Media Releases

PolyU International Future Challenge draws over 700 startup teams worldwide; Hong Kong Main Track announces top winners in Open and Student Tracks

The PolyU International Future Challenge, the flagship innovation and entrepreneurship (I&E) competition of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), has attracted more than 700 outstanding teams worldwide to compete for cash prizes totalling over HK$2 million. The final of the PolyU × Waterdrop International Future Challenge (Hong Kong region) was held on the PolyU campus yesterday (9 September 2025). The top teams will advance to the Grand Final this December, where they will compete against the winning teams from six other regions. The PolyU × Waterdrop International Future Challenge (Hong Kong region) is sponsored by the Waterdrop Inc., Huawei Cloud Hong Kong, and the PolyU Faculty of Health and Social Science, with support from Cathay Pacific, Nike and NTT. The competition, comprising Open and Student Tracks, attracted around 200 teams. After a rigorous selection process, around 30 outstanding teams advanced to today’s Final, where they competed for a range of awards and cash prizes in an elevator pitch format. The top four teams in the Student Track, selected through a stringent judging process, will advance to the Grand Final, joining the champions and merit award winners from each domain in the Open Track. The Waterdrop Cup (Champion) was awarded to Harmonex Limited from the Open Track for their project “AIRmotion”. The Student Track champion was Renew Biotechnology Limited, recognised for their project “Sprayable Biomimetic Double Mask for Anti-scar Wound Healing”. The two winning teams received cash prizes of HK$150,000 and HK$30,000 respectively. The Open Track in Hong Kong focuses on five core domains: cargo and travel, finance and insurance, health, information and communications technology, and sports. It aims to gather revolutionary solutions for these industries. To cultivate an I&E culture and ignite young students’ entrepreneurial passion, the Challenge features a dedicated Student Track. The participating teams were invited to join the PolyU Entrepreneurship Nurturing Series, which offered a range of training sessions covering topics from developing an entrepreneurial mindset and generating ideas to business model creation and pitching skills. The shortlisted teams were also invited to participate in exploratory tours to Vietnam, Singapore, Shanghai, the Greater Bay Area, and the Yangtze River Delta region, where they gained insights into innovation ecosystems in diverse regional markets, expanded their global perspectives, as well as explored collaboration and market opportunities, paving the way for future entrepreneurial developments. Prof. Christopher CHAO, PolyU Vice President (Research and Innovation) congratulated the winning teams, wished them even greater success on their I&E journeys, and emphasised: “Striving to be an innovative world-class university, PolyU actively nurtures a new generation of entrepreneurs, advances the translation of research outcomes into real-world applications, and is committed to strengthening the I&T ecosystems of Hong Kong and multiple Mainland cities through the PolyVentures ecosystem and its MTRIs. The PolyU International Future Challenge is much more than a competition—it is a dynamic platform that integrates education, research translation, incubation and investment. It provides a stage for the aspiring entrepreneurs among our students, faculty members, alumni and the community at large to fully leverage their strengths, turning ideation and cutting-edge research into applications that benefit society. In his keynote speech, Dr SHEN Peng—Founder, Chairman and CEO of Waterdrop Inc., a judge for the competition and a recipient of the 2024 Outstanding PolyU Alumni Award—said: “It is an honour, as an alumnus, to support my alma mater’s flagship I&E competition, share my entrepreneurial journey with young entrepreneurs, inspire aspiring entrepreneurs and help broaden their horizons. My time at PolyU laid a solid foundation for my entrepreneurial path and, more importantly, taught me that as we grow our businesses we must also give back to society and uphold corporate social responsibility.” The award-winning startups/projects of the PolyU × Waterdrop International Future Challenge (Hong Kong region) are as follows: Open Track Award Winning Project Winning Startup/Team Cash Prize The Waterdrop Cup AIRmotion Harmonex Limited HK$150,000 Cargo and Travel Champion* Smart Scanning System - The X Logistech Limited HK$50,000 and 10,000 USD credit of Huawei Cloud service Merit Award* Smooji Smooji Limited HK$15,000 Merit Award* Advanced Wireless Charger for Drones in response to Low Altitude Airspace Economy (LAAE) Nova Electric Limited HK$15,000 Merit Award* AkkMoreä Natural Fat Replacer Bo InnoHealth Biotechnology Company Limited HK$15,000 Finance and Insurance Champion* Mediconcen MediConCen Limited HK$50,000 and 10,000 USD credit of Huawei Cloud service Merit Award* Otonomi - Parametric Cargo Delay Insurance Otonomi (Asia-Pacific) Limited HK$15,000 Merit Award* Theo Quant Theo Quant Limited HK$15,000 Merit Award* Inriskable Inriskable (HK) Limited HK$15,000 Health Champion* Wearable Salivary Glucose Sensing Platform Intellisense & Cognisense Technology Limited HK$50,000 and 10,000 USD credit of Huawei Cloud service Merit Award* AIRmotion Harmonex Limited HK$15,000 Merit Award* VISI - AI-Powered Vision Therapy Vcare Vision Technology Limited HK$15,000 Merit Award* and Translational Research Grant Virtual Patient Simulation System Advantage Data Vision Limited HK$15,000 and Translational Research Grant capped at HK$500,000 Translational Research Grant NeuroLap CUI Ruize, Prof. QIN Jing, GAO Bingchen, ZHOU Jun Translational Research Grant capped at HK$500,000 Information and Communications Technology Champion* Dragonfly Vision: microsecond-level panoramic thumb camera Dragon Vision Technology Limited HK$50,000 and 10,000 USD credit of Huawei Cloud service Merit Award* PolyPi: Edge-AI Empowered Autonomous Robot for Pipeline Inspection and Maintenance UbiquiTech Innovations Limited HK$15,000 Merit Award* iOptiCrane ICC (Hong Kong) Limited HK$15,000 Merit Award* Charger Circle Chargercircle Technology Limited HK$15,000 Sports Champion* Textile Sensor System Easenory Technology Limited HK$50,000 and 10,000 USD credit of Huawei Cloud service Merit Award* Bio-Based Functional Materials: Industrial Applications in Sports Hong Kong Yingzhui International Technology Development Co., Limited   HK$15,000 Merit Award* Runwell Prof. Vincent LEUNG Kin Keung, Ken SOU Ho Kong, Fiona SHEK Hoi Wai, Dominic LEUNG Rui Ming, Nicole LI Yuan, Lukas Wambua MUTETI HK$15,000 Merit Award* OMEGA Tournament Scoring System DAAPP Limited   HK$15,000 Student Track Award Winning Project Winning Startup and Team Cash Prize Grand Prize* Sprayable Biomimetic Double Mask for Anti-scar Wound Healing Renew Biotechnology Limited HK$30,000 First Prize* Virtual MRI Contrast Enhancement System for Precise Tumour Detection and Treatment MA Zongrui, Huang Yu-Hua, Xiong Tianyu HK$20,000 Second Prize* AI-Empowered Digital Twin for Smart Building Management Cyanse Smart Energy Tech Limited HK$10,000 Second Prize* Drowning Prevention System with AI-Enhanced Passive Acoustic Sensing for Wearable Detection Blue Guardian Tech Limited HK$10,000 Merit Award Bioabsorbable Polymeric Vascular Graft and Regeneration Medicine Technology Platform Hong Kong Yihai Medical Technology Co., Ltd HK$5,000 Merit Award Natural and Eco-friendly External Preservation Technology Dr. Fresh Biotech Limited HK$5,000 Merit Award Goolab - OV Premier Bone Enhance Drink Goolab Technology Company Limited HK$5,000 Merit Award WriteRight Companions Education Limited HK$5,000 Merit Award Wearable Multimodality Physiological Muscle Sensor for Early Detection of Sarcopenia Ampli Electronics Limited HK$5,000 Merit Award Hardware + AI Dual - Core Driving Empowers Unmanned Intelligent Operation and Maintenance of Power Systems Xiao Ma Technology Limited HK$5,000 Best Presentation Award (voted by the audience) Drowning Prevention System with AI-Enhanced Passive Acoustic Sensing for Wearable Detection Blue Guardian Tech Limited HK$5,000 Best Innovation Award (voted by the audience) Sprayable Biomimetic Double Mask for Anti-scar Wound Healing Renew Biotechnology Limited HK$5,000 Most Popular Award (voted by the audience) WriteRight Companions Education Limited HK$5,000 *Teams advancing to the Grand Final The PolyU International Future Challenge adopts a unique “1+N” framework, where “1” denotes the Hong Kong main track and “N” comprises multiple regional tracks across Mainland cities and regions, including Huizhou, Wenzhou, Qianhai (Shenzhen), Shanghai, Nanjing, and Jinjiang. All tracks are open to startup teams and innovators from around the world. PolyU partners with leading enterprises in each competition region and with its MTRIs to offer participating and award-winning teams the necessary support and guidance, including visits to Mainland cities and PolyU MTRIs, corporate visits, business and technical consulting services, and overseas trips. Please click here to visit the webpage for further details. The Waterdrop Cup (Champion) of the Open Track was awarded to Harmonex Limited. The Student Track champion was Renew Biotechnology Limited. ***END***

