Media Releases

PolyU drives impactful and collaborative interdisciplinary research, with nine projects awarded over HK$50 million by Research Grants Council

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is committed to pursuing world-leading research and innovation, and driving impactful application and interdisciplinary collaboration for societal benefits. In the Research Grants Council (RGC)’s 2025/26 funding exercise, PolyU has secured funding for nine research projects under the Research Impact Fund and the Collaborative Research Fund. The projects span a wide range of fields, including health and biomedical sciences, engineering technology, Artificial Intelligence of Things (AIoT), Web3, and environmental sustainability, with total funding awarded of approximately HK$50.92 million. Prof. Christopher CHAO, Senior Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU, congratulated the research teams and remarked, “We sincerely thank the RGC for its support and recognition of PolyU’s interdisciplinary research efforts. As an innovative world-class university, PolyU is dedicated to pursuing excellence in scientific research and remains steadfast in its commitment. The University will continue to drive impactful research, striving for excellence in education, research and knowledge transfer, and contributing to Hong Kong, the Nation and the world.” PolyU has received approximately HK$13.2 million in funding for two research projects under the Research Impact Fund. The projects aim to provide valuable insights into cancer immunotherapy, and enhance the safety and efficiency of railway systems respectively. Brief descriptions of the funded projects are as follow: Project Title Project Coordinator Project Details Spatial and High-throughput Immunopeptidomics Enabled by Integrated Microfluidics and Proteogenomics (MAP) Prof. ZHAO Qian, Associate Professor of the Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology By integrating proteomics, genomics and microfluidics, the project will enable ultra‑sensitive profiling of tumour peptides from minimal samples, thereby reducing tissue use and allowing parallel personalised analysis. The proposed technology will be applied to spatial immunopeptidomics for mapping immune peptides and cell niches, as well as high‑throughput immunopeptide profiling of glioblastoma to uncover tumour neoantigens. These outcomes will deepen understanding of tumour‑immune interactions and identify new targets for advancing cancer immunotherapy. Towards Life-Cycle Intelligent Predictive Maintenance for Railway Tracks: Advancing with Deep Learning Algorithms and Digital Twin Technology Prof. DONG You, Associate Professor of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering This project will advance intelligent railway maintenance through the development of a collaborative health-monitoring and robotic system that integrates ultrasonic guided waves, vision systems, VLA (vision–language–action) models, and artificial intelligence (AI), together with the creation of a performance‑oriented life‑cycle management framework. A dynamic digital twin will combine real‑time data with AI models to enable predictive maintenance, reduce disruptions and extend service life, thereby delivering transformative impacts for modern rail systems and transportation globally. PolyU has also received approximately HK$37.72 million in funding for seven research projects under the Collaborative Research Fund. Of these, three projects were awarded a Collaborative Research Project Grant, two received a Collaborative Research Equipment Grant and two were supported by the Young Collaborative Research Grant. Brief descriptions of the funded projects are as follow: Project Title Project Coordinator Project Details Collaborative Research Project Grant AIoT-powered Multi-modality Underwater SOS System Prof. ZHENG Yuanqing Associate Professor of the Department of Computing (Collaborating universities: CityUHK, HKUST) The project will develop an innovative communication channel enabling swimmers to send SOS signals via waterproof smartwatches. By integrating multi-modal sensor data, such as motion and biosensors, along with hydrophones and cameras, this system strengthens situational awareness, improves detection rates and localisation accuracy, and empowers lifeguards to respond swiftly to potential drowning incidents. Privacy Infrastructure Design for Web3 Prof. XIAO Bin Professor of the Department of Computing (Collaborating universities: CUHK, HKUST) The project will pioneer user‑centric blockchain systems for secure data sharing and analytics. Fundamentally redefining data sovereignty in decentralised networks, it empowers users to retain full control while enabling reliable verification without exposing sensitive information. The research aims to rebuild digital trust, making privacy invisible yet unbreakable, and ensuring fraud prevention and effective regulatory enforcement. Endothelins in mechanoaging and osteoarthritis: biomarker discovery and drug development Prof. WEN Chunyi Associate Professor of the Department of Biomedical Engineering (Collaborating universities: CUHK, HKU) The project aims to deepen understanding of osteoarthritis (OA) molecular endotypes and theratypes to advance novel disease‑modifying drug discovery. With the team’s recent breakthrough in identifying endothelin as one of the most upregulated genes in injured murine cartilage, this project explores endothelins as novel biomarkers of joint mechanoaging and investigates endothelin receptor targeting as a promising senotherapeutic strategy for OA. Collaborative Research Equipment Grant Advanced Single-Particle Mass Spectrometer to Uncover Hidden Aerosol Complexity Impacting Health and Climate Prof. JIN Ling Assistant Professor of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and the Department of Health Technology and Informatics (Collaborating universities: CityUHK, HKBU, CUHK, HKUST) This project aims to develop a single‑particle mass spectrometry platform to precisely reveal the mixing state of aerosols at single‑particle resolution. It will generate new insights into how hazardous aerosol components influence health, toxicity, and climate impacts, addressing critical gaps left by conventional techniques and supporting more accurate predictions for policymaking. A trimodal PET/SPECT/CT animal imaging system for molecular imaging and radiopharmaceutical research Prof. YOO Jung Sun Associate Professor of the Department of Health Technology and Informatics (Collaborating universities: CityUHK, HKU) This project aims to establish Hong Kong’s first nuclear molecular imaging facility by acquiring a trimodal PET/SPECT/CT animal imager. It will accelerate new drug development through real‑time monitoring of biodistribution, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics, while serving as an indispensable tool to study in vivo whole‑body cellular and biochemical dynamics in impactful biomedical research. Young Collaborative Research Grant Smart Environment Engineering via Beyond Diagonal Reconfigurable Intelligent Surface for Future Wireless Networks Prof. ZHANG Shuowen Assistant Professor of the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering (Collaborating universities: CityUHK, CUHK) This project aims to advance BD‑RIS technology for the future wireless networks. It will characterize data rate limits, devise efficient channel state information acquisition schemes, and develop novel wireless sensing strategies, paving the way for large‑scale deployment of BD‑RIS in future networks. This will deliver enhanced wireless service at low cost and help narrow the “digital divide”. Digital Solutions to Manage the Risks of Electric Vehicle Batteries and A Deep Learning Based Index Insurance Contract Design Prof. WANG Qin Associate Professor of the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering (Collaborating universities: HKUST, HKU) This project aims to develop innovative digital solutions for assessing electric vehicle (EV) battery health without disassembly and to design deep learning‑based index insurance contracts. It will create AI‑powered diagnostic platforms, risk evaluation models, and insurance tools that enhance battery management, optimise EV operations, and support sustainable, risk‑averse adoption of EV technologies. The RGC Research Impact Fund aims to encourage local universities to undertake more impactful and translational research projects and a greater volume of collaborative research beyond academic, while the Collaborative Research Fund aims to support multi-investigator, multi-disciplinary projects in order to encourage more research groups to engage in creative and high-quality cross-disciplinary / cross-institutional projects. For further details, please refer to the lists of funded projects under the Research Impact Fund and the Collaborative Research Fund  published by the RGC. ***END***

