Media Releases

Consul General of Sweden to Hong Kong and Macau unveils sustainability success story at PolyU PReCIT Consul General Talk

The fourth in the “Consul General Talk Series” organised by the Policy Research Centre for Innovation and Technology (PReCIT) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), was held on 29 February. Under the theme of “Innovation, Technology & Carbon Neutrality in Sustainable Cities”, in her keynote address Ms Louise BERGHOLM, Consul General of Sweden to Hong Kong and Macau, showcased Sweden's experiences as a renowned trailblazer of sustainability development in shaping sustainable cities. Sweden is well-known as a sustainability pioneer. Ms Bergholm said, “Sweden aims to be completely fossil-free and use 100% renewable energy by 2045 to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. We hope our green model, achieved through technical innovation, will encourage more supportive global action on sustainability. With its previous accomplishments in addressing climate change, Sweden has proven that combining sustainability with human well-being is a path to success and development.” PolyU is committed to fostering carbon-neutrality through interdisciplinary research and ground-breaking green tech innovations on campus. Eight PolyU research projects were granted total funding of HK$39.8 million from the HKSAR Government Green Tech Fund, ranking them first in both the number of supported projects and the total awarded funding among UGC-funded universities since the fund's inception in 2020. In addition, HK$24 million was awarded to 34 PolyU projects by the Environment and Conservation Fund from 2020 to 2022, further validating PolyU’s efforts in fostering sustainability. The University has established the Carbon Neutrality Funding Scheme to support research projects focused on decarbonisation. Prof. Christopher CHAO, PolyU Vice President (Research and Innovation) and Director of PReCIT said, “Last year was the warmest year on record. We must unite and take decisive action to address the pressing climate challenge. A green campus would set a crucial role model to mobilise concerted efforts on sustainable living. PolyU has laid out its Roadmap to Achieving Carbon Neutrality on Campus, targeting to achieve Scope 1 (direct emission) and Scope 2 (indirect emission) carbon neutrality by 2045, five years ahead of the HKSAR Government's plan.” He added, “The establishment of PReCIT is timely for the shaping of influential I&T policy recommendations to support governmental actions. The Centre has secured a Public Policy Research Fund to assess the adoption of electric and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles in Hong Kong. With carbon neutrality as one of the Centre’s key foci, we hope to contribute to the accelerated development of sustainable cities.” Prof. Eric CHUI, PReCIT Co-Director and Head of the PolyU Department of Applied Social Sciences, emphasised the critical importance of achieving sustainability and urged concerted action in fighting climate change. During the discussion session, there were a number of thought-provoking exchanges among industry influencers and experts focusing on how to adopt best practices for a more sustainable future. Facilitating the sharing of perspectives by Hong Kong-based diplomats, the “Consul General Talk Series” is supported by the Department of Applied Social Sciences and the Global Engagement Office to serve as a platform for the PolyU community and the general public to gain insights into the latest I&T policies and prospects in the Belt and Road countries. ***END***

PolyU proposes the establishment of a medical school and a large-scale teaching hotel in the Northern Metropolis to support the development of the medical, hotel and tourism industries in the Greater Bay Area

