Media Releases

PolyU Junior Researcher Mentoring Programme 2022 stimulates a new generation’s interest in research

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is committed to promoting whole-person education and providing holistic education to prepare young people to cope with future challenges. To stimulate the new generation’s interest in research, PolyU once again this year organised the “Junior Researcher Mentoring Programme” (JRMP), allowing senior secondary school students to participate in various research projects under the guidance of PolyU academics and to explore the diverse subjects which comprise the University’s undergraduate curriculum, thereby enabling them to better prepare for their future academic and career pursuits.

Prestigious UGC Teaching Award Conferred upon PolyU Educators

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) announced today the latest achievement of PolyU academics in winning in two categories of the University Grants Committee (UGC) Teaching Awards for 2022. Dr Tulio MAXIMO, Assistant Professor from the School of Design, was selected as the awardee for the Early Career Faculty Members category; and the English Across the Curriculum (EAC) Team, led by PolyU scholar Dr Julia CHEN, Director of the Educational Development Centre, won the award in the Collaborative Teams category. Dr Maximo and the EAC Team received the coveted awards presented to them by Mr Carlson TONG, Chairman of UGC at a presentation ceremony held on 26 September 2022. The UGC Teaching Award was introduced to honour academics of the UGC-funded universities for their outstanding teaching performance and achievements, as well as their leadership in and scholarly contributions to teaching and learning within and outside their campuses. Professor Jin-Guang TENG, President of PolyU congratulated the awardees and said: “PolyU takes pride in teaching and research excellence. Both Dr Maximo and the EAC Team, including Dr Julia Chen, Director of the Educational Development Centre, and Dr Grace Lim, Teaching Fellow of the English Language Centre, are outstanding and enthusiastic educators who adopt student-centred and innovative pedagogies to create an active learning environment for students. We appreciate their dedication in maximising students’ learning experiences and outcomes, and congratulate them on their extraordinary efforts and achievements.” An early career academic adopting empathy to promote diversity, equity and inclusion in education and beyond The Early Career Faculty Member award acknowledges those with exceptional achievements in the nascent stages of their academic career. Dr Maximo, is inspired by his learning experience of being diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder as a child to adopt empathy as his core teaching strategy. He strives to foster a people-centred learning environment in which students feel comfortable and supported to develop, practise and demonstrate their design and thinking abilities. With a passion to promote diversity, equity and inclusion in the community, he created the “Design Meets Disabilities” subject, which focuses on integrating more inclusive design concepts into the design programme curriculum, and effectively applying an empathic approach in guiding students to design more user-friendly products, especially for people with disabilities. He also actively liaises with non-government bodies to engage students in community projects so that they gain first-hand experience with community users and can apply an empathetic approach to meeting their needs. Dr Maximo said: “As a teacher, I believe empathy is key to forging the creative leaders of tomorrow and instilling the goal of a more equal and diverse society. I use empathy as a core teaching strategy to bring course content closer to people’s lives so that students can relate theories learnt in class to the lives of those in their surroundings. To improve my teaching, I also use empathy to stand in my students’ shoes.” Timely and tailored English literacy support through innovative pedagogies and technologies Spearheaded by PolyU, the winner of the UGC Collaborative Team Teaching Award 2021-22 is the English Across the Curriculum (EAC) team that includes experienced educators from City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Baptist University and The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. The Team’s EAC initiatives complement standalone English courses and have two main features: offering students from across different disciplines timely, tailor-made and targeted English learning materials; and creating synergy and opportunities for collaborations between English language and discipline subject teachers. To date, the EAC Team’s work has impacted over 30 departments, 60 courses, 100 teachers and 10,000 students. One of the Team’s student-centred innovations is an interactive mobile app called Capstone Ninja. The first-of-its-kind, Capstone Ninja incorporates English language learning modules and bite-sized quizzes/exercises, and enables undergraduate students to access discipline-specific, customised learning materials in real-time while they complete their capstone/final-year projects. The app has communication tools such as a text-chat function to connect teachers and students in the learning process and a scheduler to help students manage their writing process. With the COVID-19 pandemic disrupting traditional educational pathways, Capstone Ninja offers a mobile-based solution, which has proven to be a timely innovation that empowers both student and teacher alike. The EAC project leader Dr Chen said, “Our team is resolved to create affordances that offer timely solutions to support student learning. We share a deep conviction that language is best learnt when students see the relevance and actively look for multiple channels to increase their exposure to the linguistic skills they need. We thank all the English teachers, discipline academics, technical and supporting staff, and student collaborators who have worked with us on English Across the Curriculum. The UGC Teaching Award belongs to them as well.” The UGC Collaborative Team Teaching Award is given in recognition of outstanding inter-disciplinary pedagogical work. The sterling achievements of the inter-disciplinary and inter-institutional EAC team have been lauded not just among UGC-funded institutions but more broadly in the tertiary sector in Hong Kong and internationally.   ***END***

