News

National Centre of Technology Innovation for Intelligent Design and Numerical Control (NCDC) – Hong Kong Centre MoU Signing Ceremony

On 24 July 2025, a delegation from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) visited the National Centre of Technology Innovation for Intelligent Design and Numerical Control (NCDC) at Huazhong University of Science and Technology in Wuhan, China. The PolyU delegation included Prof. Christopher Chao, Vice President (Research and Innovation); Prof. H.C. Man, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering; Prof. Pai Zheng, Associate Professor in the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering; Dr. Chili Wu, Deputy Director and Chief Researcher of PReCIT; and Ms. Amylia Chan, Assistant Director of KTEO. During the visit, the PolyU delegates held discussions with Prof. Liang Gao, Vice President and Director of NCDC; Prof. Xinyu Li, Vice Dean of the School of Mechanical Science and Engineering; Prof. Jianzhong Yang, Executive Deputy Director of NCDC; Dr. Zixun Liu of the Institute of Science and Technology Development; and Prof. Hao Li and Prof. Mi Xiao from the Department of Industrial Engineering at Huazhong University of Science and Technology. Both parties expressed a strong commitment to collaborating on the establishment of the "NCDC – Hong Kong Centre" and engaged in in-depth discussions on the development plan and collaborative opportunities. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between PolyU and NCDC to further explore the co-development framework of the NCDC - Hong Kong Centre, focusing on fields such as human-robot collaborative manufacturing systems, ultra-precision machining CNC systems, workshop and logistics scheduling and management, industrial foundation models and embodied intelligence, intelligent design and interactive systems, etc., facing the main battlefield and major needs of the national economy, giving play to Hong Kong's location advantages and international cutting-edge innovation capabilities, and cooperating to complement each other and overcome critical challenges. It is also agreed that the formal contract will be signed after both parties reach an agreement on the detailed conditions and arrangements of the cooperation and obtain the necessary approvals from relevant departments. At PolyU, the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering will be the executive department for the Centre.

ISE students won 1st Runner Up in Dr Ching Yuen-kai - IC ‧ U3DP ‧ Product Innovation Prize 2024-25

We are thrilled to announce that a team of final-year students from the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISE) has achieved the 1st Runner-Up position in the prestigious Dr. Ching Yuen-kai – IC • U3DP • Product Innovation Prize 2024–25! The competition, initiated by the Faculty of Engineering (FENG) and supported by the Industrial Centre (IC) and the University Research Facility in 3D Printing (U3DP), was successfully held on 19 May 2025. This year, 26 teams submitted their innovative projects, with only 8 teams shortlisted for the final round. Students developed their projects at U3DP and IC, focusing on solutions that make a positive impact on society, especially for those in need. Our ISE team—comprising LEE Chun Lok, HEUNG Pui Yin, and WONG Yat Chun —impressed the judges with their project, “InnovWalk – Innovation + Walking Stick.” This socially driven innovation which is designed to enhance mobility and safety for individuals in need has secured the 1st Runner Up position, reflecting the team’s dedication to addressing real-world challenges. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to the InnovWalk team for their remarkable achievements, and to all the winners and participants for their inspiring contributions!

ISE students got Merit Prize in Region 9 Project Management Case Competition 2025

Our students recently participated in the Region 9 Project Management Case Competition 2025, organized by the Project Management Institute Hong Kong Chapter (PMIHK). This prestigious competition aims to cultivate the next generation of project managers and promote industry best practices among students and the broader community. The ISE team—comprising LEE Chun Lok, HEUNG Pui Yin, and WONG Yat Chun, under the guidance of Dr. Y.M. Tang and Dr. Jacky Ting, received the Merit Award for their impressive performance. Throughout the competition, participants engaged in specialized training sessions and seminars exploring digital technologies, industry trends, and their practical applications across various sectors. We are pleased to congratulate our team on this achievement. Their dedication and teamwork reflect our commitment to learning and innovation in project management.

Our research Student won First Runner-Up in the Three Minute Thesis Competition 2025

We are delighted to announce that Ms. LIN Huijun, a research student from our Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISE), has been awarded First Runner-Up in the Three Minute Thesis (3MT ®) Competition 2025, organized by the PolyU Faculty of Engineering. Her research project, titled “Developing Sustainable and Safe Calcium Metal Batteries,” was supervised by Prof. Zhenglong Xu. The 5th 3MT Competition, held on 19 June 2025, celebrates the outstanding research conducted by postgraduate students. Originating from the University of Queensland, Australia, the 3MT® competition challenges participants to communicate the significance of their research to a non-specialist audience in just three minutes. Now recognized globally, 3MT® has been held at over 900 universities in more than 80 countries, fostering excellence in academic presentation and research communication. Ms. Lin’s achievement not only highlights her individual dedication and expertise, but also reflects the commitment to innovation and impactful research that defines our ISE community. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Ms. Lin on this remarkable accomplishment and look forward to her continued contributions to the field of sustainable energy.

