ENGL PhD Graduate Receives PolyU PhD Thesis Award 2025 – Outstanding Award (Non-STEM Category)

Dr Sopuruchi Aboh, PhD graduate from the Department of English and Communication (ENGL), has won the PolyU PhD Thesis Award 2025 – Outstanding Award (Non-STEM Category) for his thesis titled “Accent and social evaluation: A sociolinguistic analysis of language attitudes and stereotypes in university settings in Nigeria.” The thesis was completed under the supervision of Prof. Hans Ladegaard. Dr Aboh is currently serving as a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department. The PolyU PhD Thesis Award is established by the Graduate School to recognise, reward, and promote the distinguished research achievements by graduating PhD students. The award comprises two classes—Outstanding and Merit—to acknowledge varying levels of academic excellence.

Outstanding Alumni Award of PolyU Faculty of Humanities 2025

Congratulations to the following award recipients on receiving the Faculty’s Outstanding Alumni Award (in alphabetical order of the last name):  Outstanding Alumni Award of PolyU Faculty of Humanities 2025 Dr LEE Yiu-fai (Yee Kok), MH Abbot of Sik Sik Yuen Wong Tai Sin Temple Master of Arts in Chinese Culture (2012) Department of Chinese History and Culture Outstanding Alumni Award of PolyU Faculty of Humanities 2025 Dr Christina LEUNG Wai Ying Vice-Principal, Salvation Army Tin Ka Ping School Doctor of Applied Language Sciences (2025) Faculty of Humanities Master of Arts in English for the Professions (2008) Department of English and Communication Outstanding Young Alumni Award of PolyU Faculty of Humanities 2025 Prof. Jack PUN Associate Professor, Department of English, The Chinese University of Hong Kong Master of Arts in English Language Studies (2011) Department of English and Communication Outstanding Young Alumni Award of PolyU Faculty of Humanities 2025 Ms WONG Kit-ying, Zelia Trilingual Emcee and Trainer, ALOFT Culture BA (Hons) Language Studies for the Professions Department of Language Science and Technology The Award (website) recognises alumni for their professional achievements and significant contributions to the community and their alma mater. Read more about the awardees: Outstanding Alumni Award of PolyU Faculty of Humanities 2025 Dr LEE Yiu-fai (Yee Kok), MH Dr Lee Yiu-fai joined the charitable organisation Sik Sik Yuen in 1985 and has been serving in a voluntary capacity ever since, holding multiple positions on its Board of Directors. He served as Chairman from 2007 to 2011 and has been elected as the Abbot of Wong Tai Sin Temple since 2006. Guided by the compassionate and benevolent teachings of Wong Tai Sin, Dr Lee has dedicated himself to promoting virtuous conduct, disseminating moral teachings, advancing education, providing medical assistance, and supporting elderly care. His efforts benefit over 100,000 individuals each year. Dr Lee has also been instrumental in promoting cultural heritage and the preservation of traditional practices. In 2014, he successfully applied to the State Council for the inclusion of Wong Tai Sin Belief and Customs in the National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of China, significantly elevating its cultural recognition. Dr Lee later proposed the establishment of the Wong Tai Sin Belief and Customs Cultural Centre to ensure the preservation and continuation of this valuable cultural legacy for future generations. In 2025, Dr Lee was selected as a Representative Inheritor in the Sixth Batch of National Intangible Cultural Heritage, an honour that underscores his profound contributions to cultural preservation and transmission. Outstanding Alumni Award of PolyU Faculty of Humanities 2025 Dr Christina LEUNG Wai Ying Dr Christina LEUNG Wai Ying has made a lasting impact on education through school-based, territory-wide, and international initiatives. As Vice Principal of The Salvation Army Tin Ka Ping School (SATKP), she has led transformative programmes that enhance student engagement and foster holistic development. Her commitment to global citizenship through cross-border learning has enriched educational experiences and built bridges between communities. As Chairperson of Hong Kong Extra-Curricular Activities Masters’ Association (HKEAMA), she has expanded opportunities for underprivileged students by ensuring equitable access to enriching extracurricular activities, transforming lives and contributing to a more inclusive educational landscape in Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area. Dr Leung’s leadership in promoting gender equity through The Hong Kong Association of Business and Professional Women (BPWHK) is equally commendable. By mentoring the next generation of women professionals, she has created a ripple effect that extends beyond the local community, amplifying women's contributions on a global scale. By fostering a supportive environment, Dr Leung is shaping a future where women are empowered to reach their full potential. As a Committee Member of the departmental alumni association, she strengthens alumni ties through networking events and mentorship programmes, fostering long-term engagement. Her innovative approach also connects NGOs to support the growth of students and teachers. By integrating virtual reality with neurolinguistic strategies, she prepares students for a future where digital literacy and advanced cognitive skills are essential, equipping them to thrive in a rapidly evolving world. Outstanding Young Alumni Award of PolyU Faculty of Humanities 2025 Prof. Jack PUN Prof. Jack Pun is an Associate Professor (tenured) of Department of English at The Chinese University of Hong Kong, with an extensive academic and teaching backgrounds at several prestigious institutions, including the University of Oxford. He holds a DPhil (PhD) in Education from Oxford, an MA in English Language Studies of PolyU. His research in applied linguistics focuses on English as a Medium of Instruction (EMI), examining classroom interactions and the academic challenges students face in EMI settings. A second significant strand of his work investigates the role of health communication from a cross-cultural perspective. As a bilingual researcher, he analyses how communication affects patient satisfaction and decision-making in diverse clinical environments, aiming to improve care quality globally. Prof. Pun’s scholarly impact is recognised by his inclusion in the 2024 Stanford/Elsevier list of the World’s Top 2% Most-Cited Scientists in Language and Linguistics. He was also a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and the Royal Society for Public Health in 2011. Outstanding Young Alumni Award of PolyU Faculty of Humanities 2025 Ms WONG Kit-ying, Zelia As a trilingual emcee, Ms Wong Kit-ying, Zelia has hosted over 1,000 events in English, Mandarin and Cantonese. She provides emcees services for multinational companies, higher education institutions and nongovernmental organisations. Ms Wong contributes her talent to promote the development of her hometown, Hong Kong. She hosted the Global University Presidents & Leaders Summit, which marks a significant step in establishing Hong Kong as a global hub for higher education. Her professionalism and achievements in the cultural and arts sector were recognised by the Hong Kong Professional Elite Ladies Selection panel. Beyond her emcee career, Ms Wong is also committed to the well-being of others, particularly supporting children, the disabled and underprivileged in society. She was honoured as "Most Outstanding Local Chapter President" in 2018 for her commitment to charitable contributions to the Reading Dreams Foundation, as well as her leadership and community service in the JCI North District in over the years. Her success in the industry notwithstanding, Ms Wong never hesitates to give back to her alma mater. She serves on the advisory committee of PolyU’s Department of Language Science and Technology, mentors students through PolyU’s Student Affairs Club, and acts as Emcee at PolyU’s events.

