PolyU receives donation from GS Charity Foundation to support research on using AI to advance sustainable fashion design and brand ecosystem management

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has received a generous donation from the GS Charity Foundation to support the School of Fashion and Textiles (SFT) research project “From Tradition to Tech: A Holistic Approach to Sustainable Fashion Design and Brand Ecosystem Management in the Age of AI and Digital Platforms”. The research aims to drive sustainable fashion design and brand ecosystem management.

The donation and kick-off ceremony for the research projects was held today on the PolyU campus, officiated by Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, PolyU President, and Mr YEUNG Fan, Vice-chairman and General Manager of Glorious Sun Group. The two parties exchanged souvenirs to commemorate the occasion.

Co-created by SFT and the Industrial Centre, the PolyU souvenir employs weaving techniques to depict PolyU’s iconic architecture. Engraved with the inscription “With chic, intelligently led fashion, PolyU extends its heartfelt gratitude,” it conveys the University’s deep appreciation to the Foundation for its generous support and highlights SFT’s commitment to driving fashion trends with innovation.

In his welcoming remarks, Prof. Jin-Guang Teng expressed gratitude to Glorious Sun Group and GS Charity Foundation for its long-standing and steadfast support for PolyU’s development, adding: “AI is a core technology driving Hong Kong’s reindustrialisation and smart city development. With PolyU’s robust research capabilities, this collaboration will enable the continuous supply of talent for the textile sector, equipped with cutting-edge industry knowledge and AI expertise. This will help Hong Kong leverage its regional advantages and further consolidate the Greater Bay Area’s position as a hub for fashion innovation.”

Mr Yeung Fan said, “Since the 1980s, Glorious Sun Group has developed a deep partnership with PolyU—one that has remained strong for four decades. Our support for PolyU research into co-developing a brand ecosystem reflects our confidence in PolyU research excellence, testifies to our enduring collaboration, and affirms our shared commitment to nurturing outstanding talent and driving innovation and sustainability in the apparel industry.”

Joining Prof. Teng and Mr Yeung at the kick-off ceremony were Ms CHEUNG Wai Yee, Director and Deputy General Manager of Glorious Sun Group; Professor the Honourable POON Chung-kwong, PolyU President Emeritus; The Hon Jimmy NG Wing-ka, Hong Kong Deputy to the National People’s Congress and Member of the Legislative Council; Dr Katherine NGAN, University Court Chairman; Prof. Wing-tak WONG, Deputy President and Provost; and Prof. Christopher CHAO, Vice President (Research and Innovation).

After the kick-off ceremony, Prof. Joanne YIP, Associate Dean and Professor of SFT introduced the research project “From Tradition to Tech: A Holistic Approach to Sustainable Fashion Design and Brand Ecosystem Management in the Age of AI and Digital Platforms.” She noted that the fashion industry is undergoing a transformational shift, integrating cutting-edge technologies such as AI and digital platforms while also adopting sustainable practices. The extensive use of AI is providing innovative solutions for the industry, enhancing operational efficiency and delivering a brand-new customer experience. Furthermore, the integration of AI with emerging technologies—such as blockchain, cloud computing, big data and the Internet of Things—is creating unprecedented opportunities for enterprises.

The research project will focus on the seven key areas below, developing innovative insights and solutions that integrate traditional fashion design with advanced technologies, including AI and digital platforms. This will help accelerate traditional design and manufacturing processes, and enhance the overall competitiveness of the fashion industry:

1. Intelligent Data-Driven Design and Digital Transformation in the Fashion Industry
2. AI Applications in Fashion: Revolutionising Apparel Review and Safeguarding Creative Assets
3. Apparel Material Simulation and Optimisation System
4. Robust Estimation of Product Budget and Data Mining of Production and Operational Data
5. Managing Supply Ecosystems to Enhance Competitive Advantage: An Integrated Study of Multi-Role Supplier Collaboration Mechanisms in the Fashion Supply Chain Industry
6. A Critical Examination of Online Consumer Reviews: Implications for Digital Transformation in the Fashion Sector
7. AI-Based Optimisation Strategies for the Live Commerce Ecosystem

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