ISE Students Win Merit Prize in Innovation & IT at the 11th Hong Kong University Student Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition

Our students recently participated in the 11th Hong Kong University Student Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition (2025), organized by the Hong Kong New Generation Cultural Association. This prestigious competition serves as a leading platform to foster creativity, technological advancement, and entrepreneurial spirit among university students in Hong Kong. The competition team—comprising Leo Matthias Sturm (ISE), Yin Zifu Ivy (ISE), Lau Ho Wai Justin (ISE), Fung Yik Hei, Ho Tsz Ming, and Ko Tsun Ming—was supervised by Dr. Yuk Ming Tang. The team received the Merit Prize in the Information Technology category for their outstanding project, DyslexAI 「讀寫易AI」. Their award-winning project leverages artificial intelligence to support children with dyslexia, providing highly accurate and personalized training through an intelligent platform. Achieving an impressive 99.5% classification accuracy using deep learning models and multi-modal data analysis, the system offers a non-invasive and effective solution to enhance learning outcomes, particularly for students with special educational needs. We are proud to congratulate our team on this achievement. Their dedication, creativity, and teamwork exemplify our commitment to advancing socially meaningful technologies and nurturing the next generation of innovators.

ISE innovations honoured internationally at the 50th International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva

Project: Surface Sampling and Packing System for Chang’e-5 and -6 Lunar Sample Return Missions   Award: Saudi Innovation Excellence Prize - Ministry of Education Gold Medal with Congratulations of the Jury   Principal Investigator: Prof. YUNG Kai Leung Director of Research Centre for Deep Space Explorations; Sir Sze-yuen Chung Professor in Precision Engineering; Chair Professor of Precision Engineering and Associate Head of Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering   Details: Prof. Yung and his team, in collaboration with the China Academy of Space Technology, has developed a groundbreaking “Surface Sampling and Packing System” for the historic national Chang’e-5 and Chang’e-6’s Lunar Sample Missions to perform lunar surface sampling and packaging. Unlike previous methods relying on drilling or manual excavation, this fully automated system enables multi-point surface sampling and precise packaging. It consists of a pair of samplers, high-temperature Near-field Cameras for sample collection and vision-guided sampling, sample deposition, sample container pickup and precision container placement into the ascender, as well as a Packaging and Sealing Station for primary packaging and sealing of collected sample. Deployed on the Chang’e-5 and Chang’e-6 landers, the system successfully collected over 1.5 kg of surface samples from the lunar front side and 1.6 kg from the far side, marking the first-ever lunar far-side surface sampling. Various space-qualified models, including Engineering, Test, Qualifying, and Flight Models, were developed to ensure high-precision sampling and automated in-situ packaging into an Earth return capsule. This pioneering technology represents a significant advancement in lunar exploration.

LEM Graduate Won Merit Award at HKIE-LTD Best Students Papers Awards 2024

We are delighted to announce that Mr. Yat Wai Cheung (Rex), a recent graduate of our BSc (Hons) in Logistics Engineering and Management (LEM) programme, has been honoured with a Merit Award in the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers - Logistics and Transport Division (HKIE-LTD)’ Best Students Papers Awards 2024. Titled ‘A Study of the Blockchain-driven Operations Strategy in the Air Freight Industry’, his final-year project was supervised by Dr Paul Y.P. Tsang.  Rex’s research explores how blockchain technology can foster reliable and trustworthy collaboration across air freight operations. By modelling a blockchain-enabled collaboration framework, his study demonstrates the potential for logistics service providers to achieve greater operational efficiency, improved decision-making and better risk mitigation.  This accolade celebrates not only Rex’s individual excellence, but also the high standard of innovation and problem-solving that our LEM programme instils. We congratulate Rex on his outstanding achievement and eagerly anticipate his future contributions to the logistics and transport sector. 

