24.3.1972
The Hong Kong Polytechnic Ordinance was brought into effect and the first Board of Governors was formed. The Governor, the late Sir Murray MacLehose, became the first President of the Polytechnic. Sir S. Y. was appointed Chairman of the Board of Governors.

1.8.1972
The Hong Kong Polytechnic was formally established, taking over the campus of the Hong Kong Technical College.

1978
A Polytechnic delegation led by the Director, Dr Keith Legg, paid an official visit to China's Xian Jiaotong University. This was the first official visit of a Hong Kong academic institution to China.

1983
Launch of the first batch of five degree courses in the areas of Mathematics and Science; Computing Studies; Electronic Engineering; Mechanical Engineering; and Social Work.

1986
The Polytechnic registered its first MPhil students.

1988
The Polytechnic, for the first time, held its Graduation Ceremony for both full-time and part-time graduates at the Hong Kong Coliseum. The Institution's first MPhil degree was conferred.

1989
The Polytechnic was authorised by the University and Polytechnic Grants Committee (UPGC) to introduce PhD programmes.

The Polytechnic conferred its first honorary doctorate on the Founding Chairman of Council, Sir Sze-yuen Chung.

Submission of the New Academic Development Proposals 1991–94 in response to the Government's policy to expand degree places. The Polytechnic was subsequently authorised by the UPGC to offer degree studies to 65 per cent of its student population by 1994/95.

1991
The Polytechnic conferred its first PhD degree.

1993
The Polytechnic was granted self-accreditation status by Government.