PolyU develops novel AI graph neural network models to unravel interdisciplinary complexities in image recognition and neuroscience

As an emerging technology in the field of artificial intelligence (AI), graph neural networks (GNNs) are deep learning models designed to process graph-structured data. Currently, GNNs are effective at capturing relationships between nodes and edges in data, but often overlook higher-order, complex connections. To address this challenge, a research team at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has developed a new heterogeneous graph attention network, revolutionising the modelling of complex relationships in graph-structured data. This innovation is poised to break through AI application limitations in fields such as neuroscience, logistics, computer vision and biology. In simple terms, traditional GNNs mainly consider pairwise relationships such as the connections of “A to B” and “B to C”, having difficulties in understanding group interactions among A, B and C. Developed by Prof. Anqi QIU, Professor of the PolyU Department of Health Technology and Informatics and Global STEM Scholar, and her research team, the new “Hodge-Laplacian Heterogeneous Graph Attention Network” (HL-HGAT) can learn and analyse heterogeneous signals at different levels, capturing complex associations among various graph structures. Mathematically, k-simplices are fundamental elements of higher-dimensional geometry that capture higher-order relationships among multiple nodes: a 0-simplex is a single node, a 1-simplex is an edge connecting two nodes, a 2-simplex is a triangle formed by three nodes and so on. The HL-HGAT model interprets graphs as simplicial complexes, enabling it to simultaneously capture complex interactions among nodes, edges, triangles and other multi-level structures, greatly enhancing the model’s ability to understand intricate data relationships. At the core of HL-HGAT is the Hodge-Laplacian (HL) operator, which provides a mathematical framework for modelling and propagating signals on simplicial complexes. This allows the network to break through the limitations of pairwise relationships and construct more precise models for complex, multi-level interactions in structured data. In the field of dynamic graphs, HL-HGAT’s major breakthrough lies in its ability to extend high-order topological representations into the temporal domain, combining efficient HL filtering, adaptive attention mechanisms and heterogeneous signal decomposition to reveal complex time-varying motifs that traditional static GNNs cannot capture. Prof. Qiu said, “The HL-HGAT model demonstrates broad efficacy and versatility across diverse graph-based scenarios, from theoretical optimisation problems to real-world biomedical applications. It has been comprehensively evaluated across diverse graph applications, and the results demonstrate the model’s adaptability as a unified framework capable of handling optimisation, classification, regression and multimodal learning tasks across disciplines.” The research team conducted comprehensive tests in multiple fields. In logistics, HL-HGAT effectively solved the classic Travelling Salesman Problem (how to plan the shortest delivery route), helping logistics companies save significant time and costs. In computer vision, HL-HGAT analyses images by converting them into graph structures, outperforming traditional GNNs in the CIFAR-10 image classification task by capturing image details with greater precision. In chemistry, HL-HGAT has achieved superior accuracy in predicting molecular properties, accelerating the development of new drugs In neuroscience and medical diagnostics, HL-HGAT also demonstrates high application value. The team applied it to functional magnetic resonance imaging data analysis, accurately predicting intelligence and brain age, and even discovering abnormal “tripartite synapses” in the default mode and limbic networks of depression patients—subtle changes that traditional methods cannot detect. Additionally, HL-HGAT can identify early cortical thinning and disrupted neural connectivity in Alzheimer’s disease patients, enabling more timely detection of symptoms. This innovative HL-HGAT model not only achieves remarkable results in tackling complex graph-based tasks in scientific and industrial applications, but also marks a significant advancement in graph neural network technology. The research, in a paper titled “HL-HGAT: Heterogeneous Graph Attention Network via Hodge-Laplacian Operator”, has been published in IEEE Transactions on Pattern Analysis and Machine Intelligence. ***END***

