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PolyU strengthens international ties with the German delegation focused on food innovation

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) welcomed a distinguished delegation from the German Federal State of Saxony-Anhalt on 10 November for a collaborative exchange on the future of food technology and sustainable innovation. The delegation, comprising senior officials from the State Ministry of Economic Affairs of the Tourism, Agriculture and Forestry of Saxony-Anhalt, leaders from the German food industry, and academics from Anhalt University of Applied Sciences, embarked on a curated programme to explore PolyU’s cutting-edge research facilities. They toured the Hybrid Immersive Virtual Environment and the Suga Research Laboratory for Sustainable Urban Green Agriculture, where Prof. Wong Ka-hing, Director of the Research Institute for Future Food at PolyU, showcased pioneering work in urban agriculture and the development of 3D printing materials made from food waste. The delegation also visited the Food and Wine Academy at the School of Hotel and Tourism Management, gaining insight into PolyU’s interdisciplinary approach to the food ecosystem. This fruitful visit marks a significant step in fostering international collaboration, and PolyU looks forward to potential partnerships that advance global food sustainability.  

PolyU research develops AI-driven, GIS Compatible vehicle type detection system supported by Smart Traffic Fund

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is committed to advancing innovative transportation technologies that shape the future of mobility. A novel PolyU research project to develop a vehicle type detection system using artificial intelligence (AI) and geographic information system (GIS) technologies has received support from the Smart Traffic Fund, helping to facilitate traffic management in Hong Kong. Led by Prof. Qihao WENG, Chair Professor of Geomatics and Artificial Intelligence and Global STEM Scholar at the Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics, and Director of the Research Centre for Artificial Intelligence in Geomatics (RCAIG) and JC STEM Lab of Earth Observations, and Associate Director of the Research Institute for Land and Space, the project titled “AI-Driven, GIS-Compatible Vehicle Type Detection System Riding on Fusion of Satellite, CCTV, and Geospatial Data” has received support from the Smart Traffic Fund, with approximately HK$3.23 million in funding over a duration of 24 months. With matching funds, this project will have a total budget of over HK$4.03 million. This project aims to develop a vehicle type detection system based on satellite and CCTV images. It will address existing AI limitations, such as limited generalisation capability and complex background interference. By developing AI-powered image analysis technology and establishing a vehicle type detection system compatible with geographic information systems, the project will deliver precise vehicle data analytics to facilitate traffic management in Hong Kong. PolyU has long been committed to the research and application of vehicle-related innovation and technology, with a total of 27 projects supported by the Smart Traffic Fund to date. The RCAIG was established as a joint effort between five academic departments in three faculties at Hong Kong Polytechnic University. The RCAIG focuses on developing innovative Al technologies for solving environmental and societal challenges in geomatics, with the vision of becoming a global R&D hub in GeoAl. The JC STEM Lab of Earth Observations is a joint effort of PolyU, Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, and the Hong Kong SAR government to support the "Global STEM Professorship Scheme". The laboratory focuses on the development of original and innovative Earth Observation (EO) methodologies and technologies and their applications for studies of the causes, effects, and responses to environmental and societal challenges in cities and urban areas, with the goal of becoming a global research hub in EO. The Smart Traffic Fund provides funding support to local organisations and enterprises for conducting research and applying innovation and technology with the objectives of enhancing commuting convenience, enhancing efficiency of the road network or road space, and improving driving safety.

PolyU-Shaoxing Technology and Innovation Research Institute officially inaugurated, four major research centres to support industrial upgrading

