News and Kudos

Prof. Echo Sihui Ke Awarded the K.C. Wong Belt and Road Visiting Fellowship Scheme 2026

We are thrilled to announce that Prof. Echo Sihui Ke has been awarded the prestigious K.C. Wong Belt and Road Visiting Fellowship Scheme 2026. The Fellowship Scheme aims to strengthen ties between PolyU and Belt and Road (B&R) higher education institutions, providing up to 10 fellowships annually to PolyU scholars. It encourages awardees to carry out B&R-related studies, support educational development in B&R countries, and embark on research collaboration with B&R scholars. Prof. Ke gratefully acknowledges the support of the K.C. Wong Education Foundation. Under this fellowship, she will visit the Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in Singapore, hosted by the Asian Languages and Cultures (ALC) Department at the National Institute of Education (NIE). During her visit, she aims to: Engage in research collaboration discussions with NTU faculty and students for joint projects and grant applications; Present her paper on Chinese morphological awareness instruction at the 8th International Conference on Teaching and Learning of Chinese as a Second Language; Discuss a reciprocal visit plan for Associate Prof. He Sun to visit PolyU; and Explore technology-enhanced language education synergies. Building on her expertise in regional academic exchange, Prof. Ke has previously advanced international partnerships as Programme Director of the MATCFL, maintaining an internship partnership with Masaryk University in the Czech Republic—a top university in the Czech Republic and key B&R partner institution—to facilitate student exchange and professional training. Please join us in congratulating Prof. Ke on this prestigious award and wishing her a successful research visit!  

From Communication Graduate to Sustainable Entrepreneur: How Emma Yu Built “Dress Green”

When thinking about a degree in corporate communication, traditional career paths like public relations or corporate marketing usually come to mind. But for Emma Yu, an alumna of the Department of Language Science and Technology (LST), her postgraduate studies became the launchpad for something entirely different: founding a pioneering sustainable enterprise. As the founder of Dress Green, Emma leads an innovative social enterprise dedicated to upcycling old uniforms, plush toys, and other textiles into fresh, purposeful creations. Her journey proves to current and prospective students that a language and communication background can open doors to unexpected, highly impactful career trajectories. Emma’s entrepreneurial journey began during her time in the MA in Bilingual Corporate Communication (MABCC) programme. Driven by a passion for social issues and sustainable development, she saw a clear link between corporate communication and the growing importance of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Her breakthrough came during a university pitching competition, where she presented the core concept for Dress Green. The positive feedback she received served as a springboard, encouraging her to officially launch the company after graduation. Transitioning into the sustainability sector came with significant challenges. Lacking a background in fashion or fabric technology, Emma navigated a steep learning curve of trial and error. From managing physical storage constraints in her early office to mastering textile upcycling, she learned to transform obstacles into operational experience. Today, Dress Green offers comprehensive services—including corporate uniform recycling and bespoke workshops—catering to enterprises, schools, and NGOs. What sets Emma apart from traditional fashion entrepreneurs is how she leverages her MABCC training. While many focus solely on clothing aesthetics, Emma excels at perspective-taking. Dealing daily with diverse stakeholders —from enterprises and schools to NGOs—she relies on her communication training to understand their distinct goals, speak their language, and deliver tailored solutions. To Emma, these communication skills are just as vital to her business as her knowledge of sustainability. Her commitment to social impact was further amplified by her recognition in the Forbes 30 Under 30 list, which significantly increased the enterprise’s visibility. Looking toward the future, Emma maintains a sharp perspective on technology: she believes that while AI tools act as the "wheels" that help a company run smoothly, the "DNA" of the business—human critical thinking and intentional instruction—remains irreplaceable. With plans to scale Dress Green’s reach over the next five years into Mainland China and Singapore, her vision continues to grow. Emma’s progression—from a MABCC student to a visionary leader—illustrates how a strong foundation in communication, paired with a clear social mission, can empower graduates to thrive. For students aspiring to forge their own unique paths, she shared: “Maintain a strong learning attitude, and find what you are truly passionate about When you combine genuine enthusiasm with the versatile mindset you build at PolyU, you can create your own path and make a real difference.”

