Media Releases

PolyU Jockey Club Design Institute for Social Innovation releases interim findings on the Study on Effective Transitional Housing Delivery in Hong Kong with multiple policy recommendations

To relieve the pressure on those with urgent housing needs, the Hong Kong Government has been committed to promoting the development of transitional housing in recent years. The Jockey Club Design Institute for Social Innovation (JCDISI) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has released the interim findings of its “Study on Effective Transitional Housing Delivery in Hong Kong” (the Study) and its report on policy recommendations. Funded by the Strategic Public Policy Research Funding Scheme, the Study is the first comprehensive study of Hong Kong's transitional housing programme. The Government plans to complete 84 transitional housing projects and provide over 21,000 housing units by 2024-25, among which over half are in the New Territories. The Study examined 35 projects located on open-air sites with newly constructed relocatable units using Modular Integrated Construction (MiC) technology, which account for about 86% of transitional housing units delivered under the programme. Compared with programmes in other cities using relocatable building structures, the Study concluded Hong Kong’s transitional housing programme to be the most unprecedented in terms of scale and development speed while also having the widest societal participation. Prof. LING Kar Kan, Director of JCDISI of PolyU and Principal Investigator of the Study, said, “The distinguished achievement of the programme is attributed to the NGOs that proactively echoes the Government’s call to take up a pivotal role in the development of transitional housing projects. Their endeavours are supported by the Government, particularly the Task Force on Transitional Housing, and quasi-government bodies such as the Urban Renewal Authority, as well as professionals in various development-related disciplines, building contractors and MiC unit manufacturers, private developers and charity foundations.” Dr Raymond TAM, Teaching Fellow of the Department of Applied Social Sciences at PolyU and Co-investigators of the Study conducted interviews with tenants in transitional housing projects. He said, “A major merit of transitional housing is its enhancement of the tenants’ well-being through creating supportive neighbourhoods. The survey clearly indicates the positive feelings of tenants in terms of an improvement in their relationship with family and neighbours. They also consider their current living environment to be good for their health and to make them feel safe in everyday life.” He noted one common suggestion from respondents concerning the possibility of extending the duration of stay in transitional housing so as to reduce the frequency of moving. Whilst pointing out the merits of the transitional housing programme in Hong Kong, the Study also identifies various pain points out of the stakeholders’ experience. These include the relatively short tenure of the sites, limited scope of the Government’s funding scheme, technical issues encountered in the design and development process, concern about occupancy rates of projects at remote locations, funding for provision of supportive services for tenants, and the administrative burden related to tasks including project promotion, tenant recruitment and eligibility assessment. The Study supports the Government taking up the role as builder in the Light Public Housing (LPH) programme to enhance the efficiency of delivery, and proposes the followings. 1   Recognise the function and position of transitional housing It is advised that transitional housing, including the LPH, be officially recognised by the Government as a housing type in the overall housing policy of Hong Kong in addition to the conventional classifications of public and private housing. The Government is also advised to maintain the mechanism for the delivery of transitional housing in order to support grassroot residents who are, for various reasons, unable to access decent affordable housing. 2   Integrate transitional housing and LPH It is advised that the transitional housing and LPH programmes be integrated, making housing units provided by both programmes equally attractive and beneficial to potential tenants. The Government is advised to play a stronger role in coordinating project promotion, tenant recruitment, eligibility assessment, cross-referral of potential tenants among projects, and in seeking additional resources for the provision of basic household amenities, facilities and furniture for the housing units, as well as subsidies for moving into new homes and community support services. 3   Standardise the design of MiC units As far as possible, the Government is advised to take the lead in standardising the design of MiC units and optimising the level of standardisation for the remaining transitional housing projects and the forthcoming LPH projects in order to improve their cost effectiveness in production and reusing MiC units. 4   Assist tenants to settle down in the Northern Metropolis Many tenants in transitional housing projects in the New Territories sites originally lived in sub-divided units in urban districts. They should not be considered a transient population but rather as possible early movers to the Northern Metropolis, which is the main source of public housing provision in the coming two decades. The Government is advised to coordinate comprehensive community service efforts to help their smooth settling into the Northern Metropolis. 5   Engage NGOs in community making in LPH development In the development of LPH projects, the Government is advised to proactively consult relevant NGOs for their views regarding the design and provision of communal space and facilities, while also engaging them as communal services providers to foster supportive neighbourhoods for the tenants. 6   Advance planning on the re-use of MiC units It is estimated that more than 18,000 MiC units will be relocated and re-used upon the termination of the existing and committed projects, involving over 20,000 MiC modules. The Government is advised to prepare well in advance for the task, which is too complex and challenging to be handled by individual NGOs. Prof. Ling further commended all parties engaged in the transitional housing programme and said, “Their collaborative effort has forged a trans-sectoral and multi-disciplinary network to enable efficient implementation of transitional housing projects. This collaborative network has become valuable social capital which can continue to help tackling the housing problem of the grassroot families.” For details, please refer to: Interim findings and policy recommendations of “Study on Effective Transitional Housing Delivery in Hong Kong".   ***END***

