News

PolyU Hosts Historic Qian Weichang International Summit 2026

The inaugural Qian Weichang International Summit (QWIS) wrapped up successfully on 30-31 March 2026. Under the theme “Interdisciplinary Advances in Science and Engineering”, this landmark academic event was held in honour of Prof. Qian Weichang, widely recognised as China’s “Father of Mechanics”, and served as a dynamic hub for global scientific exchange. Organised by the Graduate School of PolyU and sponsored by the K.C. Wong Education Foundation, the QWIS brought together leading academics from top institutions across the globe to exchange cutting-edge research insights and jointly drive interdisciplinary innovation in science and engineering. The QWIS featured eight world renowned plenary speakers from MIT, Imperial College London, Tsinghua University, University of Cambridge, École Polytechnique, Zhejiang University, Beijing Institute of Technology, and the Guangdong Institute of Intelligence Science and Technology. Their inspiring presentations spanned mechanics, medicine, electronics, energy, and materials science, sparking new ideas for cross disciplinary collaboration. Another highlight of the QWIS was the presentation of the Qian Weichang Young Scientist Awards, recognising exceptional early career researchers in science and engineering. Prof. Song Bai (Peking University) and Prof. Zhao Ruike (Stanford University) were named the two laureates. Beyond plenary sessions, the QWIS also hosted over 70 parallel sessions covering advanced manufacturing, energy science, materials, data science, smart cities, health sciences and more, fostering in-depth global academic dialogue and fueling interdisciplinary innovation. The QWIS was a proud moment for PolyU, reaffirming the university’s unwavering commitment to global academic collaboration, advancing interdisciplinary research and nurturing the next generation of scientific talent to address global challenges.

PolyU Celebrates our First Ever Schmidt Science Fellow

We are proud to share that Mr Qing XIA, a PhD student from the Department of Mechanical Engineering (Chief Supervisor: Prof. Xiao ZHANG), has been selected as a 2026 Schmidt Science Fellow — the first ever PolyU student to receive this prestigious honour!  Remarkably, Qing is the only student from Hong Kong honoured with the fellowship this year. This historic success not only reflects Qing XIA’s exceptional talent, but also PolyU’s dedicated commitment in advancing research excellence and nurturing the next generation of world-class scholars.  Recognised globally as one of the most prestigious opportunities for early career scientists, the Schmidt Science Fellows programme empowers fellows to pursue an ambitious interdisciplinary pivot by embarking on postdoctoral research in a new field beyond their PhD. With only about 30 fellows selected each year from hundreds of nominees worldwide, this achievement represents exceptional calibre and distinction. Qing will pivot from Electrocatalysis to Physical Engineering by exploring new way to produce nitrogen-based without the high energy used and pollution associated with traditional methods. His method will use physical forces such as vibration, light, and sound to create highly reactive particles that can break apart nitrogen from the air and turn it into useful forms. The aim of his research is to design a small, efficient, modular nitrogen-fixation system that works under normal conditions, supports low-carbon agriculture, and helps reduce reliance on fossil-fuel-based fertilizers worldwide. The approach aims to reduce global emissions and to support more sustainable, accessible food production. We are immensely proud of Qing’s achievement and look forward to the transformative contributions he will bring to the global society.  Meet the 2026 Schmidt Science Fellows.

MTE Supervisor-Student Pairing Dinner

A night of inspiration and connection at the MTE Supervisor-Student Pairing Dinner! Held on 23 March, this memorable evening brought together PolyU professors, supervisors and students from Master of Technology Entrepreneurship (MTE) programme to exchange ideas, showcase projects, and build meaningful bonds. The evening opened with warm remarks from Prof. Jin‑Guang TENG, President of PolyU, who highlighted the golden era of technology and entrepreneurship. He encouraged students to seize opportunities in AI‑driven revolutions and leverage PolyU’s strong resources, especially our Mainland Translational Research Institutes (MTRIs) across over 10 Chinese Mainland cities to transform their startups into real ventures. Prof. WANG Zuankai, Dean of the Graduate School, also shared his vision of the MTE programme as a key step in nurturing innovation. He described seeing Motivation, Talent, and Energy (M-T-E) in our students, and emphasised that by pairing them with the right supervisors and utilising the power of technology, bold ideas can evolve into impactful results. A highlight of the evening was the interactive presentations by two MTE student teams, who captivated the audience with their innovative projects in Health Sciences and Artificial Intelligence. The evening wrapped up with a lively buffet dinner, where students connected directly with their supervisors and professors — mentors who will guide them every step of the way in their entrepreneurial journey. We are already excited to see what our MTE students can achieve as they take this momentum forward! Learn about MTE Programme

Undergraduate Research and Innovation Scheme (URIS) 2026/27 Info Session

On 26 February, the College of Undergraduate Researchers and Innovators (CURI) hosted the Undergraduate Research and Innovation Scheme (URIS) 2026/27 Info Session, attracting nearly 180 aspiring undergraduate researchers. Professor Horace Mui, Associate Head of CURI and Master of CURI Residential College, introduced the URIS programme and walked attendees through the application process. He also highlighted on CURI’s vibrant research community and exclusive overseas research opportunities. Mr Wang Yanze, a former URIS participant from the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, also shared with us his URIS journey, giving practical advice on mastering new topics and writing strong research proposals. Learn more and apply for URIS 2026/27.

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!