PolyU x BOCHK launch space-themed programme 2025/26 to jointly nurture aerospace technology innovators in Greater Bay Area

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has played an active role in the Nation’s space missions and is committed to nurturing the next generation of space science and aerospace technology talent, contributing to the Nation’s space endeavours. This year, PolyU has once again launched its space-themed programme, “Building the Future: Robotics for the International Lunar Research Station”. An inaugural public lecture was held on 24 January on the PolyU campus to mark the launch of the programme. The event attracted over a hundred teachers and students from secondary schools and international schools in Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area to attend in person, while it was simultaneously live-streamed on multiple social media platforms in Chinese Mainland, drawing nearly 8,000 online viewers and receiving an enthusiastic response. In her welcoming address, Dr Laura LO, PolyU Associate Vice President (Institutional Advancement), said, “At PolyU, our commitment goes beyond education; we are deeply engaged in space research and missions. This strong research foundation enables us to engage you with authentic, cutting-edge topics such as robotic exploration, lunar mapping, surface operations, and planning for future facilities like the International Lunar Research Station. Through today’s lecture and the related competition, we hope you will discover how what you learn in school, such as physics, mathematics, computing, engineering and even design, can one day be applied to real missions in deep space exploration, contributing to humanity’s exploration of the universe.” The lecture, themed “Robotic Exploration at the Lunar South Pole”, was delivered by Prof. WU Bo, Fiona Cheung Professor in Spatial Science, Associate Head (Research) of the Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics, and Associate Director of the Research Centre for Deep Space Explorations at PolyU. Prof. Wu gave an accessible yet insightful presentation on the construction of a lunar research station and the development of space robotics, inspiring students’ interest in aerospace technology. The lecture sparked lively discussion during the Q&A session, showcasing students’ strong enthusiasm for space technology and their inquisitive spirit. This year’s space-themed programme is organised by PolyU and co-organised by the Education Bureau of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China. It is sponsored by the Bank of China (Hong Kong) (BOCHK), with support from the Chinese Society of Astronautics and the Hong Kong Society of Astronautics. The programme aims to inspire students’ interest in space science, engineering and exploration on the lunar south pole while enhancing their understanding of the scientific and technological challenges associated with robotics on the lunar south pole. The programme also aims to foster innovative thinking and nurture future talent for the Nation’s space endeavours. In line with China’s plans for building the International Lunar Research Station as well as the upcoming Chang’e-7 and Chang’e-8 missions and aiming to foster innovation across STEM disciplines, the programme features a Lunar Robot Design Competition. Participating teams will be tasked with designing a robot capable of conducting research and exploration on the lunar south pole, with their designs supported by scientific research. Each team will be required to submit a written proposal comprising a conceptual design and technical drawings, followed by a prototype of their robot in 3D printed or digital model/animation format. Registration for the competition is now open. Student teams from Secondary 3–5/Gao 1–2/Grade 9–11 (US curriculum)/Year 10–12 (UK curriculum) from secondary schools and international schools in Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area are welcome to participate. Proposal submissions are due by 31 March 2026. An adjudication panel will shortlist 10 finalist teams. The shortlisted teams will be invited to visit the PolyU Research Centre for Deep Space Explorations and cash prizes will be awarded based on the final assessment results. All participating students will receive a certificate of participation, while finalists will be invited to join the PolyU Summer Institute 2026. Should the students participating in the competition later apply for admission to PolyU through the Special Talents Admission and Recognition Scheme, their outstanding performance in this competition will be recognised. For more information about the space-themed programme, please visit: https://www.polyu.edu.hk/geo/prospective-students/undergraduate/local/polyu-space-themed-programme/ ***END***

PolyU and Eyebright Medical forge comprehensive collaboration, deepening industry-academia-research synergy to advance vision care and optometry development

