Media Releases

PolyU to confer Honorary Doctorates upon Three Distinguished Individuals

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) announced today that the University will confer honorary doctorates upon three distinguished individuals in recognition of their outstanding achievements in the fields of finance, scientific research, education and public health as well as their remarkable contributions to society. The three recipients are (in alphabetical order of surname): Mrs Laura CHA, GBM, GBS, JP, Professor XU Ningsheng and Professor ZHONG Nanshan. Mrs Laura Cha, Professor Xu Ningsheng and Professor Zhong Nanshan are eminent individuals who have made significant contributions to our society and Nation. PolyU looks forward to more in-depth communication and collaboration with them in taking the University towards new horizons in education and research for the benefit of society. Mrs Laura Cha is the Chairman of Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited, Non-executive Chairman of The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited and Director of the World Federation of Exchanges. She is also a Non-official Member of the Executive Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Mrs Cha has extensive experience in the field of financial management and has made impactful contributions to the development of the financial services sector in both Hong Kong and Mainland China. Mrs Cha was the first non-Mainland resident to join the Central Government at vice-ministerial rank when she served as Vice Chairman of the China Securities Regulatory Commission from 2001 to 2004. She previously served as Chairman of the University Grants Committee (UGC), Chairman of the Financial Services Development Council, Deputy Chairman of the Securities and Futures Commission, and Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Corruption of the Independent Commission Against Corruption.

PolyU research reveals that short-term study-in-China programmes promote local university students’ intercultural competence and understanding of Mainland China

Since the reunification of Hong Kong with China, economic and social ties between Hong Kong and the Mainland have become more frequent. Amid the rapid economic growth of our country, more employment and business opportunities are created for young people in Hong Kong. To enhance their understanding of and identification with the Nation, local academic institutions have been organising various exchange programmes between China and Hong Kong. A recent Public Policy Research Project conducted by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) revealed that short-term study-in-China programmes enhanced the intercultural competence of local Hong Kong university students. The programmes also positively influenced their perception and attitude towards Mainland China, as well as their identification with the Nation. The findings strongly suggest the importance of further promoting short-term learning opportunities in Mainland China for Hong Kong’s younger generation.

PolyU-developed space instruments complete lunar sampling for Chang’e 5

In support of the Nation’s first lunar sample return mission, a research team at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) developed and manufactured one of the key systems for this historic undertaking, namely the “Surface Sampling and Packing System”, in collaboration with the China Academy of Space Technology. The PolyU-developed system accomplished the tasks of automatic sample collection and packaging on the lunar surface following the soft landing of the Chang’e 5 probe on 1 December 2020. The vehicle carrying the samples is currently on course back to Earth, and is expected to touch down in China’s Inner Mongolia region next week.

Statement by the Heads of Universities Committee (HUCOM)

We welcome the Chief Executive's initiatives for the higher education sector under the 2020 Policy Address which represent the Government's strong commitment to further advancing university education in Hong Kong, especially in terms of attracting and nurturing talent and enhancing teaching, learning and research. We also believe that the new initiatives and measures will provide more opportunities for the younger generation and benefit Hong Kong's long-term competitiveness and development.

PolyU welcomes the initiatives in the Chief Executive's 2020 Policy Address

Professor Jin-Guang TENG, President of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), welcomes and supports the new higher education initiatives as announced in the Chief Executive's 2020 Policy Address, and believes that they are significant to the future development of higher education in Hong Kong. With regard to the Global STEM Professorship Scheme, Professor TENG remarked, “The scheme will help encourage overseas talent to come to work in Hong Kong, thus adding new momentum to the city's innovation and technology (I&T) development. The world has now entered the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, and future I&T development will focus on emerging technologies such as life science, materials science, data science, artificial intelligence, and robotics. PolyU will continue to strive for excellence in these areas to make contributions to Hong Kong, our Nation and the world. In terms of attracting world-class I&T talent, the University has been recruiting outstanding scholars and scientists from all over the world so as to reinforce its capabilities in teaching, learning, and innovative research.”

PolyU develops space instruments for the Nation’s first lunar sample return mission

Researchers at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) have developed and manufactured the “Surface Sampling and Packing System”, specifically designed for Chang’e 5, the Nation’s first lunar sample return mission. Following the successful launch of Chang’e 5 by the Long March 5 rocket today (24 November), the Surface Sampling and Packing System is scheduled to commence lunar sampling in early December. Joining this historic mission is the team led by Professor YUNG Kai-leung, Sir Sze-yuen Chung Professor in Precision Engineering, Chair Professor of Precision Engineering and Associate Head of Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, PolyU. Dr Robert W.M. TAM, Interim Director of PolyU’s Industrial Centre, is one of the team’s key members.

PolyU’s School of Nursing re-designated as a World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Community Health Services

The School of Nursing at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) was re-designated by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a WHO Collaborating Centre (WHO CC) for Community Health Services for a period of four years to the end of 2023. Established since 2007, the Centre is the first and only WHO Collaborating Centre in Healthy Ageing in the Asia Pacific. Its missions include taking on a proactive role in promoting the implementation of WHO’s strategic initiatives, as well as supporting them in developing healthy ageing policies and recommendations across the Western Pacific region.

PolyU sets up the first university-based occupational therapy clinic on campus

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has established a new on-campus rehabilitation centre that focuses on the provision of occupational therapy (OT) services, thanks to a generous donation from Mr Tam Wing Fan and his family. It is the first-ever OT clinic in Hong Kong operated by a university. The Tam Wing Fan Rehabilitation Service Centre (Occupational Therapy), named after its donor Mr Tam Wing Fan, a distinguished Hong Kong architect and philanthropist who generously supported education, research and community service, is the second rehabilitation centre operating on the PolyU campus. With state-of-the-art equipment, veteran academic researchers and experienced occupational therapists, this new Centre provides comprehensive OT services for people of all age groups, including treatments for musculoskeletal, neurological and mental health dysfunctions. In view of the ageing population and the rising needs for primary healthcare services in the community, the Centre will become a service point for the public, with an emphasis on elderly care and offering treatments for common neurological diseases, elderly falls and fractures, and mental health conditions.

PolyU wins three TechConnect Global Innovation Awards

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) won three "Global Innovation Awards" at the TechConnect Business Virtual Summit and Showcase 2020 (TechConnect). It is the fourth year that PolyU research teams snatched the prestigious awards at the world's largest multi-sector event for fostering development and commercialisation of innovations. The TechConnect Global Innovation Awards identify the top 15% of submitted technologies based on their potential positive impact on a specific industry sector. Over 400 submissions were received this year including those from global top-notch universities and technology enterprises. Only 13 were presented with the global awards designated for non-US-funded innovations across the world; and PolyU received three of them. Other awardees include global-renowned institutes such as The University of Melbourne and The University of British Columbia.

“Intergenerational Play Space Design Competition - Prosperous Garden” Showcases Innovative Winning Projects

Jointly organised by the Jockey Club Design Institute for Social Innovation (JCDISI) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and the Hong Kong Housing Society (HKHS), the “Intergenerational Play Space Design Competition - Prosperous Garden” has successfully concluded and the award presentation ceremony was held today (14 November). The competition is one of the action projects under the PolyU Jockey Club “Operation SoInno” programme.