PReCIT launches inaugural PolyU Innovation & Technology Index Hong Kong ranks 7th in Greater China; Increased investment in R&D and patent application recommended

Key Findings Top three regions for innovation and technology (I&T) in Greater China: Guangdong (1st), Jiangsu (2nd), and Beijing (3rd). Hong Kong ranks 7th. Hong Kong’s ranking is projected to rise to 6th in 2027 and 3rd in 2032 respectively if the city realises the vision outlined by the HKSAR Government in the Hong Kong Innovation and Technology Development Blueprint. Top four Bay Areas I&T Rankings: San Francisco Bay Area (1st), Tokyo Bay Area (2nd), Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Bay Area (GBA) (3rd), New York Bay Area (4th). The GBA ranking is expected to surge if there is greater focus on social innovation and inclusivity, and if Hong Kong integrates more effectively into the GBA. Recommendations for Hong Kong Increase R&D expenditure and encourage patent licensing. Support I&T start-ups and establish the I&T ecosystem. Retain and attract I&T talents, and improve the public’s innovation awareness. Leverage Hong Kong’s strategic positions to accelerate new industralisation. Harness the green economy and enhance I&T development. Embrace the digital economy with the innovation evaluation framework. Accelerate GBA integration for building a leading international innovation and technology hub. The Policy Research Centre for Innovation and Technology (PReCIT) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) today released its inaugural PolyU Innovation & Technology Index (the Index). With the aim of formulating impactful I&T development policy recommendations to the HKSAR Government in view of enhancing Hong Kong’s competitiveness and its integration into national development under the 14th Five-Year Plan, the Index compares Hong Kong’s I&T strengths and challenges with those of various regions in Greater China and four major bay areas. (1) Comparison of Hong Kong with other Regions in Greater China Guangdong, Jiangsu and Beijing rank as the top three regions for I&T among the 34 regions in Greater China, with an I&T Index score of 6.77, 5.20 and 4.72 respectively. Hong Kong ranks 7th with an I&T Index score of 3.53. The city’s ranking is attributable to lower scores in R&D, the number of patents, I&T practitioners, and start-ups, and the contribution to GDP from the city’s manufacturing industry. Despite Hong Kong’s Gross Domestic Expenditure on R&D (GERD) as a ratio to GDP having risen from 0.74% in 2016 to 0.99% in 2022, the figure is still below the Greater China average of 2.4%. However, Hong Kong outstrips other Greater China regions in the aspects of average venture capital deal size and high-technology exports, highlighting the city’s edge as an international financial centre with its free market economy, thriving trade circumstances and liveable environment. The study forecasts that Hong Kong’s ranking will rise to 6th in 2027 and 3rd in 2032 respectively if the city realises the vision outlined by the HKSAR Government in the Hong Kong Innovation and Technology Development Blueprint. Table 1: Top 10 I&T Regions in Greater China Rank Region Overall R&D Start-ups Talent Industry Impact 1 Guangdong 6.77 2.03 2.08 1.00 0.46 1.20 2 Jiangsu 5.20 1.88 1.21 0.86 0.48 0.77 3 Beijing 4.72 2.22 1.68 0.15 0.14 0.52 4 Zhejiang 4.61 1.66 0.91 0.83 0.46 0.75 5 Taiwan 4.28 1.65 0.31 1.13 0.48 0.71 6 Shanghai 3.89 1.74 1.03 0.26 0.32 0.54 7 Hong Kong 3.53 0.82 1.09 0.29 0.00 1.33 8 Fujian 3.00 1.37 0.51 0.39 0.41 0.32 9 Shandong 2.90 1.22 0.30 0.31 0.47 0.60 10 Anhui 2.63 1.23 0.33 0.26 0.39 0.42 Prof. Christopher CHAO, PolyU Vice President (Research and Innovation) and Director of PReCIT, said, “Hong Kong has not fully leveraged its internationally recognised free-market economy due to the dominance of public investment in R&D expenditure. Guangdong, Jiangsu and Beijing, in contrast, have successfully optimised their investment policies promoting private capital investment in local start-ups. Hong Kong is advised to enhance private investment in R&D and strengthen the venture capital flow from the Mainland to Hong Kong in order to more effectively support the ongoing development of Fintech and the I&T ecosystem.” Prof. Eric CHUI, Co-Director of PReCIT and Head of the Department of Applied Social Sciences, continued, “The number of patents is a crucial parameter for measuring I&T advancement. R&D institutions in Hong Kong, including universities and enterprises, are encouraged to apply for patents and participate in setting standards with the Mainland to better align with the 14th Five-Year Plan. However, the cost of maintaining intellectual property rights in the early stages of start-ups is high, which discourages entrepreneurs from protecting their unique business ideas and competitiveness. The Government is recommended to increase the funding limit for each enterprise or individual application to encourage innovation and entrepreneurship, and strengthen the I&T talent pool for long-term sustainability.” (2) Comparison of GBA with other Three Bay Areas The San Francisco Bay Area and Tokyo Bay Area rank 1st and 2nd among the world’s four largest Bay Areas with scores of 6.99 and 4.07 respectively, followed by the Greater Bay Area (3rd, score: 3.75) and the New York Bay Area (4th, score: 3.14). Silicon Valley in the San Francisco Bay Area is home to some of the world's leading tech companies, and the Tokyo Bay Area is well-known for its advances in robotics and electronics, while the New York Metropolitan Area is a hub for finance and media. According to Table 2, the Greater Bay Area scores lowest in the R&D and Start-ups sub-categories. It scores the highest among the other three bay areas in the aspects of Talent and Impact to society. Table 2: Four Bay Areas’ I&T Ranking/strong> Rank Bay Area Overall R&D Start-ups Talent Industry Impact 1 San Francisco 6.99 2.51 3.00 0.90 0.08 0.50 2 Tokyo 4.07 1.75 0.59 0.64 0.30 0.78 3 GBA 3.75 0.49 0.23 1.24 0.50 1.29 4 New York 3.14 0.97 1.01 0.75 0.00 0.41 Prof. Haitian LU, PolyU Director of Mainland Development and Core Member of PReCIT, commented, “To differentiate itself from other bay areas and consolidate its position as a global economic and technological powerhouse, the GBA is advised to more effectively address social innovation and inclusivity, and improve access to education and healthcare. Better integration within the GBA is crucial for enhancing its ranking in the future. Hong Kong can strengthen its collaboration with GBA cities by leveraging its strength as an international financial centre and accelerating interconnectivity within the Area to empower the GBA’s overall development.” Dr Winnie TANG, Adjunct Professor of the Department of Applied Social Sciences and Founder and Honorary President of the Smart City Consortium, added, “As the first Interactive Map Dashboard for I&T index focusing on the Greater China region and bay areas, the index will serve as a platform to enhance collaboration and take the I&T development of Hong Kong to new heights. This is especially true in the areas of new industrialisation, digital economy and smart city, after Guangdong and Hong Kong signed the ‘Co-operation Agreement between Guangdong and the HKSAR on Co-developing a Smart City Cluster’ in March 2023 to enhance mutual exchanges within the GBA.” The full report is available at: https://polyu.me/PolyUInTIndex2023 Established in 2022, PReCIT is a University-level interdisciplinary I&T think-tank. Its primary areas of research include carbon-neutral cities, Greater Bay Area I&T development, and the Belt and Road Initiative development in Southeast Asia. For more information about PReCIT events, please visit www.polyu.edu.hk/precit/.   ***END***

