PolyU Students Win Awards in the Mainland-Hong Kong-Macau University Students’ Chinese Classics Recital Show 2023

The Mainland-Hong Kong-Macau University Students’ Chinese Classics Recital Show 2023 (2023年港澳和內地高校大學生中華經典誦讀交流展演) was co-organised by Jiangsu Normal University, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University and the University of Macau on 14 October 2023. Over 1,000 entries were received and 25 of them were shortlisted for the Recital Show. Two students from PolyU participated in the event and one of them was awarded the Best Recitation Award (最佳朗讀作品獎) while another received the Young Brilliance Award (青年風彩獎). Our Faculty member Ms Helen Ma(CLC) was responsible for training the PolyU participants.

FH Scholars Rank among the World’s Top 2% Scientists

Scholars from the PolyU Faculty of Humanities are ranked among the 2023 top 2% scientists in the world, according to the newly released metrics compiled by Stanford University. Faculty Dean Prof. Li Ping and Associate Dean Prof. Hu Guangwei have been ranked again as top scholars worldwide in the field of Psychology and Cognitive Sciences (sub-field: Experimental Psychology) and Communication and Textual studies (sub-field: Languages and Linguistics), respectively. Prof. Hu Guangwei is also ranked among the top 50 scholars worldwide in his field. The scholars were named in the latest release by Stanford University led by Professor John Ioannidis’s team which compiled citation indicators covering over 100,000 top scientists. Scientists from around the world were grouped into 22 subject fields and 176 sub-fields using the indicators, which included information on citations, an individual’s scientific research output, co-authorship and a composite indicator for career-long citation impact up to the end of 2022.

PolyU Delegation Visits Nanjing

Led by Dr Lam Tai-fai, Chairman of the PolyU Council, and Prof. Jin-Guang Teng, President of PolyU, a delegation from PolyU recently visited Nanjing, engaging in fruitful cooperation and exchanges with local universities and the Mayor of Nanjing. During the visit to Nanjing University, in the presence of leaders from both universities, Prof. Li Ping, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities at PolyU, and Prof. Zhang Sheng, Dean of the School of History at Nanjing University, signed a strategic cooperation memorandum. This memorandum lays the foundation for further collaboration between the two institutions, including faculty visits, student and academic exchanges. The PolyU delegation also visited Southeast University, where President Teng and Prof. Huang Ru, President of Southeast University, renewed the cooperation agreement between the two universities, reaffirming their commitment to enhancing collaboration. In addition, the delegation also had meetings with Mayor Chen Zhi-chang and Vice Mayor Wu Wei of Nanjing, strengthening the ties between PolyU and Nanjing. By leveraging PolyU’s research strengths and the industry needs of Nanjing, the partnership aims to contribute to the development of both regions.

Prof. William Shi-Yuan Wang Awarded Honorary Professorship by Macau University of Science and Technology

Prof. William Shi-Yuan Wang, Chair Professor of Language and Cognitive Sciences, received an Honorary Professorship from Macau University of Science and Technology (MUST) on 13 September 2023 for his outstanding achievements. Prof. Wang also gave an invited lecture at the Master Series Lectures of Science and Technology “Human Languages, Past, Present & Future” hosted by MUST on the occasion.

Join the FH Massive Open Online Course (MOOC): Humanities in Focus

Join the FH Massive Open Online Course (MOOC): Humanities in Focus to explore What is Humanities, Why Humanities Matter but more importantly, Why Humanities Matters to You! The questioning, humanising and connecting approach of humanities education trains all of us to think critically and creatively. In the context of humanities, thinking critically and creatively means to reflect on our personal values and experiences, and challenge what we think we know, and explore how other people may see or experience the world differently from us. Start your journey of thinking critically and creatively by joining the course in just three simple steps: https://www.edx.org/learn/humanities/the-hong-kong-polytechnic-university-Humanities-in-Focus Click Enroll Register/Sign in Join the MOOC when it launches on 25 September! Don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity to deepen your understanding of Humanities.

CBS PhD Student Won Championship in the 48th Hong Kong Youth Translation Competition

Ms Hui Ka-yee, a CBS PhD student, won the champion of English-Chinese translation and the second runner-up of Chinese-English translation in the Open Section of the 48th Hong Kong Youth Translation Competition, which is the highest-level translation contest in Hong Kong. The competition, held in May 2023, was jointly organised by the Hong Kong Youth Cultural and Arts Competitions, the Society of Chinese Accountants and Auditors, and the Hong Kong Translation Society. It consisted of three sections: open, senior secondary, and junior secondary. More than 50 participants joined the Open Section, making it a highly competitive arena. Details of the competition: https://www.hkts.org.hk/events/2082    

PolyU Launches Yuen Ren Chao Prize in Language Sciences Recognising Outstanding Scholars in the Field