At a spring media luncheon today, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) Council Chairman Dr LAM Tai-fai and President Prof. Jin-Guang TENG outlined the University’s latest developments, alongside other senior management team members, faculty/school deans and representatives. Themed “United and Progressive, Innovation for Strength”, these developments included an earlier proposal to the government for the establishment of a PolyU satellite campus in the Northern Metropolis, with a focus on fostering scientific research and innovation to address the needs of the Greater Bay Area and the Nation. Additionally, PolyU aims to establish a research powerhouse and large-scale research facilities to attract and nurture more innovation and technology (I&T) talents. Dr Lam Tai-fai said, “2024 holds great significance for PolyU as it marks the 30th anniversary of our institution achieving university status. We are thrilled to organise a series of celebratory events under the theme ‘Powering Innovation: 30 Years and Beyond’, including the ‘PolyU Chinese Culture Festival’. The Festival aims to promote the rich traditions of Chinese culture, cultivate a deeper appreciation of Chinese heritage, and strengthen the sense of pride and belonging to the Nation among the younger generation, the PolyU community and wider society.” PolyU proposed establishing a medical school and large teaching hotel with a convention and exhibition centre at the new campus to address the healthcare needs of the Greater Bay Area’s population and boost the region’s tourism, convention and exhibition industries. Prof. Jin-Guang Teng said, “Once established, the Northern Metropolis is projected to have a population of 2.5 million, accounting for one-third of Hong Kong’s population, with an emerging need for medical services. With a long history of excellence, PolyU offers expertise across a wide spectrum of health technology disciplines, including rehabilitation science, medical laboratory science, radiography, nursing, optometry, and more. We hope to fully leverage our strengths in ‘medical and engineering integration’ and build on this solid foundation to advance the integrated development of medicine and health sciences.” In addition, to meet the demand for talent and technology in the Artificial Intelligence era, PolyU also plans to establish its tenth school in the middle of this year, initially comprising three departments, including the Department of Applied Mathematics, Department of Computer Science and Engineering, and Department of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence. The “PolyU Chinese Cultural Festival” will kick off in the middle of March, focusing on different art forms and themes including pottery lacquerware and embroidery, and inviting scholars, experts and artists to showcase the values and charm of Chinese culture through exhibitions, lectures and workshops.   *** END ***

PolyU and AVSECO forge strategic partnership to drive innovation in aviation security

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and Aviation Security Company Limited (AVSECO) are pleased to announce the establishment of a strategic partnership aimed at fostering innovation in the field of aviation security. This collaboration combines PolyU’s academic acumen and research expertise with AVSECO’s industry insights and business acumen, creating a powerful alliance to drive technological advancements and enhance cyber security resilience in the aviation sector. Renowned for its research capabilities and academic strength, PolyU will establish a platform for technical discussions between AVSECO and PolyU experts. This will facilitate the exchange of knowledge, ideas and best practices in aviation security, leading to the design and establishment of consultancy and collaborative research projects. By leveraging PolyU research expertise, AVSECO will gain access to cutting-edge technologies and innovative solutions to address their technical needs. Prof. Wing-tak WONG, Deputy President and Provost of PolyU, said in his welcoming speech, “Aviation security plays a pivotal role in ensuring the safety and well-being of everyone involved in air travel. PolyU has teamed up with AVSECO to address the evolving security challenges in the aviation industry. We will work together to develop new technology for aviation security and work on joint research projects to enhance aviation security worldwide. This partnership will provide our engineering students with valuable knowledge exchange, research collaboration, and hands-on internship opportunities, preparing them for successful careers in the field. We believe this partnership will be mutually beneficial to the next generation of aviation security professionals.” Mr Jacob CHEUNG, Executive Director of AVSECO supplemented, “Hong Kong International Airport, like many airports around the world, not only fully appreciates the importance of technology, but also seeks to embrace all new technological innovations that can improve the traveller experience, drive operational efficiency and bolster the integrity of aviation security systems. Collaboration, coordination and knowledge exchanges between AVSECO and PolyU will undoubtedly foster development and innovation within the airport security sector. This strategic partnership offers the potential for significant advancement in the development of cutting-edge aviation security-related solutions and, through our joint efforts, I am confident that we can greatly enhance airport security for all stakeholders.” The agreement is expected to drive new and more significant engagement initiatives in the near-future, enabling both parties to further explore the opportunities for academic and application research exchanges for students, faculty members and staff. It will help foster a collaborative environment that will benefit both parties and promote academic excellence and foster industry growth.   About The Hong Kong Polytechnic University The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) aspires to be an innovative world-class university with a strong sense of social responsibility, driven by its motto, “To learn and to apply, for the benefit of mankind”. The University provides the best holistic education to nurture socially responsible “leaders of tomorrow” who possess a strong sense of national identity and a global perspective, and pursues impactful innovation and interdisciplinary research to address the world’s most pressing challenges. A robust culture of knowledge transfer and entrepreneurship is a cornerstone of the University, ensuring PolyU’s technologies are transformed into practical real-world applications. The University’s unwavering commitment to excellence has earned it international recognition, with PolyU consistently ranking among the top 100 universities worldwide. Based on this solid foundation, the University will continue to make positive contributions in collaboration with its strategic partners for the betterment of Hong Kong, the Nation and the world. About AVSECO Aviation Security Company Limited (AVSECO) has been a leading provider of aviation security services with a strong commitment to safeguarding the travelling public and civil aviation operations at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA), providing aviation security and related services since its inception. Based at HKIA, AVSECO employs around 4,500 highly trained personnel who work to ensure that the airport and its facilities are secure. The company’s vision is to deliver world-class aviation security services in Hong Kong and also with the mission to maintain the highest standards of aviation security at the HKIA.   ***END***

