News

ETI Salon #8: PolyU Education 4.0: 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 Education 4.0 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.

PolyInterview receives Champion Award at AI in Education Competition

Developed by IHERD and Department of Computing, PolyInterview: A Multi-Agent Interview Practice Platform for Communication Education has been awarded Champion in the Stream 2 (Challenge): Development of Tailored AI Agents category of the 2nd International Competition on AI in Education 2026, organised by the Artificial Intelligence Education and Research Alliance (AIREA) of The Education University of Hong Kong on 15 July 2026.  The competition aims to promote innovation and practical applications of artificial intelligence in education by bringing together students, educators, researchers and industry practitioners. The 2026 edition attracted participants from a range of regions, including Hong Kong, Mainland China, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Morocco, Indonesia, Bahrain and Vietnam. PolyInterview is an AI-powered platform designed to support interview preparation and communication learning. The system generates interview questions based on a user's CV and target job description, conducts multi-turn mock interviews through a digital interviewer, and provides personalised feedback on interview performance. The platform aims to support students in developing interview competence, communication skills and self-reflection through structured practice and feedback, thereby enhancing their career preparedness and employability. PolyInterview evaluates users' performance across multiple dimensions, including response content, vocal delivery and non-verbal behaviour. Drawing on the KSA (Knowledge, Skills and Abilities) and STAR (Situation, Task, Action and Result) frameworks, the platform generates assessment reports that identify behavioural evidence and suggest areas for improvement. The platform has supported 1,621 interview sessions involving 221 users to date, providing opportunities for structured practice and feedback in interview and communication skills development. Project Team Dr WEN Zhiyuan, Research Assistant Professor, IHERD and COMP ChenChen, MPhil Student Zijian Wang, MPhil Student Jianing Yin, MPhil Student Xiaoyun Liu, PhD Student Organiser's website: https://airea.eduhk.hk/competitions/airea-competition-2026/ Learn more about PolyInterview: https://www.polyu.edu.hk/iherd/edu4/platform/

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.

Prof. YANG Zongkai, a trailblazing pioneer in China’s educational transformation, gives us deep insights on transformation and development of higher education in the age of AI

On 2 June 2026 (Tue), IHERD hosted its Distinguished Speaker Series featuring a trailblazing pioneer in China’s educational transformation, Prof. YANG Zongkai, Senior Professor of Central China Normal University (CCNU), Former President of CCNU, Xidian University and Wuhan University of Technology. The talk deeply explored the structural shifts universities must make to thrive in the era of AI.   The event commenced with opening remarks from Prof. CAO Jiannong, Vice President (Education) and Director of IHERD. Welcoming Prof. Yang, Prof. Cao noted that the talk’s theme perfectly aligns with PolyU’s ongoing momentum toward "Education 4.0." This talk also builds on an established foundation of close institutional exchange. Prof. Yang delivered a keynote speech titled "Transformation and Development of Higher Education in the Age of AI." Drawing from his extensive practical experience in educational digitalisation, artificial intelligence, and smart education research, Prof. Yang shared deep insights focusing on two major dimensions: "How AI shapes new forms of education" and "How universities undergo governance reform for the AI era."  This on-site exchange between Prof. Cao and Prof. Yang captured the golden key behind educational transformation: true upgrading is not achieved simply by installing a few software platforms or adopting a handful of AI tools. Instead, it requires seamlessly connecting the entire chain—from teaching philosophies and curriculum design to learning methodologies, faculty capabilities, and university governance. The talk concluded with a highly dynamic Q&A session. Attending faculty, researchers, and students engaged eagerly with Prof. Yang, raising critical questions about the practical challenges of implementation, ethical AI utilisation, and the future matrix of student evaluation. 

Management Workshop on Educational Reform gathers leadership to prepare for the Education 4.0

In alignment with the University’s strategic direction towards PolyU Education 4.0 (E4.0), the Management Workshop on Educational Reform was held on 1 June 2026 (Mon). The workshop brought together PolyU Senior Management and Academic Leaders, marking a significant step forward in advancing student-centred learning and teaching, underpinned by AI and digital transformation, to better prepare our students with future-ready skills. During the workshop, Prof. Cao Jiannong, Vice President (Education) and Director of IHERD, presented the PolyU E4.0 Blueprint and Roadmap, outlining the University Goals and Actions, as well as Departmental Actions and Performance Expectations. The session also featured a insightful sharing from Department Heads, and a constructive and forward-looking discussion among the leadership on how to translate these university-wide goals into actionable plans and sustained progress across the University. Thank you to all participants for their insights and commitment to shaping the next phase of education transformation at PolyU.

Nobel Laureate Prof. Ferenc KRAUSZ shares insights at PolyU to shape the AI-Powered future during the ISBDAI 2026

The 2026 5th International Symposium on Big Data and Artificial Intelligence: For Education Transformation (ISBDAI 2026) was successfully held on 27 May 2026 (Wed) at PolyU. Co-organised by IHERD and the International Engineering and Technology Institute (IETI), the biannual symposium has been a platform since 2018 for exploring frontier topics in both theoretical and applied aspects of AI and big data. This year’s iteration placed a distinct emphasis on encouraging and supporting research at the intersection of these advanced technologies and modern education, drawing a prestigious lineup of global experts and visionaries. The symposium commenced with an inspiring welcoming address by Prof. CAO Jiannong, Vice President (Education) and Director of IHERD at PolyU, who emphasised that this year’s theme directly aligns with the strategic direction of PolyU Education 4.0 (E4.0) towards advancing student-centered learning and teaching underpinned by AI and digital transformation, while expressing his anticipation for the shared practices of leading global institutions. The opening ceremony also featured a virtual address from Prof. Tshilidzi MARWALA, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations. Speaking via a recorded message, Prof. Marwala delivered an inspiring opening speech highlighting that innovation must be accompanied by strong ethics, robust governance and deep interdisciplinary collaboration to ensure its benefits are widely shared across society. A major highlight of the symposium was a distinguished keynote delivered by Prof. Ferenc KRAUSZ, Nobel Laureate in Physics and Director of the Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics in Germany. In his presentation, titled "TOWARD AFFORDABLE PREVENTIVE HEALTHCARE: How basic science addresses grand challenges," Prof. Krausz captivated attendees by sharing insights on how advanced, fundamental data-driven science can be translated into tangible benefits for global public well-being and societal resilience. His address underscored the symposium's core theme of leveraging frontier research to address real-world challenges.  Reflecting a strong commitment to academic excellence and societal impact, the conference featured a powerhouse lineup of visionaries who explored diverse facets of AI and Big Data applications, including but not limited to Ir. Daniel LAI, JC GOAI Programme Director and Former Government Chief Information Officer for the HKSAR, outlined strategic pathways for youth AI competency, while Prof. Xueji ZHANG, Former Vice President of Shenzhen University, introduced pioneering advancements in smart wearable biosensors. Furthermore, Prof. M. James C. CRABBLE of Wolfson College, Oxford University, addressed the critical deployment of Big Data in preserving global marine ecosystems, and Dr. Qiang LIU, Vice General Manager of Chaoxing Group, shared corporate insights on the deep integration of generative AI within classroom environments. By bridging the gap between theoretical data science and impactful real-world deployment, ISBDAI 2026 concluded as a landmark event setting a clear benchmark for the future of AI-driven education.   More on ISBDAI 2026: https://www.ieti.net/conf/isbdai/index.html