Jointly established by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and the People’s Government of Keqiao District, Shaoxing, the PolyU-Shaoxing Technology and Innovation Research Institute (the Institute) was officially inaugurated yesterday, together with a plaque-unveiling ceremony to mark the setting-up of InnoHub@Shaoxing. This represents a new phase of collaboration in technological innovation between Hong Kong and Shaoxing, opening a new chapter in the integrated development of the Yangtze River Delta. Marking the official establishment of the Institute, the inauguration ceremony in Shaoxing was officiated by Dr LAM Tai-fai, PolyU Council Chairman; Prof. Christopher CHAO, Senior Vice President (Research and Innovation); Prof. DONG Cheng, Associate Vice President (Mainland Research Advancement); Prof. John XIN, Director of the Institute, together with Ms WU Dengfen, Deputy Secretary of the Shaoxing Municipal Party Committee and Mayor; Ms ZHANG Xue, Vice Mayor of the Shaoxing People’s Government; Mr JING Yao, Deputy Secretary of the Keqiao District Party Committee and District Mayor; and Mr PAN Xiaodong, Standing Committee Member and Head of the Organisation Department of the Keqiao District Party Committee. Dr Lam Tai-fai remarked, “The Institute is Shaoxing’s first collaborative platform between the Shaoxing Government and academic partner outside Shaoxing, fully demonstrating the strong emphasis placed by all levels of Government on higher education and technological innovation. PolyU will work hand in hand with Shaoxing to deepen collaborative innovation among Government, industry, academia and research sectors, encouraging the translation of high-calibre research outcomes for mutual benefit and growth.” Ms Wu Dengfen said, “Since Keqiao District and PolyU signed the agreement to jointly establish the Institute last September, we have worked together closely. In just over a year, the Institute has been established and brought into operation, and has become a national-level intellectual property protection demonstration zone. This provides enterprises and talent with strong support for innovation and an enabling environment for development.” The Institute has established four major research centres, focusing on smart textiles, modern residential construction, carbon fibre composite materials, and food nutrition and health. Prof. Christopher Chao noted that these research areas are closely aligned with national strategies and the mission of local industry clusters. By leveraging PolyU strength in research innovation and knowledge transfer, the Institute will drive technological innovation and the commercialisation of research outcomes, thereby promoting sustainable regional development. The event also featured a plaque presentation marking the setting-up of InnoHub@Shaoxing, during which Dr Lam Tai-fai and Prof. Christopher Chao presented the plaque to Prof. Dong Cheng and Prof. John Xin. Agreements were signed between the Institute and several local enterprises in Shaoxing to promote collaboration in technological innovation and deepen industry integration. The Institute is not only a research platform but also a significant initiative to support PolyU’s deep integration into the innovation ecosystem of the Yangtze River Delta and to serve the Nation’s regional development strategies, becoming a model of cooperation between Hong Kong and Shaoxing. Moving forward, the Institute will adopt a development philosophy of “openness, synergy and efficiency”, pooling innovation resources at home and abroad to address the practical needs of Keqiao industries and inject fresh momentum into Shaoxing’s high-quality development, making greater contributions to national technological innovation. At the same event, Dr Lam Tai-fai (2nd from left) and Prof. Christopher Chao (1st from left) presented a plaque to Prof. Dong Cheng (2nd from right) and Prof. John Xin (1st from right) to mark the setting-up of InnoHub@Shaoxing. Agreements were signed between the Institute and several local enterprises in Shaoxing to promote collaboration in technological innovation and deepen industry integration.  

Delegation from the Guangdong Science and Technology Department visits PolyU

A delegation led by Mr Yang Jun, Deputy Director-General of the Guangdong Science and Technology Department, visited The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) on 6 November to explore opportunities for deepening scientific research collaboration and advancing the development of joint laboratories between Guangdong and Hong Kong. Prof. Jin-Guang Teng, President of PolyU, welcomed the delegation and provided an overview of the University's research achievements in driving industrial development, as well as its strategic vision for future innovation.  Mr Yang elaborated on both national and industrial needs, highlighting the strong alignment in collaborative priorities between the two sides. During the meeting, both parties discussed potential research partnerships in fields such as artificial intelligence and sustainable development. They also explored strategies to accelerate the establishment of joint laboratories and to enhance resource allocation, aiming to facilitate the transformation of research outcomes by leveraging Hong Kong's distinctive advantages. Following the discussions, the delegation visited the Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for Marine Infrastructure, gaining first-hand insight into PolyU's leading technologies and practical achievements in developing next-generation marine infrastructure. The delegation highly commended the research team's work. The laboratory, supported by Guangdong Science and Technology Department and led by PolyU in collaboration with the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Authority, Guangdong Electric Power Design Institute and CCCC Fourth Harbor Engineering Institute Co., Ltd., exemplifies the deep integration and strong cooperation between Guangdong and Hong Kong across government, industry, academia, and research sectors.  

PolyU researchers innovate multi-tier intelligent inspection system for safer and sustainable bridge infrastructure

