News

GS6100 Masterclass Series Launches with Prof. Erin Cho

On 25 September 2026, more than 100 RPg students joined the inaugural session of GS6100: Path to Research Excellence: Lessons from Distinguished Scholars. We were delighted to welcome Prof. Erin Cho, Dean of the PolyU School of Fashion and Textiles and Limin Professor in Integrated Strategies and Leadership in Fashion, as our first speaker. Drawing on her extensive academic and leadership experience in the U.S., Prof. Cho shared valuable insights on leadership and innovation. At the heart of her talk was a simple yet powerful philosophy: “Be Good.” For Prof. Cho, being good is not simply about being kind. It is about delivering what you promised to deliver, especially as a leader. She emphasised that leadership involves supporting team members, recognising the contributions of others, and leading with integrity and purpose. She also reminded students that visions and goals do not emerge overnight but are shaped through the accumulation of knowledge and life experiences over time. We extend our sincere thanks to Prof. Cho for an inspiring start to the GS6100 Series. We look forward to more thought-provoking sessions with distinguished scholars in the months ahead.

Aspiring Innovators Begin Their MTE Journey at PolyU

On 9 September 2026, GS hosted the Inauguration Ceremony for the Master of Technology Entrepreneurship (MTE) Programme, welcoming the second MTE cohort and marking the beginning of an exciting new chapter. We are honoured to have welcomed distinguished guests, including Prof. Zijian ZHENG, Vice President (Knowledge Transfer) of PolyU; Prof. WANG Zuankai, Associate Vice President (Research) of PolyU and Dean of the Graduate School; Prof. QIU Anqi, Associate Dean of Graduate School and MTE Programme Director; Prof. LIU Xihui, Deputy Director of MTE Programme; Prof. XIA Yong, Associate Dean of Graduate School and Prof. Kenneth FONG, Associate Dean of Graduate School. The event also featured a special guest — Ms WANG Junxia, China's first Olympic long-distance running champion. The second cohort brings together 69 students from diverse backgrounds spanning Business Management, Engineering and Technology, Media and Design, and Economics and Finance, reflecting the interdisciplinary spirit at the heart of MTE. Students also received a recorded message from Prof. Christopher CHAO, Senior Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU, who shared his encouragement and best wishes as they begin this exciting journey. Event Highlight: Sharing by Ms WANG Junxia “The essence of entrepreneurship is not about defeating others, but about fulfilling yourself.” Drawing on her experiences as an Olympic champion and elite athlete, Ms WANG encouraged students to stay true to their purpose, embrace challenges with resilience, and keep moving forward despite uncertainty. Prof. WANG Zuankai also shared the entrepreneurial “Six Forces” that underpin the MTE spirit: Motivation, Talent, Energy, Focus, Vision, and Execution. These qualities represent the mindset and capabilities needed to thrive in today’s rapidly evolving technology and innovation landscape. As the second cohort embarks on this transformative journey, we wish them every success in translating bold ideas into meaningful impact through PolyU’s vibrant innovation ecosystem.

Inaugural Research Student Excellence and Engagement Day Successfully Held

The Graduate School (GS) successfully hosted its inaugural Research Student Excellence and Engagement Day (ReSEED) on 21 August, bringing together 27 outstanding research students to showcase their research achievements and academic journeys. The event was opened by Prof. WANG Zuankai, PolyU Associate Vice President (Research), Dean of GS, who introduced the four pillars of research excellence — "PAGE”: Publication, Award, Grant and Enterprise. He emphasised that students are the core and true driver to opening a new page in PolyU, encouraging everyone to engage actively for collaboration and learning, and to draw inspiration from one another's experiences. Student speakers included publication award recipients, PolyU's first Schmidt Science Fellow, the champion of the PolyU Three Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition 2026, and recipient of For Our Future Innovation and Technology Scholarship 2025/26. Their work spanned four inter-disciplinary areas: Renewable Energy and Carbon Neutralisation, Health Systems and Computational Intelligence, Smart Cities and Urban Sustainability, and Advanced Materials and Future Battery. A highlight of the day was the presentation ceremony for the SINOPEC "Cleaner Energy Better Life" Research Student Scholarship, recognising 30 research postgraduate and undergraduate students for their achievement in research and innovation through high-quality publications. The awards were presented by Prof. WANG Zuankai, together with Mr ZOU Weihai, Vice President of Sinopec (Hong Kong) Limited, and Mr WANG Haifeng, Deputy General Manager and Chief Financial Officer of Sinopec Kantons Holdings Limited. The scholarship marks a powerful partnership between PolyU and SINOPEC and our shared commitment in nurturing talent and advancing innovation. Congratulations to all presenters and award recipients. We look forward to their continued efforts to advance innovation and create lasting impact through their work.