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and Eyebright Medical Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd. (Eyebright Medical) signed an agreement today to establish a multi-faceted partnership. Both parties will engage in comprehensive collaboration across three core areas: joint research and development, clinical translation, and talent cultivation, with the aim of building a long-term and robust strategic synergy mechanism. The signing ceremony was held on the PolyU campus. Prof. Christopher CHAO, Senior Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU, and Dr XIE Jiangbing, Founder, Chairman and General Manager of Eyebright Medical, represented the two parties in signing the agreement. Prof. Christopher Chao stated, “PolyU has always been committed to promoting research innovation and fostering deep integration among academia, industry and research. This collaboration with Eyebright Medical marks a new milestone in our research achievements and technology transfer in the field of vision care and optometry. Through close cooperation in R&D, clinical translation and talent cultivation, we can not only accelerate the practical application of innovative technologies but also nurture more high-calibre professionals for the industry. PolyU will fully leverage its international platform and research resources, working hand in hand with Eyebright Medical to advance eye health in the Greater Bay Area and globally, and to make positive contributions to technological exchange and industrial synergy.” Dr Xie Jiangbing stated, “Innovation has always been the driving force behind Eyebright Medical’s development. PolyU research achievements in vision care and optometry are at the forefront internationally, making it a global hub for research innovation and talent cultivation in the field. Eyebright Medical looks forward to taking this collaboration as an opportunity to actively respond to the national strategy of deepening coordinated development in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and to integrating industrial resources with the research strengths of PolyU, achieving complementary advantages and enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of research translation.” PolyU and Eyebright Medical will cooperate deeply in R&D, clinical translation and talent cultivation, with a focus on key areas such as myopia control and optical technology. The PolyU School of Optometry will leverage its strengths in fundamental research and scientific achievements, while Eyebright Medical will contribute its professional expertise, working together to overcome critical industry bottlenecks. Both parties will also accelerate the translation of research outcomes through technology validation and pilot applications, ensuring effective alignment between innovative technologies and industry needs. PolyU will utilise its strengths in talent cultivation, complemented by the dedicated scholarships and research internships offered by Eyebright Medical, to establish a joint talent training mechanism. Leveraging Hong Kong’s international platform, global research resources and high-end talent network, this mechanism aims to achieve precise more matching of talent development and industry needs. At the same time, Eyebright Medical and a PolyU start-up, Vision Exploration Technology Limited, will jointly explore cutting-edge technologies in myopia control, supporting the commercialisation of PolyU research.   ***END***

PolyU Department of Rehabilitation Sciences rolls out “Better Ageing in Community Campaign” with community groups, leveraging AI to assess fall risk in nearly 900 elderly in the first phase

Falls are a serious issue among Hong Kong’s elderly. Approximately one in five community-dwelling elderly aged 65 or above has experienced a fall, placing a great strain on medical and healthcare systems. To proactively address health challenges brought by an ageing population, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) Department of Rehabilitation Sciences has, since January last year, partnered with multiple community groups to launch the “Better Ageing in Community Campaign”, using the Department’s artificial intelligence (AI) technology to conduct fall risk screening for the elderly. During the first phase, nearly 900 elderly residents on Hong Kong Island were assessed, with 26% identified as high-risk individuals. To date, over 100 attendants have received 12-week fall prevention training from the University. The PolyU team plans to expand the project to Kowloon district and establish a large-scale elderly health database, benefitting more people with the aid of an enhanced AI model. A sharing session was held today, attended by Mr Chris SUN, Secretary for Labour and Welfare of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) of the People’s Republic of China; The Hon. Tommy CHEUNG, Executive Council Member of the Government of the HKSAR; The Hon. SHIU Ka-fai, Member of the HKSAR Legislative Council; Dr Roy CHUNG, Honorary Chairman of the PolyU Court; Prof. Christopher CHAO, Senior Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU; Prof. Marco PANG, Head of the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences of PolyU; and Prof. Amy FU, Associate Head of the Department of PolyU. The session also included various district officers, district councillors, partner organisation representatives, students and elderly participants, to review the first-phase achievements and look ahead to future developments. Mr Chris Sun stated, “Daily outings are often a challenge for elderly persons whose physical functions are gradually declining. The ‘Better Ageing in Community Campaign’ demonstrates admirable thoughtfulness by addressing the issue of fall prevention among elderly persons, thereby reducing the risks they face in daily life. The Government also places great emphasis on making good use of gerontechnology to enhance the quality of life for elderly persons. It is planning to launch a pilot scheme to install smart detection devices in 300 high-risk caregiver households, enabling caregivers and/or care recipients to receive timely and appropriate assistance in case of home accidents through the use of technology.” Prof. Christopher Chao remarked, “Artificial intelligence offers a crucial direction for global research development. PolyU is committed to applying AI technology in healthcare, rehabilitation therapy and primary healthcare in communities, while promoting interdisciplinary research and translating research outcomes into practical applications that benefit society. This project is not only a community healthcare initiative but also an exemplar of the University’s research outcomes being put into practice. In the future, PolyU will continue to strengthen its research in AI, big data and smart healthcare, working with all sectors of society to promote more innovative projects, enhance citizens’ quality of life and promote healthy ageing.” Since January last year, the faculty of the PolyU Department of Rehabilitation Sciences has led physiotherapy and occupational therapy students to conduct fall risk screening for 891 eligible elderly residents on Hong Kong Island, including the “walking speed test” and the “sit-to-stand test”. The team successfully identified 235 elderly individuals with higher fall risk, representing approximately 26% of participants and arranged for them to attend 12-week fall prevention exercise training classes provided by the Department. The elderly participants responded enthusiastically, and generally agreed that appropriate exercise helps strengthen muscles and better enables them to cope with the demands of daily life. The project team previously conducted telephone interviews with elderly participants of the fall risk screening and found that approximately 20% had fallen in the past year, with half of them requiring medical attention. Analysis also revealed that the “walking speed test” and the “sit-to-stand test” can effectively predict fall risk in elderly men, while fall risk in elderly women is not only related to the walking speed test results but also their weight-to-height ratio. Prof. Marco Pang and Prof. Amy Fu, who led the project, stated that the research team plans to expand the project to Kowloon and establish a large-scale elderly health database, while further optimising AI model training and developing more personalised and effective fall prevention solutions. At the same time, the team will strengthen collaboration with community organisations, the social welfare sector and the healthcare sector to extend AI screening to more communities, with the aim of reducing pressure on the healthcare system in the long term and enhancing elderly health and support for community elderly care. The PolyU Department of Rehabilitation Sciences leverages AI technology to conduct fall risk screening for the elderly. The elderly who have participated in the fall prevention training by PolyU Department of Rehabilitation Sciences responded enthusiastically, and generally agreed that appropriate exercise helps strengthen muscles and better enables them to cope with the demands of daily life. ***END***

