News

MTE Inauguration: Shaping a New Era of Tech Entrepreneurship

On 30 January, the Graduate School hosted the inauguration ceremony for our Master of Technology Entrepreneurship (MTE) Programme, celebrating the official commencement of the first MTE cohort. At the ceremony, Prof. Christopher Chao, Senior Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU, encouraged students to embrace exploration and innovation, and to grow through learning and practice, so as to collectively shape a new era of technology entrepreneurship. He also presented Prof. Wang Jian, Co‑founder and Chairman of BGI Group, with an appointment certificate as Honorary Professor of Graduate School. Prof. Wang then delivered an inspiring students masterclass “Omics for ALL”, sharing his journey of scientific innovation and encouraged students to embrace cross‑disciplinary thinking and pursue excellence. Our inaugural cohort brings together more than 50 students from diverse industries including healthcare, biotechnology, architecture, media and e-commerce, reflecting the programme’s emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration. The MTE programme breaks through traditional academic frameworks by placing hands-on entrepreneurship at its core. By integrating Hong Kong’s international strengths with the industrial resources of the Chinese Mainland, including PolyU’s 12 Mainland Translational Research Institutes (MTRIs) across major cities, students gain exclusive opportunities to establish their technology startups before graduation.

Joint Admission Talk: PolyU-Loughborough University Dual PhD Degree Programme

On 21 January, PolyU and Loughborough University (LU) co-hosted a Joint Admission Talk for our newly established Dual PhD Degree Programme. Prof. Kenneth Fong, Associate Dean of Graduate School, kicked off the session by showcasing the unique advantages of pursuing PhD studies at PolyU and Hong Kong’s role as a global education hub. He also offered an overview of the programme’s coursework, student support, and application procedures. Dr Jill Thurman, Assistant Registrar (Recruitment and Partnerships) of the Doctoral College and Academic Registry at LU, further elaborated on the programme’s strengths, LU’s research degree structure, and scholarship opportunities available to students. The talk concluded with an interactive Q&A, where both speakers addressed students’ concerns and clarified critical programme details. Dual PhD degree programmes empower students to tap into the world-class academic resources and excellence of both universities. Learn more here.

Transferrable Skills Workshop with Prof. Keith W. Kelley

On 16 January, a full house of motivated RPg students filled the room for the workshop, “Navigating the Publish or Perish Landscape: Guidelines for Submissions to High-Quality Academic Journals”, led by Prof. Keith W. Kelley, a distinguished immunophysiologist and researcher from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. The workshop began with opening remarks from Prof. Kenneth Fong, Associate Dean of Graduate School. Prof. Kelley then shared practical insights and vivid examples on crafting strong research papers, improving the chances of acceptance in top journals, and handling rejections. He emphasised the importance of “novelty and clarity”, encouraging students to communicate directly for clear and impactful messages. The session was enriched by Prof. Kelley’s thoughtful answers to participants’ questions, including a debate on the role of AI in academic writing. We hope attendees left with inspiring insights and greater confidence in research writing.

RPg Supervisor Induction 2025/26

Supervision is not simply a duty, but a trusted partnership and collaborative journey with RPg students. Earlier this week, the Graduate School (GS) hosted the “RPg Supervisor Induction 2025/26”, bringing together both junior and senior supervisors to enhance mentorship practices. Prof. Xia Yong, Associate Dean of GS, warmly welcomed participants and highlighted the key elements of effective supervision, as well as the support available from across PolyU, particularly the diverse opportunities and resources offered by GS. Prof. Joanne Yip, Associate Dean of School of Fashion and Textiles, and Prof. Sun Lei from the Department of Biomedical Engineering then shared their personal insights and practical strategies to tackle common RPg supervision challenges,  offering solutions to foster student success. Together, we aspire to build an academic environment that nurtures curiosity and critical thinking, empowering students to grow into the researchers of tomorrow.