PolyU appoints Prof. Cao Jiannong as Vice President (Education)

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is pleased to announce the appointment of Prof. CAO Jiannong as Vice President (Education). He assumed office on 1 September 2025. Prof. Cao is an internationally renowned scholar in computing and data science, specialising in parallel and distributed computing, wireless sensing and networking, big data and artificial intelligence, and mobile cloud and edge computing. He has published six co-authored and nine co-edited books, along with over 800 papers in major international journals and conference proceedings, and holds 34 patents. He has received numerous awards for his outstanding research achievements. Prof. Cao currently serves as Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Professor in Data Science, Chair Professor of Distributed and Mobile Computing in the Department of Computing, and Director of the Institute for Higher Education Research and Development (IHERD). He previously served as Head of the Department of Computing from 2011 to 2017, Dean of Graduate School, and Head of the College of Undergraduate Researchers and Innovators (CURI) from 2021 to 2025. Welcoming the appointment, Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, President of PolyU, said, “Prof. Cao is a distinguished scholar and visionary academic leader. He has served PolyU with dedication for the past 27 years and possesses extensive leadership and management experience in higher education. In his new role, I am confident that Prof. Cao will propel PolyU to even greater heights of educational excellence, help the University nurture professionals and leaders who can excel in the artificial intelligence era, and make significant contributions to further strengthen PolyU’s development as an innovative world-class university.” As Vice President (Education), Prof. Cao oversees the planning and development of learning and teaching across the University. He will lead the development and enhancement of academic programmes, advancing curriculum and pedagogy; drive digital transformation and the adoption of advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence, to foster innovation in education; and develop and implement institutional policies and plans to ensure academic quality assurance in an evolving digital landscape. Prof. Cao received his Doctor of Philosophy degree from Washington State University. He is a member of Academia Europaea, a fellow of the Hong Kong Academy of Engineering, a fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), a fellow of the China Computer Federation (CCF), and a distinguished member of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM). He served as Chair of the Technical Committee on Distributed Computing of the IEEE Computer Society from 2012 to 2014, and received the Overseas Outstanding Contribution Award from the CCF in 2017.   ***END***

PolyU School of Nursing welcomes WHO Regional Director for Western Pacific to advance healthy ageing initiative

As the global population ages, ensuring the health and well-being of older adults has become a key priority. The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) School of Nursing, serving as a World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Centre for Community Health Services, welcomed Dr Saia Ma’u PIUKALA, WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific, for a visit to strengthen regional partnerships in promoting healthy ageing and advancing community-based integrated care for older populations. During his visit to PolyU, Dr Piukala emphasised three key objectives: promoting healthy ageing, enhancing regional collaboration and empowering communities. He stated, “Our partnership with PolyU’s WHO Collaborating Centre is pivotal in addressing the needs of ageing populations in the Western Pacific. By advancing tools like the Integrated Care for Older People (ICOPE) 2.0, we empower communities to deliver sustainable, equitable care for older adults, ensuring they thrive in their later years.” Prof. Ben YOUNG, PolyU Vice President (Student and Global Affairs), said, “We are honoured to host Dr Saia Ma’u Piukala with a view to furthering our shared mission of transforming elder care. PolyU School of Nursing’s leadership in person-centered care, supported by innovative research and educational resources, positions us to drive meaningful change in healthy ageing across the region.” Led by Prof. Angela LEUNG, Director of the WHO Collaborating Centre for Community Health Services at PolyU, the School is advancing ICOPE 2.0 to enhance early identification and intervention for older adults. Prof. Leung remarked, “ICOPE 2.0 streamlines assessments and interventions, enabling timely support for older adults and their caregivers. With the HKSAR Government’s emphasis on caregiver support, this framework aligns with our commitment to sustainable, community-driven care.” To support the adoption of ICOPE 2.0, the WHO Collaborating Centre has developed comprehensive online and offline educational materials, including a promotional video featuring real-life case studies. The Centre has also recently organised training programmes in Mainland China, Fiji, Cambodia and the Philippines, reaching over 6,000 participants through 54 webinars from 2021 to 2024. These initiatives foster cross-regional knowledge exchange and strengthen community-based care models. Dr Piukala’s visit also included discussions on geriatric medicine, mental health, smart ageing technologies and evidence-based policies, further reinforcing PolyU’s role as a global leader in ageing and health research. ***END***

PolyU and Li Ning Group jointly establish sports science research centre to advance sports science and industry innovation

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and Li Ning (China) Sports Goods Co., Ltd (Li Ning Group) today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish the “Li-Ning – PolyU Joint Research Centre for Sports Science” (the Centre). The Centre aims to conduct fundamental research in sports science and ergonomics, drive innovative design and optimisation of high-performance sports products, nurture talent in sports science and technology, and strengthen industry-academia-research collaboration, thereby enhancing technological application and promoting industrial transformation within the sports and health sector. Witnessed by Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, PolyU President and Mr Ning LI, Founder of the Li Ning Brand and Executive Chairman of Li Ning Group, the MoU was signed by Prof. Christopher CHAO, PolyU Vice President (Research and Innovation) and Mr Yuru HONG, Vice President and Chief Sports Officer of Li Ning Group, officially marking the establishment of the “Li-Ning – PolyU Joint Research Centre for Sports Science”. Prof. Jin-Guang Teng said, “PolyU is committed to nurturing sports talent and advancing research innovation and technology transfer in sports. Focusing on interdisciplinary research in sports science, the Research Institute for Sports Science and Technology (RISports) under the PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research (PAIR) is dedicated to delivering advanced solutions for the sports sector. The newly established Li-Ning – PolyU Joint Research Centre for Sports Science will harness the University’s robust research strengths and Li Ning Group’s extensive market expertise to drive innovation in sports science and technology, fostering positive impacts on industry and society and contributing to the Nation’s technological self-reliance and high-quality development.” Mr Ning Li said, “Innovative applications derived from sports science are essential for sports brands to upgrade their research and development capabilities and are critical for driving the innovative development of China’s sports industry. PolyU’s research excellence and academic impact in sports science and related interdisciplinary areas are among the best in the world. This opportunity enables us to fully leverage our understanding of industrial trends, experience in industrial applications, and sports and market resources to initiate deep collaboration with PolyU. Together, we will advance research at the forefront of sports science and create an internationally competitive innovation ecosystem.” Jointly operated by PolyU RISports and Li Ning Group, the Centre aims to contribute to the Healthy China Initiative and foster innovation in the sports industry. The inaugural centre coordinators are Prof. Ming ZHANG, Director of RISports, Head of the PolyU Department of Biomedical Engineering and Chair Professor of Biomechanics, and Prof. Ye TIAN, from Li-Ning Sports Science Research Center. The Centre will conduct fundamental research in sports science and ergonomics, focusing on areas such as elite athlete performance, exercise characteristics and musculoskeletal health in youth, and exercise pattern in women, supporting the innovative design, functional validation and optimisation of high-performance sports products. The parties will also jointly nurture research and engineering talent in sports science and technology, and promote industry-academia-research collaboration to enhance technological applications and drive industrial transformation in the sports and health sector, thereby achieving synergistic innovation. PolyU will leverage its academic strengths by assembling a team of scholars, researchers, sports experts and industry professionals to pursue impactful research. Meanwhile, Li Ning Group will utilise its extensive resources in product development, market demand and user feedback to provide practical direction for the research and support the smooth implementation of the projects.   ***END***  