PolyU confers University Fellowships on four distinguished personalities

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) today conferred the title of University Fellow on four outstanding individuals in recognition of their significant contributions to the University and the community in their respective fields. Presided over by Dr LAM Tai-fai, PolyU Council Chairman, the Conferment Ceremony was held at the Jockey Club Auditorium on campus. The recipients were warmly greeted by Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, PolyU President, and members of the University’s senior management team. In his welcoming speech, Prof. Jin-Guang TENG said, “Our University Fellows have contributed to PolyU’s development in many meaningful ways and we are truly grateful for their steadfast support as we pursue academic and research excellence for the benefit of society. I look forward to even closer collaboration between PolyU and our Fellows. Together, we can make greater contributions to the advancement of PolyU, to the sustainable development of Hong Kong, and to the continued progress of our Nation.” The four fellowship recipients are (in alphabetical order of last name): Ms Shirley CHAN Suk-ling, BBS, JP Ms Shirley Chan Suk-ling, Vice Chairman of YGM Trading Limited and Director of Yangtzekiang Garment Limited. A trailblazer in the fashion and garment industry for decades, she has driven female-led innovations and advanced industry development. Devoted to public service, youth well-being and education, Ms Chan serves as PolyU Court Member, Chairlady of the Advisory Committee of School of Fashion and Textiles, and Member of the International Advisory Committee of the Research Centre of Textile for Future Fashion, generously sharing her expertise and making significant philanthropic contributions to advance the University’s development and nurture the next generation of talents. Professor Richard LEUNG Tim-chiu Professor Richard Leung Tim-chiu, an outstanding finance professional and leader with over three decades of stellar career at some of the world’s most prestigious finance institutions, is an active community servant dedicated to empowering youth. He was PolyU Council Member from 2016 to 2024, contributing to the University’s financial health through key roles across multiple committees. He currently serves as PolyU Court Member, Professor of Practice (Finance) and Member of the International Advisory Committee of the Research Institute for Future Food. He is also the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Orion Astropreneur Space Academy, devoted to fostering Hong Kong’s commercial space ecosystem. Mr WU Shang Hong Jason Mr Wu Shang Hong Jason is the Governor of the Wu Jieh Yee Charitable Foundation, a distinguished philanthropist spearheads a broad spectrum of educational and community service initiatives. Under his stewardship, Wu Jieh Yee Charitable Foundation has generously supported the development of PolyU School of Optometry, funding undergraduate programme expansion, talent nurturing and interdisciplinary research for visual impairment, striving to build a sustainable healthcare model benefiting the wider community. With a solid professional background in cybersecurity, Mr Wu also contributes to technological advancement and social welfare. Mr YEUNG Fan, BBS (Full-name: Yeung Chun-fan) Mr Yeung Fan is the Vice Chairman and General Manager of Glorious Sun Group, and Chairman of Jeanswest International (Hong Kong) Limited, a legendary entrepreneur dedicated to philanthropy. He significantly supports PolyU’s development by fostering academia-industry collaboration for fashion and textile sustainability. He also supports AI-related research at the School of Fashion and Textiles to enhance industry competitiveness and sponsors the PolyU International Future Challenge, inspiring global youth creativity. Mr Yeung is active in public affairs and has received numerous honours for his extraordinary philanthropic contributions. Since its introduction in 2000, PolyU has conferred University Fellowship on a total of 135 distinguished persons. ***END***

PolyU unveils Patriotic Education Base (Hong Kong) with Xi’an Jiaotong University to nurture youth with affection for the Nation and Hong Kong