Centre for Eye and Vision Research and Aier Eye Hospital Group collaborate to drive translational vision research

The Centre for Eye and Vision Research (CEVR) and Aier Eye Hospital Group (Aier) are delighted to announce their strategic collaboration. With mutual and complementary benefits, CEVR and Aier will jointly promote development of advanced eye and vision research, conduct collaborative research and commercialise the technology and research outputs, provide advice and support to start-ups, nurture research talents, and promote a common vision of disseminating cutting-edge research innovations to both the Mainland China and international eyecare markets. A signing ceremony was held today on The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) campus. Prof. Wing-tak WONG, Chairman of the CEVR Board of Directors cum Deputy President and Provost of PolyU, and Ms Elaine ZHANG, Global Strategy and Business Development Director of Aier signed the memorandum of understanding. Prof. Wong said, “The PolyU School of Optometry has been collaborating with Aier since 2022, providing clinical training for student optometrists in Mainland China and overseas. The collaboration provides a strategic synergy between research and application, leveraging CEVR’s innovative research and Aier’s extensive eyecare network of over 800 clinics and hospitals. We are looking forward to seeing a range of new advances in the diagnosis and treatment of ocular and visual conditions in the foreseeable future.” Ms Zhang remarked, “Aier has always been committed to providing the highest quality eyecare services to patients worldwide. This collaboration with CEVR will not only provide innovative solutions and world-class care for our patients, but also accelerate the translation of cutting-edge research findings, ultimately improving the quality of life of individuals who are suffering from vision-related conditions.” The collaboration between CEVR and Aier marks a milestone in translational vision research in Hong Kong and beyond. By harnessing the strengths of CEVR and Aier, this partnership will create an impactful research culture and a vision research power-house that can generate groundbreaking technologies for solving intractable vision problems in the real world.   ***END***

