Media Releases

PolyU harnesses GeoAI technologies to enable sustainable urban development

Geospatial artificial intelligence (GeoAI) is an interdisciplinary field that combines geospatial science and artificial intelligence (AI). The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is harnessing innovative GeoAI technologies to provide ground-breaking solutions for some of the environmental and social challenges facing the world today, in various fields including transportation, urban and public safety, planning, climate change and natural disasters. Prof. Qihao WENG, Chair Professor of Geomatics and Artificial Intelligence of the Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics, and Global STEM Professor, established the PolyU Research Centre for Artificial Intelligence in Geomatics (RCAIG), to focus on the development of original and innovative AI methodologies and technologies for geomatics and their applications in urban areas, with the goal of it becoming a global R&D hub in GeoAI. Prof. Weng has recently been honoured with the 2024 American Association of Geographers (AAG) Wilbanks Prize for Transformational Research in Geography and the 2024 AAG Remote Sensing Specialty Group Lifetime Achievement Honor Award for his ground-breaking contributions in geography. One direction for the Research Centre is investigation into human-environment interactions in urbanisation by utilising geospatial analytics, GeoAI and big data methods. Another direction is to create various data products of global urban areas using Earth Observations (EO) and to provide EO-based urban data services. As RCAIG Principal Investigator and Director, Prof. Weng said, “Earth observation is important as a guiding compass for understanding changes in the environment and society. Our research focuses on diverse fields including geospatial big data and AI, remote sensing, ground-based sensors, navigation and positioning, surveying and geodesy, laser scanning, and photogrammetry. These technologies play a crucial role in addressing and resolving key environmental and social challenges.” In particular, GeoAI has revolutionised building monitoring by utilising thousands of learnable parameters. An illustration of this is its ability to automatically learn and identify general patterns of buildings such as colour and shape. This technology is crucially applied to detect disaster-damaged buildings, retrieve building height, identify structural changes and estimate building energy consumption. As a result, GeoAI has emerged as a mainstream solution for more efficient and insightful building monitoring. Environmental monitoring In the field of urbanisation monitoring, an RCAIG research team has developed an impervious surface area based urban cellular automata (CA) model that can simulate the fractional change of urban areas within each grid by utilising annual urban extent time series data obtained from satellite observations. By categorising the historical pathways of urban area growth into different levels of urbanisation, the model offers more detailed insights compared to traditional, binary, CA models. This demonstrates its great potential in supporting sustainable development. Research conducted by Ms Wanru HE, an RCAIG doctoral research assistant, and her team was reported in the paper “Modeling gridded urban fractional change using the temporal context information in the urban cellular automata model”, and has been published in Cities. Their model effectively captures the dynamics of urban sprawl with significantly improved computational efficiency and performance, and will help enable the modelling of urban growth at regional and even global level, under diverse future urbanisation scenarios. GeoAI for traffic management In the area of smart traffic management, to enhance the efficiency of ride-hailing platforms and achieve intelligent management of their services, the RCAIG research team has developed a multi-agent order matching and vehicle repositioning approach. This innovative technology focuses on coordinating the supply and demand of ride-hailing services, ultimately aiming to improve their overall efficiency. Their approach provides a ground-breaking solution to tackle two critical aspects necessary for efficient ride-hailing services. Firstly, it addresses order matching by efficiently assigning orders to available vehicles. Secondly, it incorporates proactive vehicle repositioning, strategically deploying idle vehicles to regions with potentially high demand. Based on multi-agent deep reinforcement learning, this innovation solves the complex planning issues in transportation and offers a new perspective on a long-term spatio-temporal planning problem. The research conducted by Ms Mingyue XU, another RCAIG researcher, and her team, was reported in the paper “Multi-agent reinforcement learning to unify order-matching and vehicle-repositioning in ride-hailing services”, and has been published in the International Journal of Geographical Information Science. The study achieved outstanding results, including reduced passenger rejection rates and driver idle time. About RCAIG With a focus on GeoAI, RCAIG is dedicated to conducting research in diverse fields, including urban building and energy, urban safety and security, environmental monitoring and conservation, urban resilience and public health. This aligns with the 11th United Nations Sustainable Development Goal, which aims to create inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable cities and human settlements. Website: https://rcaig.com/ Learn more about Prof. Qihao Weng’s research focus in the video: https://polyu.me/3Vt7yih

PolyU admits 13 outstanding athletes through SALSA Scheme to support their dual-track development in sports and academic pursuits on all fronts