PolyU welcomes 2024-25 Budget initiatives promoting research commercialisation

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) welcomes the new initiatives announced by the Financial Secretary in the Government’s 2024-25 Budget that support local universities in pursuing innovative research and translating research outcomes. The Frontier Technology Research Infrastructure Support Scheme, in particular, will facilitate PolyU to make further breakthroughs and technology transfer in the fields of life and health, artificial intelligence, quantum technology, microelectronics and other frontier areas. Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, President of PolyU, said, “PolyU is pleased to learn that the Budget dedicates resources to support universities’ research and knowledge transfer activities, which will enable our University to attract outstanding research talent from around the world to conduct impactful research. Aspiring to be an innovative world-class university, PolyU is committed to promoting interdisciplinary research and has gained recognition for its excellence across various cutting-edge research domains. The University will continue to support the Government’s initiative to enrich the I&T talent pool, and work seamlessly with the Government, industry and various stakeholders to strengthen Hong Kong’s I&T ecosystem, contributing to the city’s development as an international innovation and technology hub and advancing national technological self-reliance.” PolyU is pleased that $6 billion will be used to provide subsidies for local universities to collaborate with Mainland and overseas organisations to set up life and health technology research institutes. PolyU was approved by the Ministry of Science and Technology to establish the State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery which focuses on conducting world-class research in chemical biology and drug discovery. With research expertise spanning drug discovery, biomedicine, healthcare and more, PolyU has a robust research foundation to leverage Hong Kong’s strengths. AI is an important driver of technological and industrial transformation. The launch of a $3 billion AI Subsidy Scheme will boost PolyU’s strength in this domain. PolyU’s Research Institute for Artificial Intelligence of Things focuses on four important application fields to pursue transformational and translational research, namely smart infrastructure and construction, smart connected health, smart connected vehicles and smart connected logistics. The University also continually advances its I&T curriculum, having introduced new MSc programmes in blockchain technology, AI and big data computing, microelectronics technology and materials, intelligent construction, metaverse technology and more to nurture talent that meet industrial needs. To support green development, multiple research institutes and centres of the PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research will continue to leverage their interdisciplinary research strengths in fields including smart cities, smart energy, sustainable urban development, carbon neutrality and resources engineering to drive innovation. The University has the largest number of projects approved by the Green Tech Fund, Environment and Conservation Fund and Smart Traffic Fund among the UGC-funded institutions, highlighting PolyU’s research capabilities in reducing carbon emissions and strengthening environmental protection in Hong Kong. The PolyU Policy Research Centre for Innovation and Technology provides strategic advice on promoting the development of carbon neutrality and has recently received support from the Chief Executive’s Policy Unit’s Public Policy Research Funding Scheme to assess and research promoting hydrogen fuel cell vehicles and electric vehicles in Hong Kong. To support the Government’s carbon neutrality goals, PolyU has set short-term (2028), medium-term (2033) and long-term (2045) decarbonisation goals. The University also utilises its campus as a testbed to pilot research translation and has established a Campus Carbon Neutrality Committee. PolyU will continue to pursue research excellence, accelerate technology transfer and commercialisation, promote closer industry-academia-research collaboration and leverage Hong Kong’s unique advantages as an international talent hub, contributing to the betterment of Hong Kong, the Nation and the world.   ***END***

PolyU launches Research Centre for Electric Vehicles advancing smart electric vehicle research to achieve carbon neutrality goals

