The Honorary Degree Recipients

Mr Han Bicheng is the Founder and CEO of Qiangnao Technology, a global leader in non-invasive brain–computer interface (BCI) technologies. He serves as a member of the Science and Technology Innovation Advisory Committee of the Shanghai Stock Exchange. In 2025, Mr Han was appointed to the Hong Kong Chief Executive’s Council of Advisers, a high-level advisory body to the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China.

Mr Han founded Qiangnao Technology in 2015 while pursuing his Ph.D. at Harvard’s Center for Brain Science. Under his leadership, the company has grown into China’s first BCI unicorn and one of the world’s foremost innovators in non-invasive neurotechnology, and now stands alongside Elon Musk's Neuralink as one of the two largest companies by R&D investment in the global BCI field.

Qiangnao Technology is dedicated to equipping tens of millions of physically impaired individuals worldwide with brain-controlled prosthetic limbs. Additionally, the company is deeply engaged in the rehabilitation of neurological disorders, providing tailored solutions for conditions such as ADHD, ASD, Alzheimer’s disease, and sleep disorders. 

Mr Han was selected as one of MIT Technology Review’s “Innovators Under 35,” recognised as a World Economic Forum “Young Global Leader,” was listed among Fortune China’s “40 Under 40”, and was named AI Person of the Year 2025.

Mr Council Chairman, 

It is a profound privilege to present to you Mr Han Bicheng, a visionary entrepreneur, a pioneering scientist, and a global leader whose work in neurotechnology holds the potential to transform the lives of millions. Mr Han has not merely founded a company; he has ushered in a new chapter in human-machine interaction, demonstrating how cutting-edge science can be harnessed to achieve profound social good. 

Mr Han’s foundational journey into the complex frontier of the human brain began at one of the world’s most prestigious institutions. While pursuing his Ph.D. at Harvard University's Center for Brain Science, Mr Han recognised that the future of human potential lay in bridging the gap between consciousness and external devices.

This academic passion was quickly translated into entrepreneurial action. In 2015, Mr Han founded BrainCo, also known as Zhejiang Qiangnao Technology Co., Limited, a high-tech venture officially incubated in the Harvard Innovation Lab. Under Mr Han's visionary leadership, Qiangnao Technology- quickly grew into China's first unicorn specialising in Brain-Computer Interface (or BCI) technology, and now stands globally alongside a selected few as one of the largest companies by research and development investment in the BCI field. The company is celebrated as one of the "Six Little Dragons of Hangzhou".
Mr Han’s commitment to scientific rigour and innovation has yielded truly transformative products and intellectual property. Under his guidance, Qiangnao Technology holds over 480 patents, including more than 270 core invention patents in the BCI field, positioning the company among the leading innovators globally in this domain. 

This excellence has garnered significant international recognition, including being named one of the “50 Smartest Companies” by MIT Technology Review and one of “China’s Most Socially Influential Startups” by Fortune China.

In assistive rehabilitation, he led his team to develop the world’s first mass-produced, U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved intelligent prosthetic bionic hand. This BCI device is highly affordable, poised to enable millions of people with disabilities to regain control and autonomy through their thoughts.

Beyond prosthetics, his neurological health and education applications offer medical-grade neurofeedback training and products to manage conditions such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and sleep disorders, significantly improving cognitive efficiency and educational outcomes for countless individuals. 

Mr Han views his work not merely as commercial success but as a moral imperative. His life philosophy is rooted in the belief that technology must serve humanity, particularly the vulnerable. His ultimate goal is to lead his team of brilliant scientists to make the next great breakthrough. His dream is audacious: to fundamentally change the world by restructuring the interaction between the human brain and the external environment, envisioning a future where BCI technology is as transformative as the internet.

Mr Han’s global influence is evidenced by his numerous prestigious accolades, including: MIT Technology Review’s “Innovators Under 35”, World Economic Forum’s “Young Global Leader”, Fortune China’s “40 Under 40”, Forbes China’s “30 Under 30 China” and AI Person of the Year 2025.

His dedication to the betterment of society through public service has led to his appointment to the Hong Kong Chief Executive’s Council of Advisers (Innovation and Entrepreneurship) since July 2025, a high-level advisory body to the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) of the People’s Republic of China.

Mr Han’s commitment to leveraging technology for public good aligns perfectly with The Hong Kong Polytechnic University’s (PolyU’s) mission of pursuing world-leading research and innovation for societal benefits. We are therefore particularly proud of the strategic partnership forged between our institution and Qiangnao Technology. The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding in September 2025 between Qiangnao Technology and PolyU to explore the establishment of the “PolyU-Qiangnao Joint Research Centre for Brain-Computer Interface” is a direct response to the HKSAR Government’s policy of supporting people-oriented scientific research. This collaboration is to integrate BCI expertise and technology into the community, including installation and evaluation of intelligent bionic limbs, to support disadvantaged groups in Hong Kong. This synergy between academia, enterprise, and government is poised to drive healthcare technology transfer and innovation for the benefit of Hong Kong, the Nation, and the world.

Mr Council Chairman, for his courage in transforming a cutting-edge field of science into life-changing technology, for his monumental leadership in the global BCI industry, and for his enduring commitment to using innovation and technology to serve humanity, it is with the greatest respect and admiration that I present Mr Han Bicheng, for the conferment of the Degree of Doctor of Technology honoris causa.

Dear Chairman Lam, President Teng, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is a tremendous honour to receive this honorary doctorate from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. I am Han Bicheng, founder of BrainCo, also known as Zhejiang Qiangnao Technology Co., Limited, and a researcher dedicated to brain-computer interface—or BCI—technology. For the past ten years, our team has focused on both developing BCI and bringing it from the lab to the real world.

This honour is not just for me—it belongs to everyone working to bridge academia and industry to improve lives through technology.

Over 30% of global healthcare spending is linked to brain disorders, very few of which can be treated with pharmaceutical drugs. BCI offers groundbreaking potential for nearly a hundred neurological conditions—from Alzheimer’s and autism to depression, insomnia, and physical disabilities.

When we started BrainCo, we chose to begin with neuro-controlled prosthetic limbs. I’ve always believed that the value of science lies not only in discovery, but in tangible impact. After years of effort, our neuro-controlled prosthetic hands now allow amputees to write, draw, and even play the piano. Those who have lost a leg can walk, run, and even surf or climb.

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University is known for its academic excellence and its motto: “To learn and to apply, for the benefit of mankind.” For over eighty-five years, this principle has driven the integration of innovation with social responsibility. We are honoured to partner with PolyU in establishing the Joint Research Centre for Brain-Computer Interface, bringing innovations like neuro-controlled prosthetic limbs to Hong Kong.

This award deepens my sense of mission. In the next decade, we aim to help one million people with limb disabilities regain daily function through neuro-prosthetics; improve the lives of ten million people affected by brain disorders; and introduce BCI interaction to one hundred million users.

I extend special thanks to the PolyU Council, President Teng, and all the professors for supporting this emerging field. Your openness to innovation truly reflects the character of a world-class university.

This honour is both an encouragement and a call to action. I am aware that there is still much to accomplish, and I look forward to future collaboration with PolyU in research and talent development.

Finally, I thank my family for their unwavering support, and my team—whose dedication makes everything possible. Once again, thank you, PolyU, for this great honour.

Thank you all！