Successful Conclusion of the International Symposium on Language, Ecology, and Sustainability cum the 11th National Symposium on Ecolinguistics （11-13 August 2026）

The International Symposium on Language, Ecology, and Sustainability and the 11th National Symposium on Ecolinguistics successfully concluded on August 13, 2026, marking a major milestone in the advancement of ecolinguistics and interdisciplinary research on sustainability. Held at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, the three-day event was a resounding success, attracting leading researchers and professionals from across the globe. With the theme "Language, Ecology, and Sustainability: Communication in the AI Era," the symposium spotlighted the critical role language and communication play in tackling urgent ecological, social, and technological challenges in the modern world. The event sought to foster collaboration across disciplines, bridging theoretical insights with real-world applications to address global challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and sustainable development. The conference welcomed over 70 participants from different countries and areas such as China, Hong Kong, Macau, the United States, Britain, Canada, Denmark, Russia, Korea, Nigeria. This diversity showcased the global importance of ecolinguistics in unifying efforts to create sustainable futures through inclusive, multi-disciplinary approaches.   Conference Programme Highlights 1. Pre-Conference Workshops The event officially began on August 11, 2026, with three pre-conference workshops, which set the tone for the symposium. Workshop 1, led by Prof. Guowen Huang (City University of Macau), highlighted how analysts’ subjectivities influence ecological discourse analysis, focusing on data selection, interpretation, and framework critique. Workshop 2, conducted by Prof. Wei He (Beijing Foreign Studies University), explored ecolinguistics’ evolving role in China, with participants examining future innovations in this field. Workshop 3, directed by Prof. Ming Liu (The Hong Kong Polytechnic University), examined the role of corporate discourse in shaping ethical and sustainable business practices through linguistic tools. 2. Keynote Speeches The symposium showcased 8 keynote speeches by distinguished scholars at the forefront of ecolinguistics and sustainability communication, addressing topics that ranged from theoretical foundations to practical applications. Prof. Guowen Huang (City University of Macau) explored cognitive ecolinguistics through a systemic-functional framework, while Prof. Wei He (Beijing Foreign Studies University) provided an in-depth overview of ecological discourse analysis, including its concepts and tools. Prof. Sune Vork Steffensen (University of Southern Denmark) highlighted the ecological interplay between language and human life, focusing on scale and interconnectedness, and Prof. Arran Stibbe (University of Gloucestershire) shared creative strategies like improvisational comedy to reshape environmental narratives. Prof. Hui Yu (Beijing Normal University) emphasized integrating ecological literacy into foreign language education to foster environmental ethics, and Prof. Jinjun Wang (Guangzhou University) examined emergency language capacity in China–Myanmar border cities. Prof. Robert Poole (University of Alabama) stressed the importance of diachronic studies in disaster discourse analysis, while Prof. Fu Jingmin (Guangdong University of Foreign Studies) explored how translation functions in sustainable language development. Together, these keynote speeches laid a robust foundation for interdisciplinary dialogue and collaboration throughout the conference. 3. Parallel Sessions The symposium also featured 17 parallel sessions, where nearly 60 research presentations were delivered. Covering an extensive range of topics such as: Theoretical developments in ecolinguistics Sustainability-focused language learning and teaching practices Ecological discourse analysis of environmental challenges The roles of indigenous and minority languages in ecological conservation AI and big data applications in ecological communication These sessions created a vibrant platform for sharing new ideas, promoting interdisciplinary partnerships, and exploring innovative solutions to sustainability-focused challenges. Throughout the conference, participants engaged in meaningful discussions that bridged academia, policy, and practice, underscoring the importance of language in shaping ecological realities. The high level of academic exchange was matched by a strong commitment to collaboration and actionable outcomes. Attendees praised the conference as one of the most dynamic and thought-provoking gatherings in the field of ecolinguistics. The combination of theoretical exploration, practical applications, and global representation provided a unique opportunity to deepen knowledge, build networks, and inspire new research. The event concluded with a closing ceremony, led by Prof. Jinjun Wang (Guangzhou University). During his reflections, Prof. Wang celebrated the symposium’s success in fostering interdisciplinary collaborations and challenging participants to continue tackling the intersections of language, ecology, and technology. This symposium is hosted by the Ecolinguistics Committee of the China Association for Comparative Studies of English and Chinese, the National Research Centre for Foreign Language Education and the National Research Centre for State Language Capacity, both at Beijing Foreign Studies University, and organized by The Department of Language Science and Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, with support from the editorial offices of Journal of World Languages (De Gruyter) and Chinese Foreign Languages. The symposium reaffirmed the critical role language plays in addressing ecological and societal challenges in an era shaped by AI and digital transformation. As The Hong Kong Polytechnic University continues to support innovative and impactful research, this event laid the groundwork for future collaborations and advancements in the field. The overwhelming success of the symposium demonstrates how language science, in collaboration with cutting-edge technology and ecological awareness, can drive meaningful change toward a more sustainable and inclusive future. View the full photo gallery here: https://polyu.hk/phqiX  