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) places a strong emphasis on providing holistic education and supports the dual-track development of student-athletes in sports and academic pursuits. This year, PolyU has admitted 13 outstanding athletes through the Student-Athlete Learning Support and Admission Scheme (SALSA) who will embark on their undergraduate studies in the 2024/25 academic year and get prepared for the future. The newly admitted student-athletes have achieved remarkable results representing Hong Kong in international and regional tournaments in sports that include athletics, equestrian, fencing, football, judo, squash, table tennis, triathlon and wushu. They will be enrolled on a wide range of undergraduate programmes, including Applied Social Sciences; English and Applied Linguistics; Nursing; Optometry; Radiography and Physiotherapy. Prof. Kwok-yin WONG, PolyU Vice President (Education), welcomed the 13 student-athletes to the University and said, “PolyU is committed to providing holistic education and encourages students to develop varied abilities. We hope student-athletes are able to apply the determination to go beyond own limits in their academic pursuit as in competition and motivate their PolyU peers to constantly demonstrate excellence.” Hong Kong Premier League player POON Pui Hin, who scored the decisive goal in the men’s quarter-finals of the Asian Games 2023 in Hangzhou and led the Hong Kong team to make a historic run into the semi-finals is admitted to PolyU in the coming academic year. Now focusing on the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, he believes language-related knowledge and communication skills will propel his career growth, thereby choosing to study English and Applied Linguistics. He said, “Despite the demanding schedule of matches and training, I am confident that I can balance my football career and academic development with the ample support provided by PolyU. I will endeavour to bring glory to Hong Kong once again.” Squash athlete LEUNG Ka Huen, who bagged a silver medal in the girls’ team at the Asian Junior Squash Team Championships last year, will pursue the programme of Physiotherapy. After her experience of competing while injured, she has been drawn to the profession of physiotherapy and is determined to pursue a career in this field. “Knowing the course workload could be heavy, I am grateful for PolyU’s strong support and arrangement of a tutor to provide individualised support to address my needs in learning and other areas. This will enable me to remain focused on training while keeping up with my studies.” Winning a gold medal at the Acropolis International Wushu Open Tournament and a silver medal at the Asian Junior Wushu Championships in the junior boy’s sanda category last year, wushu player TAI Lok Ming aspires to study Applied Social Sciences to become a social worker. He remarked, “I hope to enhance myself through my studies at PolyU, and utilise the knowledge gained from the programme to assist people in need.” PolyU offers a number of scholarships to student-athletes every year, in recognition of their distinguished sporting achievements. Athletes admitted through the Scheme are awarded scholarships of up to HK$400,000. The University also provides them with residential college accommodation to drive their personal growth through hostel life, as well as a series of learning support opportunities including individual mentorship in their academic work, flexibility in learning and study assessments, and extension of study periods.   ***END***

PolyU and Ganzhou sign strategic collaborative framework agreements to deepen research collaboration between Hong Kong and Ganzhou

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has partnered with Ganzhou Municipal Government and Xingguo County Government in Jiangxi province to capitalise on their strengthens and promote the high-quality development of the textile industry in Ganzhou and Hong Kong. Prof. Christopher CHAO, PolyU Vice President (Research and Innovation), led a delegation to participate in the “1st China (Ganzhou) Graphene cum Textile and Apparel and New Materials Industry Forum” on 19 March in Xingguo County, Ganzhou. At the event, Prof. Chao signed strategic collaborative framework agreement separately with Mr DOU Liangtan, Member of the Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Ganzhou Municipal Committee and Vice Mayor of Ganzhou, and Mr LIU Zhanghong, Deputy Secretary of Xingguo County Party Committee and County Mayor of Xingguo, for the joint establishment of the PolyU-Xingguo Textiles Technology and Innovation Research Institute (the Institute) to promote in-depth and effective industry-university-research collaboration. The Institute will support the innovative development of the textile industry in Ganzhou and its counties, while creating further opportunities for PolyU in terms of education, research and translation of research into innovative outcomes in the field of textiles. Prof. Christopher Chao said, “By putting efforts into brand building, technology promotion, professional training and talent development, PolyU will make contributions to the advancement of the textile industry and market in Ganzhou and Xingguo County. The solicitation of business and projects will also facilitate investment and further collaborative opportunities. We will both fully leverage our respective strengths and join forces to create a new chapter in the textile industry.” PolyU possesses strong educational and research capabilities in the textiles field, which align with the development needs of Ganzhou’s textile industry in the areas of talent cultivation, research, industrial transformation and upgrading. The collaboration between PolyU, Ganzhou and Xingguo County and the establishment of the Institute will leverage the University’s expertise in talent, technology and research platforms, to support the enduring growth of local textile enterprises. The forum themed on “New Weave of New Graphene” gathered experts from universities, enterprises and industry in the fields of graphene and textiles from all over the country, to discuss research and industrial applications of graphene (also known as the King of New Materials). Dr Shou Dahua, Assistant Professor and Limin Endowed Young Scholar in Advanced Textiles Technologies of PolyU School of Fashion and Textiles introduced his research achievements in textiles and new materials at the Forum. On the same day, the country’s first Graphene Technology Museum was inaugurated in Xingguo County, to serve as a national hub for graphene innovation to translate research outcomes into new productive forces.   ***END***

