PolyU scholar wins HUAWEI Spark Award, highlighting University’s strengths in research translation and industry collaboration
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has once again gained international recognition from top-tier global technology enterprise for its research and innovation excellence. Prof. Minchen Tommy WEI, Associate Head of the Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering and Director of the PolyU-Qianhai Disruptive Technology and Innovation Research Centre (QHRC), was recently honoured with the prestigious HUAWEI Spark Award in recognition of his team’s innovative solution to a major industrial technology challenge and its successful translation of cutting-edge research findings into real-world industrial applications.
Prof. Wei is the second PolyU scholar to receive this honour, and notably, the only scholar from a Hong Kong tertiary institution to be awarded over the past two years. Previously in 2023, Prof. WANG Zuankai, PolyU Associate Vice President (Research) and Chair Professor of Nature-Inspired Engineering in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, received the same honour for his innovative solution on transparent and wear-resistant super-sparse surfaces. These consecutive accolades underscore PolyU’s world-class capabilities in driving research translation, as well as its achievements in knowledge transfer and industry-academia-research collaboration as recognised by a global technology leader.
Prof. Christopher CHAO, PolyU Senior Vice President (Research and Innovation), extended his warm congratulations to Prof. Wei. He stated, “Prof. Wei’s HUAWEI Spark Award once again demonstrates PolyU’s strategic commitment to innovative research and market application. The University remains dedicated to fostering deep integration between academic and industry, and driving innovative venture through cross-border collaboration. Through a robust knowledge transfer framework and innovation ecosystem, we will continue to accelerate the commercialisation of research outcomes to create value for industry upgrading and social development.”
Established by HUAWEI in 2021, the Spark Award focuses on fundamental research in areas including information and communications technology, materials science and mathematical algorithms. Under the initiative, Huawei identifies industrial challenges with significant commercial and scientific value and invites universities worldwide to develop original solutions, recognising researchers whose innovations advance both science and industry.
Prof. Wei and his team have long dedicated on the underlying mechanisms of the human visual system, translating research findings into innovative solutions for full-link multimedia systems ranging from camera capture to screen display. Addressing a major bottleneck in display colour calibration for this year’s HUAWEI challenge, the team leveraged visual science research to deliver a breakthrough engineering solution. This innovation significantly enhances the colour calibration accuracy and user experience of product displays. The technology has already been deployed, making a tangible contribution to the advancement of display technology worldwide.
To further accelerate research translation, Prof. Wei co-founded the start-up Guardian Glow Limited, which specialised in developing artificial intelligence-powered personal health-monitoring devices, as well as key technologies for extended reality (XR) devices. The start-up has now established its presence at the QHRC.
Prof. Christopher Chao added, “The successful transformation of Prof. Wei’s pioneering research into high-end technology products demonstrates the pivotal bridging role played by QHRC. The Centre serves not only as an important gateway for connecting PolyU’s research with Mainland industrial chains, but also stands as a core platform for our commercialisation strategy, helping laboratory innovations seamlessly enter the market.”
This achievement also highlights PolyU’s broader commitment to enhancing research impact and expanding its comprehensive knowledge transfer network. To date, the University has established 12 Mainland Translational Research Institutes (MTRIs) in cities across the Chinese Mainland, precisely aligning PolyU’s research strengths with local industrial development and societal needs. Prof. Christopher Chao stated, “PolyU has established a nationwide network for research translation, anchored by five major innovative platforms in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area — Qianhai, Futian, Nanshan, Huizhou and Zhongshan — alongside other innovation platforms across the country. These initiatives consistently provide scientific backing for local economic growth and industrial upgrade, levering the power of innovation to serve national development.”
While continuing strengthening its footprint in the Chinese Mainland, PolyU is also actively expanding its global innovation network. The University will continue to strengthen its knowledge transfer strategy by establishing innovation and entrepreneurship hubs both locally and overseas. By leveraging the distinct advantages of academia, research and industry, the University aims to drive market-oriented innovation, foster cross-disciplinary and cross-regional collaboration, and contribute to global technological advancement and long-term sustainable societal development.
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