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has long been committed to nurturing socially responsible professionals and leaders with a strong sense of national pride and a global perspective. In support of the Nation’s implementation of patriotic education, PolyU and Xi’an Jiaotong University (XJTU) held the unveiling ceremony today for the “PolyU Patriotic Education Base (Hong Kong)” (the Base). With this milestone, PolyU becomes the first university in Hong Kong to establish demonstration bases for patriotic education in both Hong Kong and Chinese Mainland. Serving as the main base, the Hong Kong Base will work closely with the “PolyU Patriotic Education Base (Xi’an)” established last year to develop a replicable model for patriotic education, contributing to the cultivation of talent devoted to Hong Kong and the Nation. The University plans to organise the first student delegation visit to Xi’an this May. With the establishment of the Hong Kong and Xi’an Bases, PolyU and XJTU will leverage their education strengths and collaboration networks with other higher institutions in Chinese Mainland, contributing to the advancement of patriotic education in Hong Kong for better integration into overall national development. Taking place on the PolyU campus, the unveiling ceremony was witnessed by Ms Alice MAK Mei-kuen, Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) of the People’s Republic of China; Mr HUANG Jingrui, Spokesperson and Director-General of the Department of Media and Public Relations of the Commissioner’s Office of China’s Foreign Ministry in the HKSAR; and Mr CAO Qifeng, Director of the Office for Safeguarding National Security of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR. The ceremony was jointly officiated by Dr LAM Tai-fai, Council Chairman of PolyU, and Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, President of PolyU, together with Prof. ZHANG Liqun, President of XJTU, and Prof. LIU Wenfeng, Director of the Office of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Affairs of XJTU. Dr Lam Tai-fai remarked: “The ‘Chinese Dream’ is the dream of all our compatriots. To realise the ‘Chinese Dream’ of national prosperity, rejuvenation of the Nation and happiness for the people, the spirit of patriotism is indispensable. The ‘Chinese Dream’ and patriotism are closely intertwined. Patriotism is the greatest driving force and cohesive power for achieving the ‘Chinese Dream’ and the ‘People’s Dream’. Fulfilling the ‘Chinese Dream’ is the solemn mission of every Chinese in our era.” He also emphasised: “The motto of PolyU is ‘To learn and to apply, for the benefit of mankind’. One of our important educational missions is to nurture students with a strong sense of national pride, a global perspective and a sense of responsibility, enabling them to contribute to society and the Nation. The PolyU Council and management fully recognise that patriotism is fundamental to the survival, security and development of our Nation. We lead by example, united in our efforts to promote patriotic education—not just in words, but in action. We have incorporated patriotic education into our mission and implemented it across our curriculum and activities with a view to nurturing patriotic talent. PolyU is fully committed to supporting the Nation in advancing towards its second centennial goal, contributing to the Nation’s development into a powerhouse in education, talent cultivation and technology, advancing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese Nation.” “PolyU and XJTU have enjoyed over 20 years of collaboration which embodies a deep brotherly bond. The jointly established Patriotic Education Base is an important new initiative under our deepening partnership. This is not only a great honour but also a significant mission for PolyU. Being fully aware of the paramount responsibilities ahead, we will spare no effort to fulfil our mission and achieve our goals,” he added. Prof. Zhang Liqun said: “The establishment of the ‘PolyU Patriotic Education Base’ is an important step for both universities in implementing the Patriotic Education Law of the People’s Republic of China and integrating patriotic education into the talent cultivation system. It marks a new stage in our collaboration. The two universities will jointly organise various teaching programmes spanning national studies, thematic lectures, field trips and cultural exchanges, facilitating deeper understanding of the Nation’s history, achievements and future directions for Hong Kong youth. This will enhance our students’ confidence, understanding and sense of belonging to the Nation, and nurture a new generation of builders and successors devoted to the Nation and Hong Kong under the ‘One Country, Two Systems’ framework.” PolyU is the first university in Hong Kong with “Chinese History and Culture” as a compulsory subject for all undergraduate students and the first to establish a student flag-raising team. The University has also set up the Research Centre for Chinese History and Culture to promote related teaching and research, while also organising a wide range of activities such as the PolyU Chinese Culture Festival to promote Chinese culture. The Hong Kong Base will strengthen collaboration between the PolyU Faculty of Humanities, the Research Centre for Chinese History and Culture, the Confucius Institute of Hong Kong and XJTU, further enriching and expanding the University’s General University Requirements in Chinese history and culture. Through systematic and diversified educational activities, the Base will deepen young people’s understanding of the Nation’s history, culture and achievements. PolyU plans to organise its first student delegation visit to the Xi’an Base this May. It will include visits to historical and cultural heritage sites in Xi’an, local technology enterprise tours, thematic lectures, inter-university student forums and service-learning activities. In the future, PolyU aims to collaborate with more Mainland universities, government institutions and cultural organisations to develop the Hong Kong Base into a key hub for patriotic education in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and across the country. ***END***

PolyU achieves impressive results in THE World University Rankings by Subject 2026, with six subjects ranking in global top 100; Business and Economics placed in global top 25 and first in Hong Kong

