News

IET–PolyU Mentorship Programme 2026/27: Inspiring Future Engineers Through Mentorship and Professional Connection

Date: Thursday, 8 October 2026 Time: 6:30 p.m.–8:30 p.m. Venue: Room FJ404, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University   The Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISE), in collaboration with the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) Hong Kong, successfully launched the IET–PolyU Mentorship Programme 2026/27 on 8 October 2026. The programme connects aspiring engineers with experienced industry professionals, providing students with valuable career guidance, professional insights and opportunities to build meaningful connections within the engineering community. The event began with a welcome speech by Professor Nick Chung, Associate Professor and Associate Head, as well as Associate Director of Studies of the Integrated Graduate Development Scheme, Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering. This was followed by an opening speech delivered by Professor K. F. Tsang, Chairman of IET Hong Kong. Certificates and souvenirs were subsequently presented to commemorate the occasion. A key highlight of the evening was an inspiring sharing session delivered by IET mentor Mr Olaf Li, Assistant General Manager of JF Thermal System Ltd. Mr Li graduated from PolyU in 2014 with a Bachelor of Engineering in Product Engineering with Marketing. He also holds a Bachelor of Laws in English and Hong Kong Law from Manchester Metropolitan University. In his current position, Mr Li oversees operations relating to comfort heating, hot-water supply, thermal systems and control solutions. He has also been an active volunteer with IET Hong Kong since his university days. Over the years, he has taken on various leadership roles, including Chairman of the Students Section and Chairman of the Younger Members Section. He currently serves as Chairman of the Manufacturing and Industrial Engineering Section of IET Hong Kong. Drawing upon his academic journey, professional experience and extensive involvement with IET Hong Kong, Mr Li shared valuable insights and practical advice with the participating students. His experience demonstrated how professional engagement, continuous learning and volunteer service can contribute to both career and personal development. The evening concluded with a networking dinner at Ju Yin House Seafood Restaurant, where mentors and mentees exchanged ideas, discussed career aspirations and began building connections in a relaxed and welcoming environment. The IET–PolyU Mentorship Programme continues to serve as an important platform for nurturing future engineering professionals, facilitating knowledge exchange and fostering lasting relationships between students and industry practitioners.

Congratulations to Dr. Y.M. Tang on Being Selected as a Finalist for the 2026 UGC Teaching Award (General Faculty Members)

The Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering is delighted to congratulate Dr. Y.M. Tang, Senior Lecturer, on being selected as a Finalist for the 2026 UGC Teaching Award (General Faculty Members). The UGC Teaching Award is one of the most prestigious recognitions of teaching excellence in Hong Kong's higher education sector. Established by the University Grants Committee (UGC) in 2011, the award honours outstanding academics who demonstrate excellence in teaching, leadership in teaching and learning, and scholarly contributions that advance education within and across universities. As each UGC-funded university is permitted to nominate only one candidate per award category each year, Dr. Tang's selection as the sole finalist representing The Hong Kong Polytechnic University in the General Faculty Members category is a remarkable achievement and a strong testament to his dedication to teaching excellence. Dr. Tang's recognition reflects his outstanding contributions in: Educational Impact: Creating meaningful and lasting positive impacts on student learning, development, and success. Teaching Innovation: Introducing creative and forward-looking pedagogical approaches that enhance the learning experience. Compelling Educational Initiatives: Driving innovative teaching practices with a clear vision and a demonstrable impact on higher education. The Department extends its warmest congratulations to Dr. Tang on this significant milestone. His achievement not only brings great pride to the Department and the University but also exemplifies the spirit of excellence and innovation in teaching that inspires both colleagues and students.  

ISE Student Awarded CILTHK Logistics & Transport Student Final Year Project Award 2026

We are delighted to celebrate the achievement of Ms. Chow Yung, a student of the BSc (Hons) in Logistics Engineering and Management (LEM) programme, who received the CILTHK Logistics & Transport Student Final Year Project Award 2026. Her award-winning Final Year Project, “AI-Powered Crowd Logistics Optimization System for Theme Parks: A Case Study of Ocean Park Hong Kong,” was supervised by Prof. Roy Law, Associate Professor of the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISE). The project explored the development of an artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted queue analytics system, demonstrating the potential of AI to enhance queue monitoring and improve visitor experiences in theme parks. The award, comprising a bursary and a certificate, was presented at the CILTHK Office on 29 September 2026. Dr Paul Tsang, Lecturer in ISE, joined the ceremony to congratulate Ms. Chow on this outstanding accomplishment. We extend our warmest congratulations to Ms. Chow on this well-deserved recognition and wish her every success in her future studies and career.