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is proud to announce the launch of the Yuen Ren Chao Prize in Language Sciences (“the Prize”) which aims to recognise the study of language sciences and honour those who have made distinguished contributions to the field. The Prize is named in honour of the late Prof. Yuen Ren CHAO who is widely regarded as the father of modern Chinese language studies. Prof. Chao’s legacy as a distinguished linguist, poet, composer, translator and educator has left an indelible mark on scholars in China, Asia and around the world. Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, President of PolyU and the University senior management, joined by Prof. LI Ping, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities, Prof. William Shi-Yuan WANG, Chair Professor of Language and Cognitive Sciences as well as distinguished guests including Dr Louis NG Chi-wa, Director of Hong Kong Palace Museum; Prof. Ovid Jyh-Lang TZENG, Academician of Academic Sinica; Dr Warren MOK, Artistic Director of Opera Hong Kong and renowned tenor; Ms Bing Bing WANG, renowned soprano; and Prof. XU Jie, Dean of Faculty of Arts and Humanities of the University of Macau, officiated at the Launch Ceremony. The Ceremony opened with welcoming remarks from Prof. Jin-Guang Teng, followed by a remembering of Prof. Yuen Ren Chao by Prof. William Wang, a sharing of Prof. Chao’s academic influences by Prof. Ovid Tzeng and other distinguished academics, and an insightful talk on Prof. Chao’s academic achievements and contributions by Dr Louis Ng. Prof. Jin-Guang Teng said, “PolyU and the Faculty of Humanities are honoured to uphold and further advance the legacy of Prof. Yuen Ren Chao. The Faculty pursues excellence in education and research by adopting a multidisciplinary approach that draws upon language, history, culture, communication and technology. It aims to become a leading hub connecting world-class linguists and language scientists around the globe to advance knowledge for the benefit of society. We are confident that the Prize will serve as a crucial catalyst in fostering greater linguistic and cultural understanding in the years to come.” Dr Louis Ng described Prof. Yuen Ren Chao as a scholar whose knowledge traversed times, cultures and disciplines. He said, “Prof. Chao’s scientific knowledge enabled his use of scientific methods and means, while his musical knowledge inspired his countless linguistic studies. The cross-disciplinary combination of science, language and art prompted him to open a new world for modern Chinese linguistics research.” The programme also included captivating singing performances of How Can I Help But Think Of You and The Sea Rhyme, both composed by Prof. Chao, by renowned artists Dr Warren Mok and Ms Bing Bing Wang. Additionally, a meaningful moment was captured through the recitation of one of Prof. Chao’s essays, Lion-Eating Poet in the Stone Den, by two PolyU students, symbolising the continuation of his language sciences legacy. A book exhibition also paid tribute to Prof. Chao’s remarkable contribution to language sciences.   Prof. Ovid Tzeng and distinguished academics including Prof. CHEN Zhongmin of Fudan University, Prof. LI Jen-Kuei of Academia Sinica, Prof. SHI Feng of Nankai University, Dr Peter ZHOU of University of California, Berkeley and Dr CHEUNG Kwan-hin, Former Head of PolyU’s Department of Chinese and Bilingual Studies also shared their thoughts on Prof. Chao’s influence on their own academic and personal pursuits via video. During the ceremony, Prof. Li Ping introduced the background of the Prize and announced nomination details and the selection process. Two awards, namely the Lifetime Achievement Award and Early Career Contribution Award, will be presented biennially, starting from 2024, to senior and junior scholars who have made distinguished contributions to research and education in language sciences respectively. A committee composed of world-renowned experts will select the candidates for the awards. The awardees will be featured as presenters of a distinguished lecture hosted by the Faculty of Humanities, along with the conferment of the Prize and cash awards. Nomination starts on 1 September 2023. The host of the Prize, the PolyU Faculty of Humanities, is emerging as a leader in tertiary education in Asia Pacific and the world in the field of language sciences. Capitalising on its strengths in areas such as speech therapy, health communication and language neuroscience, the Faculty is poised to become a hub of language sciences research to create and advance knowledge for the benefit of mankind. The Prize exemplifies PolyU’s commitment to advancing humanities studies and education, and will inspire new generations of students and scholars to innovate in language science research. For more information about the Prize, please visit the official website www.polyu.edu.hk/fh/chao-prize or send enquiries to chao.prize@polyu.edu.hk.

CIHK Scholar Explores Northern and Southern Dynasties Poetries on Local TV Programme

Dr Li Meng, Teaching Fellow of the Confucius Institute of Hong Kong at PolyU, co-hosted RTHK’s TV programme Dialogue with Masters and talked about the poetries and verses in the Northern and Southern dynasties in the latest episode with Prof. Nicolas Chan Wai Shun of CUHK. The TV series covers a total of 13 episodes on poetries and literatures from Pre-Qin period to 1990s. Click HERE to watch the episode.

FH Hosts Roundtable on ChatGPT and Large Language Models: Linguistic, Cognitive, and Humanistic Perspectives

The Faculty recently hosted a successful roundtable with lively discussion on ChatGPT and Large Language Models: Linguistic, Cognitive, and Humanistic Perspectives. Held on Saturday, 5 August 2023, the event brought together esteemed professors and distinguished researchers. With Dean, Prof. Ping Li, serving as the Convener and Chair, the roundtable included Prof. Hualou Liang from Drexel University, Prof. Nian-Shing Chen from National Taiwan Normal University, Prof. Ovid J-L. Tzeng from National Taiwan Normal University, Dr Samuel Nastase from Princeton University, and Dr Qihui Xu from Basque Center on Cognition, Brain, and Language. The roundtable aimed to foster valuable conversations and idea exchange surrounding the challenges and opportunities presented by ChatGPT and large language models. Engaging in thought-provoking discussions, the participants showcased their expertise and provided insights into the best strategies for using emerging technologies. The Faculty remains dedicated to organising impactful events that promote interdisciplinary dialogue and drive innovation. Stay tuned for our future initiatives that continue to enhance constructive discussions and academic-industry collaboration.

Summer Camp Empowers Students with Language and Culture Skills

More than 200 students from both local secondary and international schools participated in a three-day PolyU summer camp. The Faculty Dean Prof. Li Ping, Associate Dean (FH) Prof. Hu Guangwei and Associate Head of Department of Chinese and Bilingual Studies, Prof. Li Dechao expressed their warmest welcome to participants at a welcoming dinner. Around 20 participants engaged in a diverse array of activities organised by the Faculty of Humanities and its departments. The activities were designed to convey practical skills and knowledge relating to language, culture, and communication within a university context. The experience provided a glimpse into the life of a Faculty of Humanities student, which equipped participants with the necessary insights to make decisions concerning their future academic pursuits.