The rising traffic density and heavier loads on the city’s vast network of bridges and highways have posed challenges to establishing an efficient and reliable inspection system for road safety. Researchers at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) have developed an innovative intelligent model with a multi-tier design to advance the inspection and evaluation process for surface and subsurface defect detection and safety for concrete bridges, contributing to a more sustainable public infrastructure.   Elevated temperatures and humidity accelerate rebar corrosion and concrete degradation, leading to cracks, spalling, and structural weakening. These issues are further exacerbated in dense urban environments, where inspection and repairs are logistically complex. While visual inspection (VI) remains the primary method for assessing structural conditions, it often fails to identify subsurface defects such as rebar corrosion. To overcome these limitations, Prof. Tarek ZAYED, Professor of the Department of Building and Real Estate of the PolyU, and his research team have advanced non-destructive testing (NDT) technologies to proactively detect both surface and subsurface defects in concrete bridge decks, enhancing accuracy and improving road safety.  The research integrated advanced technologies, including drone-enabled VI for automated data collection, ground-penetrating radar (GPR) for mapping subsurface corrosion, and infrared thermography (IRT) for detecting internal concrete delamination. Machine learning algorithms help analyse the combined data, forming a comprehensive multi-tier system for identifying critical structural defects.  Prof. ZAYED said, “Our hybrid inspection system innovatively combines drones, GPR, and IRT to enhance defect detection through an integrated, AI-powered approach. It improves inspection efficiency and accuracy, and generates deterioration analysis reports, such as the bridge deck efficiency index. A smart, user-friendly tool that automates bridge deck efficiency data analysis is designed for practical applications. Furthermore, we standardise inspections with the establishment of a 5-point severity rating scale to prioritise repairs.” Growing traffic loads heighten the need for frequent bridge inspections, particularly for detecting surface cracks, which are the most prevalent defects. However, conventional VI has certain limitations in accuracy, labor intensity, and subjectivity. In response, Prof. ZAYED and the team developed YOLOv8-GAM-WISE-IoU, a highly efficient deep convolutional neural network (CNN)-based model for automated bridge crack detection. Research results demonstrated superior precision, showing that this novel computer vision model holds strong potential for real-world deployment across various applications.  GPR is a leading NDT technology for real-time evaluation of concrete corrosion, but its data analysis can be complex and time-consuming. To address this, the research team introduced a fully automated method for GPR data interpretation, along with reinforced corrosion evaluation. The developed method features both robust rebar picking and corrosion mapping, with over 98% precision and recall. This standardised approach also accurately identifies potential corrosion zones.  Harsh environments, aging, and traffic-induced wear can deteriorate concrete elements, and cause structural damage and surface cracks, leading to rebar corrosion in bridge decks. Harnessing IRT technology, the team established an optimum thermal gradient threshold (OTGT) system to detect delaminated areas in the concrete bridge deck. This smart system also generates delamination maps and threshold values, facilitating timely diagnosis and maintenance to extend bridge lifespan.  Prof. ZAYED’s research in advancing bridge inspection and safety has been published in international journals, including Construction and Building Materials, Automation in Construction, and Advanced Engineering Informatics. The research was also supported by the Smart Traffic Fund, with a grant of around 8 million under the grant number of PSRI/14/2109/RA.  

PolyU-Wuhan Technology and Innovation Research Institute officially inaugurated, promoting development of medical and health industry in the two cities

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PolyU scientists find new ways to combat drug resistance in cancers, featured in Nature

Researchers at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) are advancing new strategies to combat drug resistance in hard-to-treat cancers. The latest Nature Index features groundbreaking cancer research led by Prof. LEE Kin-wah Terence, and Prof. ZHAO Yanxiang, both Associate Heads and Professors in the PolyU Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology.  Liver cancer poses a significant treatment challenge due to the liver’s natural detoxification function, which can diminish the effectiveness of therapies. Once a drug is administered, cancer cells often activate alternative signaling pathways to resist treatment. Prof. LEE’s research focuses on overcoming drug resistance from multiple fronts.  To understand why some liver cancer cells develop resistance to lenvatinib, a targeted cancer drug used to treat advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), Prof. LEE’s research team identified a protein called CDK6 as a key player in helping cancer stem cells survive, thereby making the cancer more difficult to treat. To counter this, the team tested drugs that block or break down CDK6, both in vitro and in lenvatinib-resistant HCC mouse models.  Autophagy is a vital cellular process through which cells degrade and recycle their own components, particularly in response to stress or nutrient deprivation. However, its role in cancer is complex. Both insufficient and excessive autophagy can be lethal to cancer cells. To explore this further, Prof. ZHAO proposed potential therapeutic strategies that specifically target autophagy.  Prof. ZHAO’s research team has been studying the possibility of manipulating autophagy as a potential route to new cancer treatments. These include strategies to overcome drug resistance in specific tumour types, such as certain liver cancers, where autophagy tends to occur at low levels.  PolyU’s interdisciplinary excellence is propelling advances in cancer drug research. Both professors are currently exploring strategies to overcome resistance to immunotherapy through autophagy induction and gut microbiota interventions. Stimulating the immune system to produce precise, tumour-specific responses represents a promising path forward. A personalised approach is essential, as each patient’s tumour is biologically unique.  For More:  https://www.nature.com/articles/d42473-025-00320-6  

PolyU immersive VR gamification advancing digital health education received honour at the IEEE ISMAR 2025