PolyU partners with Elsevier to advance collaboration on academic publishing and scholar cultivation, amplifying the University’s global academic impact

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and Elsevier today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) forging a strategic collaboration focusing on academic publishing, talent cultivation, and enhancing global academic impact. Leveraging PolyU’s research strengths across multiple disciplines, as well as Elsevier’s extensive international influence and publishing experience, this partnership will strive to promote high-quality research outcomes, nurture young scholars, and contribute to the advancement of the global academic community through a wide range of initiatives. The signing ceremony took place on PolyU campus, with Prof. WONG Wing-tak, PolyU Deputy President and Provost, and Dr Peter HARRISON, Senior Vice President of Physical Sciences, STM Journals (STMJ) at Elsevier, representing the two parties in signing the MoU. The ceremony was witnessed by Prof. Christopher CHAO, PolyU Vice President (Research and Innovation); Prof. Ben YOUNG, PolyU Vice President (Student and Global Affairs); Ms Yan SUN, Managing Director of STMJ China at Elsevier; and Ms Judy BAI, Publishing Director of Materials Science, STMJ at Elsevier. Prof. Wong Wing-tak said, “As an innovative world-class university, PolyU has long pursued world-leading research and innovation for the benefit of society. With the highest number of Elsevier editors in Hong Kong, the University’s collaboration with Elsevier is a testament to our shared vision for societal advancement, through joint journal development, enhanced academic impact, and collaborative events and projects. I am confident that this partnership will yield fruitful results and pave the way for ground-breaking advancements in the academic community, particularly in empowering young scholars, amplifying academic influence, and broadening global knowledge dissemination.” Dr Peter Harrison remarked, “At Elsevier, our goal is to strengthen confidence in trusted research, and publish high-quality content that advances knowledge and helps researchers and policymakers solve challenges and deliver better outcomes. We have had several productive collaborations with PolyU in recent years and published more than 13,000 papers from PolyU authors over the past five years. This MoU will provide a strategic framework to further increase our collaborations. In particular, we welcome the opportunity to increase the representation of PolyU scholars in our editorial teams across all subject areas.” Under the MoU, the two parties will discuss the opportunity of PolyU authorising Elsevier for international publication and distribution of their partnership journals. For this purpose, Elsevier will provide strategic advice for journal development and management, drawing on its in-house data analytics and professional experience, to support PolyU in launching new journals in its areas of strength. To develop the partnership journals, both parties will also explore elevating the scope and quality of services for authors, reviewers and editorial board members, and organising joint courses and seminars to train relevant personnel in academic publishing standards, operations, and ethics. These initiatives seek to increase PolyU’s academic impact while also fostering international academic collaboration and exchange. To enhance the global visibility of PolyU’s research, the University and Elsevier will explore collaboration in several key areas: Providing training in paper writing, submission, and the review process, with the support of Elsevier’s premium e-learning platform, the Research Academy, to increase the number of PolyU publications in Elsevier’s prestigious academic journals. Publishing periodic special issues on emerging research topics of mutual interest, with PolyU researchers as guest editors. Promoting significant PolyU research outcomes through Elsevier’s global channels, including its official website, the ScienceDirect journal platform, and social media. Co-organising academic events and collaborative projects. Following the signing ceremony was the Editors Forum, which attracted around a hundred scholars and researchers from local tertiary institutions, as well as editors and industry experts from Elsevier. The Forum began with Dr Peter Harrison’s presentation on “The Future of Research Impact & Emerging Narratives”. Elsevier’s Publishing Ethics Expert Dr Hong Jin then spoke about how, in the face of increasingly complex challenges to research integrity, publishers work to detect potential fraud or unethical behaviours before publication of articles to stop unethical research from entering the scientific literature. During the Fireside Chat themed “Harnessing AI for Research Advancement & Innovation,” Prof. Ben Young, Co-Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Constructional Steel Research published by Elsevier; Prof. LIU Yang, Associate Professor of the PolyU Department of Computing and Department of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, and Associate Editor of ACM Transactions on Intelligent Systems and Technology published by Association of Computing Machinery; alongside Prof. SONG Xu, Associate Professor of Department of Mechanical and Automation Engineering at The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) and Editor-in-Chief of Materials & Design published by Elsevier, shared insights into AI from a scholar’s perspective. They ignited discussion on how AI has transformed research workflows, driven breakthrough innovations, and enhanced collaboration across disciplines and institutions. Other key topics, including ethical considerations and transparency in AI research tools, as well as the challenges and opportunities in integrating AI into traditional research practices, were also explored. PolyU and Elsevier have maintained a longstanding and collaborative relationship. Since 2023, the University has partnered with Cell Press under Elsevier to publish the journal Nexus, advancing innovative research in applied sciences, engineering, technology, and inter- and multi-disciplinary fields. The MoU signed today will further leverage both parties’ expertise to drive leading academic collaborative projects.   ***END***