Best URIS Research Project Award 2025

We are proud to announce the results of Best URIS Research Project Award 2025, presented by the College of Undergraduate Researchers and Innovators (CURI) to honour exceptional research projects under the Undergraduate Research and Innovation Scheme (URIS). Congratulations to the three award-winning research projects, which stand out for their remarkable creativity and technical excellence across the fields of wireless communications, satellite navigation, and AI‑optimized power circuits. These projects exemplify how undergraduate research can push boundaries and drive real‑world innovation. Learn more about the projects here.

Five PolyU PhD Students Awarded 2025 NSFC Youth Student Basic Research Grant

The Graduate School is delighted to share that five PolyU PhD students have been awarded the 2025 National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) Youth Student Basic Research Project Grant! This prestigious grant is designed to inspire the next generation of scholars, empowering PhD students to pursue independent, innovative, and high‑impact scientific research. It will provide each awardee with CNY 300,000 over two years, offering vital resources to support their research journey. Beyond financial support, this recognition is a powerful endorsement of our students’ potential as future leaders in science and innovation. Congratulations to our 2025 NSFC Youth Student Basic Research Project Grant Awardees: DU Shaofeng (CEE) HE Haohuai (DSAI) MAO Haoyang (EEE) MENG Keyu (BME) WANG Qing (ME) We are immensely proud of their achievements and look forward to seeing their breakthroughs ahead!

Results of Outstanding Research Postgraduate Alumni Award 2025

The Graduate School is delighted to announce three Outstanding Research Postgraduate Alumni Award winners this year. The award recognises their remarkable breakthroughs across diverse fields and celebrates the academic excellence of PolyU’s research postgraduate education. Congratulations to all the awardees — may your future discoveries shine bright! Learn about the award winners here.

PolyU Strengthening Academic Ties in Shanghai

In November, the PolyU Graduate School (GS) team, led by Professor Wang Zuankai, Associate Vice President (Research) and Dean of GS, and Professor Xia Yong, Associate Dean of GS, visited Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU) and Tongji University, both of which are valued partners in our Dual PhD Degree Programmes. During the visit, the team engaged in in-depth discussions with key officials from both universities to strengthen collaboration on Dual PhD Degree Programmes and explore new avenues for expanding talent exchange and research synergies. A key highlight was the admission talks hosted at both institutions, which attracted around 200 outstanding students. Attendees were introduced to the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (HKPFS) and the research support and resources available at PolyU. This visit not only showcased the strong partnerships PolyU shares with SJTU and Tongji, but also reaffirmed our commitment to research excellence and talent development. We look forward to unlocking greater collaborative potential and building a more connected academic ecosystem across Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland.

Dual PhD Degree Programmes and Joint PhD Supervision Programmes Orientation

In early November, the Graduate School (GS) hosted an orientation for over 60 new students in our Dual PhD Degree Programmes and Joint PhD Supervision Programmes. Professor Wang Zuankai, Dean of GS, set an aspiring tone: “At PolyU, you will find the space and academic support to unleash your potential. Believe in yourself and tackle every challenge — I’m sure you will be proud of your achievement in the future.” Our GS team then walked everyone through the 4-year programme roadmap, sharing key details on coursework, milestones, and the extensive support available to students. A lively Q&A session was also conducted to clear every doubt on the spot. To wrap up, two senior students shared their Dual PhD journeys, offering real-life tips and encouraging everyone to build connections and seize this invaluable chance to explore professional opportunities. To learn more about our programmes: Dual PhD Degree Programmes Joint PhD Supervision Programmes

New Research Postgraduate Student Gathering 2025

On 10 Oct, we were thrilled to bring together about 130 new students to the New RPg Student Gathering. Professor Wang Zuankai, Dean of Graduate School, delivered a warm welcoming speech, kicking off an evening filled with new friendships and enjoyment. Students quickly formed teams for engaging icebreaker games that sparked laughter and collaboration, while enjoying delicious refreshments in a relaxed atmosphere. They also had the chance to meet with the Associate Deans of Graduate School and the Directors of RPg Studies — key figures in students’ upcoming academic journey. The event was a wonderful opportunity for everyone to get to know new peers and build new connections. Once again, we welcome everyone to PolyU’s vibrant research community!