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) hosted the “Launch Ceremony of Research Centre for Electric Vehicles cum Forum on Intelligent EV and Energy for Carbon Neutrality” on campus yesterday, in the presence of approximately 350 staff and students, together with leaders from government, innovation and technology, energy and academic sectors. The Research Centre for Electric Vehicles (RCEV) is led by its Director, Prof. C.C. CHAN, who is widely recognised as the “Father of Asian Electric Vehicles”, an Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and Distinguished Chair Professor of the PolyU Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering. The Research Centre aims to develop a cutting-edge research platform to address energy and technical challenges presented by modern electric vehicles. Prof. SUN Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, HKSAR Government; and Mr Neil Bush, Founder and Chair of the George H. W. Bush Foundation for U.S.-China Relations, delivered opening remarks. Together with Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, PolyU President and Prof. C.C. CHAN, RCEV Director, they congratulated the University on the establishment of the Centre. Prof. Sun Dong said, “The establishment of this new university-level research centre marks a significant step forward in guiding Hong Kong’s future direction to attain zero vehicular emissions. By addressing the technical challenges associated with modern electric vehicles, RCEV will provide critical technological solutions that will drive the development and adoption of EVs in Hong Kong and beyond. I am fully confident that RCEV will provide great stimulation to the industry through technological breakthrough.” Mr Neil Bush said, “As an electric vehicle driver for five years and a supporter of environmental protection, I congratulate The Hong Kong Polytechnic University on the establishment of the Electric Vehicle Research Centre. Just as the automobile revolution is deepening, the establishment of this centre will have far-reaching impacts. Electric vehicles are not only a means of transportation, they will promote smart transportation, smart energy, smart networks, smart cities, and smart societies. Prof. C.C. Chan’s recent book on ‘The Integration of Energy, Transportation, Information, and Humanities – The Renaissance of Digital Technology’ was published by top publisher Elsevier and laid down the foundation of theory and practice for sustainable development.” Prof. Jin-Guang Teng stated, “As a leading institution in research and innovation, PolyU has always been at the forefront of addressing societal challenges. The establishment of the Research Centre for Electric Vehicles serves to further our contribution to this important field. The work of the Research Centre will embrace electric vehicle technologies, intelligent transportation systems, and energy management.This holistic approach will result in enhanced energy efficiency, environmental benefits, and the creation of new business opportunities.” At the Launch Ceremony, Memorandums of Understanding were signed between the RCEV, and China Power International Development Limited and Wisdom Motor (HK) Limited respectively. These aim to initiate actions in line with the Hong Kong Innovation and Technology Development Blueprint and Outline Development Plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, so as to contribute to the development of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone and the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Cooperation Zone.   Witnessed by Prof. Jin-Guang Teng, PolyU President (1st from right, back row); Prof. C.C. Chan, RCEV Director (2nd from right, back row), Mr Ye Shuiqiu, Deputy Director-General, Department of Educational, Scientific and Technological Affairs, Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR (1st from left, back row); and Mr Chang FANG, Senior Manager, China Power International Development Limited (2nd from left, back row), an MoU was signed by Prof. Christopher Chao, PolyU Vice President (Research and Innovation) and Director of the Policy Research Centre for Innovation and Technology (right, front row) ; and Mr Weikang LIN, General Manager, China Power International Development Limited (left, front row).   Witnessed by Prof. Jin-Guang Teng, PolyU President (centre, back row); Prof. C.C. Chan, RCEV Director (right, back row), Dr Yufeng WAN, Director of Wisdom Motor and Partner at Templewater (left, back row), an MoU was signed by Prof. Christopher Chao, PolyU Vice President (Research and Innovation), and Director of the Policy Research Centre for Innovation and Technology (right, front row); and Mr Felix XU, Chief Strategy Officer and Global Treasurer, Wisdom Motor (left, front row).   As well as Prof. C.C. Chan, a number of distinguished guests delivered keynote speeches at the Forum. They were Mr Peter Major, Chair of the UN Commission on Science and Technology for Development and Honorary Chairman of the World Digital Technology Academy; Prof. Yin-biao SHU, Immediate Past President of the International Electrotechnical Commission and President of Chinese Society for Electrical Engineering; Dr Gan SONG, Director of Advanced Technology R&D Department of BYD; Mr Joseph LAW, Managing Director of CLP Power Hong Kong; and Mr Eric PANG, Director of the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department, HKSAR Government. Prof. C.C. Chan emphasised that it is an opportune time to capitalise on the massive opportunities in electric vehicle research and education. The establishment of the RCEV is geared towards nurturing innovative electric vehicle talents to benefit the Greater Bay Area and the world, while enhancing collaborative efforts with enterprises in mainland China and Hong Kong. The Centre will focus on cutting-edge research on electric vehicles and the friendly interaction between electric vehicles, power grids and 5G networks. It is also set to develop a platform to foster industry-university-research collaboration, thereby catalysing the industrialisation of research outcomes that help achieve higher efficiency, security, reliability and intelligence in electric vehicle technologies. In his closing remarks at the Forum, Prof. Christopher CHAO, PolyU Vice President (Research and Innovation) and Director of the Policy Research Centre for Innovation and Technology (PReCIT), mentioned that PolyU has been paying strong attention to carbon neutrality and is leading in securing Green Tech Fund and Environment and Conservation Fund among all local institutions. PReCIT is pleased to co-organise the event and join the forum. It has also recently secured a Public Policy Research Fund to study hydrogen fuel cell vehicle and electric vehicle related policies. PolyU would continue to strive for excellence in education, research and knowledge dissemination, thereby making significant contributions to the progress of the Nation, while also journeying toward a more sustainable future and achievement of the goal of carbon neutrality.   Prof. Christopher Chao, PolyU Vice President (Research and Innovation), and Director of the Policy Research Centre for Innovation and Technology concluded that PolyU will make continued contributions on the journey toward a more sustainable future and achievement of the goal of carbon neutrality.   ***END***