PolyU and Jinchuan Group sign strategic cooperation agreement to jointly advance high-quality development in non-ferrous metals industry

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and Jinchuan Group Co., Ltd (Jinchuan Group) have signed a strategic cooperation framework agreement to address major national strategic needs and jointly promote high-quality development in the non-ferrous metals industry. The partnership will focus on green, low-carbon development of nickel, copper, cobalt and rare precious metals, as well as the advancement of new materials. By leveraging the strengths of both parties, the collaboration aims to foster in-depth collaboration among industry, academia and research sectors and drive innovation in response to national strategic needs. The signing ceremony was held on 21 August at the PolyU campus. Witnessed by Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, President of PolyU, and Mr Ying RUAN, Chairman of Jinchuan Group, the agreement was signed by Prof. H. C. MAN, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering of PolyU, and Mr Yonghong CHENG, International Business Director of Jinchuan Group. Following the signing, Prof. Jianquo LIN, Chair Professor of Materials Technologies of the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering of PolyU, provided an overview of the collaboration. Prof. Jin-Guang Teng remarked, “As an industry leader addressing major national strategic needs, Jinchuan Group has achieved remarkable accomplishments in research innovation. PolyU looks forward to leveraging this partnership to help fully utilise our strengths in research and talent cultivation, in conjunction with Jinchuan Group’s extensive industrial resources and sector expertise. Together, we aim to overcome key technological bottlenecks, promote efficient and green production within the industry, and inject new momentum into Hong Kong’s development as an international innovation and technology hub.” Mr Ying Rung stated, “PolyU is ranked among the world’s top 100 universities and is internationally recognised for its excellence in research innovation and talent cultivation, making significant contributions to Hong Kong, the Nation, and the world. Building on PolyU’s extensive experience in university-industry collaboration, combined with Jinchuan Group’s technological strengths and strategic positioning in non-ferrous metals smelting, new energy and new materials, we will explore new models for deep integration of among industry, academic and research sectors. Jinchuan Group is committed to deepening cooperation with PolyU in cutting-edge technology research and development as well as high-end talent cultivation. Through this partnership, we aim to drive technological advancement in the industry and make greater contributions to Hong Kong’s development as an international innovation and technology centre.” PolyU and Jinchuan Group will adhere to the principles of long-term vision, complementary strengths, resource sharing and mutual benefit as they collaborate in areas such as platform development, technological innovation, research commercialisation and talent cultivation. During the visit, the Jinchuan Group delegation held in-depth discussions with the Faculty of Engineering at PolyU and toured the Research Centre for Deep Space Explorations, the University Research Facility in 3D Printing and the Industrial Centre. ***END***

PolyU research boosts garment fit and performance for sports and medical apparel with groundbreaking anthropometric method to precisely measure tissue deformation

