News

PolyU launches global report on ai-driven transformation across 100 leading universities

The team of Prof. HU Xiangen, Director of Educational Research Centre [to be renamed as the Educational Research and Technologies Centre (ERTC) on 1 September 2026], IHERD, launched the “Pacesetting Global Educational Transformation Report: AI-Driven Innovations from 100 Selected Top Universities” at the Global Smart Education Conference 2026 in Beijing on 18 August. The report, published in six official UN languages, examined 100 representative universities worldwide and sought to identify emerging patterns of AI-driven transformation in higher education and to explore how selected institutional experiences may inform broader efforts to build more inclusive, ethical, and future-oriented higher education systems.   Online coverage: CCTV - https://edu.cctv.com/2026/08/19/ARTI8aAzZKRVX5YIYugvW2sX260819.shtml Sina - https://finance.sina.com.cn/tjhz/2026-08-20/doc-ininxqxx8889456.shtml

Restructuring of the Institute for Higher Education Research and Development (IHERD)

The restructuring of IHERD will be effective from 1 September 2026.  IHERD is positioned as PolyU’s nexus for education transformation. By bridging cutting-edge pedagogical research with technological innovation, it empowers the university community to cultivate future-ready graduates and drive global educational excellence. The restructuring integrates the Digital Transformation Division (DTD), the Educational Development Centre (EDC) and the Educational Research Centre (ERC) [to be renamed as the Educational Research and Technologies Centre (ERTC) (教育研究及技術中心) on 1 September 2026] supported by a Central Team. This integration will strengthen institutional capacity, enhance strategic alignment and foster the cross-functional collaboration needed to drive the planning and implementation of PolyU Education4.0. Under this new structure, the key roles and responsibilities of the three core divisions are as follows: DTD will drive AI and digital adoption and education process integration, developing and enhancing AI and digital competencies and management efficiency.  EDC will be responsible for advancing faculty development and support in quality education, providing training in AI and digital literacy and skills, and conducting surveys and data analysis. ERTC will focus on pioneering educational research, frontier technologies and tools, pedagogical innovation, curriculum reform, and AI policy and academic integrity. 

Prof. CAO Jiannong joined Metro Finance’s show “AI in Action” to discuss the new role universities play in the AI era

As AI transforms industries worldwide, higher education is undergoing a major shift: what role should universities play in the AI era? Prof. CAO Jiannong, Vice President (Education) and Director of IHERD, joined Metro Finance’s show “AI in Action” to share his insights. Traditional lectures are teacher-centric, leaving students with diverse interests constrained by a passive, one-size-fits-all model. PolyU’s Education 4.0 framework hands learning ownership back to students, transitioning educators into expert mentors. Empowered by AI tools, students can tailor personalised learning pathways based on their passions, unlocking their full interdisciplinary potential.  At the same time, the widespread adoption of AI brings new educational responsibilities. Prof. Cao discussed how PolyU encourages students to leverage AI while fostering critical thinking and information literacy, ensuring technology remains a positive force for learning.    Full Interview:

ETI Salon #8: PolyU Education4.0: Blueprint

The 8th Education Transformation and Innovation (ETI) Salon, hosted on 29 July by Prof. CAO Jiannong, Vice President (Education) and Director of IHERD, successfully brought together University staff to discuss the execution of the PolyU Education4.0 Blueprint. The presentation established PolyU's institutional roadmap, highlighting key governance structures, strategic actions, and performance benchmarks for AI and digital transformation. Associated operational initiatives, accountability frameworks, and strategic partnerships were also detailed. The session concluded with an engaging open floor discussion. We express our sincere gratitude to all attendees for their proactive participation, constructive feedback, and shared vision for advancing PolyU's education transformation and innovation.

PolyU co-organised "Open Source and Software Security Forum" to strengthen cybersecurity in the AI era

