News

COMP Makes Significant Leap, Surging 10 Places to Secure 34th Rank in Global Ranking of Academic Subjects

We are delighted to announce that our department has achieved an impressive ranking in the ShanghaiRanking's Global Ranking of Academic Subjects (GRAS) for the year 2023. According to the latest rankings released on 27 Oct 2023, our department has secured the 34th position globally, marking a remarkable leap from our previous ranking of 44th in 2022.   The GRAS rankings evaluate universities across 55 subjects in disciplines across Engineering, Natural Sciences, Life Sciences, Medical Sciences, and Social Sciences. Out of over 500 universities worldwide, our department has emerged as one of the top institutions in the field of Computer Science & Engineering.   Our achievement in climbing the ranks reflects our dedication to excel in research, education and innovation. It is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our academic staff, research staff, and students, who have consistently contributed to the advancement of knowledge in our field.   For more information about the Global Ranking of Academic Subjects and the complete list of rankings, please visit the official ShanghaiRanking website at https://www.shanghairanking.com/rankings/gras/2023/RS0210

Dr YANG Lei and his team won Best Paper Award at IEEE SECON 2023

Dr YANG Lei, our Associate Professor, along with Dr Zhenlin AN, postdoctoral fellow and Ms Qingrui PAN and Mr Xiaopeng ZHAO, our PhD students,  received Best Paper Award at IEEE SECON 2023.   Their research paper titled "Revisiting Backscatter Frequency Drifts for Fingerprinting RFIDs: A Perspective of Frequency Resolution" was honoured with the Best Paper Award at the 20th Annual IEEE International Conference on Sensing, Communication, and Networking (IEEE SECON 2023).   Researchers have been aware of the potential of utilising the backscatter frequency drift (BFD) as a unique fingerprint for Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags for over a decade. By comparing the discrepancy between the actual backscatter frequency and the requested backscatter link frequency (BLF), it is possible to identify the RFID tags at the physical layer. However, the efficacy of this method has been limited due to a low success rate.   Addressing this issue, this paper suggests a new perspective on the low success rate – a low resolution in frequency measurement. In other words, the measurement lacks sufficient ability to effectively distinguish the slight difference in frequency in BFD, resulting in inaccurate results. To overcome this limitation, this paper introduces an innovative solution by significantly augmenting the frequency resolution to enhance the distinctiveness of BFD, thereby the accuracy of identification can be improved, especially when handling a diverse range of RFID tags.   Read the paper: https://web.comp.polyu.edu.hk/csyanglei/data/files/bfdplus-secon23.pdf   IEEE SECON is a distinguished avenue that offers a collaborative space for scholars, industry experts, standards creators, and policymakers to discuss, exchange, and promote ideas and advancements in the realms of sensor, ad hoc, and mesh networks and systems.

Highlights of PolyU Info Day 2023

PolyU successfully hosted its much-anticipated Info Day 2023 on 21 October, attracting a diverse range of secondary school students, parents, and individuals seeking master's degree programmes. The event aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of the academic programmes and featured a wide array of engaging activities that left attendees inspired and informed.   Our department offered a range of engaging activities, including an interactive booth where visitors had the opportunity to meet our programme leaders and teaching staff. It also showcased two Virtual Reality (VR) capstone projects created by our graduates. Visitors were able to immerse themselves in these VR demonstrations, experiencing the possible outcomes that can be achieved by studying our undergraduate programme.   To provide firsthand information about each programme's admission figures, requirements and distinctive features, COMP arranged individual sessions of Info Seminars for all BSc and MSc programmes, and nearly 400 participants attended our seminars.   This year, COMP organised in-depth guided tours for participants. Instead of rushing through the facilities, the tours began with a half-hour Game Design Workshop, which provided hands-on experience in designing games using Unity, a popular game development platform. Participants learned the fundamentals of game design while exploring their creativity. In addition, they had the opportunity to explore the department's state-of-the-art facilities, including the AI coffee system and a CAVE system showcasing an immersive project in collaboration with the Hong Kong Children’s Hospital. At the end of each tour, visitors enjoyed an exclusive chance to receive personalised consultation and gain guidance from our seasoned academic staff.  