Soft tissue deformation during body movement has long posed a challenge to achieving optimal garment fit and comfort, particularly in sportswear and functional medical wear. Researchers at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) have developed a novel anthropometric method that delivers highly accurate measurements to enhance the performance and design of compression-based apparel. Prof. Joanne YIP, Associate Dean and Professor of the School of Fashion and Textiles at PolyU, and her research team pioneered this anthropometric method using image recognition algorithms to systematically access tissue deformation while minimising motion-related errors. The team also developed an analytical model to predict tissue deformation using the Boussinesq solution, based on elastic theory and stress function methodology. By leveraging image recognition algorithms, this innovation quantifies tissue deformation during movement, addressing a longstanding challenge in sportswear and wearable tech design. Inaccurate deformation measurements, especially during motion, often lead to ill-fitting designs that undermine functionality. This innovative approach tackles the issue by minimising motion artifacts and providing a systematic framework to correlate garment pressure with tissue response, which is vital for optimising wearables’ the biochemical efficacy. Soft tissue deformation is a critical factor directly influencing appearance, comfort, performance, and physiological effects such as blood circulation and muscle support. With the integration of mechanical property testing, the method accurately predicts tissue deformation. Validation against body scanning measurements showed deviations within 1.15 mm under static condition and 2.36 mm in dynamic condition. The remarkable precision of this method equips designers with reliable data that accurately reflects soft tissue deformation. Prof. Joanne Yip said, “Our technology is highly adaptable to compression-based garments, including sportswear such as leggings and functional medical wear like compression stockings and post-surgical garments. The analytical model can be tailored to different garment types by adjusting parameters like material mechanical properties and circumferential dimensions.” Sports leggings with different material mechanical properties, pattern designs and circumferential dimensions were used as experimental samples. Research findings offer actionable insights that link material properties to garment fit and performance. This framework not only advances biomechanical simulation techniques for wearable applications but also provides a practical tool for optimising sportswear ergonomics, enabling data-driven design of compression garments that enhances athletic performance while preventing the risk of musculoskeletal injuries. This innovative technology holds promising transformative potential for the industry, offering feasible and cost-effective applications. It can be integrated into existing CAD/CAM system to streamline prototyping and reduce reliance on trial-and-error filling. By quantifying individual tissue response, this technique supports personalised garment design, particularly beneficial for medical compression wear tailored to specific patient needs. Additionally, the image-based tools reduce dependence on expensive motion-capture systems, making the approach accessible for small and medium-sized enterprises. The research has been published in a paper titled “A novel anthropometric method to accurately evaluate tissue deformation” in the academic journal Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology. This technology breakthrough underscores PolyU excellence in interdisciplinary translational research, integrating its strengths in fashion, biomechanics, materials science, computing, and engineering to solve real-world compression sportswear design and wearable design challenges. ***END***

PolyU PReCIT submits 2025 Policy Address Recommendations, focusing on economic development and improvement of people’s livelihoods

The Policy Research Centre for Innovation and Technology (PReCIT) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has submitted its recommendations to the HKSAR Government for the 2025 Policy Address. The recommendations focus on two key themes: driving economic development and improving people’s livelihoods. Prof. Christopher CHAO, Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU and Director of PReCIT, said, “Leveraging Hong Kong’s unique position as a global innovation hub and PolyU’s research excellence, we are committed to proposing policy recommendations that foster sustainable growth, stimulate economic vitality, and enhance community well-being.” Key recommendations include: 1. Driving Economic Development Consolidating Hong Kong’s Aerospace Research Resources to Support Industry’s Development Currently, universities, enterprises and researchers working in the Hong Kong aerospace sector operate in a fragmented manner, with limited collaboration. To promote cross-sector collaboration and national integration, PReCIT recommends that the HKSAR Government establish a “Hong Kong Aerospace Coordination Office” and create a “Hong Kong Aerospace Special Fund” to support research development and public education. Additionally, a “Fast-Track Transfer Scheme” is proposed to accelerate the commercialisation of aerospace technologies and promote the civilian application of aerospace technologies developed through national projects. To strengthen talent development, PReCIT suggests that the Government support the establishment of aerospace engineering programmes, fund curriculum development, attract international experts as visiting professors and implement a “Hong Kong Young Aerospace Talents Scheme” to sponsor young researchers for technical training, internships and mission participation in mainland laboratories or launch sites. Accelerating Digital Transformation in Hong Kong’s Tourism and Service Industries To enhance customer experience and operational efficiency in Hong Kong’s tourism and service industries, PReCIT recommends that enterprises adopt AI-powered tools to optimise customer service, streamline booking processes and provide personalised travel recommendations. Furthermore, PReCIT