PolyU and OPTICAL 88 launch joint research project to promote smart clinics recruiting high-risk diabetic patients for new AI-enabled self-testing retinal fundus camera

It is estimated that in Hong Kong approximately 10% of individuals aged 35 to 64 suffer from diabetes, with 30% of them developing diabetic retinopathy (DR) and facing risk of blindness. This results in substantial demand for annual retinal examinations, creating a significant healthcare challenge. The current shortage of manpower in the public healthcare system and long waiting times are delaying timely and appropriate treatment. The “Smart primary healthcare and eyecare service: From data to algorithms and real-world solutions” project, funded by the Hong Kong Government’s Global STEM Professorship Scheme, has supported The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and OPTICAL 88 in a DR screening project for diabetic patients which aims to relieve the pressure on the public healthcare services’ primary eye care sector. Working on the project since March 2024, Prof. Mingguang HE, PolyU Chair Professor of Experimental Ophthalmology of the School of Optometry, Global STEM Scholar under the Global STEM Professorship Scheme and Henry G. Leong Professor in Elderly Vision Health, has invented a low-cost, portable, self-testing retinal fundus camera with a custom artificial intelligence (AI) system to conduct DR screening for eligible personnel. Portable, self-testing retinal fundus camera proves high accuracy and efficiency The camera with custom AI and mechanical automation systems developed by Prof. He and his team have not only resolved the limitations of traditional retinal fundus camera equipment, but has also enabled small-scale and low-cost self-testing medical screening, revolutionising the primary eye care sector. Retinal and optic nerve diseases, such as diabetic retinopathy (commonly known as diabetic eye), age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, retinopathy of prematurity and others all have ocular manifestations in the retinal fundus. Retinal fundus photography can, therefore, assist in diagnosis. The team’s portable, self-testing retinal fundus camera with a custom AI system has a sizeable database of clinical and fundus image data that is connected to a cloud-based analysis system. Leveraging this extensive database, the team has developed a deep learning model that can automatically identify and analyse retinal fundus images, with a proven accuracy of 98.9% in detecting referrable DR. The application of this AI fundus photography technology in the primary eye care sector is expected to help resolve issues of high healthcare cost and shortage of manpower. Prof. He said, “The self-testing retinal fundus camera with custom AI system will not only improve the efficiency and accuracy of primary eye care, but will also promote self-testing amongst the Hong Kong public, with the hope that more organisations will be able to develop smart clinics, introducing such equipment at affordable prices and helping to relieve the burden on the public healthcare system.” Prof. He adds that the smart clinic research conducted in collaboration with OPTICAL 88 will facilitate the use of AI-backed, low-cost portable retinal fundus cameras for DR screening in the primary care system, improve accessibility to healthcare amongst the Hong Kong public and ensure more patients receive the timely diagnosis and treatment of ocular diseases. Recruitment for the evaluation of the benefits of self-testing OPTICAL 88 is the first optical chain to employ the self-testing retinal fundus camera with custom AI and mechanical automation, with the systems installed in two of its retail shops. It is recruiting people aged 50 or above and diabetic patients aged 18 or above who have not had an eye examination in the past 12 months to participate in the AI Diabetic Eye Screening Research Project. Participants will be assessed and then undergo AI diabetic eye screening, alongside a consultation with OPTICAL 88’s optometrists. They are required to complete a questionnaire survey and conduct a telephone interview three months later. The study will evaluate the self-testing model; test the diagnostic accuracy of the system; determine screening rates and patient compliance; as well as assess the cost-effectiveness of the self-testing model in comparison with traditional methods by studying the perceptions, confidence, experience and satisfaction of primary healthcare providers (including general practitioners and optometrists), support staff and clinic managers. Mr Joshua S. Kanjanapas WONG, Director of OPTICAL 88, said, “The vision health of the Hong Kong public has always been a priority for OPTICAL 88. We have invested very considerable resources in educating the public on the importance of regular and comprehensive eye examinations. Many ocular diseases do not show symptoms at the early stages, meaning that the prime window for treatment may be missed by the time symptoms become apparent. OPTICAL 88 keeps abreast of the latest technological developments and frequently introduces appropriate healthcare products to offer professional and convenient services to the public, aiming to promote the advancement of optometry in Hong Kong.” “We are delighted to join hands with PolyU in the AI Diabetic Eye Screening Research Project. The Project’s objectives align perfectly with our company’s ethos, which is to offer efficient assessments of high-risk individuals for early detection and timely referrals so they can seek the professional help and treatment that they need. Meanwhile, the data collected from the Project will evaluate the benefits of AI technology in the primary eye care sector and facilitate the development of smart clinics, so as to foster the future development of ophthalmology,” Mr Wong added. For enquiry and application of the recruiting scheme, please email to aiclinic@polyu.edu.hk. ***END***

