TJU–PolyU Shenzhen Institute of Future Technologies holds 2026 opening and inauguration ceremony, strengthening Shenzhen–Hong Kong higher education collaboration and nurturing future innovation and technology talent
The Tianjin University (TJU) –The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) Shenzhen Institute of Future Technologies (SIFT) held its 2026 opening and inauguration ceremony yesterday (20 September) at the International Campus of University Town of Shenzhen. Approved by the Ministry of Education in May this year, the establishment of SIFT marks a significant milestone in the two universities’ efforts to deepen collaboration in higher education and nurture innovation and technology talent for the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area. Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, PolyU President, and Prof. CHAI Liyuan, President of TJU, joined representatives of the two universities, industry partners, and SIFT faculty members and students in witnessing this important occasion.
Prof. Jin-Guang Teng expressed his sincere gratitude to the Ministry of Education for its support of the partnership between the two universities, which has opened a new chapter in deepening cross-boundary higher education collaboration and cultivating innovative scientific and technological talents for the Greater Bay Area and the Nation. He stated, “Through this partnership, the two universities strive to integrate our disciplinary strengths, educational philosophies, research resources and international networks to nurture innovative talents for the Nation. Such talents will possess a strong sense of national pride, a global perspective, social responsibility, an innovative spirit, strong practical capabilities and collaborative competencies.”
He encouraged students to uphold sound values, focus on developing their capabilities, take ownership of their learning and embrace innovation throughout their studies. He also urged them to grow into outstanding talents equipped for the era of artificial intelligence, applying their knowledge and expertise to serve the Nation, contribute to society and benefit humanity.
Prof. Chai Liyuan welcomed the new students on behalf of TJU and thanked all sectors of the community for their longstanding support for SIFT’s development. Using the three themes of “establishing a presence in Shenzhen, taking root in Shenzhen and pursuing studies in Shenzhen”, he outlined the significance of SIFT in the contemporary era and its direction for talent development.
He said the two universities would bring together their complementary resources and focus on frontier fields in future industries, including brain-computer interfaces, intelligent medicine, artificial intelligence and smart grids. Through interdisciplinary education, industry–education integration and collaboration between the two universities, SIFT will reshape knowledge structures, transform learning environments and broaden students’ horizons. Prof. Chai encouraged students to seize the opportunities of the times, embrace both a commitment to the Nation and a global outlook, pursue their studies with diligence, and shoulder their responsibilities by writing a new chapter for their generation in Shenzhen, a city renowned for reform and innovation.
At the ceremony, Prof. LAI Puxiang, Associate Head (Research) of the Department of Biomedical Engineering (BME) at PolyU; Mr ZHAO Jiehui, an alumnus of TJU and Chairman of Deepexi Technology Co., Ltd; and student WANG Shixian delivered remarks on behalf of faculty members, alumni and industry partners, and new students.
Prof. Jin-Guang Teng, Prof. Chai Liyuan and members of the senior management of the two universities subsequently officiated at the inauguration ceremony, presented and pinned badges of the two universities to student representatives. Other attendees included Prof. H.C. MAN, Director of SIFT and Dean of the PolyU Faculty of Engineering (FENG); Prof. LI Keqiu, Director of SIFT and Dean of TJU’s Shenzhen International College; Prof. Raymond SZE, Associate Director of SIFT and Associate Dean of the PolyU Faculty of Computer and Mathematical Sciences (FCMS); together with members of the senior management teams and representatives of PolyU and TJU.
Established with the support of the Shenzhen Municipal Government, SIFT is jointly operated by TJU and PolyU, offering undergraduate, taught postgraduate and research postgraduate programmes. Its academic programmes focus on key future industries identified in national development plans, embracing frontier technology fields such as brain-computer interfaces, intelligent medical engineering, computer science, artificial intelligence and smart grids. Building upon the strong educational and research capabilities of the two universities and Shenzhen’s well-established innovation ecosystem, SIFT actively promotes interdisciplinary integration and collaboration between academia and industry.
To-date, SIFT has received approval to offer seven postgraduate and doctoral programmes and four undergraduate programmes. In the 2026/27 academic year, it launched the Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Biomedical Engineering and Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Computer Science programmes, admitting a total of 102 undergraduate students. The first cohort of postgraduate students is expected to commence their studies in the 2027/28 academic year. The establishment of SIFT will further facilitate the sharing of high-quality education resources between Shenzhen and Hong Kong, injecting fresh impetus into higher education collaboration and the development of future industries across the Greater Bay Area.
Wang Shixian delivered remarks on behalf of the new students.
Prof. Jin-Guang Teng (4th from right); Prof. Chai Liyuan (4th from left); Prof. Cao Jiannong (2nd from right); and Prof. Ming Dong (2nd from left) presented badges of the two universities to student representatives.
TJU–PolyU Shenzhen Institute of Future Technologies held its opening and inauguration ceremony yesterday at the International Campus of University Town of Shenzhen.
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