PolyU and HKMA sign MoU to establish CBDC Expert Group

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) and The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), together with four other local universities, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the establishment of a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) Expert Group on 20 October 2023, which aims to support the HKMA’s exploration of key policy and technical issues surrounding CBDC. The MoU signifies a strategic partnership aimed at fostering collaboration and gathering expert insights from technical, analytical and academic perspectives on various topics related to CBDC. The establishment of the Expert Group demonstrates mutual recognition of the pivotal role played by financial technology (fintech) and CBDC in Hong Kong’s development landscape. This collaboration aims to promote interdisciplinary discussion on CBDC and address pertinent fintech issues, thus contributing to Hong Kong’s continued success in maintaining its status as an international financial centre. Prof. H.C. MAN, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering of PolyU and Mr Colin POU, Executive Director (Financial Infrastructure) of HKMA signed the MoU, witnessed by PolyU representatives including Prof. Christina WONG, Director of Research and Innovation Office; Prof. Qing LI, Head of the Department of Computing; Prof. Allen Man Ho AU, Professor of the Department of Computing, and Prof. Daniel Xiapu LUO, Professor of the Department of Computing. Prof. Man endorsed the formation of the CBDC Expert Group, stating that, “Our faculty is committed to advancing fintech and CBDC research and development in Hong Kong through promoting innovation, collaboration and knowledge exchange.” As part of this initiative, PolyU and HKMA will collaborate closely on a range of topics related to CBDC, leveraging their respective expertise and resources. The CBDC Expert Group, which includes Prof. Au and Prof. Luo as founding members, will serve as a platform for exchanging knowledge, sharing insights, and exploring innovative solutions in CBDC and other emerging fintech areas. Prof. Li said, “Our expertise in influential research and innovation has primed our department in shaping the future of CBDC as a focal point in the field of finance.” Prof. Au and Prof. Luo expressed their excitement about joining the CBDC Expert Group, saying “We strive to conduct pioneering research that instils public trust in CBDC by tackling privacy and security challenges, reinforcing our commitment to an advanced financial system.” [From PolyU Media Release]

Successful Conclusion of "Metaverse Creators of Tomorrow" Competition and Training Programme 2023