PolyU launches International Summer School 2024 and Summer Institute 2024, offering diverse innovative courses and cultural exchange activities

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) will hold the International Summer School 2024 for undergraduate students and the Summer Institute 2024 for high school students from July to August this year. The latter accepts overseas applicants for the first time. Both summer programmes provide students from all over the world with the opportunity to experience PolyU’s quality education as a global top 100 university. In addition to university credit-bearing courses, a series of local tours and enrichment activities allow students to immerse themselves in Hong Kong’s vibrant and unique culture, while a “Buddy Programme” matching PolyU students with overseas participants helps foster intercultural communication among students from the global community. Summer School participants will be able to explore PolyU’s internationally renowned disciplines, with the offering of a five-week credit-bearing course from an array of intellectually stimulating subjects in three thematic areas, namely “Chinese Language, Culture and Society”, “Design, Innovation and Technology” and “Business, Entrepreneurship and Global Leadership”. The Department of Aeronautical and Aviation Engineering will, for the first time, offer a space exploration course in the Summer School, introducing a range of topics, from aerospace engineering fundamentals, such as propulsion and aerodynamics, to satellite engineering and launching vehicles, and further to space robotics and unmanned/crewed space missions. The School of Optometry and the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, both well-recognised in their respective industries, will offer courses providing an introduction to the two disciplines and their related professions. The School of Fashion and Textiles will launch a new course in smart wearables and smart living, providing students with the opportunity to explore the potential development and applications of these cutting-edge technologies. There will also be other courses in engaging topics such as traditional Chinese arts and crafts, Hong Kong’s multilingual society, artificial intelligence and science fiction, and the history and culture of the wine industry. The Summer School has been well-received since its first launch in 2016. LI Qing, a Mainland Chinese participant, applauded the enriching programme and said, “It enabled me to experience reflective thinking and teamwork, various classroom interactions and case studies, which are greatly beneficial to my future study and work.” DINNYÉS Máté Soma, a participant from Hungary, said, “The professionalism I experienced at PolyU and the people from diverse backgrounds I met here were experiences that will last a lifetime.” The PolyU International Summer School 2024 is now accepting undergraduate student applications from Mainland China, Taiwan and overseas until 31 March. For details and experience sharing from past participants, please visit: https://www.polyu.edu.hk/summerschool/ First launched last year, the Summer Institute will this year be extended to welcome overseas high school students, bringing together global youth to experience university life. The Summer Institute comprises a five-day, four-night residential camp, together with day-long attachment programmes organised by PolyU’s faculties and schools for students to learn more about their desired programmes. Local students will be able to get a taste of PolyU’s signature service-learning programme to help the community in need, while international students will join local tours of Hong Kong’s cultural landmarks. There will also be an optional one-week university credit-bearing course in “Innovation and Entrepreneurship”, a compulsory element in all PolyU undergraduate programmes. Students will be eligible to apply for credit transfer upon successful completion of the course and subsequent admission to the University. For the duration of the Summer Institute, students will be offered accommodation at a PolyU Student Hall, enabling them to enjoy the diversity and vitality of campus life, and expand their social network through interaction with the PolyU community. The PolyU Summer Institute 2024 is now open for high school student applications. The deadline for applications from Mainland China, Taiwan and overseas is 31 March, and for local applications is 31 May. For details, please visit: https://www.polyu.edu.hk/geo/si.   *** END ***