Prof. Li Dechao Discussed AI, Translation and MATLT Programme Revamp in an Interview with Southern Weekly

Prof. Li Dechao, Associate Head of the Department of Language Science and Technology, was recently featured in an interview with Southern Weekly to share his insights on artificial intelligence and translation. In the interview, he discussed how AI is transforming the translation landscape and introduced the recent programme revamp of the Master of Arts in Translation and Language Technology (MATLT), highlighting how the curriculum adapts to industry changes to better equip students for the era of human-AI collaboration. Click HERE to read the full feature on Southern Weekly.

MABCC Student Team’s AI Agent Reaches Top 6 Finals at Microsoft Hong Kong Agent Impact Lab 2026

A student team from the Master of Arts in Bilingual Corporate Communication (MABCC) programme at the Department of Language Science and Technology (LST) has achieved outstanding results at Microsoft Hong Kong’s Agent Impact Lab 2026, with their AI Agent project “Lecto” reaching the final stage. Agent Impact Lab aims to inspire university students to apply AI technologies to address real-world challenges. Participating teams undergo multiple stages, including project ideation, development, demonstration and final pitching, with their projects assessed by industry and academic experts.  Led by MABCC student and Microsoft Student Ambassador Tong Lyu, together with MABCC student Rongshen Zhou and Urban Studies student Ye Jin, the team developed an AI Agent “Lecto” to help students access academic resources more efficiently. “Lecto” automatically identifies and organises information about lectures, seminars and workshops from emails, and provides personalised recommendations based on users’ interests. Integrated with Microsoft Copilot and Teams, the system can support learning and collaboration across the campus community.  The project reflects MABCC’s commitment to nurturing students’ ability to analyse communication needs, integrate resources and develop innovative solutions, supported by LST’s expertise in media communication and language technologies. It also demonstrates PolyU’s success in integrating AI into teaching and learning while fostering interdisciplinary innovation. The team will continue to enhance “Lecto” and explore further applications of AI Agents in smart campus development and educational technology.      

From Language Student to AI-Enabled Communication Professional: How Kathy Tam Turned AI into Her Competitive Edge