Peter Hung supports PolyU to establish Endowed Professorship in Pain Management

While the demand for healthcare services is growing drastically in Hong Kong, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has been playing an instrumental role in bringing significant new research breakthroughs to rehabilitation sciences over the years. H H Hung Charitable Foundation, founded by Mr Peter HUNG, has provided a generous donation to establish the Peter Hung Endowed Professorship in Pain Management, to support PolyU’s continuous contributions to pain management research. Prof. Amy FU, Associate Head of the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences and Director of PolyU Rehabilitation Clinic, has been appointed as the Endowed Professor.

PolyU and OPPO establish Joint Innovation Lab to foster research and innovation on AI-driven computational imaging in the Greater Bay Area

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) signed a cooperation agreement with Guangdong OPPO Mobile Telecommunications Corp., Ltd (OPPO) for the establishment of the “PolyU-OPPO Joint Innovation Lab” (Joint Lab). The laboratory will focus on joint research projects including AI-driven computational imaging and its chipisation, computer vision, immersive multimedia and AR/VR technology. OPPO aims to provide total funding of no less than RMB 10 million to support PolyU research and innovation projects and the establishment and operation of the Joint Lab.

PolyU 85th Anniversary Sportathon unites staff, students and alumni for sporting fun and to celebrate the University’s Anniversary

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) 85th Anniversary Sportathon was successfully held on the PolyU campus yesterday (17 September 2022). Over 1,800 staff, students, alumni and their family members attended the event to enjoy game booths and sports competitions, and to celebrate the University’s 85th Anniversary. The opening ceremony was officiated by Dr LAM Tai-fai, Council Chairman of PolyU; Dr Katherine NGAN, Court Chairman of PolyU; Prof. Wing-tak WONG, Deputy President and Provost of PolyU; and the Central Management Team of PolyU. Numerous Council Members, Court Members and University Fellows were also present at the ceremony. To recognise the outstanding sports achievements of the University’s students, Dr Lam took this opportunity to present scholarships to 11 elite student-athletes who were admitted under the Student-Athlete Learning Support and Admission Scheme this year. Dr Lam also presented the Yearly Men’s and Yearly Women’s Overall Championships of the 2021-2022 Inter-Collegiate Competition to the winning PolyU Sports Team members. The Inter-Collegiate Competition is organised by the University Sports Federation of Hong Kong, China. Prof. Wong remarked at the opening ceremony, “At PolyU, we are committed to building a vibrant sports and fitness culture on campus to facilitate the holistic development of our students as well as to help both staff and students improve their well-being. PolyU invests significant effort into nurturing elite student-athletes. We are proud that we have a strong and well-disciplined Sports Team, with our student-athletes being highly motivated, determined and displaying excellent teamwork, making them positive role models for the PolyU community.” The PolyU 85th Anniversary Sportathon featured a wide range of activities. Apart from game booths and sports try-outs for families, exciting sports competitions including futsal, 3-on-3 basketball, badminton and table tennis were also arranged on the PolyU campus to strengthen the bond among PolyU members through participation in sports. Another focus of the event was a variety of spectacular sports performances by student-athletes, including artistic cycling, rope skipping, karatedo and taekwondo. The University will continue to mark its 85th Anniversary with a series of upcoming activities. These include a talk on “Chinese Painting Appreciation - Collector and Philanthropist Perspectives” hosted by Mr HO Sai-chu, PolyU’s Alumnus and University Fellow; a public lecture hosted by Dr Louis NG, Director of the Hong Kong Palace Museum; and the Artist-in-Residence Programme: A Drama Production by PolyU Theatre “Our Town”.   ***END***

PolyU 85th Anniversary Public Lecture by Prof. Poon Chung-kwong on Knowledge and Self-Cultivation

To mark the 85th anniversary of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), the University presented a public lecture today at the Jockey Club Auditorium. Prof. POON Chung-kwong, President Emeritus of PolyU was invited to speak on “Knowledge and Self-cultivation”, and to share his insights on how young people can pursue knowledge and build effective self-cultivation practices. Mr Eric CHAN Kwok-ki, Chief Secretary for Administration of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region delivered the opening speech at the public lecture. The lecture was attended by more than 700 guests, students and alumni.