PolyU partners with Yangjiang Offshore Wind Energy Laboratory to establish joint research centre to drive development of offshore wind power technology

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and Yangjiang Offshore Wind Energy Laboratory (the Laboratory) signed an agreement to jointly establish the PolyU-Yangjiang Laboratory Joint Research Centre for Offshore Wind Power (JRC). The JRC will be operated and managed jointly by the PolyU Research Institute for Land and Space (RILS) and the Laboratory, signifying an increasingly close research collaboration between the two organisations in offshore wind power technology. Under the new partnership, PolyU and Yangjiang researchers will share resources and laboratory facilities, and join force in research projects on new technologies and materials for offshore wind power applications, as well as translating the research outcomes into practical solutions for industry. The JRC signing ceremony was held on the PolyU campus and attended by a delegation from Yangjiang in Guangdong province together with PolyU representatives. Distinguished guests included Prof. Christopher CHAO, PolyU Vice President (Research and Innovation); Mr LIU Dewei, Vice Mayor of Yangjiang Municipal People’s Government; Prof. DONG Cheng, PolyU Associate Vice President (Mainland Research Advancement); Prof. CHEN Qingyan, Director of the PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research (PAIR); Prof. DING Xiaoli, Director of RILS; Mr MO Jiaqiang, Deputy Director of Yangjiang Science and Technology Bureau; Mr LIN Tao, Deputy Director of Yangjiang Development and Reform Bureau, and Prof. ZHU Ronghua, Director of Yangjiang Offshore Wind Energy Laboratory. In his welcoming remarks, Prof. Christopher Chao said, “Wind power has emerged as a pivotal strategy for many countries to achieve carbon neutrality. The collaboration between PolyU and Yangjiang Offshore Wind Energy Laboratory not only propels the advancement of offshore wind power knowhow, but also fortifies a mutual engagement in research, talent development and knowledge exchange. The JRC will amalgamate the research capabilities and expertise of both organisations to address major scientific challenges and surmount technical barriers in the energy field. This, in turn, will support the development of a world-class research and innovation powerhouse for wind power industry and clean energy.” The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department of the HKSAR Government has estimated that wind power could satisfy approximately one-third of Hong Kong’s electricity demand if the City’s offshore wind energy reaches 10.7 billion kilowatts. The construction of offshore wind turbines often involves technical challenges in engineering design and construction. The collaboration between PolyU and the Laboratory will facilitate interdisciplinary research and the development of practical engineering solutions to benefit Hong Kong, the Nation, and the world in the construction of offshore wind farms. The Laboratory brings together top experts from mainland universities, including Zhejiang University, Sun Yat-sen University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, South China University of Technology, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Guangdong Ocean University and Hebei University of Engineering, to conduct research on fundamental science, as well as applied and core technology in the field of offshore wind power. Established in 2021, RILS is one of PAIR’s 18 constituent research institutes and research centres with over 50 PolyU scholars from different disciplines specialising in interdisciplinary research and knowledge transfer across five major areas: land reclamation; innovative solutions for land and space development; environmental treatment and impact; land economics and planning; and land analysis and management. Offshore wind power is one of the areas which RILS actively pursues. In November 2023, RILS delegates visited wind energy-related laboratories in Yangjiang, including the Yangjiang Offshore Wind Energy Laboratory and met with representatives of the Laboratory for potential research collaboration opportunities.   *** END ***

PolyU research reveals significant effects of instructors onscreen during video classes in aiding student learning