Language and technology make a powerful combination—and Kathy Tam Wing Ka’s career journey is proof of it. When Kathy first studied Linguistics and Translation with a minor in Korean as an undergraduate student, she saw language mainly as a system to be analyzed and applied. Her trajectory shifted when she joined the Fund for Innovative Technology-in-Education (FITE) project at PolyU as a student assistant during her Year 3 and Year 4. Through the project's AI workshops, industry talks, and career-development activities, she explored how generative AI could support brainstorming, language refinement, grammar improvement, and message development. These experiences strengthened not only her efficiency in communication tasks but also her critical awareness of how messages are constructed, interpreted and evaluated. To further sharpen her strategic edge, she went on to pursue postgraduate studies in the MA in Bilingual Corporate Communication (MABCC), and began to recognize that effective communication is essential across industries and can significantly shape career development. At the same time, through connections via the Public Relations Hong Kong Limited (PRHK) network gained from the FITE project, she secured an internship opportunity at an international PR agency. During the internship, she used AI in practical communication tasks, including summarizing internal and external meeting recaps, generating visual materials and drafting captions for social-media promotions. This experience showed her that effective communication in the contemporary workplace requires more than language proficiency —it requires the ability to use AI critically and strategically to create clear, engaging and impactful messages. Reflecting on her experience, she described Language Science and Technology as the intersection of AI and communication. In her view, the discipline provides students not only with linguistic knowledge, but also with the capability to leverage emerging technologies to communicate more effectively in a rapidly changing digital environment. Believing that the future belongs to the convergence of AI, technology, and communication, she believes that studying this field gives students a wide range of career opportunities. After completing her MABCC degree, Kathy joined Microsoft Hong Kong as a Communication Officer, continuing to utilize advanced AI tools every day at work. Her progression—from undergraduate student and project assistant, to postgraduate student, PR intern and communication professional—illustrates how sustained industry engagement, AI-enabled learning, authentic workplace experience and career mentoring can help students develop the confidence, practical competence and professional identity needed to thrive in an AI-enabled communication industry. Demonstrating how a strong language foundation paired with modern technology can open doors to exciting new career paths, Kathy concludes: “These experiences showed me that effective communication today is no longer just about language proficiency, but about knowing how to leverage AI to deliver clear, engaging, and impactful messages.”

Outstanding Alumni Award of PolyU LST 2026 - Result Announcement

The Outstanding Alumni Award of PolyU LST recognizes the professional excellence of our distinguished LST graduates and their significant contributions to both the community and their alma mater. We are proud to announce the recipients of the LST Outstanding Alumni Award 2026: Ms Jody LAM - Outstanding Young Alumni Award Master of Speech Therapy, The Department of Language Science and Technology, 2016 Read more about the story of Ms Jody LAM: Ms Lam is a speech-language pathologist, part-time assistant lecturer, and clinical educator based in Hong Kong, with more than a decade of experience spanning clinical practice, academic teaching, and professional leadership. She graduated from the inaugural Master of Speech Therapy programme at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University and has been a qualified speech therapist since 2016. Expanding her professional impact, Ms Lam has served as the President of the Hong Kong Association of Speech Therapists (HKAST) since 2020, the largest professional body representing over 1,000 speech therapists in Hong Kong. A key milestone in her tenure was leading the successful transition of HKAST from a society to a limited company in 2022, modernising the Association’s governance to align with contemporary standards. Under her leadership, HKAST has significantly elevated its professional standing, directing territory-wide development programmes and multimedia campaigns to broaden public awareness of speech therapy. Ms Lam has also played a pivotal role in raising Hong Kong’s visibility on both the regional and international stages. She is currently steering the upcoming inaugural HKAST Convention in November 2026, the first-ever speech therapy convention in Hong Kong co-organised with four local universities. Her commitment to global collaboration is equally evident; she serves on the Executive Board of the Asia Pacific Society of Speech, Language and Hearing (APSSLH) and was instrumental in securing HKAST’s international affiliation. Through symposia and active involvement in the Asian Dysphagia Society, she consistently fosters collaborative networks to advance clinical standards across the region. Her dedication to the profession further extends to scholarship and mentorship. In 2025, she served as lead author of a Routledge book chapter on advocacy strategies to strengthen professional recognition globally. To nurture the next generation, she established a student outreach team at HKAST and led committees on clinical resource development to encourage cross-sector knowledge exchange. Committed to service beyond professional settings, Ms Lam has volunteered locally and internationally, from childcare homes in Hong Kong to remote villages in Sichuan and Guatemala. By promoting social responsibility, she continues to inspire practitioners to extend vital speech therapy support to underserved communities worldwide. Prof. XING Jie - Outstanding Alumni Award Doctor of Philosophy, The Department of Language Science and Technology, 2010 Read more about the story of Prof. XING Jie: Prof. Xing is a distinguished academic leader, currently serving as the Professor of Translation Studies and Vice Dean at the School of Interpreting and Translation Studies of Guangdong University of Foreign Studies. He obtained his Ph.D. at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University and was an academic visitor at Durham University, UK. Prof. Xing’s leadership extends internationally through his roles as a member of the Research Task Force of the International Federation of Translators (FIT), a council member of the Translators Association of China (TAC), and the Vice President of the Socio-Translation Studies Committee of the China Association for Comparative Studies of English and Chinese (CACSEC). These prominent national and international roles position him ideally to drive further developments in Translation and Interpreting (T&I) education, especially as AI continues to reshape the landscape of the language service industry. Additionally, Prof. Xing has published widely on issues related to the sociology of translation, pragmatic translation studies, translation theory, translation pedagogy, and interpreting studies. His work has significantly advanced the field, offering profound theoretical insights that have shaped contemporary discourse in translation studies. Consequently, his influential research has appeared in leading journals such as Babel, Chinese Translators Journal, and Foreign Languages in China, as well as in edited collections including The Routledge Handbook of Translation and Sociology and Conference Interpreting in China: Practice, Training and Research. His scholarly excellence has been recognized with highly prestigious honors. Notably, his research contributions were recognized with the Award for Outstanding Achievements in Philosophy and Social Sciences of Guangdong Province in 2024. Furthermore, his ongoing dedication to postgraduate education and academic advancement earned him multiple awards for Outstanding Research Achievements from the Guangdong Society of Postgraduate Education across 2021, 2022, and 2024. Finally, Prof. Xing remains deeply committed to supporting his alma mater, contributing to PolyU as an External Examiner in 2021 and spearheading collaborations with the Department of Language Science and Technology. His impactful initiatives include organizing the high-profile “AI in Translation” Workshop and facilitating valuable academic exchanges that brought 20 teachers to PolyU, continuously fostering cross-border networks and knowledge exchange. Congratulations to the outstanding LST alumni, who have achieved excellence in their respective fields and brought great honour to their alma mater. We also extend our sincere gratitude to our panel of judges for their dedication and commitment throughout the selection process.

