PolyU and Dassault Systèmes establish first Center of Excellence in Asia Pacific to advance “AI + digital twin” for materials innovation

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and Dassault Systèmes signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to launch the Dassault Systèmes–PolyU Center of Excellence. Established on the existing PolyU Research Centre of Materials Intelligent Manufacturing, the Center is the first Dassault Systèmes Center of Excellence in the Asia Pacific region. Combining PolyU’s research excellence in artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics for materials innovation with Dassault Systèmes’ leadership in digital twin technologies and advanced software solutions, this industry-academia international partnership aims to foster innovation in “AI + materials” and “AI + digital twin,” support talent development in “AI + manufacturing,” and drive industrial upgrading in Hong Kong, the Greater Bay Area and beyond.

The MoU signing ceremony was held at the PolyU campus on 17 September. Witnessed by Prof. Christopher CHAO, Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU, and Mr Samson KHAOU, Executive Vice President of Asia-Pacific, Dassault Systèmes, along with distinguished representatives from PolyU and Dassault Systèmes, the MoU was signed by Prof. CHUNG Chi-yung, Head of the PolyU Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, and Ms Joanne LI, 3DEXPERIENCE Edu Sales Director of China, Dassault Systèmes. The signing was followed by a plaque unveiling ceremony officiated by Prof. Christopher Chao and Mr Samson Khaou, which marked the official launch of the Dassault Systèmes–PolyU Center of Excellence.

On this occasion, it was also announced that Mr Samson Khaou had been appointed as a member of the Industrial Advisory Board of the PolyU Research Centre for Materials Intelligent Manufacturing, with an official letter presented by the Research Centre’s Director Prof. Haitao ZHAO, Professor of the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering and Director of the PolyU Research Centre for Materials Intelligent Manufacturing. This represents a significant milestone in international cooperation between academia and industry, connecting the “AI + manufacturing” innovation ecosystems of Hong Kong, France as well as the rest of the world.

Mr Samson Khaou (right) has been appointed as an Industrial Advisory Board Member of the PolyU Research Centre for Materials Intelligent Manufacturing. Prof. Haitao Zhao (left) presented him an official letter of membership at the event.

Prof. Christopher Chao remarked, “PolyU is committed to promoting interdisciplinary innovative research and has made noteworthy achievements in AI as well as in other emerging fields. With the University’s longstanding partnership with Dassault Systèmes since 2003, the newly established Center of Excellence will further reinforce our shared vision in ‘AI + materials’ and ‘AI + digital twin.’ It will also harness the research capabilities of the PolyU Research Centre for Materials Intelligent Manufacturing to deliver lasting benefits of ‘AI + manufacturing’ to Hong Kong, the Greater Bay Area and beyond.”

Mr Samson Khaou stated, “This new Center of Excellence is fully aligned with Dassault Systèmes’ next ten-year strategy, which is to leverage AI to virtualise materials, equipment and the manufacturing process. Through this partnership, we will focus on three priorities: first, fostering new generations of digital talent through the Center, curriculum development initiatives and hands-on projects in ‘AI + materials’ and ‘AI + digital twin’; second, deepening integration between industry, academia and research to strengthen Hong Kong’s innovation ecosystem; and third, expanding our long-term investment and presence in Hong Kong by working closely with universities, industries and government to establish an AI Lab for industry applications. We are excited to work hand-in-hand with PolyU to bring into real-life impact from virtual worlds.”

Within the collaborative framework, the PolyU Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering will provide comprehensive academic support to the Dassault Systèmes–PolyU Center by aligning its resources, talent and research strengths with the Center’s initiatives. Prof. Chung Chi-yung highlighted that the Center is more than just an infrastructure of AI and digital twin technologies; it is a hub where ideas, technologies and talent converge to create measurable international impact in “AI + materials.”

The new Center will be led by Prof. Haitao Zhao. He introduced the Center’s vision, mission and research focus and noted that it would strive to address the expanding needs of industry for intelligent manufacturing solutions, particularly in materials, energy and sustainable development, and leverage robotics platforms and domain-specific large language models to promote the development of “AI + digital twin.”

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