advises the Government to expand funding support and incentives, such as tax benefits and the Digital Transformation Support Pilot Programme to help tourism enterprises adopt relevant technologies. The establishment of the Digital Tourism Academy is also recommended to upskill staff and foster innovation, with an emphasis on integrating culture, sports and tourism for diversified development in the Greater Bay Area. Advancing the Low-Altitude Economy (LAE) Strengthening ground infrastructure is crucial for accelerating the implementation of LAE applications. PReCIT recommends that the Government utilise artificial intelligence (AI) and geographic information systems (GISs) for precise analysis to identify suitable infrastructure locations and integrate solar-powered charging infrastructure into urban spaces. To further advance LAE, the Government should deepen cooperation with Guangdong and Macao in building smart city clusters and enhance civil servants’ skills in AI and GISs applications to improve data analysis and ensure smoother project implementation. Investing in drone logistics networks and infrastructure is key to establishing a mature and efficient logistics system. PReCIT suggests that the Government prioritise the development of drone logistics networks to drive innovation and efficiency, including constructing take-off and landing stations to centralise drone operations, reduce safety risks, and improve logistics efficiency and the opening of low-altitude flight corridors. As drone technology rapidly evolves, safety remains a major challenge. The Government and industry regulators should expedite the development of technical standards and certification protocols. Advancing New Energy Vehicles (NEVs) and Green Energy in Hong Kong PReCIT emphasises the urgency of expanding NEV infrastructure and promoting NEV adoption through policy and education; strengthening the NEV ecosystem; deploying floating solar photovoltaic systems and energy storage technologies; leveraging hydrogen energy and a complementary green solution; establishing data collaboration platforms; and driving innovation and technology development to lead the city towards sustainable transportation and a green future. Promoting Carbon Trading and Carbon Pricing in Hong Kong PReCIT recommends the establishment of a carbon trading market in Hong Kong, the implementation of carbon pricing policies and the development of comprehensive policy frameworks to promote sustainable practices and foster green economic growth. Development of Hong Kong’s Engineering Field To foster innovation in the construction industry, PReCIT suggests the adoption of building integrated photovoltaics by offering gross floor area concessions for new and renovated commercial buildings that incorporate these systems. Regional and global collaboration should be considered, including collaborative funding programmes with Guangdong and Macao, as well as training courses, conferences and exhibitions to enhance Hong Kong’s global competitiveness in the construction and engineering sectors. The Government should also consider launching financing schemes to help young professionals obtain mainland professional qualifications. 2. Improving People’s Livelihoods Promote the Development of Hong Kong as an International Hub for Post-secondary Education PReCIT recommends the Government to expand the capacity of local universities to maintain high-level performance by accelerating the development of the Northern Metropolis University Town. It also proposes tripling the quota of Belt and Road scholarships to 450 and raising the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme award places to 600, attracting outstanding talents and enhancing research capabilities, thus further elevating Hong Kong’s international standing. Additionally, the establishment of a government-guaranteed loan scheme to support international students is recommended, alleviating financial pressures and strengthening Hong Kong’s position as a global educational hub. Enhance the Health of the People To improve Hong Kong’s healthcare services, PReCIT recommends integrating direct access to physiotherapy and occupational therapy services within all Social Welfare Department subsidised services, community care services, or district elderly community centres, together with the establishment of early disease screening mechanisms to achieve “early prevention, early detection and early treatment.” In terms of healthcare research and technology, it is advised to strengthen research in antimicrobial resistance and multidrug resistance and actively respond to the era of AI and machine learning to accelerate the high-quality development and use of these technologies in healthcare. The Government is also encouraged to support the development and integration of formalised optometry specialisation pathways, with a focus on paediatric optometry, vision therapy, geriatric eye care and low vision rehabilitation. Promote the Use of Sustainable Energy and Create a More Sustainable Environment PReCIT recommends that the Government to optimise energy and waste renewable structure, such as by providing financial incentives to encourage businesses and households to install renewable energy systems, therefore building a carbon neutral city. The establishment of a dedicated research institutes focused on interdisciplinary studies that integrate microbiology, agricultural science and food policy is also proposed. Prof. Eric CHUI, Co-Director of PReCIT and Head of the Department of Applied Social Sciences, said, “Our interdisciplinary team of scholars has drawn on the University’s cutting-edge research and expertise to formulate evidence-based solutions that address both immediate challenges and long-term opportunities for the city’s sustainable growth.” Dr Chili WU, Associate Director of PReCIT and Principal Research Fellow of the Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering, added, “We look forward to working closely with the Government and community partners to turn our recommendations into meaningful actions, contributing to a vibrant, resilient and sustainable future for Hong Kong.” For the full text of the recommendation report, please visit: https://www.polyu.edu.hk/precit/research/publications/ ***END***

Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou cluster tops the Global Innovation Index 2025, PolyU accelerates the development of the Greater Bay Area innovation ecosystem

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) today released the Global Innovation Index (GII) 2025, with the Shenzhen–Hong Kong–Guangzhou cluster ranking first among the World’s Top 100 Innovation Clusters for the first time. This achievement underscores the Greater Bay Area’s (GBA) leading position in global innovation and technology. The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is greatly encouraged by this recognition and is committed to advancing the innovation ecosystem of the GBA. PolyU will continue to strengthen basic research, deepen translational research, foster collaboration among academia, industry, and research sectors, and inject new impetus into the high-quality development of Hong Kong and the Nation. Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, President of PolyU, said, “The Shenzhen–Hong Kong–Guangzhou cluster’s top ranking in the Global Innovation Index is a testament to the powerful synergy of collaborative innovation in the GBA. PolyU will continue to leverage its strengths in basic research, translational research and technological innovation, actively expanding its presence in Mainland cities through our translational research institutes, and facilitating the industrialisation of research outcomes to drive socioeconomic development. We will work closely with the HKSAR Government and all sectors to nurture innovative talent with a global perspective, making greater contributions to Hong Kong, the Nation, and the world.” PolyU is dedicated to translating research into real-world impact, with over 1,650 patents granted worldwide to date. Following the establishment of the PolyU Shenzhen Research Institute, the University has recently set up translational research institutes in 12 major Mainland cities, including Zhongshan and Huizhou, as well as the Qianhai Disruptive Technology and Innovation Research Centre. Through the cooperative model for technology transfer defined by the equation: “PolyU research + Mainland industrial chain + Mainland market = societal benefit”, PolyU actively promotes technology transfer and collaborative innovation. Since the launch of the Research, Academic, and Industry Sectors One-plus (RAISe+) Scheme, PolyU has secured funding for six research projects covering advanced manufacturing, new materials and new energy, artificial intelligence and robotics, Chinese medicine, computer science and information technology, and electrical and electronic engineering. Some of these projects will be accelerated for commercialisation through translational research institutes established in Mainland cities, demonstrating PolyU’s research strength and commitment to translating outcomes into societal benefits. PolyU is actively fostering innovation and entrepreneurship through its PolyVentures ecosystem, which has incubated over 600 active start-ups founded by scholars, students, and alumni. In recent years, PolyU has also established InnoHub in multiple Mainland cities, and has organised the PolyU International Future Challenge in Hong Kong and six Mainland cities. These initiatives bring together talent in technology innovation and entrepreneurship, further accelerating the transformation and commercialisation of research outcomes. PolyU’s research excellence is internationally recognised, with 355 scholars listed among the World’s Top 2% Most-cited Scientists 2024 for career-long citation impact or single-year citation impact, according to the rankings compiled by Standford University. The University has also actively recruited distinguished overseas scholars, including 15 internationally renowned scholars selected for the HKSAR Government-initiated  Global STEM Professorship Scheme, who lead pioneering research projects in areas such as machine learning and computer vision, healthy built environment, innovative phototherapy for eye diseases, quantum technology, two-dimensional quantum materials, earth observation, digital oncology care enhancement, and genomics in healthcare. PolyU’s robust foundation in basic research is supported by state-of-the-art facilities and laboratories, including the State Key Laboratories, namely the State Key Laboratory of Climate Resilience for Coastal Cities and the State Key Laboratory of Ultraprecision Machining Technology, as well as two research centres established under the InnoHK research clusters. PolyU has also established the PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research (PAIR), which is the largest interdisciplinary research platform of its kind in the GBA, comprising 19 research institutes and centres. This year, PolyU also established the PolyU Academy for Artificial Intelligence (PAAI) to accelerate the deep integration of AI across key fields, further consolidating the University’s leadership in research and innovation. Looking ahead, PolyU will continue to deepen collaboration within the GBA, promote the translation of research outcomes, and make even greater contributions to the innovation and development of Hong Kong and the GBA. ***END***