Online learning has become “the new normal” of education since COVID-19 severely disrupted face-to-face teaching activities. Researchers from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) have conducted a study to analyse whether and how the instructor’s presence in online video lectures affected student learning and learning outcomes. The results reveal that students are more motivated to perform socio-emotional and cognitive processing when an instructor, human or animated, is present onscreen, hence facilitating more effective learning. The study findings have been published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Previous studies have indicated that socio-emotional cues, such as human facial expressions and gestures, help students understand and stay focused on learning content. Led by Prof. Ping LI, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Sin Wai Kin Foundation Professor in Humanities and Technology at PolyU, the research team studied how learners respond to virtual learning with different types and levels of interaction by examining multimodal data of students’ learning performance, brain activity and eye movement, as well as the correlation between these measurements. Eighty-one PolyU students participated in the experiment where some of them watched video lectures with a human instructor accompanying the lecture slides, some watched the same video lectures with an animated instructor, and still some watched the lectures with no onscreen instructor and only the lecture slides. This was followed by a set of assessments of how effectively they had learned. Compared with the no-instructor group, students with an onscreen instructor performed significantly better in the post-course assessments, while the exact embodiment of the instructor—real vs animated—did not affect the overall scores. The results provide strong and important evidence that the instructor’s image, human or animated, improves educational outcomes in the virtual setting. The researchers examined the impact of instructor’s image on learning through a combination of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and eye-movement tracking of the students as they watched the lectures. While students with an instructor performed better, the eye-tracking results, surprisingly, showed that the human instructor may actually distract the students from the slides, as more time was spent by students looking at the slides when the instructor was absent or was an animation. A deeper analysis of the eye-tracking data resolved this contradiction. Crucially, the correlation of eye movements—the extent to which the students shifted their gaze in unison—was higher in instructor-present groups than in the no-instructor group, and better-performing students also displayed more correlated eye movements than the lower performers. This suggests that although an instructor’s image may distract students from the slides, it is also more likely in guiding them to pay attention to the appropriate parts of the onscreen content. In other words, students with an instructor tend to focus on the same places, while those without an instructor are more random in their focus. The fMRI results, which identified the specific brain regions students used most, aligned with the eye-tracking data. Just as their eye movements were synchronised, so did the students with an instructor show greater synchrony in the activity of brain regions crucial for learning, including regions involved in working memory and mentalising. This alignment can be attributed to the higher level of cognitive and socio-emotional processing motivated by the onscreen instructor that served as a social cue. Under this condition, learners follow the visual content in the video more closely, allocate attention more proactively and ultimately learn better. As the data suggest that an onscreen instructor’s image entails both socio-emotional benefits and attentional distraction unrelated to learning, the researchers further propose a trade-off hypothesis suggesting learning outcome depends on whether the benefits can outweigh the costs brought by the distraction. While the trade-off also relies on a learner’s ability to leverage socio-emotional processing and attention control for learning, it explains the individual difference in student learning under the same virtual setting. Prof. Li remarked, “Although the pandemic has subsided, online learning through the use of multimedia instructional videos continues to shape education. Our findings suggest that an onscreen instructor—even an animated one—can make up for some deficits of the online learning setting, where socio-emotional cues are less salient and cognitive engagement is harder to sustain. This contributes to the development of an evidence-based instructional design for multimedia learning, thereby enhancing student’s learning experience and outcome.”   ***END***  

PolyU supports HKMA launching ‘Project Ensemble’: a new wholesale central bank digital currency project