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has gained international recognition for its impactful contributions to immersive digital health education. Prof Lik-Hang LEE, Assistant Professor in the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, and his research team have received the “Honourable Mention - Best Paper Award” at the IEEE International Symposium on Mixed and Augmented Reality (ISMAR) 2025 for their pioneering work in integrating virtual reality into biomedical learning. The research titled “MetaRoundWorm: A Virtual Reality Escape Room Game for Learning the Lifecycle and Immune Response to Parasitic Infections”, led by Prof LEE, conducted with Ms Xuanru CHENG, and Ms Xian WANG, PhD students at Prof LEE’s Research Group in the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, and coordinated with Dr TAI Chi-lok, Associate Division Head of the Division of Business and Hospitality Management at the College of Professional and Continuing Education (CPCE) of PolyU, has been recognised for its innovative application of Virtual Reality (VR) in complex biomedical education. MetaRoundWorm is an immersive VR escape room that makes abstract public health topics more approachable by simulating the lifecycle of Ascaris lumbricoides and immune responses within anatomically accurate virtual environments. In a controlled study, it outperformed a strong baseline of interactive slides in immediate learning outcomes, engagement, and emotional response, while maintaining knowledge retention. The research findings indicate that VR gamification holds promise as an effective pedagogical tool for communicating complex biomedical concepts and advancing digital health education. Prof LEE said, “We are deeply honoured by this recognition. It is a meaningful affirmation of the PolyU research team’s dedication and passion to advance immersive learning. With MetaRoundWorm, we used a controlled study to test a simple idea: gamified immersive tasks should lead to visible, measurable gains in learning and better emotional experience. We will continue to explore the impact and the broader impact and potential of immersive, game-based learning across diverse fields.” Building on the results, which show that VR can make complex public health knowledge more accessible and classroom-ready, the research team has developed a multi-user, room-scale version of MetaRoundWorm for deployment in the HIVE (Highly Immersive Visualization Environment) at the Industrial Centre of PolyU. This enhanced version is also integrated into metaverse-based courses, aiming to boost students’ motivation and interest in biomedical learning. The IEEE ISMAR is the premier conference that gathers the world’s leading researchers from both academia and industry to explore advances in commercial and research activities related to Augmented Reality (AR), MR, and VR. This year, it was held at Daejeon, South Korea.

Media report: PolyU and Hongkong Land collaborate to apply waste glass in low-carbon construction materials promoting a sustainable environment

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has partnered with Hongkong Land Holdings Limited to develop eco-blocks made from glass waste for use in renovating the enterprises’ properties, promoting green building initiatives. Prof. Poon Chi-sun, Distinguished Research Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, and Michael Anson Professor of Civil Engineering of PolyU, and Director of the Research Centre for Resources Engineering towards Carbon Neutrality, and his team have developed eco-blocks made from recycled glass waste. The blocks not only help reduce carbon emissions during construction but also offer superior strength and durability compared to traditional bricks. The new blocks are 10 to 20% stronger than conventional bricks, and waste materials from existing properties are sufficient to produce over 20,000 eco-blocks, demonstrating a practical and scalable solution for green renovation. This partnership exemplifies how academic research can drive real-world applications, turning waste into valuable resources and advancing the construction industry towards carbon neutrality. Prof. Poon’s work continues to connect academia and industry, delivering innovative solutions for a greener future. It effectively transforms construction waste into valuable resources, enabling more environmentally friendly and efficient building practices.  

PolyU delegation shines at 2025 World Laureates Forum

Four distinguished scholars from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) were invited to present their latest research at the 2025 World Laureates Forum (WLF), held in Shanghai from 24 to 25 October. Under the theme “Science in Future: Shanghai and the World”, the event brought together more than 100 leading scientists from over 10 countries and regions to explore future trends in science and technology and to strengthen global collaboration. As one of the few educational delegations from Hong Kong, PolyU’s participation underscored its vital role in the global scientific landscape. The invited scholars included, Prof. Dahua Shou, Limin Endowed Young Scholar in Advanced Textiles Technologies, Associate Professor of the School of Fashion and Textiles, Associate Director of the Research Centre of Textiles for Future Fashion, and Associate Director of the PolyU-Xingguo Technology and Innovation Research Institute; Prof. Zhang Caicai, Associate Professor of the Department of Language Science and Technology; Prof. Zheng Pai, Associate Professor of the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Wong Tit Shing Young Scholar in Smart Robotics, and Member of the Research Institute for Advanced Manufacturing;  Prof. Zhao Xin, Professor of the Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology Prof. Zhang also hosted a face-to-face workshop with Lingang Youth on the topic of “Sleep and Cognitive Development,” providing an inspiring platform for fruitful discussion and sparking students' curiosity in cognitive science. PolyU remains committed to advancing scientific research, promoting science education, and supporting Hong Kong’s development as a global innovation and technology hub. WLF, hosted by the China Association for Science and Technology, is Asia’s most prestigious international science conference. Since its launch in 2018, it has become a premier platform for global scientific dialogue, fostering cross-border, cross-disciplinary, and cross-generational collaboration.