The Open Source and Software Security Forum, hosted by the Hong Kong Institute of Science and Innovation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and co-organised by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and the Hong Kong Cybersecurity Professional Association, was successfully held at the Chiang Chen Studio Theatre at PolyU on 29 June. The forum brought together representatives from top-notch universities, research institutions, and industry from the Mainland and Hong Kong, pooling their wisdom to build a secure, trusted, and vibrant open source technology ecosystem. Prof. CAO Jiannong, Vice President (Education) and Director of IHERD of PolyU, remarked that open source has become a defining trend in the global software industry, and its development and security must be advanced synergistically. He highlighted PolyU’s ongoing efforts to transform AI education by fostering students' capabilities in active learning, exploration, experimentation, collaboration, and practice. By establishing open source innovation platforms and student open source communities, PolyU aims to encourage students to learn open source technologies, understand the associated risks, and thereby better apply these technologies. During the keynote session, Prof. LUO Xiapu, Associate Dean (Research) of Faculty of Computer and Mathematical Sciences at PolyU, shared insights into the transformative impact of Large Language Models (LLMs) on vulnerability discovery and cybersecurity. He highlighted PolyU’s research achievements in identifying critical vulnerabilities in areas such as blockchain and connected vehicles, significantly improving detection efficiency through AI-powered approaches. Prof. Luo emphasised that an "AI-native" open source security defence system should be built in the future, integrating zero-trust mechanisms throughout the pipeline to uphold the security baseline. In addition, experts from the HKSAR Government's Digital Policy Office, the Cyber Security and Technology Crime Bureau of the Hong Kong Police Force, Fudan University, and the Institute of Software of the Chinese Academy of Sciences delivered insightful presentations on topics ranging from software supply chain security to AI-enabled open source development. PolyU will continue to strengthen collaboration with partners across academia, industry and government to advance secure and trustworthy digital innovation, contributing to the high-quality development of the digital economy in Hong Kong, the Mainland and beyond. 

PolyU leads global alliance of 16 top universities to drive AI paradigm shift in higher education (featured in Wen Wei Po)

PolyU is taking the lead in navigating the AI paradigm shift in education by initiating the International Consortium for Higher Education Transformation and Innovation with AI. Launched on 3 July, the strategic alliance of 16 world-leading universities at the forefront of educational transformation and innovation is dedicated to jointly drive this unparalleled paradigm shift towards an AI-empowered, student-centred, and personalised model of learning and teaching. PolyU President and Vice President (Education) serve as the inaugural Chairperson and Secretary-General of the alliance. As the first organisation of its kind in the world, PolyU expects the network to expand even further and play an active role in shaping the future of education.    Online coverage: Wen Wei Po - https://www.wenweipo.com/a/202607/07/AP6a4ccaaee4b0b49ad1c25a85.html  

PolyU launches global alliance to help universities navigate the AI paradigm shift

While AI advancements are rapidly reshaping the learning landscape, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is taking the lead by initiating the International Consortium for Higher Education Transformation and Innovation with AI (ICHETI). Officially launched on 3 July, the strategic alliance of world-leading universities at the forefront of educational transformation and innovation is dedicated to jointly drive this unparalleled paradigm shift towards an AI-empowered, student-centred, and personalised model of learning and teaching. Founding members of the Consortium include 16 leading universities from around the globe, including Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Fudan University, PolyU, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Sun Yat-sen University, Tongji University, Université Grenoble Alpes, University of Auckland, University of Pisa, University of Science and Technology of China, Vienna University of Technology, Wuhan University of Technology, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Yonsei University, and Zhejiang University. PolyU’s Institute for Higher Education Research and Development (IHERD) serves as ICHETI’s secretariat. The chairman and secretary-general will be elected in accordance with the charter, with the President and Vice President (Education) of PolyU serving as the inaugural Chairperson and Secretary-General. As the first organisation of its kind in the world, PolyU expects the ICHETI network to expand even further and play an active role in shaping the future of education. Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, PolyU President, said, “At PolyU, we believe that integrating AI into higher education is not just about adopting new tools, but about fundamentally redefining the learning and teaching experience to cultivate future-ready leaders. The launch of PolyU Education4.0 (E4.0) initiative last year marked a definitive step in education transformation through AI. By leading the establishment of the ICHETI, we are now extending the impact of this educational transformation initiative to the global stage. By sharing AI-driven pedagogies and cutting-edge tools, this global academic community will redefine the student experience and actively shape the future of higher education.” By combining the practices and experience of member universities, the Consortium intends to explore new ways of teaching, learning and assessment – such as co-developing AI-powered learning and assessment tools and platforms, adaptive learning systems, and evidence-based models for transforming the role of educators, from teachers into mentors and facilitators. PolyU has a history of pioneering AI education, having introduced mandatory AI courses for all undergraduates in 2022—well before generative AI tools captured global attention. Building on this foundation, the University launched its visionary E4.0 initiative to revolutionise learning and teaching through the integration of AI and smart technologies, placing students firmly at the core of their educational journey. By leveraging these advanced technologies, PolyU aims to deliver a highly personalised, interactive, and flexible education that caters to individual learning needs, ultimately ensuring that graduates are equipped with essential, future-ready skills to thrive in an AI-driven world. Held concurrently on the same day was the International Forum for Higher Education Transformation and Innovation hosted by IHERD, featuring a series of presidential roundtable discussions and keynote speeches. Presidents and senior leadership from member institutions gathered to share strategic visions on the evolving future of higher education. The discussions focused heavily on the transformative impact of integrating smart technologies into academic frameworks, while providing a platform for leaders to exchange institutional best practices and innovative educational models.