PolyU co-hosts International Conference on Educational Leadership and Asian Culture 2023

The International Conference on Educational Leadership and Asian Culture (ICELAC) 2023, co-hosted by the Office of Undergraduate Studies at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), the Faculty of Education of the University of Manitoba in Canada and the School of Educational Studies of Universiti Sains Malaysia, was successfully held online on 5 August 2023. The Conference aimed to promote Asian culture and research on the development of educational leadership. It attracted 571 participants from 31 countries who jointly explored prospects and developments in educational leadership and Asian culture. Several renowned experts and scholars from the education sector attended. Prof. Daniel T. L. SHEK, PolyU Associate Vice President (Undergraduate Programme), delivered the opening remarks and Prof. Ruth HAYHOE, Professor from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto in Canada, and former Director of The Hong Kong Institute of Education, gave a keynote speech that examined the influence of Chinese culture on leadership in China with reference to several eminent Chinese educators. 12 other education experts and scholars from 9 Asian countries, including Prof. Masaaki KATSUNO, Dean of the Graduate School of Education at the University of Tokyo in Japan and Prof. SONG Huan, Vice Director of Institute of Teacher Education at Beijing Normal University, participated in four sessions grouped under different themes. Prof. Shek said, “PolyU has always upheld the crucial importance of understanding the legacy of Chinese culture and student leadership development in its education, striving to cultivate well-rounded students as outstanding Chinese and global citizens. As an innovative world-class university in Asia, PolyU is responsible for promoting the development of Asian cultural education. Through cooperation with other universities, we gather visionary ideas from education leaders to nurture a new generation of talents.” Scholars approached topics from the perspectives of Chinese culture, Islamic culture, Southeast Asian culture and social culture, and explored the relationship between educational leadership and cultural diversity and complexity, thus stimulating the integration of Asian cultural wisdom into educational leadership. Participants called on educational leaders to take responsibility for promoting the development of education focusing on aspects of Asian culture and emphasised that only through joint efforts can Asian cultural heritage in education shine on the international stage. One of the highlights of ICELAC is the launch of a new book Educational Leadership and Asian Culture: Culturally Sensitive Leadership Practice. The book was edited by Prof. LIU Peng, Associate Professor in the Faculty of Education at the University of Manitoba in Canada and Prof. Lei Mee THIEN, Associate Professor in the School of Educational Studies at Universiti Sains Malaysia. It not only encapsulates the Conference's themes but also comprehensively showcases the depth and breadth of the educational landscape in Asian cultures, pointing towards new directions for future development. The book also emphasises the importance of international exchange and cooperation and calls for greater collaboration in the realm of educational leadership within the Asian region to collectively address the challenges posed by globalisation and cultural diversity. PolyU has always attached great importance to international cultural exchanges and has organised international summer courses for many years, allowing university students from around the world to participate in inspirational courses and cultural experience activities. Starting from the 2022/23 academic year, PolyU undergraduate students are required to study a subject related to Chinese history and culture to enhance their interest in Chinese heritage and identification with the Nation.   ***END***

PolyU and Accel Group establish Metaverse+ Joint Laboratory to promote the development and innovation of smart cities related fields

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and Accel Group Holdings Limited (Accel Group) have established the “PolyU-Accel Group Metaverse+ Joint Laboratory” (Joint Lab). The Joint Lab aims to foster the research and application of metaverse technology in various sectors, accelerate the ongoing development of Hong Kong as a green and smart city, strengthen industry-academia-research collaboration and cultivate professional talents. The Accel Group plans to donate HK$10 million to PolyU in the next five years to support the project development and operation of the Joint Lab. The kick-off ceremony was held today on the PolyU campus, officiated by Ms Lillian CHEONG, Under Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry; Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, President of PolyU; Mr KO Lai-hung, Chairman and CEO of Accel Group; Ms Iris Ping-fan WONG, Hong Kong delegate to the National People’s Congress; Mr CHAN Han-pan, LegCo Member; Dr Miranda LOU, Executive Vice President of PolyU; Prof. LI Qing, Chair Professor of Data Science and Head of the Department of Computing of PolyU; together with other guests. Prof. Jin-Guang Teng said, “To better equip students for societal needs, PolyU has taken the lead in launching new Master’s degree programmes in areas including blockchain technology, metaverse technology, and artificial intelligence and big data computing. ‘Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics’ (AIDA) and ‘Innovation and Entrepreneurship’ (IE) have also been incorporated into the undergraduate curriculum. PolyU is committed to becoming an innovative world-class university and its contributions to blockchain technology and Web3 development have been widely recognised. The University topped the ‘Best Universities for Blockchain 2022’ list by CoinDesk, and our scholars recently won the international ZPRIZE award to recognise the breakthroughs achieved by the team in zero-knowledge crypto technology in Web3.” Dr KO Lai-hung said, “The establishment of the Joint Lab with PolyU will benefit the diversification of our business development and as such is a milestone in the Group’s process of technological innovation. We will cooperate with academia by integrating our extensive industry experience and leveraging our financial resources into research in order to propel the construction of a more competitive and sustainable Hong Kong with the utilisation of metaverse technology. Our Group will also seize the enormous business opportunities brought by the metaverse and actively apply innovative outcomes in our business so as to increase our competitive advantage and support our long-term development.” The Joint Lab will conduct diversified research, including into the metaverse’s role in enterprise cooperation, industrial applications, green and smart city initiatives, energy management, and sustainable supply chain systems. It is expected that the establishment of the Joint Lab will improve production efficiency and quality while at the same time reducing risk and cost, accelerating the ongoing development of Hong Kong as a green and smart city, and cultivating professional talents. Weaving together the knowledge and research capability of academia with the experience and resources of industry, this collaboration between PolyU and Accel Group will further strengthen cross-disciplinary cooperation and explore the potential and value of metaverse technology in industrial applications and environmental protection.   ***End***