PolyU MTE Student Industry Visit in Jinjiang

On 17-18 July, students from the Master of Technology Entrepreneurship (MTE) programme participated in a two-day industry visit to Jinjiang, Chinese Mainland. Through visits to ANTA Group, the PolyU-Jinjiang Technology and Innovation Research Institute and Techwork Textile, an alumni-founded enterprise, students gained first-hand insights into innovation and industrial practices in Jinjiang. ANTA Group From a local enterprise to a leading global sportswear brand, ANTA's growth journey offered participants valuable perspectives on technology innovation, global expansion strategies, sustainable development, and evolving product and retail trends. PolyU-Jinjiang Technology and Innovation Research Institute (JJRI) As PolyU's first research institute established beyond the Greater Bay Area, JJRI serves as a platform for innovation and industry collaboration. The group toured its food technology exhibition hall and exchanged ideas with JJRI representatives on research translation, entrepreneurship education, and opportunities for university-industry partnership. Techwork Textile At this PolyU alumni-founded enterprise, students observed smart manufacturing processes and learned how digital transformation is reshaping the textile industry. By bridging academic learning and industry practice, the visit broadened students' perspectives on entrepreneurship while offering direct exposure to Jinjiang's dynamic business ecosystem. About MTE Programme

International Research Summer School 2026 Successfully Concludes

The International Research Summer School (IRSS) 2026 has officially come to a close. From 29 June to 9 July 2026, more than 60 outstanding prospective researchers from around the world came together at PolyU for two weeks of research exploration and cultural exchange, including participants from Chinese Mainland, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Hungary, Russia, Canada, and beyond. Designed to give students a taste of PhD life at PolyU, this year's programme featured four cutting-edge research themes: Artificial Intelligence, Materials Science & Advanced Manufacturing, Life Science & Health Technology, and Energy & Sustainable Development. From laboratory tours and seminars to hands-on research workshops, collaborative research proposal competition, and conversations with potential supervisors, participants immersed themselves in the PolyU research environment while building their skills, confidence, and understanding of doctoral studies. Beyond campus, students also experienced the vibrant culture of Hong Kong through visit to the Hong Kong Palace Museum, a traditional Chinese dining experience, and a ride on an iconic open-top double-decker bus. We hope all participants enjoyed a rewarding and memorable summer at PolyU and in Hong Kong. We look forward to welcoming many of them back as future PolyU postgraduate researchers.

PolyU 3MT 2026: Transforming Research into Impactful Stories

Jointly hosted by the Graduate School (GS) and the English Learning Centre (ELC), the PolyU 3 Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition 2026 was successfully held on 6 July 2026. We were delighted to witness our research students transform years of dedicated research into compelling three-minute presentations supported by one single slide. Through outstanding communication and storytelling, the 10 finalists brought complex ideas to life, captivating both the judges and the audience while showcasing the real-world impact of their research. Winners of PolyU 3MT 2026: Champion YANG Shihui, Yvette Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Construction and Environment Chief Supervisor: Prof. LEU Shao-Yuan “Smart Microbes: Rewriting the Story of Food Waste to Energy” 1st Runner-up SHEK Tsz Chin, Phoebe Department of Language Science and Technology, Faculty of Humanities Chief Supervisor: Prof. Elaine Kwong “From Mechanism to Automation: Investigating the Efficacy of Swallowing Maneuver Training” 2nd Runner-up LEE Pui Kei, Peggy Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Faculty of Science Chief Supervisor: Prof. Daisy Zhao “Chinese Sweet Tea - A ‘Sweet’ Remedy for Obesity-associated Metabolic Disorders” People’s Choice Award ZHU Lin Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Faculty of Engineering Chief Supervisor: Prof. LIU Liang “Human–AI Interaction in Digital Platforms: Studies on the Impacts of Generative AI Applications” Congratulations to all our winners! Our Champion will represent PolyU at the Asia-Pacific 3 Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition, showcasing the University's research excellence on the regional stage. Learn more about PolyU 3MT