Two Faculty Projects Secured Funding in the Health and Medical Research Fund 2023 Exercise

Two research projects from the Faculty, led by Prof. Cindy Ngai and Dr Winsy Wong of the Department of Language Science and Technology, have been awarded funding in the 2023 Health and Medical Research Fund (HMRF) Exercise. The funded projects are titled “Connecting the Dots: Examining the Impact of Risk and Protective Factors on Loneliness Types and Mental Health in Hong Kong Elderly” and “Utilisation of Immersive Virtual Reality in Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (IVR-CST) for Elderly with Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Randomised Controlled Pilot Study” respectively. The HMRF was established by the Health Bureau in 2011. It aims to build research capacity and to encourage, facilitate and support health and medical research to inform health policies, improve population health, strengthen the healthcare system, enhance health practices, advance standard and quality of care, and promote clinical excellence, through generation and application of evidence-based scientific knowledge derived from local research in health and medicine. In addition to health and medical research, the HMRF also provides support for health promotion projects, research infrastructure and research capacity building initiatives.

ENGL Hosts City-wide Essay Competition for Secondary School Students: Prof. Phoebe Lin Shares Insights on Writing in the Age of AI

The Department of English and Communication (ENGL) organised the Hong Kong Short Essay Writing Competition for Secondary School Students earlier this year, inviting Form Four and Five students to submit entries on the theme “AI and Me.” The competition received an overwhelming response, with over 1,100 submissions from 75 schools across the city. Prof. Phoebe Lin, Assistant Professor at ENGL, shared her reflections on the competition in an article published in SCMP, where she shared her professional perspectives on the true purposes of writing amid the era of AI.

CBS PhD Student Excels in 50th Hong Kong Youth Translation Competition

A CBS PhD student, Hui Ka Yee Ruby, won the First Runner-up in Chinese-English translation and a Merit award in English-Chinese translation in the Open Category of the 50th Hong Kong Youth Translation Competition (第50屆全港青年翻譯比賽), held in June 2025. The competition, widely regarded as the most prestigious translation contest in Hong Kong, was jointly organised by the Hong Kong Youth Cultural and Arts Competitions and the Society of Chinese Accountants and Auditors, co-organised by the Hong Kong Translation Society, and supported by Standing Committee on Language Education and Research. Participants had to translate two articles, one from English into Chinese and another from Chinese into English, within two hours using at most two print dictionaries. The competition consists of three categories: Open, Senior Secondary Student, and Junior Secondary Student. The Open Category is open to the public with an age limit of 45 or below, attracting more than 50 participants this year.