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) has announced the commencement of Project Ensemble, a new wholesale Central Bank Digital Currency (wCBDC) project to support the development of the tokenisation market in Hong Kong. Since the establishment of the CBDC Expert Group, along with other members, two PolyU professors of the Department of Computing have been closely collaborating with HKMA to examine various aspects of CBDCs and related digital currencies, such as interoperability, security, and privacy. The new project will seek to explore innovative financial market infrastructure (FMI) that will facilitate seamless interbank settlement of tokenised money through wCBDC. The Project will initially focus on tokenised deposits, which are a digital representation of commercial bank deposits, issued and made available by commercial banks. At the core of Project Ensemble is a wCBDC Sandbox that the HKMA will launch this year to further research and test tokenisation use cases including settlement of tokenised real-world assets (e.g. green bonds, carbon credits, aircraft, electric vehicle charging stations, electronic bills of lading and treasury management). This could potentially forge a new FMI that bridges the existing gap between tokenised real-world assets and money in transactions. To help set industry standards and a future-proof strategy, the HKMA will form a wCBDC Architecture Community comprising local and multinational banks, key players in the digital asset industry, technology companies and the CBDC Expert Group. Prof. Allen Man Ho AU and Prof. Daniel Xiapu LUO, Professors of the Department of Computing and founding members of the CBDC Expert Group, have been working in collaboration with HKMA on ongoing projects to advance the development of CBDC in Hong Kong. Their aim is to integrate advanced privacy designs that protect consumers’ personal identifiable information, while maintaining a balance between privacy and traceability. They will maintain close collaboration with HKMA and fellow expert group members, aiming to foster the tokenisation market and draw talents to Hong Kong. Prof. H.C. MAN, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, said, “This partnership with HKMA is a testament to our commitment to fostering innovation and technological progression, advancing the digital finance landscape in Hong Kong. We are leveraging our expertise to support the launch of this Project Ensemble and look forward to the potential breakthroughs that will, with the introduction of the wCBDC sandbox, shape the digital asset market.” Prof. Qing Li, Head of the Department of Computing, stated, “The exploration of wCBDC and tokenisation of assets is a critical step towards a future-proof financial infrastructure. Our department is pleased to contribute our expertise to this pioneering initiative.” Prof. Allen Au and Prof. Daniel Luo said, “wCBDC and digital assets are a significant step towards the future of finance and FinTech innovation, while the tokenisation of currency and assets is a global trend that we cannot ignore. Through this initiative, we are dedicated to playing a role in fostering the development of a robust digital asset ecosystem in Hong Kong.”   ***END***

PolyU launches Chinese Culture Festival empowering younger generation with cultural confidence and promoting vibrant traditions of Chinese culture