SHKP-Kwoks’ Foundation x PolyU Building Homes with Heart Scholarship Programme award ceremony

The inaugural award ceremony of the Building Homes with Heart Scholarship Programme, a joint initiative by the SHKP-Kwoks’ Foundation (the Foundation) and The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), was held recently, where the scholarships were presented to 10 PolyU students. The scholarship programme aims to provide support to exceptional PolyU students, with a particular focus on those facing financial challenges, in their pursuit of studies in construction, real estate, or engineering-related disciplines. Director of the Foundation Thomas Kwok said: “Over the years, the Foundation has been dedicated to supporting outstanding students from Hong Kong and the mainland in their pursuit of tertiary education. We are delighted to have helped more than 11,000 people complete their studies or training in the past 21 years. We hope the scholarship will become a driving force for the students to achieve greater success in their studies and careers, thereby contributing to the future development of the country and Hong Kong.” PolyU Vice President (Student and Global Affairs) Professor Ben Young said: “PolyU is a cradle for cultivating talent for Hong Kong’s construction industry, and PolyU graduates have contributed a lot to the development of both the industry and the city. We are delighted to collaborate with Sun Hung Kai Properties (SHKP) to nurture a new generation of talent for the construction industry and promote the advancement of new green technologies, helping Hong Kong to become carbon neutral and creating a sustainable future. I hope PolyU graduates will continue to help advance the development of building technologies and transform scientific research into practical applications.” Following the award ceremony, SHKP Executive Director Adam Kwok engaged in an exchange with the students who were deeply impressed by the SHKP projects in Hong Kong and on the mainland. Adam Kwok encouraged the students to maintain their lifelong pursuit of learning. He said: “The real estate and construction industries definitely need new blood. We envision the scholarship program as a catalyst for cultivating new talent, poised to support upcoming infrastructure and commercial projects. I strongly encourage the students to seize this opportunity, make the most of their scholarships, keep learning, and actively contribute to the industry’s growth in the years ahead.” The 10 recipients are undergraduate and postgraduate students from the Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering, the Department of Building and Real Estate, and the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. Each student was awarded a scholarship of up to HK$40,000. During the ceremony, Chung Wai-kit, Ho Sik-man and Law Sing expressed their gratitude for SHKP’s support. They conveyed their deep appreciation for the scholarships, which not only alleviated their financial burdens but also served as a source of encouragement. The students said they were well aware of the abundant opportunities awaiting them in the Greater Bay Area, where the government's supportive policies have created a high demand for skilled construction professionals. They expressed their aspirations to pursue successful careers and make meaningful contributions on the mainland in the future. SHKP Executive Director Robert Chan, himself a PolyU graduate, shared his valuable work experiences and insights during the ceremony, further inspiring the students. The awardees also visited the International Commerce Centre (ICC) on the same day and were briefed on the project design and development plan of SHKP’s mega commercial project on top the High Speed Rail West Kowloon Station. In addition to the scholarship programme, in November last year, SHKP and PolyU signed a memorandum on SHKP x PolyU Building Innovation & Technology Research Projects to foster collaboration between the industry, and the academic and research sectors. Three research projects were launched, focusing on green application (developing a smart, efficient and flexible energy management system), green building materials and green construction processes. The goal is to translate scientific research into applications to help Hong Kong evolve into a smart, carbon-neutral city. SHKP demonstrates its commitment to nurturing young Hong Kong talent through various programmes. These initiatives include trainee programmes for young people in Hong Kong and on the mainland, which have successfully recruited nearly 70 graduates over the past five years. In addition, SHKP’s subsidiary Sanfield Construction organizes an annual summer internship programme that offers university students studying construction engineering with extensive hands-on experience to learn about the industry before they enter the workplace. This year, the programme attracted 72 students, over half of whom were PolyU students. The awardees visit the ICC on the same day and are briefed on the design and development plan of SHKP’s mega commercial development project on top of the High Speed Rail West Kowloon Station.   ***END***