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has excelled in the newly released Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings by Subject 2026, with six subjects ranked among the world’s top 100, including Business and Economics (25th), Engineering (43rd), Social Sciences (52nd), Computer Science (70th), Arts and Humanities (77th) and Physical Sciences (99th). These results reflect the international recognition PolyU has earned for its academic and research strengths across disciplines. Multiple PolyU subjects achieved encouraging results in local rankings. Notably, Business and Economics was ranked first in Hong Kong, Social Sciences was joint second, while Engineering, Arts and Humanities, and Medical and Health were ranked third respectively. As an innovative world-class university, PolyU is committed to pursuing excellence in education, research and knowledge transfer for the benefit of society. Moving forward, the University will continue to expand its global collaborative network, aiming to play a pivotal role in the global higher education landscape and contribute to developing Hong Kong into an international hub for post-secondary education. THE World University Rankings by Subject evaluate the performance of universities worldwide across 11 subject areas using five core pillar criteria: Teaching, Research Environment, Research Quality, International Outlook and Industry. For more information on THE World University Rankings by Subject 2026, please visit: https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/by-subject. ***END***

PolyU honours outstanding 2025 PolyVentures startups, collaborating with industry to build an innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is committed to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship. Through its unique PolyVentures startup ecosystem, the University supports startups and nurtures a new generation of entrepreneurs that are eager to tackle societal issues with innovative solutions. On 15 January, the University hosted the “PolyU x BOCHK International Future Challenge Grand Final Awards Ceremony cum PolyVentures Awards Presentation”, recognising the outstanding PolyVentures startup teams of 2025. The event also featured a ceremony marking a generous donation by the Dr Winnie Tang Frontier Technology Development Fund, and the signing of a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Gobi Partners and Xi’an Aviation Investment (Chengdu) Technology Group Co., Ltd, joining hands to drive technological innovation. A concurrent showcase of 15 outstanding startup projects was also held, demonstrating the vibrancy and strength of PolyU’s comprehensive innovation and technology ecosystem. Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, President of PolyU, remarked, “As an innovative world-class university, PolyU is dedicated to promoting innovation and entrepreneurship, providing comprehensive support for academics and researchers to translate research outcomes into societal benefits. We are deeply grateful to Dr Winnie Tang for her unwavering support of the University’s research development, which continues to drive the growth of PolyU’s innovation ecosystem. We also appreciate the support of our industry partners. The collaboration between PolyU, Gobi Partners, and Xi’an Aviation Investment (Chengdu) Technology Group Co., Ltd will further strengthen the University’s investment and startup incubation network, contributing to the advancement of research and innovation in Hong Kong and the Nation.” Prof. Christopher CHAO, Senior Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU, remarked, “Leveraging PolyVentures, our signature startup ecosystem, PolyU provides comprehensive support for startups, spanning incubation, nurturing and financing. Last year, PolyU teams garnered over 150 awards in local and international innovation and entrepreneurship competitions, including globally renowned events such as the Consumer Electronics Show, HICOOL Global Entrepreneur Summit and Entrepreneurship Competition, and the International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva.” He added that more than 5,300 undergraduates participated in startup and entrepreneurial activities in 2025, further demonstrating the vitality and strength of PolyU’s innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem. At the PolyVentures Awards Presentation ceremony, PolyU honoured startups that received support in 2025 from the PolyU Micro Fund, PolyU Angel Fund (formerly the TSSSU-O), PolyU Angel Fund (TSSSU+), PolyU Entrepreneurship Investment Fund, and the Research, Academic and Industry Sectors One-plus (RAISe+) Scheme. To date, PolyU has supported over 600 startups, including two listed companies and three unicorns. PolyU builds partnerships with stakeholders across various sectors, pooling resources to drive innovation and technology development in Hong Kong and in the Nation more broadly. Dr Winnie TANG, Founder and Chairman of Esri China (Hong Kong) Limited, has been a staunch supporter of PolyU’s research development, donating a culmulative total of HK$10 million to the University. Her contributions have supported Proof of Concept projects, research translation and frontier breakthrough research, continuously advancing key PolyU research areas such as advanced manufacturing and anti-ageing technology, and facilitating the translation of research outcomes. During the event, Dr Winnie Tang, together with Sr Paul TSUI, CEO of Esri China (Hong Kong) Limited, presented the donation cheque from the Dr Winnie Tang Frontier Technology Development Fund to Prof. Jin-Guang Teng and Prof. Christopher Chao. Dr Tang expressed her admiration for PolyU’s perseverance and strength in research innovation and knowledge transfer, stating, “By supporting proof-of-concept activities and cutting-edge research, we aim to help more promising research outcomes leave the lab and transform into innovative solutions with long-term value for society and industry, as well as to nurture more talents in research and entrepreneurs with an international perspective.” PolyU also signed an MoU with Gobi Partners and Xi’an Aviation Investment (Chengdu) Technology Group Co., Ltd. Witnessed by Mr CHEW Fook-aun, PolyU Council Member and Chairman of the Entrepreneurship Investment Fund Sub-committee; Prof. Christopher Chao; Mrs Ann KUNG, Advisor to the Bank of China (Hong Kong) and Chairman of the Executive Committee of the BOCHK Charitable Foundation; Mr WANG Jun, Deputy CEO, Bank of China Group Investment Limited; Mr Thomas G. TSAO, Co-founder and Chair of Gobi Partners; Dr Winnie TANG; Mr Chibo TANG, Managing Partner, Gobi Partners; Mr Alex WONG, Director of King Link International Investment Limited; and Ms ZHANG Yi Shu, Director of the Office of School-Enterprise Cooperation, Xi’an Aerospace Investment (Chengdu) Aerospace Equipment Intelligent Manufacturing Co., Ltd, the MoU was signed by Ms Amylia CHAN, Interim Director of PolyU Knowledge Transfer and Entrepreneurship; Mr Fred LI, Managing Director of Gobi Partners; and Mr Benjamin PAK, Managing Partner, ATI HongKong LLP (representing Xi’an Aviation Investment (Chengdu) Technology Group Co., Ltd). Mr Fred Li commented, “This is a highly meaningful strategic cooperation agreement between an Asian venture capital fund and a top-tier university. PolyU’s considerable experience in hard-tech R&D complements our fund’s strengths in industrial incubation and capital empowerment perfectly. We look forward to joining hands to foster the next generation of hard-tech startups, turning cutting-edge innovations into tangible outcomes and injecting new impetus into global industrial upgrading and social progress.” The collaboration will support the development of PolyU startups and PolyU‑developed technologies through venture capital investment, regional partnerships in Asia and entrepreneurship education. The partnership will focus on two core objectives: exploring investment opportunities among PolyU startups, and leveraging the resources and networks of all three parties to help PolyU startups enter core Asian markets, foster business collaborations and enhance brand exposure. PolyU, Gobi Partners and Xi’an Aviation Investment (Chengdu) Technology Group Co., Ltd also plan to co-organise a wide range of innovation and entrepreneurship education activities to further strengthen the PolyVenures startup ecosystem. The PolyVentures Awards Presentation ceremony recognised startup teams that have received support from the PolyU Micro Fund. The PolyVentures Awards Presentation ceremony recognised startup teams that have received support from the PolyU Angel Funds. The PolyVentures Awards Presentation ceremony recognised startup teams that have received support from the PolyU Entrepreneurship Investment Fund. The PolyVentures Awards Presentation ceremony recognised startup teams that have received support from the RAISe+ Scheme under the HKSAR Innovation and Technology Fund. ***END***