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is committed to promoting the rich traditions of Chinese culture and, to this end, last year established the Research Centre for Chinese History and Culture to facilitate promotion of Chinese history and cultural education on campus. This year, the University is organising the “PolyU Chinese Culture Festival” to showcase the beauty and significance of various aspects of Chinese culture, cultivate a deeper appreciation of Chinese heritage, strengthen a sense of pride and belonging to the Nation among the younger generation, and contribute to the development of Hong Kong into an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange. As part of the celebratory events commemorating the 30th anniversary of PolyU achieving university status, the University today hosted the Opening Ceremony of the PolyU Chinese Culture Festival. The Ceremony was officiated by Dr CHOI Yuk-lin, Secretary for Education of the HKSAR. She was joined by Dr LAM Tai-fai, PolyU Council Chairman; Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, PolyU President; Prof. Ben YOUNG, Vice President (Student and Global Affairs); and Prof. LI Ping, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities. Representatives from the co-organisers of the PolyU Chinese Culture Festival, including Ms SHEN Jiang, Secretary of the Party Committee at Tiangong University; Prof. YU Chuang, President of the Zhejiang Industry & Trade Vocational College; and Dr Louis NG, Museum Director of the Hong Kong Palace Museum, also joined them to kick off the Festival. Dr Choi Yuk-lin emphasised the significance of higher education as a crucial vehicle for inheriting cultural heritage and driving ideological and cultural innovation. It is also an important foundation for upholding the unity of the country and the Nation. Learning, comprehending and inheriting Chinese culture can enhance the youngsters’ national identity, cultural confidence and their sense of belonging to the Nation. The 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China report underscored the imperative to reinforce the dissemination and influence of Chinese civilisation, fostering cultural confidence and strength. Additionally, our country’s “14th Five-Year Plan” supports Hong Kong in developing into an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange. She mentioned that PolyU hosts the Chinese Culture Festival and co-organises various exciting activities in collaboration with the Hong Kong Palace Museum, mainland institutions and other arts and culture organisations, providing an invaluable platform to promote mutual cultural learning and exchange. As well as making a contribution to the development of Hong Kong into an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange, these efforts aim to ignite a passion for Chinese culture among PolyU faculty members, students, alumni and the broader community, strengthening their sense of belonging to the Nation and cultural confidence. There will be a series of activities focusing on pottery lacquerware, embroidery, Chinese music, Chinese classics recitation and more. Distinguished scholars, experts and artists will be invited on campus to exhibit the unique artistic charm of Chinese culture through exhibitions, lectures, workshops and musical performance. Dr Lam Tai-fai stated that guided by its motto “To learn and to apply, for the benefit of mankind,” PolyU was committed to nurturing students who possess a strong sense of national identity and a positive mindset. The University would continue to promote Chinese culture and contribute to the development of Hong Kong into an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange, while providing full support to the City in integrating itself into the overall development of the Nation. Prof. Jin-Guang Teng said, “The ‘Chinese Culture Festival’ is a profoundly significant endeavour for us in terms of nurturing graduates with both ability and moral integrity. It aims to deepen the understanding of Chinese culture among the younger generation and wider society, to foster their pride and sense of belonging to the Nation, as well as to bolster their cultural confidence and patriotic sentiments.” Prof. Ben Young, who also serves as Chairman of the PolyU Chinese Culture Festival, thanked the broader community for their support of PolyU. He hoped that through the series of stimulating activities, students could deepen their knowledge and understanding of Chinese culture. During the next two weeks, until 27 March, PolyU will be collaborating with Tiangong University’s International Innovation Centre of Chinese Traditional Culture and Artistry Inheritance to co-organise an exhibition on campus showcasing intangible cultural heritage from Tianjin. Eight artists from Tianjin have been invited to exhibit their artworks, including HuLian Art Studio (Prof. Zheng Yong’s Studio), the City’s three unique intangible cultural heritages: Clay Figurines Zhang, Tianjin Kite Wei and Yucheng Hao New Year Painting, as well as other intangible cultural heritages at national, provincial and municipal levels such as Hezhen Handmade Incense, Guanzhao Xuan Ceramic Painting, Zhao’s Gourd-making and Tianjin Musical Instruments Zhang. The exhibition will also highlight a collection of selected works of Wenzhou embroidery, which is also recognised as a national intangible cultural heritage. In addition to the large-scale exhibition, there will be expert lectures, workshops and guided tours, all of which will be open to PolyU students, staff, alumni and the public free of charge. After the Opening Ceremony, Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) were signed between PolyU and Tiangong University to reinforce academic exchange and collaboration on scientific research projects. Witnessed by Dr Lam Tai-fai and Ms Shen Jiang, the MoU were signed respectively by Prof. Li Ping and Prof. JIANG Yaming, Dean of the School of International Education and Director of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Affairs Office of Tiangong University, as well as Prof. Erin CHO, Dean of the School of Fashion and Textiles; and Prof. GONG Jixian, Associate Dean of the School of Textile Science and Engineering of Tiangong University. Witnessed by Dr Lam Tai-fai, PolyU Council Chairman (back row, left); and Ms Shen Jiang, Secretary of the Party Committee at Tiangong University (back row, right), the MoU was signed by Prof. Li Ping, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities of PolyU (front row, left); and Prof. Jiang Yaming, Dean of the School of International Education and Director of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Affairs Office of Tiangong University (front row, right), to reinforce academic exchange and collaboration on scientific research projects. Witnessed by Dr Lam Tai-fai, PolyU Council Chairman (back row, left); and Ms Shen Jiang, Secretary of the Party Committee at Tiangong University (back row, right), the MoU was signed by Prof. Erin Cho, Dean of the School of Fashion and Textiles of PolyU (front row, left); and Prof. Gong Jixian, Associate Dean of the School of Textile Science and Engineering of Tiangong University (front row, right), to reinforce academic exchange and collaboration on scientific research projects. To find out more about the PolyU Chinese Culture Festival, please visit: https://polyu.me/PolyU-Chinese-Culture-Festival (Chinese only). For details about the activities in March, please click here (Chinese only). Activity Highlights (March and April) *** END ***

PolyU researchers invent non-invasive diagnostic device Smart-CKD for advancing clinical management of chronic kidney disease