Strengthening RPg Supervision Through Mediation

On 3 June, the Graduate School (GS) hosted a Mediation Workshop for RPg Supervisors, delivered by the Hong Kong Mediation Centre (HKMC). The workshop introduced the fundamentals of mediation and examined how these skills can be applied to build and sustain positive, effective supervisory relationships. The session opened with a welcome note from Prof. XIA Yong, Associate Dean of GS. Prof. Francis LAW, President of HKMC, then shared his expertise on practical strategies for conflict resolution and constructive dialogue. Using real-life scenarios, Prof. Law facilitated interactive group discussions, where participants exchanged perspectives and explored approaches to improving supervisor-student communications. Upholding our ongoing commitment to supporting staff development and enhancing students’ learning experience, GS will continue rolling out targeted professional development sessions that empower our academic team, strengthen collaboration across the university and foster a more harmonious academic environment for both supervisors and RPg students.

Two PolyU PhD Students Awarded the For Our Future Innovation and Technology Scholarship

Congratulations to Mr CHING Chi Fung, Jerry from the Department of Health Technology and Informatics and Mr TSANG Ka Wing from the School of Design for being awarded the For Our Future Innovation and Technology Scholarship 2025/26! Hosted by the Greater Bay Area Homeland Youth Community Foundation, this scholarship supports full-time local PhD students in STEM fields, fostering youth engagement in innovation and technology. Jerry Ching (Chief Supervisor: Prof. Shara Lee) Jerry’s research focuses on predicting treatment-related toxicities in patients with prostate cancer treated with stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT). His AI-driven models aim to identify patients prone to toxicity, enabling more personalised treatment that preserves quality of life and reduces clinical and economic burdens. “As a PhD student and a registered radiation therapist, I’m committed to advancing patient care and proactively supporting Hong Kong’s development as an International Health and Medical Innovation Hub.” Ka Wing Tsang (Chief Supervisor: Prof. Yan Tina Luximon) Ka Wing’s research focuses on the sensory design of robot skin to make companion robots more comforting and emotionally engaging. By bridging technology with human psychology, his work aims to create solutions that truly resonate with users. “I am honoured to receive this scholarship, which supports my research into the sensory design of companion robots. By studying how tactile and thermal properties of robot skin shape human‑robot bonding, I aim to create empathetic robotic companions that provide emotional support and alleviate social isolation.”

PolyU Best Research Postgraduate Student of the Year 2025

We are proud to recognise three Best Research Postgraduate Students of the Year 2025, whose innovative research is shaping the future of engineering, mobility, and healthcare. Congratulations to the three awardees for their remarkable achievements! Your vision and dedication inspire the future of smart, safe, and sustainable innovation. ️Click HERE to learn more about their research passion!

PhD Internship Recruitment Talk with China Mobile Hong Kong

On 16 April, GS co-hosted an internship recruitment talk with China Mobile Hong Kong (CMHK) — one of our corporate partners for the PhD Student Internship Scheme. The session gave students a comprehensive overview of the Scheme and introduced the exclusive internship opportunities available at CMHK. The session began with an introduction by Prof. Kenneth Fong, Associate Dean of the Graduate School, who walked through the Scheme in details, including application eligibility and key timelines, helping students grasp the overall framework. Ms Rachel Leung, a representative from CMHK, then shared insights into the company’s internship opportunities and unique strengths. A highlight of the session was the firsthand sharing by three PolyU PhD interns at CMHK — Mr LIU Yanwen (Department of Applied Mathematics), Mr WANG Rui (Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering), and Mr ZHANG Bihai (Department of Computing). They recounted their personal experiences of applying their research expertise to real-world projects and shared a genuine glimpse into CMHK’s team culture and day-to-day work life. For PolyU PhD Student Internship Scheme, please refer to HERE.