PolyU receives two Ministry of Education Higher Education Outstanding Scientific Research Output Awards

Two research projects led by scholars from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) have received the Higher Education Outstanding Scientific Research Output Awards (Science and Technology) 2022 from the Ministry of Education (MOE) with a First-Class and Second-Class Award in Natural Science respectively. A First-Class Award in Natural Science was presented to the research project “Mathematical theory of compressible Navier-Stokes equations and related models” led by Prof. Tong YANG, Chair Professor of Mathematical Science in the Department of Applied Mathematics; and a Second-Class Award in Natural Science was granted to the project “Atmospheric Chemistry of Reactive Nitrogen Oxides and its Impacts on Regional Atmospheric Environment” led by Prof. Tao WANG, Chair Professor of Atmospheric Environment in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. Prof. Christopher CHAO, PolyU Vice President (Research and Innovation) said, “We are honoured to receive these prestigious accolades from the MOE, which are testament to the dedication and hard work of our scholars. Their outstanding achievements have had very considerable impacts and serve to showcase PolyU excellence in scientific research and academia. We express our appreciation to our colleagues for their relentless pursuit of knowledge and passion for discovery, which truly exemplifies the spirit of higher education. As valued members of the PolyU community, they will continue to inspire future generations, leveraging the University’s strengths in education, research and entrepreneurship to contribute to the Nation.” Prof. Tong Yang’s project is conducted in collaboration with Prof. Changjiang ZHU and Prof. Huanyao WEN at the South China University of Technology. The mathematics model, known as the compressible Navier-Stokes equations, is fundamental to describing the motion of compressible fluids, and research into its mathematical theory has long been recognised as significant in the global mathematics community. This project is in Prof. Yang’s core research area. Prof. Yang has made significant contributions to scientific research on Conservation laws, the Boltzmann equation and Boundary layer theories. Prof. Tao Wang’s project is conducted in collaboration with scholars from Shandong University, Nanjing University and the Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences. The research started 20 years ago with systemic study of nitrogen oxides in Hong Kong and other places in China. The project is in Prof. Wang’s core research area. By employing field observations, laboratory experiments and computer simulations, Prof. Wang’s team discovered important chemical processes of Nitrogen oxides and their roles in photochemical and haze pollution. The findings have enhanced knowledge of atmospheric chemistry and improved an extensively used air quality model for global air quality forecasting and research. The Higher Education Outstanding Scientific Research Output Awards (Science and Technology) were set up by the MOE to recognise outstanding research projects at tertiary institutions nationwide. The award is presented to individuals or units who have made remarkable contributions in science and technology advancement, translational research and talent cultivation.   ***END***

