Professor Hwa-yaw Tam, Chair Professor of Photonics and Associate Director of Photonics Research Institute (PRI), was recently profiled by 21st Century Business Herald, chronicling his over three decades of research in fibre optic sensing. The feature highlighted a career dedicated to bridging academia and industry, from deploying the world's first city-wide fibre optic sensing network for Hong Kong’s MTR to pioneering ultrafine plastic fibre sensors for cochlear implant surgery.
His “product-oriented” research approach, developed during his time in industry, has led to award-winning technologies and has also actively nurtured the next generation of entrepreneurs. Under his mentorship, his research teams have incubated seven photonics companies.
Following Professor Tam’s efforts to foster industry collaboration, Amonics Limited—a photonics company founded by his first PhD student—has donated HK$1.5 million to PolyU. “This generous contribution will support our ongoing research initiatives in advanced photonics and help nurture the next generation of technology researchers and innovators,” notes Professor Tam. The donation, celebrated at the PolyU Foundation Appreciation Dinner, illustrates a clear cycle of academic impact: from inspiring students to achieving global research recognition, and now, channelling that success back into pioneering future technologies at PolyU.
Read the full interview on the 21st Century Business Herald website