ETI Salon #7: AI-empowered Education Platforms EvoClass and WiseLearn by PolyU

The 7th Education Transformation and Innovation (ETI) Salon, held on June 30, highlighted how pioneering AI-empowered education platforms are directly adding value to the student learning journey. Professor CHENG Ran, Associate Professor, Department of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (DSAI) introduced EvoClass, a championship-winning, multi-agent education platform designed to bridge cognitive gaps by establishing a "co-evolutionary" learning ecosystem. Already successfully piloted in DSAI2201 Data Structures and Algorithms, the platform accelerates a student's personal growth by offering context-aware feedback and an adaptive learning loop. By automating repetitive tasks, it advances technology equity, bringing scalable, private-tutor-level precision directly to individual learners.   Shifting the perspective toward active student creation, Dr ZHANG Mingjin, Research Assistant Professor, Department of Computing (COMP) introduced WiseLearn, a code-free platform that transforms students from passive tech consumers into master creators of their own academic tools. Through an intuitive drag-and-drop interface grounded strictly in verified university materials, students can build personalised "EduAgents," such as customized IELTS speaking partners or interactive study assistants. The platform's real-world value is already clear in COMP2322 Computer Networks, where a dedicated course agent supports over 100 students with 24/7 Q&A assistance and analyses user query patterns to generate targeted, personalised revision suggestions. Together, both platforms ensure that the future student journey is uniquely collaborative, adaptive, and deeply personalised and driving the Education4.0 vision.

IHERD hosts XJTLU’s Ms. Angela XIA at AIinLT 2026 to drive dialogue on AI-powered pedagogy and digital transformation

IHERD supported the recent International Summit on the Use of AI in Language Learning and Teaching 2026 (AIinLT 2026) by hosting Ms. Angela XIA, Associate Professor of Practice and Director of the Learning Innovation for Everyone (LIFE) Center at Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU). On 23 June, Ms. Xia conducted a highly practical Putonghua-medium workshop at PolyU, specifically tailored for primary and secondary school language educators. Grounded in our E4.0 vision of student-centered, tech-empowered education, her session demonstrated how to strategically weave Generative AI (GenAI) into Project-Based Learning (PBL). Drawing from her rich expertise in bilingual education ecology, she walked participants through a complete PBL lifecycle—from generating driving questions and scaffolding student inquiry to deploying customized AI agents via tools like Coze to serve as specialized language teaching assistants. Beyond the main workshop, Ms. Xia engaged in meaningful knowledge-exchange meetings with PolyU staff to share strategic insights from her extensive experience leading AI teacher training across regional universities and schools. These collaborative sessions allowed our academic and administrative teams to delve deeper into AI literacy frameworks, digital transformation, and the practical challenges of integrating technological scaffolding into language curriculums. By bridging cutting-edge GenAI applications with real-world K-12 and higher education practices, Ms. Xia’s visit significantly enriched our community's understanding of digital transformation, reinforcing IHERD’s ongoing mission to build global educational synergies that actively reshape the future of learning. More on AIinLT 2026: https://events.polyu.edu.hk/aiinlt2026/

Prof. Arthur C. GRAESSER of University of Memphis gives us deep insights on learning through conversations with computer agents in the age of Generative AI

On 23 June, IHERD hosted the cognitive scientist Prof. Arthur C. GRAESSER, Professor at the University of Memphis and Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Oxford for an illuminating session under the IHERD Distinguished Speaker Series. As a pioneer in the learning sciences, Prof. Graesser delivered a presentation titled "Learning through Conversations with Computer Agents in the Era of Generative AI." The event drew an engaged audience eager to explore the intersections of discourse processing, artificial intelligence, and the future of educational technology. The first half of the presentation focused on foundational research regarding computer agents in learning and assessment environments. Prof. Graesser reflected on the development of AutoTutor, an intelligent tutoring architecture designed to help adult learners master STEM subject matters, comprehension, and critical thinking skills. A key highlight was the exploration of "trialogues"—innovative three-party digital conversations where two computer agents (acting as a tutor and a peer student) interact dynamically with a human learner. This work remains highly compatible with the Generalised Intelligent Framework for Tutoring (GIFT) architecture, establishing a structured baseline for how adaptive software can successfully mimick human instruction. Shifting focus to the current technological landscape, the second half of the talk offered vital observations and critical questions regarding the integration of Generative AI and Large Language Models (LLMs) like ChatGPT. Prof. Graesser highlighted current benchmarks and active research projects exploring how Gen-AI can rapidly scale the development, quality, and interactive depth of conversation-based learning. Aligning perfectly with PolyU’s ongoing Education 4.0 initiatives, the session concluded with a thought-provoking look at the future boundaries, challenges, and immense possibilities of using conversational LLMs for advanced educational assessments.