Two PolyU scholars conferred as RGC Senior Research Fellow and Research Fellow

Two scholars from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) have been awarded Fellowships under the Research Grants Council’s (RGC) Senior Research Fellow Scheme (SRFS) and Research Fellow Scheme (RFS) 2023/24 respectively for their excellence in cross-disciplinary research. Prof. Meng NI, Associate Dean of the Faculty of Construction and Environment and Professor of the Department of Building and Real Estate, has been awarded SFRS funding, while also being conferred the title “RGC Senior Research Fellow”. His cross-field research project aims to promote sustainable and clean energy generation. Situated across the disciplines of energy engineering and environment, Prof. Ni’s research interests include fuel cells, rechargeable metal-air batteries, electrochemical water-splitting and electrochemical systems for low-grade waste heat utilization. Additionally, he serves as a reviewer for more than 80 academic journals including top-tier publications such as Science, Nature Energy, Nature Communications, Joule and Advanced Materials. Prof. Buyang LI, Professor of the Department of Applied Mathematics, has received funding under the RFS and is conferred the title “RGC Research Fellow”. His research focuses on addressing pioneering mathematics questions. Prof. Li’s research endeavours in applied, numerical and computational mathematics have led to the discovery of solutions to a wide variety of mathematics questions. His contributions to the field of mathematics have also earned him the Hong Kong Mathematical Society Young Scholars Award 2022, which recognised his excellence in both research and academia within the mathematics domain. Prof. Christopher CHAO, PolyU Vice President (Research and Innovation), extended his congratulations to the awardees and said, “The accomplishments of the successful scholars highlight PolyU’s exceptional capacity and competitiveness in promoting and conducting multifaceted research across various academic disciplines. Their achievements serve as an inspiration to other researchers, encouraging them to persist in pursuing impactful research for the betterment of society.” The achievements of the two researchers demonstrate PolyU’s outstanding academic and research capabilities in interdisciplinary fields, as well as the University’s commitment to scientific research with the goal of addressing global societal needs. The SRFS and RFS aim to provide sustained support to exceptionally outstanding researchers at the UGC-funded universities in Hong Kong. Each scheme provides ten grants to scholars from any academic discipline, with funding support for a period of 60 months. The supporting university receives a fellowship grant of around HK$7.8 million for SRFS and HK$5.2 million for RFS per award. Details of the two awardees’ research: Senior Research Fellow Scheme Project Coordinator: Prof. Meng Ni, Associate Dean of the Faculty of Construction and Environment and Professor of the Department of Building and Real Estate Project Title: “Protonic ceramic fuel cells for clean power generation: From new cathode materials to new stack designs” Abstract: Characterised by their high efficiency and low emission, protonic ceramic fuel cells (PCFCs) are power sources that promise to replace conventional thermal power plants. Despite this, the practical performance of a PCFC stack remains limited due to high energy at the cathode and the non-uniform distribution of reactants in a traditional PCFC stack. The project adopts both the trial-and-error and machine learning-based approaches to facilitate new cathode material development. Through multi-physics modelling and optimisation techniques, unconventional stack designs, including several nature-inspired stack configurations, will be evaluated for PCFC. The research integrates engineering, chemistry, physics and material science to address the complex challenges of using PCFC for clean power generation. Research Fellow Scheme Project Coordinator: Prof. Buyang Li, Professor of the Department of Applied Mathematics Project Title: “Challenges, numerical analysis and new computational methods for curvature-driven surface evolutions and related problems” Abstract: This project aims to address a series of long-standing mathematical questions related to the stability and convergence of parametric finite element algorithms for approximating surface evolution under geometric flows and interface evolution under two-phase Navier-Stokes flows (such as gas bubbles in liquids). The research is expected to produce novel insights into the foundational algorithms for curvature-driven surface evolutions and new computational methods that can improve the accuracy, stability and mesh quality in approximating surface evolutions. ***END***

PolyU researchers collaboratively develop high-performance titanium alloys through additive manufacturing

The industrial production of titanium alloys has always been plagued by challenges associated with quality and waste management. Engineering scientists from the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), in collaboration with RMIT University and the University of Sydney, have successfully used additive manufacturing, also known as 3D printing, to solve these long-standing issues in titanium alloy production. The research study, titled “Strong and ductile titanium-oxygen-iron alloys by additive manufacturing”, was recently published in Nature. Titanium alloys are advanced lightweight materials that play an indispensable role in many critical applications. The research team’s discovery of the innovative use of additive manufacturing for the production of titanium alloys and potentially other metal materials offers numerous advantages, such as reduced costs, improved performance, and sustainable waste management. Through the use of 3D printing, the research team has produced a new strong, ductile, and sustainable titanium alloy (α–β Ti-O-Fe alloy). These properties are achieved through the incorporation of inexpensive and abundant oxygen and iron, which are the two most powerful stabilising elements and strengtheners for α–β phase titanium alloys. The new titanium alloy exhibits immense potential for diverse applications, ranging from aerospace and marine engineering to consumer electronics and biomedical devices. Compared with the Ti-6AI-4V benchmark material, which has been widely used since its formulation in 1954, the new titanium alloy produced by the research team demonstrates better mechanical performance, with comparable ductility and considerably higher strength. Although traditional manufacturing methods, such as casting, can also be used to produce the new titanium alloy, the poor properties of the resulting material may render it unsuitable for practical engineering. Additive manufacturing effectively overcomes the limitations of traditional methods to improve alloy properties. The energy-intensive Kroll process, typically used to produce titanium alloys, generates off-grade sponge titanium, which accounts for approximately 10% of all sponge titanium, resulting in substantial waste and increased production costs. Additive manufacturing effectively addresses this problem by enabling the recycling of off-grade sponge titanium, converting the waste into powder for use as raw material. Dr Zibin CHEN, Assistant Professor of the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering at PolyU, an awardee of the Young Innovative Researcher Award 2022 and a leading author of the research, stated, “Our work can facilitate the recycling of more than 10% of the waste generated by the metal alloy production industry. This can significantly lower both material and energy costs for industries, contributing to environmental sustainability and carbon footprint reduction.” The research integrates alloy design, computational simulations, and experimental characterisation to explore the additive manufacturing process-microstructure-property space for the new titanium alloy (α–β Ti-O-Fe alloy). The study highlights that additive manufacturing enables the one-step production of complex and functional metal parts, thereby accelerating product development with reduced costs. Additionally, it can be used to fabricate metal parts with unique structures and compositions, which cannot be achieved using traditional methods. In terms of quality improvement, additive manufacturing allows for the adjustment of the microstructure of metal alloys, resulting in increased strength, flexibility, and resistance to corrosion and water. Furthermore, lightweight but strong metal parts with intricate internal patterns can be manufactured. This research breakthrough opens up possibilities for holistic and sustainable material design strategies facilitated by 3D printing. Prof. Keith K.C. CHAN, Chair Professor of Manufacturing Engineering at the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering at PolyU and a co-author of the study, noted, “This work can serve as a model or benchmark for other metal alloys that use 3D printing to enhance their properties and expand their applicability. Metal 3D printing is an emerging field, and it will take time before it is widely adopted in materials manufacturing.”   ***END***