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects 10% of the global population, among which renal fibrosis is a progressive process that can lead to end-stage renal failure. Early diagnosis and active monitoring are particularly important. Researchers from the Department of Health Technology and Informatics of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) have developed Smart-CKD (S-CKD), a non-invasive computer-aided diagnostic tool. It integrates ultrasound data and selected clinical variables to provide clinical insights and assesses the risk of moderate-to-severe renal fibrosis progression in CKD patients with a promising diagnostic efficiency of 80%. The research findings have been published in the journal Academic Radiology. Early diagnosis and accurate staging of renal fibrosis significantly guide treatment strategies and prognostic assessment, enabling timely preventive measures to avoid or delay disease exacerbations. However, identifying individuals at high risk of advanced renal fibrosis with precision continues to pose a challenge in clinical practice. To tackle this challenge, a team led by Prof. Michael Tin Cheung YING, Associate Head; and Dr Ziman CHEN, Postdoctoral Fellow of the Department of Health Technology and Informatics at PolyU have collaborated with Dr Zhongzhen SU, Vice President of The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University to invent S-CKD which aims to improve disease progress monitoring and clinical management of CKD using informatic technology. This device offers a cost-effective solution for guiding patient management, thereby contributing notable clinical advantages. Prof. Ying said, “While renal biopsy remains the gold standard for diagnosing and staging renal fibrosis, its invasive nature imposes limitations on conducting multiple observations and follow-ups, and has potential complications. Therefore, there is a pressing need to develop a non-invasive biomarker for precise monitoring and clinical management of renal fibrosis and its progression.” By leveraging machine learning, S-CKD integrates three pivotal clinical parameters - age, ultrasonic renal length and end-diastolic flow velocity of the interlobar renal artery, to assist medical practitioners in assessing renal fibrosis risk in CKD patients during routine clinical practices. It plays a crucial role in guiding treatment decisions and improving patient prognosis. S-CKD is accessible through an online web-based platform or in offline document-based format, making it a user-friendly auxiliary instrument for flexible clinical applications. Prof. Ying said, “We plan to conduct further prospective clinical research on S-CKD, utilising PolyU’s innovative medical technology and facilities in collaboration with medical institutions in the Greater Bay Area and our Hong Kong partners. Together, we will collaborate on research to enhance the impact of S-CKD on clinical management, ultimately improving CKD patients’ prognosis.” Prof. Ying hopes that the World Kidney Day on 14 March could raise public awareness about kidney disease and promote the importance of early prevention of chronic diseases. The research team will continue to make contribution to advancing healthcare development in Hong Kong and the world with their innovative technology.   ***END***

PolyU hosts seminar on sports physiotherapy Hong Kong’s first professional certificate in sports physiotherapy launched to meet industry demand

In response to the increasing demand for sports physiotherapy professionals, the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), in collaboration with the School of Professional Education and Executive Development (SPEED) of PolyU, and The Hong Kong Physiotherapy Association (HKPA), hosted a seminar titled “The Opportunity, Rewards, and Challenges as a Sports Physiotherapist”. A groundbreaking Professional Certificate Course in Advanced Practice in Sports Physiotherapy was also announced during the event. Esteemed guests attended the seminar including Dr LAM Tai-fai, Council Chairman of PolyU; Mr WONG Tak Sum, Sam, Commissioner for Sports, Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, Sports and Recreation Branch, HKSAR Government; Mr WONG Po Kee, Honorary Deputy Secretary General of the Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China, key faculty members of the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences and SPEED, and executive committee members of HKPA. Mr Wong Tak Sum, Sam, a retired athlete, shared his insights into the evolution of mass and elite sports in Hong Kong, emphasising the pivotal role played by sports physiotherapists. In addition, prominent athletes, such as basketball player Mr LEE Ki, and footballer Mr YAPP Hung Fai, shared their experiences with sports physiotherapy, along with seasoned sports physiotherapist Ms Bonnie LAU. SPEED and HKPA also signed a Memorandum of Understanding to jointly introduce a first-of-its-kind 6-month part-time Professional Certificate in Advanced Practice in Sports Physiotherapy at HKQF Level 6 in the coming July, which is tailored for registered physiotherapists in Hong Kong who are seeking to specialise in sports physiotherapy. The comprehensive curriculum is designed by specialists from PolyU’s Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, covering essential elements of sports physiotherapy, from “Immediate Care for Emergency, Traumatic, and Medical Conditions”, “Principles of Sports Injury Prevention and Rehabilitation”, to “Exercise training principles”. The programme boasts a team of distinguished tutors, including academics from the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences and experienced sports physiotherapists from HKPA. Students will be able to gain hands-on experience with on-field physiotherapy services under their guidance. Eligible graduates could apply for credit exemptions when articulating with PolyU’s Master of Science in Sports Physiotherapy programme. “We are grateful for the support government showed in developing the field of professional sports physiotherapy,” said Prof. Amy FU, Associate Director of Research Institute for Sports Science and Technology, Associate Head of the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Peter Hung Professor in Pain Management of PolyU, and also the programme coordinator for MSc in Sports Physiotherapy. She added, “With Hong Kong’s athletes gearing up for international and national competitions like the Paris 2024 Olympic Games , the 15th National Games and the FISU World University Games Summer in 2025, and the Asian Games in 2026, the need for qualified sports physiotherapists has never been greater. The launch of this professional certificate course comes at a significant time.” Enrolment for the Professional Certificate in Advanced Practice in Sports Physiotherapy will open in May 2024. For more details, please visit the website here.   ***END***