PolyU develops innovative Language Model Linguistic Personality Assessment system, advancing AI for diverse applications in manufacturing, business and education

Large language models (LLMs) are at the forefront of artificial intelligence (AI) and have been widely used for conversational interactions. However, assessing the personality of a given LLM remains a significant challenge. A research team at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has developed an AI-driven assessment system, the Language Model Linguistic Personality Assessment (LMLPA), with capabilities to quantitatively measure the personality traits of LLMs through linguistic analysis. This innovative interdisciplinary research in AI and computational linguistics has led to the development of robust, data-driven AI tools for evaluating nuanced LLM personality traits and behaviours. The LMLPA system represents a critical step forward in understanding LLMs and developing them to be more aligned with human values and needs. Led by Prof. Lik-Hang LEE, Assistant Professor of the PolyU Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, the research has been published in Computational Linguistics. LMLPA is designed to evaluate and characterise the personalities of LLMs by examining the linguistic patterns, style and other language-related features in their outputs. The system comprises two main components: the Adapted Big Five Inventory (Adapted BFI) and the AI rater. LMLPA first administers the Adapted-BFI, which is derived from previous language-based personality assessment theories, to LLMs. The AI rater then evaluates the responses, converting the textual answers into quantifiable numerical values representing personality traits. This innovative technology not only advances human-centred AI and computational linguistics by providing a robust framework for refining AI personality assessments, but also applications in various fields, including education and manufacturing, as well as in business such as by helping companies with compliance requirements and Environmental, Social and Governance reporting. It also supports sustainable development goals and the enhancement of legal services. Prof. Lee said, “In addressing the limitation of LLMs in capturing the cognitive and affective dimensions of human personality, our team has successfully developed novel assessment tools to evaluate LLM personalities in linguistic terms, aligning with their functional capabilities and operational paradigms.” The research opens up new possibilities of understanding and interacting with AI. By quantifying LLM personalities, their communication styles for specific applications can be tailored, paving the way for more personalised interactions between humans and machines. Prof. Lee has translated the technological foundations of his research to create an AI-driven business compliance platform. Leveraging natural language processing, the platform can analyse and interpret large volumes of textual data and reports, including those generated by LLMs. AI technology is used to perform automated data collection, analysis and insight generation, significantly streamlining the business compliance and reporting process. The integration of LMLPA highlights AI’s nuanced capabilities in assessing language-based personality traits, suggesting potential applications in the analysis of qualitative business and human data. [From PolyU Media Release] 

ISE Immersive Technologies Research Receives Best Paper Honorable Mention Award at IEEE VR 2025

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is advancing immersive innovation technology to tackle real-world challenges and promoted a connected future. Prof. Lik-Hang Lee, Assistant Professor of the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, and his PhD student, Mr. Devin SIO Chan In, received the Best Paper Honorable Mention Award at the IEEE International Conference on Virtual Reality and 3D User Interfaces (IEEE VR) 2025. Their award-winning paper, "Illuminating the Scene: How Virtual Environments and Learning Modes Shape Film Lighting Mastery in Virtual Reality," explores the influence of different virtual environments and learning modes on mastering film lighting techniques. The study examines how settings such as a baseline environment, a dynamic beach, and an office space impact learning outcome. It found that individual learners experienced increased engagement and challenge in the beach setting, while team-based learning in the office setting enhanced collaboration and reduced frustration. This research is part of the Film MetaStudio initiative, a VR platform that provides immersive film production experiences. Prof. Lee expressed gratitude for the recognition, highlighting VR's transformative potential in education.   About IEEE VR : IEEE VR is a premier international forum for groundbreaking research in virtual, augmented, and mixed reality (VR/AR/MR). Since 1993, it has showcased pioneering work that continue to shape the future of immersive technologies.

ISE Co-organized HKIE MIS Division Annual Conference 2025

On 11 April 2025, ISE co-organized the HKIE MIS Division Annual Conference. The event, themed "New Quality Productive Forces — from theoretical concept to industrial practice," brought together industry experts, conference committee members, and HKIE representatives. The conference featured a series of enlightening presentations and discussions on topics such as Manufacturing GPT and AI Agents, the AI Maturity Journey, and the Low Altitude Economy. Esteemed speakers included: Ir Eric LIU, Deputy Executive Director, Vocational Training Council Dr. Benny DRESCHER, Director, INC Ms. Anne LOOS, Executive Director, INC Ir Dr. Vincent FUNG, Director, Centric Digital Manufacturing Limited Mr. Tiejun LIU, Director, Honeycomb Aerospace Technologies Co., Ltd. Dr. Daniel LAU, Director, Apex Sphere Ltd. and U Resonance Ltd. Ir John CHOW, Director, Fortune Industrial Products Limited Prof Jackson HO, Managing Director, CTAS Aviation Services Limited Their insights contributed to a vibrant exchange of ideas and fostered collaboration between academia and industry. This conference underscores the HKIE MIS Division's dedication to promoting innovation and excellence in industrial practices.