The highly anticipated "Metaverse Creators of Tomorrow” Competition and Training Programme, organised by the Department of Computing, has successfully concluded its journey at the closing ceremony held on 9 September. This groundbreaking programme provided a platform for local secondary school students to unleash their creativity and explore the unlimited possibilities of the metaverse, a concept closely intertwined with Web 3.0 that envisions the future of the internet. To bridge university education and STEM education in secondary school, participants received comprehensive training and guidance, equipping them with essential skills in 3D modelling, scene design, game programming, virtual reality, augmented reality, and blockchain technology prior to the competition. Recognising the value of learning from real-life experiences, the training program included a session where four industry experts were specially invited to share their expertise, real-life cases, and firsthand information with the students. By combining theoretical knowledge, practical application, and insights from industry professionals, students had the opportunity to broaden their horizons and enhance their ability to excel in the competition. Armed with these newfound abilities, the participants embarked on a fierce competition, where they showcased their skills and creativity through metaverse creation. The themes of elimination rounds were "Metaverse for Future Classroom" and "Metaverse for Future Mall." Out of the 70 competing three-person teams, only the top 10 teams advanced to the final round, where they needed to design a "Metaverse for Jurassic Park" to compete for the crown. In each round of the competition, teams faced the intense time constraint of 12 hours to finish their metaverse space creation and presentation deck, starting from the moment the theme was announced. Despite the time pressure, the teams persisted until the very end, delivering projects that surpassed the expected standards. The closing ceremony on 9 September marked the culmination of weeks of intense competition and learning. Distinguished guests, including Dr Miranda LOU, Executive Vice President of PolyU; Prof. Hon William WONG Kam-fai, MH, Legislative Council Member; and Prof. LI Qing, Chair Professor of Data Science and Head of COMP, graced the ceremony with their presence. They delivered inspiring speeches and presented well-deserved awards to the winners of the "Metaverse Creators of Tomorrow" Competition and Training Programme. Judges, representatives from supporting organisations, as well as other students who had completed the programme, all came together to witness this significant moment and share in the celebration.   The winners of the programme are as follows: Champion: Diocesan Girls' School (So Hei Ching, So Hei Tung and Yuen Faith) First runner-up: La Salle College (Ho Yiu Hei, Wilson,  Lee Long Sze, Lonz and Ng Kit Yan, Ian) Leung Shek Chee College (Huang Yunshi, Liu Suet Ying and Poon Hei Tung) Merit Award: Po Leung Kuk Lee Shing Pik College (Li Tin Yan, Li Wing Man and Seto Yu Kiu) Shung Tak Catholic English College (Chan Pui Hang, Jiang Kit Hoi and Shum Ho Yeung)   The programme received an overwhelming response since its launch, with over 120 teams registered, 70 teams were finally admitted to the programme. The success of the "Metaverse Creators of Tomorrow" Competition and Training Programme highlights the commitment of PolyU to fostering creativity, technological expertise, and forward-thinking approaches among the younger generation. The participants have not only gained valuable knowledge and skills but also paved the way for a future where the metaverse plays a significant role in various aspects of life.   For more information about the programme, please visit the official website at https://metaverse.comp.polyu.edu.hk/home For more photos, please visit: https://metaverse.comp.polyu.edu.hk/whats-new

Faculty Awards for Outstanding Achievement 2023

Congratulations to the following staff members on receiving the Faculty Awards for Outstanding Achievement 2023. This truly reflects the great efforts and contributions made by them.   Category of Award Award Awardee Research and Scholarly Activities: Outstanding Researcher Merit Award (Individual) Prof. WANG Dan, Professor Research and Scholarly Activities: Outstanding Young Researcher Merit Award (Individual) Dr YANG Lei, Ray, Associate Professor Faculty Award in Teaching Merit Award (Team) Dr LI Jing, Amelia (Team Leader), Assistant Professor Dr LUI Wing Cheung, Richard, Senior Teaching Fellow   The winners of the Faculty Awards for Outstanding Achievement are chosen by a Faculty Assessment Panel, comprising the Heads (or their delegates) and chaired by the Dean of Faculty of Engineering (FENG), from amongst a pool of well-qualified nominees put forward by individual departments under FENG. The selection is made with reference to the indicative criteria for assessment as laid down by the University for the exercise.

PolyU and Accel Group establish Metaverse+ Joint Laboratory to promote the development and innovation of smart cities related fields