PolyU awarded RGC Strategic Topics Grant to address societal needs in mental healthcare

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has received funding support from the Strategic Topics Grant (STG) 2023/24 of the Research Grants Council (RGC) for a health technology project aimed at promoting a new paradigm shift with creation of an integrated solution to address urgent mental healthcare needs. In Hong Kong, major psychiatric disorders (MPDs), such as major depressive disorder, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, have a high prevalence rate of 13.3%. In addition, less than 40% of patients achieve complete symptoms control after initial treatment. Currently, the standard diagnosis criteria rely on cognitive and behavioural indicators. The PolyU project introduces an innovative and integrated strategy that utilises artificial intelligence (AI) and genomic and biomedical technology to support diagnosis, treatment planning and understanding of disease mechanisms. The project has been funded under the STG topic of using AI to address imminent challenges in healthcare, proposing an AI-based, data-driven approach to diagnosis and personalised therapy. Prof. Christopher CHAO, PolyU Vice President (Research and Innovation) said, “Under this new RGC funding scheme, PolyU has received the highest funding allocation among all institutions to support our scholars in conducting interdisciplinary and collaborative research in areas pertinent to the strategic needs of Hong Kong. PolyU has been working with various sectors to provide solutions to societal challenges. This major funding received from the RGC demonstrates PolyU’s experience in mental health research and its strengths in translating academic research for the benefit of the society.” Prof. Weixiong ZHANG, Chair Professor of Bioinformatics and Integrative Genomics at PolyU, leads the project “Integrated innovative artificial intelligence, and genomic and biomedical technologies in healthcare: Objective diagnosis, personalised therapy and determination the etiology of major mental disorders,” which has been awarded funding of over HK$37 million. With a strong academic and research background in interdisciplinary fields, Prof. Zhang is a professor at both the Department of Health Technology and Informatics and the Department of Computing at PolyU. He is also a Hong Kong Global STEM Professor. The project aims to revolutionise the approach to diagnosing complex diseases like MPDS by shifting from symptom-based diagnosis to AI-based, data-driven diagnosis, disease study and personalised therapy. It builds upon Prof. Zhang’s extensive research in heuristic search, planning and optimisation, as well as his innovative techniques in AI and big data. By combining these techniques with genomics and biomedical technologies that he has been studying over the years, the project seeks to develop medical explainable AI (XAI) solutions for MPD diagnosis, etiology disease study and personalised therapy. Prof. Zhang said, “This is a multidisciplinary project that responds to the urgent need for new technologies to improve mental healthcare in Hong Kong and beyond. The research team combines expertise from diverse fields such as computer science, biology and medicine, to address some fundamental challenges in complex disease studies.” The project will involve 20 investigators and collaborators from eight institutions in Hong Kong, the Mainland China and the United States. The STG has been set up to support collaborative research in specific areas which can help Hong Kong overcome imminent challenges and tap fast-evolving opportunities. The maximum duration of a project is five years. The ceiling of project cost per project to be awarded by the RGC is $40 million (excluding on-costs).   Details of the funded project Project Coordinator: Prof. Weixiong Zhang - Chair Professor in Bioinformatics & Integrative Genomics in the Department of Health Technology and Informatics and Department of Computing - Hong Kong Global STEM Professor Project Title: Integrated Innovative Artificial Intelligence, Genomic and Biomedical Technologies in Healthcare: Objective Diagnosis, Personalised Therapy, and Determining the Etiology of Major Mental Disorders Abstract:   The project proposes a paradigm shift from symptom-based diagnosis to AI-based, data-driven diagnosis and a personalised therapy approach. By integrating AI, genomics and biomedical technologies, the research team aims to create an explainable AI-enabled treatment planning system that can support reliable diagnosis and guide personalised repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation therapy.   The research project encompasses three research focus (RF) areas: RF-1 : Identify genetic disease biomarkers and brain activity patterns to classify MPDs into distinct categories. RF-2 : Study the longitudinal impact of stress on diseases and their inheritance. RF-3 : Combine the findings of previous research focus areas by applying genetic biomarkers and brain patterns from RF-1 and the knowledge of disease mechanisms obtained from RF-2, so as to guide reliable diagnosis and personalised therapy, ultimately improving mental healthcare. * RGC provides 90% of the approved budget and the remaining 10% will be provided by coordinating university and collaborating universities. ***END***