PolyU researchers use novel satellite laser ranging technique to reveal accelerated global average sea-level rise with 90 mm surge over past 30 years

The rise in global mean sea level (GMSL) is a critical indicator of climate change. The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) researchers have utilised advanced space geodetic technologies to deliver the first precise 30-year (1993-2022) record of global ocean mass change (also known as barystatic sea level), revealing its dominant role in driving GMSL rise. Their research further indicates that GMSL has been increasing at an average rate of approximately 3.3 mm per year with a notable acceleration observed, highlighting the growing severity of climate change. The research findings have been published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. GMSL is primarily driven by two factors: the thermal expansion of seawater — as the oceans absorb around 90% of the excess heat in the Earth’s climate system — and the increase in global ocean mass, which is mainly caused by the influx of freshwater from melting land ice. Therefore, long-term monitoring of global ocean mass change is essential for understanding present-day GMSL rise. A research team led by Prof. Jianli CHEN, Chair Professor of Space Geodesy and Earth Sciences of the PolyU Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics (LSGI) and a core member of the PolyU Research Institute for Land and Space, together with Dr Yufeng NIE, Research Assistant Professor of LSGI and the lead and corresponding author of the research, has, for the first time, provided direct observations of global ocean mass estimates between 1993 and 2022 by utilising time-variable gravity field data derived from satellite laser ranging (SLR). In the past, scientists have relied on long-term observations from satellite altimetry to project sea-level rise. Barystatic sea level records based on satellite gravimetry only became available with the launch of the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment in 2002. SLR is a traditional space geodetic technique used to accurately measure the distance between satellites and ground stations via laser ranging. However, fundamental constraints of SLR, such as the limited number of satellites and ground stations, the high altitude of the satellites (which means SLR-derived gravitational changes capture only the longest wavelengths) and the low-degree gravitational measurements, have restricted its direct application in estimating ocean mass change. To effectively utilise SLR-derived gravitational fields for accurate estimates of ocean mass change, the research team implemented an innovative forward modelling technique that tackles spatial resolution limitations by incorporating detailed geographic information of ocean-land boundaries. This approach enables long-term monitoring of global ocean mass changes. The research revealed that an increased rate of GMSL resulted in a global average sea-level rise of approximately 90 mm between 1993 and 2022, with about 60% of this rise attributable to ocean mass increase. Since around 2005,  the rise in GMSL has been primarily driven by the rapid increase in global ocean mass. This overall increase is largely driven by the accelerated melting of land ice, particularly in Greenland. Throughout the entire study period, land ice melt from polar ice sheets and mountain glaciers accounted for over 80% of the total increase in global ocean mass. Prof. Jianli Chen said, “In recent decades, climate warming has led to accelerated land ice loss, which has played an increasingly dominant role in driving global sea-level rise. Our research enables the direct quantification of global ocean mass increase and provides a comprehensive assessment of its long-term impact on sea-level budget. This offers crucial data for validating coupled climate models used to project future sea-level rise scenarios.” Dr Yufeng Nie said, “The research showed that the ocean mass changes derived from SLR analysis align well with the total sea level changes observed by satellite altimeters, after accounting for the effect of ocean thermal expansion. This demonstrates that the traditional SLR technique can now serve as a novel and powerful tool for long-term climate change studies.” ***END***