Two BAEAL Students Named Millennium Fellows 2025

Joyce Jiayi Chen and Cora Zhu Wenxi, students in the BA(Hons) in English and Applied Linguistics (BAEAL) programme, have been selected as Millennium Fellows in the Class of 2025. The Millennium Fellowship, co-run by the United Nations Academic Impact and the Millennium Campus Network, is a semester-long leadership development programme that convenes, challenges, and celebrates bold student leadership advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on campus and in communities. Joyce and Cora were selected from over 60,000 applicants across 7,500+ campuses worldwide, joining a cohort of 4,000+ Fellows from 290+ institutions globally. As part of the Fellowship, each will undertake a project addressing one or more of the SDGs, applying their learning to create tangible social impact.

Faculty Dean Prof. Li Ping’s Visits to BOE Technology and BOE Art Cloud to Strengthen Cultural-Tech Synergy

Faculty Dean Prof. Li Ping, Sin Wai Kin Foundation Professor in Humanities and Technology and Associate Director of the PolyU-Hangzhou Technology and Innovation Research Institute, visited Beijing Oriental Electronics (BOE) Technology Group Co., Ltd. on 31 July. Prof. Li was received by the Vice President of BOE and CEO of BOE Varitronix Limited, who introduced the company’s development journey in the field of semiconductor displays. Discussions focused on the application of display innovations in digital cultural tourism and heritage revitalisation. On 1 August, Prof. Li visited BOE Art Cloud Technology Co., Ltd., where Chairman Yao Xiangjun showcased glasses-free 3D applications in art presentation and immersive environments. The visit deepened mutual understanding on integrating display technologies with cultural experiences and laid a foundation for future collaboration.

Nominations for PolyU Yuen Ren Chao Prize in Language Science 2026 Open This August

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is pleased to announce that the Yuen Ren Chao Prize in Language Science (Chao Prize) 2026 will be open for nominations from 1 August until 31 October 2025. This biennial international award, now in its second edition, honours scholars and researchers worldwide who have made distinguished contributions to the field of language science. Initiated and hosted by the PolyU Faculty of Humanities, the Chao Prize is named after the late Professor Yuen Ren Chao, who is widely regarded as the father of modern Chinese language studies, with his legacy as a distinguished linguist, poet, composer, translator and educator. Two awards are presented in each cycle: the Lifetime Achievement Award, which honours long-term, internationally recognised contributions to the field, and the Early Career Contribution Award, which celebrates outstanding work by scholars or researchers aged 45 or below. The Prize also includes cash awards of US$100,000 and US$50,000, respectively. Placing significant emphasis on demonstrated leadership and impact on language science, the selection of award recipients is based solely on merit, regardless of background or affiliation. Prof. Li Ping, Dean of the PolyU Faculty of Humanities, remarked, “The Chao Prize not only celebrates excellence, but also fosters interdisciplinary dialogue, serving as a catalyst for global scholarly exchange and innovation in language science and calling the international academic and research community to engage, to reflect and to aspire. It reaffirms the Faculty’s commitment to advancing language science research with real-world impact, and embodies PolyU’s dedication to the pursuit of knowledge and its application for the benefit of mankind.” He expressed appreciation to the Prize’s patron, the iRead Foundation, for its generous support and shared vision in promoting language research. Ms Li Wen, iRead Foundation Founder and Executive Board Chair, added, “Language development is fundamental to how children learn, grow and connect with the world. At iRead, we are dedicated to promoting child literacy and improving the quality of children’s reading. We are proud to support the Chao Prize, which recognises scholars whose research not only advances our understanding of language, but also contributes to lasting impact in education and society.” The nomination timeline and the latest details regarding the 2026 Chao Prize are available on its official website. For enquiries, please contact chao.prize@polyu.edu.hk.

PolyU and SCNU Sign MoU to Advance Talent Development and Greater Bay Area Collaboration

The Faculty of Humanities of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and the International Business College of South China Normal University (SCNU) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen academic collaboration. The partnership will focus on dual postgraduate programmes and talent development in AI innovation and communication. The signing ceremony was held at SCNU’s Administration Building, with Prof. Li Ping, Dean of PolyU’s Faculty of Humanities, and Prof. Qiaoyun Yun, Vice Dean of SCNU’s International Business College, representing their respective institutions. This partnership aims to foster cross-regional academic exchange and support the broader development goals of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area. Both institutions will explore joint initiatives to enhance educational excellence.

FH Student Shines at PolyU 3MT Competition

Congratulations to Ms Peng Yingying, a PhD student from the Department of Chinese and Bilingual Studies (CBS) supervised by Faculty Dean Prof. Li Ping, for her outstanding performance at the PolyU Three Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition held on 2 July 2025. Representing the Faculty of Humanities—after winning the Faculty-level 3MT Competition—Yingying earned the Second Runner-Up at the university level. Her presentation topic was "To Chat with Your (AI) Teacher or Not? It Only Takes Minutes to Spark Learning". The 3MT Competition challenged participants to present their complex research projects in just three minutes, emphasising clarity, conciseness, and effective communication. The Faculty proudly celebrates Yingying’s outstanding work and dedication. Please join us in congratulating her on this achievement!