Designing Time: PolyU Design to kick off its 60th Anniversary Celebrations in March with “Designing Time” as the theme; Unveiling of celebration activities; Welcoming participants from all sectors to join the celebrations

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. The School is celebrating its 60th anniversary which features a series of compelling activities, including the highlighted activity “One to Ten Outstanding Alumni Exhibition”. The School will hold its 60th anniversary opening ceremony on 11 March, where there will be exciting announcements. We warmly welcome enthusiastic participation from all stakeholders to celebrate this milestone moment together. PolyU School of Design 60th Anniversary Celebrations revolves around the theme “Designing Time,” symbolising the integration of time into design. One hour in a space, whether it’s a home, a building, or an open piazza like the campus square, encapsulates the idea of designing experiences, moments, and interactions that inherently involve all our senses and cross all design disciplines. And over time, PolyU Design has nurtured thousands of design graduates over the past six decades. Their designs have changed the world, showcasing the transformative power of countless “hours” in their work. PolyU Design 60th Anniversary Exciting Activities Throughout the Year To celebrate the School’s 60th anniversary, the School will hold a series of exciting activities throughout 2024, including “New PolyU Design Identity Launch,” with the brand-new visual identity represents a new chapter for PolyU Design; “One to Ten Outstanding Alumni Exhibition” showcases the remarkable achievements of alumni in the field of design; “PolyU Design Show 2024” celebrates learning outcomes of PolyU Design students from different programmes at different levels including Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees, which is a highly anticipated annual design exhibition; “Global Research in Design Innovation Exhibition” features design research projects with other leading design institutions around the world; “Time-capsuled Histories: Six Decades of PolyU Design” maps the 60-year history of PolyU Design, highlighting key milestones, achievements, and uncovering stories of school development and people; finally, the 60th Anniversary Gala brings together the PolyU Design’s community, media, and partners to commemorate the 60th anniversary and showcases strategic direction of PolyU Design. These activities will all showcase the growth and contributions of the School and ignite more creative sparks for the future. Bringing Together Outstanding Alumni to Promote the Power of Design and Showcasing Design Diversity Across Fields On the occasion of the 60th anniversary celebration of PolyU Design, the One to Ten Outstanding Alumni Exhibition will serve as a prominent highlight of the celebrations. This creative exhibition, themed “10 Forms (design diversity), 10 Transmissions (knowledge transmissions),” aims to explore the diversity and evolution of knowledge dissemination, rethinking the foundation of design. The exhibition highlights the variety of different design fields and the outstanding achievements of the 10 alumni in lighting design, product design, industrial design, architecture design, communication design, design management, automotive design, Chinese cultural design, and brand identity design. “One to Ten” 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. 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 fostering 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. In celebration of its 60th anniversary, PolyU Design invites partners, friends and members of the public to join in commemorating its achievements and injecting transformative power into education and the design industry, thus preserving and transmitting design in various forms.   *** END ***

