Developing an AI-empowered and Student-Centered Institutional Self-awareness and Well-being Support System: From Assessment to Intervention through Parameter-Efficient Fine-Tuning of Foundation Models
The modern university landscape often masks a quiet crisis. While academic excellence remains a visible benchmark, a "silent majority" of students navigate their studies under a cloud of chronic stress and diminished happiness. Traditional institutional practices have long functioned on a reactive basis, focusing primarily on diagnosing and treating pathological mental health issues once they surface. This approach inadvertently overlooks students who, while not clinically unwell, struggle with low self-awareness and a lack of psychological flourishing. The challenge lies in moving beyond the mere absence of illness to foster a genuine state of thriving, ensuring that every student feels supported before stress evolves into a more significant barrier to their success.
To address this gap, Prof. Maxime WANG, Associate Professor of the School of Hotel and Tourism Management, had introduced a transformative, AI-empowered platform designed to integrate psychological well-being into the very fabric of everyday campus life. This innovative project shifts the focus from crisis intervention to proactive cultivation through a sophisticated multimodal assessment system. By subtly analysing emotional states, stress levels, and behavioural tendencies, the platform creates a personalised longitudinal profile for every student. Rather than a static snapshot, this provides a dynamic trajectory of a student’s growth, culminating in automated semestral reports that offer tailored insights and actionable suggestions. This ensures that self-awareness becomes a continuous journey of discovery rather than an occasional check-in.
The heart of this initiative is a 24/7 AI-based dialogue agent, acting as an omnipresent companion for intervention and support. This interactive tool does more than just listen; it serves as a pedagogical resource that bolsters learning engagement and emotional sustainability. By embedding this AI agent within the authentic higher education context, the project supplements existing counselling and academic advising systems, providing a round-the-clock safety net that is both accessible and non-stigmatising. Through rigorous quasi-experimental field studies, the university is measuring how these real-time interactions translate into improved academic motivation and overall life satisfaction.
This visionary project is a cornerstone of PolyU Education 4.0—an AI-empowered, student-centred model that redefines pedagogical boundaries. By fostering students who are not only academically competent but also flourishing and happy citizens, the University reinforces its standing as a world-class innovative institution dedicated to sustainable educational impact and the holistic success of its community.
This project is awarded under the Teaching Development Grant 2025–28 in the Theme-based Projects category (Individual Project).
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