Mr Terry DAO, Chairman, HKXRA, Prof. Peter NG, Assistant Professor and MScMT Programme Leader, PolyU COMP, and Mr Jonathan WONG, Curator and Exhibition Manager, HKDI Gallery. The panel explored how XR technologies are transforming cultural tourism and creating new opportunities for engagement and storytelling.   The MScMT Best Project Awards recognised exceptional student projects in XR, with a total prize pool of HK$100,000 generously supported by HKXRA. The winners are as follows:   Champion (HK$50,000) Project Title: Immersive Hangzhou River Experience: A VR Journey Through 3D Scanning and Digital Interaction Awardees: CUI Yilin, LI Junde, LIAO Caijun, ZENG Xiangyue Supervisor: Prof. Peter NG (Assistant Professor and MScMT Programme Leader, PolyU COMP) Project Summary: This project uses large-scale 3D scanning to create a high-fidelity digital twin of an urban environment, allowing for immersive historical exploration and new applications in virtual tourism.   1st Runner Up (HK$30,000) Project Title: Clinical Conversation Training System Awardees: CHEN Jiahan, LIANG Haopeng, LIAO Binyu, SHI Yufei Supervisor: Prof LIU Yan Fiona (Associate Professor, PolyU COMP) Project Summary: A virtual reality training platform for medical interns that uses conversational AI to simulate high-stakes patient interactions. This scalable solution creates a safe environment for developing the critical communication and empathy skills required for clinical practice.   2nd Runner Up (HK$20,000) Project Title: A Creative System of Chinese Shadow Puppetry in the Metaverse of Intangible Cultural Heritage Awardees: BAO Tianyi, JIANG Shaobo, SHI Zhikang, ZHAN Zhuoyuan Supervisors: Dr Jeff TANG (Lecturer, PolyU COMP) , Prof Anthony KONG (Assistant Professor, PolyU School of Design) Project Summary: This virtual reality system digitizes the intangible heritage of shadow puppetry by utilizing motion controls within a metaverse platform to enable new forms of cultural transmission and creative expression.  

Prof. Zhang Lei and Prof. Cheng Ran Recognised in “Highly Cited Researchers 2025” List by Clarivate Analytics

We are proud to announce that two of our esteemed academic staff have been recognised in the prestigious “Highly Cited Researchers 2025” list by Clarivate Analytics. This international accolade highlights their significant contributions and broad influence in the fields of engineering and computer science.   Prof. ZHANG Lei, Chair Professor of Computer Vision and Image Analysis Prof. Zhang has been named a Highly Cited Researcher (HCR) in Engineering multiple times since 2015, underscoring his lasting impact and influence in the discipline. His research has been cited over 73,000 times in the Web of Science, with an impressive H-index of 121. Prof. Zhang’s research interests encompass image and video processing, computer vision, pattern recognition, and biometrics. In addition to his research achievements, Prof. Zhang is an IEEE Fellow and serves as the Director of the Joint Innovation Research Centre, further solidifying his role as a leader in the field.   Prof. CHENG Ran, Associate Professor and Presidential Young Scholar Prof. Cheng has been recognised in the Computer Science category, receiving this honour since 2023. His research focuses on advancing Computational Intelligence to tackle modeling and optimization challenges in complex systems. Prof. Cheng is the recipient of several prestigious awards, including the IEEE Computational Intelligence Magazine Outstanding Paper Award (2021), and the IEEE Computational Intelligence Society Outstanding Early Career Award (2025).   Clarivate Analytics’ Highly Cited Researchers list recognises academics who have demonstrated significant and broad influence in their respective fields of research. This year, 6,868 scholars from 60 countries and regions have been named. The selected scholars have authored multiple highly cited papers that rank in the top 1% by citations for their fields and publication year over the past 11 years. Of the world’s population of scientists and social scientists, Highly Cited Researchers are 1 in 1,000.   For the full list of Highly Cited Researchers 2025, please click here. 

Prof. WU Yujie Honoured with China Brain-Machine Intelligence Rising Star Award at 2025 World Young Scientist Summit

We are proud to announce that Prof. WU Yujie, our Assistant Professor and Presidential Young Scholar, has been honoured with the prestigious Brain-inspired Intelligence Award, a category of the inaugural “China Brain-Machine Intelligence Rising Star Awards.” The award ceremony was held during the 2025 World Young Scientist Summit on 24 October 2025 in Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province.   Six outstanding young scientists under the age of 40 were recognised at the first "China Brain-Machine Intelligence Rising Star Awards," jointly organised by the World Association of Young Scientists (WAYS) and the State Key Laboratory of Brain-Machine Intelligence at Zhejiang University. The awards celebrate significant contributions to the fields of brain-inspired intelligence and brain-computer interfaces.   Prof. Wu’s research focuses on brain-inspired artificial intelligence, computational neuroscience, and machine learning, with the primary aim of bridging neuroscience and AI to advance general intelligence. At the summit, Prof. Wu was awarded for his series of studies on brain cognition modeling and brain-inspired intelligence algorithms.   Click here to know more about the award.