PolyU International Research Summer School attracts global talents to pursue research studies in Hong Kong

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is now accepting applications for its “International Research Summer School”. Worldwide penultimate or final-year undergraduates and students in master’s degrees who aspire to pursue research studies are welcome to apply. The two-week PhD taster will be held from 1 to 13 July this summer to provide participants with the opportunity to explore the key and international aspects of studying PolyU PhD and MPhil programmes, while gaining insights into the global relevance and impact of PolyU’s research education and its support provided to international students. Tailored to the participants’ research interests, the Summer School will facilitate consultation sessions with distinguished PolyU scholars with global expertise from relevant academic departments. Professional advice will be given to the participants on their research postgraduate applications and research proposals. Participants will be open to diverse and interdisciplinary interactions through research workshops for acquiring practical research skills and refining research proposal presentation skills. There will also be face-to-face exchanges with current PolyU international research students to share study experiences and expand social networks. Apart from visiting the University’s world-class research facilities, the Summer School will, for the first time, incorporate experiential activities in Hong Kong, allowing participants to venture beyond the campus and immerse themselves in Hong Kong’s vibrant culture, society and economy. PolyU will subsidise the study visa application fees and provide free accommodation at the PolyU Student Hall for the duration of the Summer School. Upon completion, outstanding participants will be nominated for a preliminary offer of admission to PolyU’s research postgraduate programmes through the support of various international fellowship and scholarship schemes. A global top 100 university, PolyU offers nearly 50 internationally renowned PhD and MPhil programmes across nine faculities and schools and 25 departments. These programmes cover a wide range of disciplines including business, construction and environment, design, engineering, fashion and texitles, health and social sciences, hotel and tourism management, humanities and science, with the aims of inspiring innovative thinking, nurturing professional elites and creating a positive impact on society. PolyU hosts nearly 80 diverse research institutes, research centres and laboratories, including the largest interdisciplinary research platform in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area – the PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research, which encompasses 18 research institutes and research centres. These institutes and centres specialise in a wide array of cutting-edge research fields, such as deep space exploration, artificial intelligence and robotics, advanced manufacturing, smart cities, carbon neutrality, life sciences and healthcare, and materials and sensing technology, offering research students extensive learning and career development opportunities. To learn more about the PolyU International Research Summer School, please visit https://polyu.hk/HWxyv.   ***END***

11 PolyU projects secure RGC Collaborative Research Funding

11 projects from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has secured support from the Collaborative Research Fund (CRF) of the Research Grants Council (RGC) in 2023/24. Nine of them are funded from the Collaborative Research Project Grant (CRPG) and two projects from the Young Collaborative Research Grant (YCRG). Prof. Christopher CHAO, Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU, said, “This outstanding result is encouraging and highlights PolyU's prowess in impactful research. The University is committed to providing outstanding and creative interdisciplinary research to support Hong Kong's innovation and technological development, as well as to nurturing young talented researchers in a mutually supportive, interdisciplinary, and forward-thinking research culture. We look forward to collaborating with various partners in supporting our future professional scientists.” The nine projects funded from the CRPG received total support of over HK$55.5 million, with this funding amount being the highest among local institutions. The projects embrace a number of leading areas, including edge artificial intelligence, artificial auditory systems, nanomaterials, cancer diagnosis, age-related metabolic disease, and construction and environment. The other two projects, funded from the YCRG, cover neural networking in psychology and behaviour and 6G-based sensing technologies respectively. The CRF supports multi-investigator, multi-disciplinary projects to encourage research groups to engage in creative and high-quality cross-disciplinary / cross-institutional projects. Under the CRF, the CRPG aims to enhance the research output of universities in terms of attainment level, quantity, dimensions and impact. The YCRG aims to support early-stage academic staff members in gaining first-hand experience in leading and managing collaborative research. For further information of these PolyU funded projects, please refer to the appendix. ***END***