PolyU School of Design celebrates its 60th anniversary with grand opening ceremony With “Designing Time” as the theme; Launching a new identity and showcasing alumni’s remarkable achievements

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University School of Design (“PolyU Design” or “the School”) has been an important hub for design education and research in Hong Kong, offering quality undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in design to nurture creative talent across a wide range of industries. To celebrate its 60th anniversary and the remarkable achievements of its alumni, Designing Time - PolyU School of Design 60th Anniversary Celebration Featuring New PolyU Design Identity Launch and One to Ten Outstanding Alumni Exhibition Debut, was held at the Jockey Club Innovation Tower on campus yesterday. The grand opening marks the beginning of the School’s 60th anniversary celebrations. Various guests gathered to show their support, and congratulatory messages from renowned design scholars around the world, including two former deans, the distinguished design academic, Prof. Don NORMAN, were also featured, injecting transformative power into education and the design industry, thus preserving and transmitting design in various forms. Prof. Wing-tak Wong, Deputy President and Provost of PolyU, hopes that the story of PolyU Design remains not just relevant, but revolutionary. Mr LAU Chun, Raistlin, Under Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism of HKSAR Government, delivers a speech for PolyU School of Design 60th Anniversary Celebration. Mr Victor LO, Chairman and Chief Executive Gold Peak Technology Group Ltd., expressed his pride in PolyU Design’s transformation into a world-class design education provider in China and Asia. Prof. Kun-Pyo Lee, Dean of School of Design of PolyU, hopes to create a better world where design not only answers questions but also asks them. Grand opening of PolyU Design celebration with the new PolyU design identity launch marks a significant milestone for PolyU Design In a world that constantly seeks answers, PolyU Design dares to keep asking the right questions. The journey of redefining PolyU Design’s brand began not with words, but with a visual cue - a bold new logo designed by a team of young alumni - the graduates of 2022 and 2023, Jeff CHAN, CHEUNG Chi Ho, Eunis LIU, and Thomas NG, under the mentorship of an outstanding alumnus, Mr Tommy LI. This logo, with its striking feature of an invisible ‘i’ in the word design, serves as a powerful catalyst for PolyU Design’s exploration into what truly defines them and forms the foundation of their ethos: Interdisciplinarity - Where disciplines unite, leaders are born. Our logo’s boldness isn’t just a mark; it’s a call for design students to take the wheel in innovation. Inclusiveness - Design with everyone in mind, benefits all. Our creations are universal, speaking to diverse needs and experiences. Our canvas is the world, enriched by the vast spectrum of humanity. Innovation - Design is humanity’s heartbeat. Our creations marry imagination with utility, fusing entrepreneurial drive and sustainable practices to craft a future where innovation thrives in harmony with our planet. One to Ten — PolyU Design Outstanding Alumni Exhibition showcases ten outstanding alumni’s various design creativity To explore the diversity and evolution of design knowledge and to showcase the achievements and contributions of the ten outstanding alumni in the field of design, the “One to Ten — PolyU Design Outstanding Alumni Exhibition”, themed “10 Forms (design diversity), 10 Transmissions (knowledge transmissions),” rethinks the foundation of design. The ten outstanding alumni are Mr Tino KWAN, Mr Eric CHAN, Mr Freeman Lau, Mr Dennis CHAN, Mr Tommy Li, Mr Anthony LO, Mr Alan YIP, Mr CHU Chen-on, Mr Barrie HO, and Mr James O Hing-pong. “One To Ten” highlights the variety of different design fields and the outstanding achievements of the 10 alumni in lighting design, product design, industrial design, architectural design, communication design, design management, automotive design, Chinese cultural design, and brand identity design. It provides a platform to showcase the alumni’s creativity, talent and impact, as well as the School’s 60 years of excellence in education and academic accomplishments to a global audience and allows viewers to experience the alumni’s pursuit of aesthetics and professional skills. PolyU Design, one of the top 20 design schools globally, has gained international acclaim through its commitment to interdisciplinary education, robust research platforms, extensive global partnerships, and its fostering of an entrepreneurial spirit. This approach equips students to tackle complex, technology-integrated design challenges while staying at the forefront of innovation in Asia and beyond. The School offers world-class facilities, providing students and teachers with an excellent foundation to connect with the world and become leaders in their fields. Through their knowledge and mentorship, graduates ensure design continuity by passing on their expertise to the next generation, thus preserving and transmitting design in various forms and moving towards an innovative future with the public.   ***** END *****