ISE Team Wins Silver Medal and TÜMMİAD Special Award at iCAN 2026

An ISE research team comprising Mr Haotian Xie, Research Associate, Prof. Carman Lee and Dr Paul Tsang has received a Silver Medal and the TÜMMİAD Special Award at the 11th International Invention Innovation Competition in Canada (iCAN 2026). The team also awarded the TÜMMİAD Special Award, an international distinction presented by the Turkish Inventors Association in recognition of impactful inventions showcased at the competition. The award-winning project, BEXTools-ESGPath, is an AI-driven ESG intelligence system that transforms complex corporate sustainability reports into actionable insights. The project was jointly developed by Bolly Express Limited, the Cyber-Physical Systems Laboratory of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, and the Cloud Innovation School of The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong. BEXTools-ESGPath enables organizations to assess their ESG performance and prioritize capability-development roadmaps, while helping SMEs learn from the successful practices of leading companies and formulate sustainability strategies tailored to their needs. By promoting transparency and turning corporate disclosures into shared practical knowledge, the system has the potential to strengthen the broader ESG ecosystem. These accolades recognise the team’s innovation and collaborative effort, while reflecting the high standard of research, innovation and problem-solving fostered by ISE. We warmly congratulate Mr Xie, Prof. Lee and Dr Tsang on this outstanding achievement and look forward to their continued contributions to ESG innovation and technological development.    About iCAN Founded in 2016, the International Invention Innovation Competition in Canada (iCAN) is a globally recognised platform for inventors, researchers and innovators. Based in Toronto, the competition has attracted participants from 98 countries and regions over its past nine editions, providing opportunities for innovators to showcase inventions, research projects and new products, expand international networks, and explore business opportunities.

ISE Student Awarded VTech Group Scholarship for 2025/26

We are delighted to announce that Mr. Dai Qi, a student from the BSc (Hons) in Logistics Engineering and Management (LEM) programme, has been awarded the VTech Group Scholarship for the 2025/26 academic year in recognition of his outstanding academic achievements. The VTech Group of Companies Scholarships 2025/26 Presentation Ceremony was held at the VTech Tai Po Office on 31 August 2026. Prof. Windy Wen, Assistant Professor of the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISE), attended the ceremony with the award recipient to celebrate this accomplishment and extend her warmest congratulations. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Mr. Dai Qi on this well-deserved recognition and wish him continued success in his academic and professional journey.

Ir Prof. Pai ZHENG Elected to HKAE Young Member Section

The Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISE) is proud to announce the outstanding achievement of Ir Prof. Pai ZHENG, Associate Professor, Wong Tit Shing Young Scholar in Smart Robotics, and Director of NCDC – Hong Kong Branch. Following a thoughtful selection process, Prof. Zheng has been successfully elected as a new Member of the Hong Kong Academy of Engineering (HKAE) Young Member Section (YMS) 2026. His nomination received strong support from voters, reflecting their confidence in his expertise and commitment to advancing engineering excellence. This prestigious recognition highlights Prof. Zheng’s remarkable contributions to the field of smart robotics and his dedication to nurturing innovation. His election to the HKAE YMS not only affirms his professional accomplishments but also strengthens ISE’s mission to foster impactful research and leadership in engineering. The Department warmly congratulates Prof. Zheng on this well-deserved honor and looks forward to his valuable contributions to the Academy and the broader engineering community.

Dr Jiaxin Lv Named to MIT Technology Review’s 2025 Innovators Under 35 China List

The Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering proudly congratulates Dr Jiaxin Lv, Research Assistant Professor of ISE, on being named to the 2025 MIT Technology Review Innovators Under 35 China (TR35 China) list in the Inventors category. This prestigious recognition celebrates young innovators whose work is shaping the future of technology and industry. Dr Lv’s pioneering Multi-container Extrusion (MCE) technology enables the seamless manufacturing of ultra-wide, thin-walled light alloy components — a breakthrough that eliminates segmented welding and dramatically enhances production efficiency. The innovation increases profile width by more than three times compared to traditional methods while reducing extrusion pressure by 70–90%. By integrating AI-assisted optimisation and multi-scale material modelling, Dr Lv has significantly shortened product development cycles and holds four cross-border core patents as the primary inventor. Her technology was successfully commercialised in 2024, leading to the establishment of a 6,500-ton industrial production line. When applied to passenger vehicles, these lightweight components achieve up to 50% weight reduction and approximately 30% lower carbon emissions, redefining standards for sustainable manufacturing. Established by MIT Technology Review, the TR35 global list honours outstanding young innovators across frontier technology fields. Since 2017, TR35 China has recognised exceptional scientific and technological leaders driving international impact. Congratulations once again to Dr Lv for this remarkable achievement that exemplifies PolyU ISE’s commitment to innovation and excellence.   PolyU Media Release