PolyU and China Southern Power Grid establish the Joint Institute for Green and Secure Power Grid

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and China Southern Power Grid Co., Ltd. (CSG) have signed an agreement to establish the “Joint Institute for Green and Secure Power Grid” (the Joint Institute). Harnessing quality research results and interdisciplinary technologies in the fields of power equipment, green and secure management, smart city and green and safe power supply, the pair shall join efforts to take forward the establishment and development of the country’s new power systems initiative. CSG plans to provide a funding of RMB30 million in the upcoming five years to support PolyU in carrying out a series of fundamental and forward-looking research projects. The new power systems initiative is essential for both transformation and upgrading of the country’s power systems, as well as achieving “carbon emissions peak” and “carbon neutrality”. Building the new type of power systems using new energy with high security, openness and adaptability are crucial to meet the growing demand for clean energy. An interdisciplinary research team consists of members from six departments of the Faculty of Construction and Environment and the Faculty of Engineering of PolyU has already been formed, covering the areas of smart sensing, edge computing, big data, numerical simulation and advanced materials, etc. Collaborating with the experts from CSG, the team will focus on digital twin technology of power equipment, digitalisation of electric power distribution as well as safe and stability technology to facilitate the transformation and upgrading of power grid. The duo will, under the Joint Institute, also actively participate in major provincial and national projects to achieve technological breakthrough and contribute to national energy security. The collaboration agreement was signed by Prof. Christopher CHAO, Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU and Mr LI Rui, General Manager of Innovation Management Department of CSG, and witnessed by Prof. XU Kai, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Educational, Scientific and Technological Affairs of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR, Mr LIANG Qinru, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Science and Technology of Guangdong Province, Mr PENG Wenjun Bryan, Head of Innovation and Technology (Greater Bay Area) at Invest Hong Kong, Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, President of PolyU, Mr WANG Hongzhi, General Manager of CSG, and Mr ZHANG Wenfeng, Deputy General Manager of CSG at the ceremony held on 8 September 2022. Prof. Jin-Guang Teng said, “PolyU and CSG have been working together for a long time. The establishment of the Joint Institute shall further deepen the partnership between the two parties. Looking forward, our research team will advance the development of the new power systems and the research of novel green technologies, focusing particularly on new energy and smart city applications. Our efforts will contribute to the realisation of the country’s goals to peak carbon emissions and attain carbon neutrality.” Mr Wang Hongzhi said, “We are joining hands with PolyU to carry out comprehensive cooperation in technology innovation and talent exchange. Together we shall promote the development of new power systems through the Joint Institute. This partnership realises in-depth exchanges among industry, academic and research sectors, which not only supports the innovative development of the energy industry in China, but also provides strong support for building the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area into a national model for high-quality economic, social and technological development.” In addition to joint research projects, the collaboration aims to cultivate interdisciplinary experts of higher calibre to form a research force for building the national new power systems. Prof. Christopher Chao remarked, “PolyU has been actively addressing global challenges, contributing to the development of green technology and providing innovative solutions by leveraging its expertise in different disciplines. The collaboration with CSG will facilitate academic exchange and resource sharing, support our academics to conduct various research activities in a more effective way, as well as nurture research talents for promoting major research projects.” Prof. Du Yaping, Director of the Joint Institute and Professor of the Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering, PolyU, said, “The Joint Institute will focus on exploring the application of green and safe technologies in the field of power transmission and distribution to solve the issues in the establishment of new power systems, which will greatly promote the innovation and technology development of Hong Kong.” ***END***

Hang Seng and PolyU join hands to launch “Hang Seng x PolyU Sustainable Future Challenge: Textile and Fashion”

Hang Seng Bank and The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (“PolyU”) have teamed up to launch the Hang Seng x PolyU Sustainable Future Challenge: Textile and Fashion (“the Challenge”). The Challenge calls for innovation and technology (“I&T”) talent, including young creatives, to help imagine the future of the industry with a “sustainability-centric” mindset.