PolyU develops hydrogel coating for solar panels, boosting power generation efficiency towards urban carbon neutrality

A research team at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has developed a simple and affordable hydrogel coating that not only enhances the heat dissipation in solar panels for cooling their “hot spots” effectively, but also increases power generation efficiency, ultimately supporting Hong Kong’s goal of achieving urban carbon neutrality. Hot spots, often caused by partial shading, have long been the culprit behind diminishing power generation efficiency of solar panels, compromising the stability of entire power supply systems over time. This PolyU innovation offers an effective and robust solution to a key industry pain point. The groundbreaking hydrogel cooling technology was developed by a PolyU team led by Prof. YAN Jinyue Jerry, Chair Professor of Energy and Buildings, together with Dr LIU Junwei, Research Assistant Professor of the Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering. The team’s research showed that after applying the hydrogel coating to solar panels, hot-spot temperatures could be lowered by up to 16°C, with the power output increased by as much as 13%. When applied to “rooftop and building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems”, the hydrogel coating is expected to mitigate nearly half of the power losses caused by hot spots, significantly improving the long-term stability and efficiency of solar photovoltaics for building electricity supplies. Prof. Yan said, “Our hydrogel cooling technology effectively addresses the hot-spot issues in solar panels without the need to modify existing circuit designs. It is cost-effective and user-friendly, making it suitable for various urban settings. Taking Hong Kong and Singapore as case studies, our team anticipates potential annual power generation increases of 6.5% and 7.0%, respectively. The estimated payback periods are notably short at just 4.5 years and 3.2 years. On a global scale, this innovation has the potential to offset approximately 50% of power generation losses caused by hot spots in BIPV systems, demonstrating its pivotal contribution to the advancement of solar energy technology.” The impact of hot spots on solar photovoltaic systems demands our attention, as they not only reduce power generation efficiency due to the elevated operating temperatures, but also pose potential fire risks in severe cases. According to existing research that investigated 3.3 million photovoltaic panels, 36.5% exhibited thermal defects with the defective modules registering an average temperature increase of over 21°C, accelerating the ageing and degradation of solar panels. The PolyU hydrogel coating not only delivers excellent cooling performance but also demonstrates outstanding durability, making it suitable for long-term outdoor use. Dr Liu added, “Our team has combined the natural polymer ‘hydroxyethyl cellulose’ and the fibrous material ‘leafy cotton thread’ with the hydrogel matrix to address the critical challenges of cracking and shrinkage, which affect conventional hydrogels during prolonged use. Traditional hydrogels can experience volumetric shrinkage of up to 46% after extended use, whereas our innovation significantly reduces cracking and shrinkage, limiting the volumetric shrinkage rate to 34%. Looking ahead, we hope to build upon this hydrogel evaporative cooling technology to advance the development and popularisation of emerging photovoltaic technologies.” ***END***