LST’s Dr. Cymie Ng Featured on Now TV to Share Insights on Dysphagia

Dr. Cymie Ng Wing-yee, Assistant Professor of Practice at the Department of Language Science and Technology, appeared on Now TV’s programme “Wealth Management”, where she explained the causes and symptoms of dysphagia, as well as management of patients’ quality of life. Click HERE to watch the full feature on Now TV (4:58–6:28).

Dr. Wu Wing li Shares the Aims and Key Features of the New Programme in a Dot Dot News Interview

Dr. Wu Wing li, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Language Science and Technology and Programme Leader of the BSc (Hons) in Language Science and Technology, was featured in an interview with Dot Dot News to introduce the aims and key features of the new programme. The programme combines language science and AI technologies to prepare students for the era of human–AI collaboration, equipping them with the skills to use and develop AI-enabled language solutions while fostering critical thinking and lifelong learning. Click HERE to read the full feature on Dot Dot News.

Prof Zhu Xinhua and Team Earn Wiley Recognition for High-Impact GenAI Research

The Department of Language Science and Technology is proud to announce that Yuan Yao, Yiwen Sun, Siyu Zhu, and Xinhua Zhu have been recognized by Wiley for a Top Viewed Article. Their research, “A Qualitative Inquiry Into Metacognitive Strategies of Postgraduate Students in Employing ChatGPT for English Academic Writing,” published in the European Journal of Education, ranked within the top 10% of most-viewed papers published by the journal in 2024. This recognition celebrates the paper’s strong readership and academic contribution to research on GenAI-assisted academic writing, metacognitive strategies, and postgraduate education. We congratulate Prof. Zhu Xinhua and his team on this meaningful achievement.