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and Accel Group Holdings Limited (Accel Group) have established the “PolyU-Accel Group Metaverse+ Joint Laboratory” (Joint Lab). The Joint Lab aims to foster the research and application of metaverse technology in various sectors, accelerate the ongoing development of Hong Kong as a green and smart city, strengthen industry-academia-research collaboration and cultivate professional talents. The Accel Group plans to donate HK$10 million to PolyU in the next five years to support the project development and operation of the Joint Lab.   The kick-off ceremony was held on 8 Aug on the PolyU campus, officiated by Ms Lillian CHEONG, Under Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry; Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, President of PolyU; Mr KO Lai-hung, Chairman and CEO of Accel Group; Ms Iris Ping-fan WONG, Hong Kong delegate to the National People’s Congress; Mr CHAN Han-pan, LegCo Member; Dr Miranda LOU, Executive Vice President of PolyU; Prof. LI Qing, Chair Professor of Data Science and Head of the Department of Computing; together with other guests.   Prof. Jin-Guang Teng said, “To better equip students for societal needs, PolyU has taken the lead in launching new Master’s degree programmes in areas including blockchain technology, metaverse technology, and artificial intelligence and big data computing. ‘Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics’ (AIDA) and ‘Innovation and Entrepreneurship’ (IE) have also been incorporated into the undergraduate curriculum. PolyU is committed to becoming an innovative world-class university and its contributions to blockchain technology and Web3 development have been widely recognised. The University topped the ‘Best Universities for Blockchain 2022’ list by CoinDesk, and our scholars recently won the international ZPRIZE award to recognise the breakthroughs achieved by the team in zero-knowledge crypto technology in Web3.”   Dr KO Lai-hung said, “The establishment of the Joint Lab with PolyU will benefit the diversification of our business development and as such is a milestone in the Group’s process of technological innovation. We will cooperate with academia by integrating our extensive industry experience and leveraging our financial resources into research in order to propel the construction of a more competitive and sustainable Hong Kong with the utilisation of metaverse technology. Our Group will also seize the enormous business opportunities brought by the metaverse and actively apply innovative outcomes in our business so as to increase our competitive advantage and support our long-term development.”   Dr ZHANG Chen Jason, Assistant Professor of COMP and the principal investigator of the Joint Lab, introduced the three initial directions that the Joint Lab are taking – new energy materials, industrial training, and financial technology. He explained that the plus sign (i.e. +) in the Joint Lab’s name is symbolic of the integration of metaverse technology into various kinds of industrial application.   The Joint Lab will conduct diversified research, including into the metaverse’s role in enterprise cooperation, industrial applications, green and smart city initiatives, energy management, and sustainable supply chain systems. It is expected that the establishment of the Joint Lab will improve production efficiency and quality while at the same time reducing risk and cost, accelerating the ongoing development of Hong Kong as a green and smart city, and cultivating professional talents. Weaving together the knowledge and research capability of academia with the experience and resources of industry, this collaboration between PolyU and Accel Group will further strengthen cross-disciplinary cooperation and explore the potential and value of metaverse technology in industrial applications and environmental protection.

BlockSec Blockchain Security Award Presentation Ceremony 2022/2023

On 24 July 2023, the BlockSec Blockchain Security Award Presentation Ceremony 2022/2023 was held by COMP. This award, sponsored by BlockSec, recognises the exceptional performance of students enrolled in the MSc in Blockchain Technology programme, particularly those who have excelled in the COMP5566 Blockchain and Smart Contract Security course and demonstrated exceptional overall academic performance.   This year, COMP confers the award on seven extraordinary students. The awards ceremony was presided over by Dr Henry Chan, Associate Head (Partnership and Collaboration) of COMP, Prof. Yajin Zhou, co-founder and CEO of BlockSec, and Prof. Daniel Luo, Programme Leader of the MSc in Blockchain Technology.   Prof. Zhou stated in his opening speech, “BlockSec is excited about the potential that web3 technology holds for the future of blockchain security, and we are committed to supporting and nurturing the next generation of blockchain security experts. This award represents our commitment. We hope that this award will not only recognize the outstanding achievements of the winners, but also inspire and motivate students to pursue their academic goals and contribute to the development of a more secure and decentralised future.”   Two of the awarded students, ZHENG Chaoyou and DENG Jiali, took the stage to share their academic journey in the MSc in Blockchain Technology programme. They reflected on the rewarding path they undertook and the practical knowledge they acquired in the programme.   ZHENG Chaoyou expressed his gratitude, saying, "the University has provided us with first-rate educational resources and an advanced scientific research environment. It has allowed us to focus on our studies and explore new areas of knowledge. I am proud and honoured to have studied in such an environment. The days and nights we spent here, our hard work, our challenges, and successes, are the most precious parts of my life."   DENG Jiali added, "I could gain a deeper understanding of technology in blockchain security and acquire invaluable knowledge with their guidance. Throughout my journey in this subject, I learned a lot about the vulnerabilities of the blockchain and smart contracts and dealt with them with the corresponding solutions in practice."   COMP extends heartfelt congratulations to all the recipients of the BlockSec Blockchain Security Award. Their commitment and diligence serve as examples for their peers and future students in the programme. COMP anticipates seeing their contributions to the blockchain field in the years to come.   About BlockSec: Founded in 2021, BlockSec (blocksec.com) has since played an essential role in providing infrastructures for blockchain security. Their research work and implementation have empowered countless individuals and organizations worldwide. Their dedication to fostering new talent and innovation in blockchain security is embodied in their sponsorship of this award.