PolyU announces the establishment of the School of Fashion and Textiles to nurture innovative, creative fashion talent and seize opportunities in the Greater Bay Area

On the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) announced the official upgrade of the Institute of Textiles and Clothing (ITC) and the establishment of the School of Fashion and Textiles (SFT), the third flagship and independent school within PolyU. The opening ceremony was held at the University’s Jockey Club Innovation Tower last Friday (2 September). The School is an international institution integrating fashion and textile education, and innovative technology research. It will comprehensively enhance the competitive advantage of SFT graduates and Hong Kong’s fashion and textile industry while also aligning it with the market development of the Greater Bay Area. The School’s vision is to lead the fashion industry and create societal impact while offering solutions that leverage the research and innovative excellence of the School. The School is renowned for its world-class teaching and academic achievements. Its academics come from around the world, specialising and leading the way in a variety of academic and research areas including wearable and smart textiles, medical textiles and functional clothing, social fashion design, sustainable fashion, digital fashion marketing, and fashion supply chain management. According to a report by Stanford University in 2021, 13 ITC Scholars are ranked among the world’s top 2% scientists. Furthermore, according to CEOWORLD magazine, SFT was ranked the third in Asia and 43rd in the world of the World’s Best Fashion Schools in 2022. The School has set and reached significant milestones in its pursuit of research excellence for societal impact. Last year, SFT was highly appraised in the Hong Kong University Grants Committee (UGC) “2020 Research Review Exercise”, and its research in the creative arts, performing arts and design was the best among the eight UGC-funded institutions. Officiating guests at the opening ceremony included Mr Sunny TAN, Member of the Legislative Council of the HKSAR – Textiles, and Garment constituency; Dr LAM Tai-fai, Chairman of the PolyU Council; Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, the President of PolyU; and Ms Shirley CHAN, Chairlady of the Advisory Committee of SFT. Prof. Jin-Guang Teng, President of PolyU, said, “It gives me great pleasure to inaugurate the School of Fashion and Textiles as the University’s third flagship and independent school. The new School will push the boundaries of educational and research excellence even further. SFT’s vision is to be a world-leading centre in fashion and textiles education, interdisciplinary research and collaboration, playing a pivotal role in developing Hong Kong into a world-renowned fashion hub.” Ms Shirley Chan, Chairlady of the SFT Advisory Committee, said, “The new School of Fashion and Textiles will have a new emphasis on education, research and industry partnerships. PolyU has been a leading institution for fashion and textile education and research, both in Asia and globally, since 1957. The transformation of ITC to the School of Fashion and Textiles reflects its continuing position as an educational leader for many years to come.” To meet the increasing demand for advanced technology in the fashion and textile industry, SFT has worked closely with the industrial sector both locally and internationally to introduce knowledge transfer and apply innovative and insightful technologies. Significant projects include the Nu-Torque™ singles ring-yarn technology, the personalised posture training system for medical, sports and healthcare applications, and intelligent 3D human-modelling technology. These have had ground-breaking and far-reaching influences within the industry. Facing the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as successfully developing new anti-virus 3D printing materials, anti-virus reusable PU30 masks, and protective clothing, SFT has maintained its close ties with the government, NGOs and disadvantaged groups. SFT has earmarked additional resources to foster academic and technological education and research. Its courses keep pace with the times in order to best meet market requirements for advanced technology, and new subjects including artificial intelligence, digital fashion design, e-commerce and sustainable development are all being added to the School’s programmes. The revamped undergraduate programme - BA (Hons) Scheme in Fashion, and the taught postgraduate programme - MA in Global Fashion Management, are vivid representations of a prestigious, high quality, full spectrum fashion education with the trilogy of design, business and technology to accommodate local, regional and international demand for fashion talent.   ***END***

PolyU hosts the first China Accreditation Test for Translators and Interpreters in Hong Kong: The first Test in Hong Kong will be held in November．Nurturing translation professionals through the promotion of nationally accredited qualifications

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) today signed a cooperation agreement with the China Accreditation Test for Translators and Interpreters (CATTI) Management Center (CATTI Management Center) of the China International Communications Group (CICG). The agreement authorises PolyU to organise the CATTI test in Hong Kong, with a view to uplifting the professional standard of Chinese-English translation in the city. The first Chinese-English translation and interpretation tests will be held in Hong Kong on 5 and 6 November. Interested candidates can register from now until 10 October.