BPS-ISE Student Award - Developing Future Talent for a Sustainable Future

On 12 June 2026, the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISE) hosted the Cheque Presentation Ceremony for the BPS-ISE Student Award to celebrate a generous donation from BPS Global Charity Foundation that will greatly benefit our students and academic programmes. The honored guest, Mr Vincent Cheung, President of BPS Global Group presented the symbolic cheque to Prof. Xiaowen Fu, Head of ISE Department. The BPS-ISE Student Award will recognise outstanding students pursuing studies in the BSc (Hons) Scheme in Intelligent Supply Chain and Engineering Management, BSc (Hons) Scheme in Logistics and Enterprise Engineering, BSc (Hons) in Logistics Engineering with Management and the offshore Master of Science in Information Systems programme jointly offered by the PolyU and Xi’an Jiaotong University. Through this initiative, more than 30 awards will be granted over two academic years (2025/2026 and 2026/2027), supporting academic excellence and encouraging students to become future innovators and leaders in building more efficient, resilient and sustainable supply chains and supporting industries. Education and talent development are key pillars of a sustainable future. By supporting promising students today, we are helping to cultivate skilled professionals who will drive technological advancement, responsible business practices and positive societal impact tomorrow.

Success for ISE Student Team at 2026 Hangzhou International Embodied Robot Scenario Application Competition

We are delighted to announce that a research team led by Prof. Pai Zheng, Associate Professor and Wong Tit Shing Young Scholar in Smart Robotics, has been awarded the 1st Runner-up Prize at the 2026 Hangzhou International Embodied Robot Scenario Application Competition. The final, held on 15 May 2026 at the Yunqi Town International Convention Centre, saw the team excel in the "ORCA Simulation-Based Industrial Robot Scenario Operation Challenge." Under Prof. Zheng’s guidance, the team—comprising students Zhu Ziqing (Team Leader), Gao Yuyang, Zhao Boya, Su Chenxin, and Gu Pengkun—demonstrated exceptional expertise in physical AI simulation and system integration. The ORCA challenge, a core sub-event organized by Songying Technology, focused on authentic industrial logistics scenarios. Participants were required to build autonomous robot systems capable of executing full-process tasks—such as sorting, scanning, and packing—within a high-fidelity virtual environment. Following rigorous online preliminary rounds and an intense on-site final, the team stood out among top competitors, showcasing mastery in physical AI simulation, algorithm design, and system integration.   About the Competition Hosted by the Zhejiang Provincial Department of Economy and Information Technology, this event is China’s first national-level competition exclusively focused on the scenario-based application of embodied robots. Themed "Wisdom Inspires the Future, Scenarios Without Boundaries," it is supported by top-tier authorities, including the National Robot Testing and Evaluation Center (Headquarters), the National Robot Quality Supervision and Inspection Center, and the Yangtze River Delta National Technology Innovation Center. Attracting over 200 elite teams nationwide and more than RMB 1 billion in industrial funding, the competition serves as a critical platform linking academia, industry, and capital for embodied intelligence. The event drew participation from leading institutions such as Zhejiang University, Westlake University, Fudan University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, and Tongji University, underscoring its high academic standing and industrial significance.

11th CIRP Conference on Assembly Technologies and Systems (CIRP CATS 2026) Successfully Held at PolyU

The 11th CIRP Conference on Assembly Technologies and Systems (CIRP CATS 2026) was successfully hosted by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) from April 27 to 30, 2026. Jointly organized with the KTH Royal Institute of Technology, the event marked the conference’s prestigious return to Hong Kong after 14 years. Co-chaired by Ir Prof. Pai ZHENG (Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, PolyU) and Prof. Lihui WANG (KTH), the conference was themed “Human-Machine Symbiotic Assembly and Disassembly.” It attracted nearly 200 participants from 67 institutions across 15 countries and regions. The rigorous program featured 128 peer-reviewed papers, five keynote speeches, and 138 oral presentations delivered across 24 technical sessions. The academic program centered on the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI), digitalization, and robotics. Keynote speakers—including distinguished fellows from Academia Europaea and the Canadian Academy of Engineering—addressed the future of human-centric AI and robot learning. Technical sessions explored frontier topics such as digital twins, augmented reality, and foundation models in manufacturing. Recognition of excellence was a highlight of the event. The Best Paper Award was presented to a joint team from Technische Universität Berlin and Carl Zeiss, while student awards recognized innovative research in generative AI and large language models from PolyU, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, and other leading institutions. Beyond the lecture halls, participants visited PolyU’s cutting-edge facilities, including the Human-Machine Symbiotic Design and Manufacturing Centre (HMS-DMC) , the State Key Laboratory of Ultra-precision Machining Technology (SKL-UPMT), and the Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Laboratory (AIR Lab). The event concluded with a cultural tour of Hong Kong’s landmarks, showcasing the city’s vibrant character. Supported by sponsors including Siemens and NOKOV, the conference proceedings will be published in Procedia CIRP in August 2026. The global community now looks forward to the 12th CIRP CATS, scheduled for May 2028 in Athens, Greece.