Prof. Kay Chen TAN Received the 2024 IEEE Computational Intelligence Magazine Outstanding Paper Award

We are pleased to announce that the paper titled “Evolutionary Transfer Optimization – A New Frontier in Evolutionary Computation Research” co-authored by Prof. Kay Chen TAN, Chair Professor of Computational Intelligence and Associate Head (Research & Development), has been selected as the recipient of the 2024 IEEE Computational Intelligence Magazine Outstanding Paper Award. The IEEE Computational Intelligence Magazine, which has an Impact Factor of 9.0, publishes peer-reviewed articles that present emerging novel discoveries, important insights, or tutorial surveys in all areas of computational intelligence design and applications.   Abstract of the paper: The evolutionary algorithm (EA) is a nature-inspired population-based search method that works on Darwinian principles of natural selection. Due to its strong search capability and simplicity of implementation, EA has been successfully applied to solve many complex optimization problems, which cannot be easily solved by traditional exact mathematical approaches, such as linear programming, quadratic programming, and convex optimization. Despite its great success, it is worth noting that traditional EA solvers start the search from scratch by assuming zero prior knowledge about the task at hand. However, as problems seldom exist in isolation, solving one problem may yield useful information for solving other related problems. There has been growing interest in conducting research on evolutionary transfer optimization (ETO) in recent years: a paradigm that integrates EA solvers with knowledge learning and transfer across related domains to achieve better optimization efficiency and performance. This paper provides an overview of existing works of ETO based on the type of problems being solved by these methods, which are ETO for Optimization in Uncertain Environment, ETO for Multitask Optimization, ETO for Complex Optimization, ETO for Multi/Many-Objective Optimization, and ETO for Machine Learning Applications. The paper also highlights some of the challenges faced in this emerging research field of computational intelligence and discusses some promising future research directions in ETO. It is hoped that the study presented in this paper can help to inspire the development of more advanced ETO methods and applications.   Read the paper: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/9321762

COMP Best Project Award Competition 2023

COMP successfully organised the Best Project Award Competition on 17 June 2023 to recognise students’ outstanding performance in their Capstone Projects. Six shortlisted students joined the final contest and competed for the awards. The panel of judges was formed by our faculty members and representatives from the technology sector, including Hong Kong Cyberport, Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks, and InfoTech Services (HK) Limited.   Each student was given fifteen minutes to present the project, demonstrate it, and answer questions. All of the projects showcased in-depth background research, broad design, and methodology, as well as excellent implementation and evaluation. Moreover, the student’s presentation skills were impressive.   After careful and thorough consideration, the judges selected the winners, and an award presentation ceremony was held accordingly. In addition to the Best Project Awards, two contestants were selected to receive the InfoTech Job Market Driven Scholarship, based on the quality and relevance of their projects in adopting in-demand skills sought by the IT industry. We are proud to present the awardees here and let’s take this opportunity to congratulate them on receiving the awards.   Awardee Project Title Award Luo Dongpu Semantic Image Colorization: Sketch Colorization Champion Chu Tsun Him Virtual Laboratory First Runner-up and InfoTech Job Market Driven Scholarship Wang Yifeng Dude, Where’s My Coffee? Camera Localization That Works in Coffee Robot Manipulation Second Runner-up Wang Xiangzhi Automatic Slides Publication for PowerPoint InfoTech Job Market Driven Scholarship