Welcome Message of the President

Dear Students,

It is my great pleasure to welcome you to the 2026/27 academic year at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU)!

To our new students: congratulations on earning your place here, and welcome to the PolyU family. Ahead of you lies a journey of learning, discovery and personal growth. To our returning students: it is wonderful to have you back. Build on what you have achieved and continue pursuing your aspirations with confidence and determination.

A University Renowned for Academic Excellence

As PolyU students, you are part of an institution recognised amongst the very best in the world. In the latest QS World University Rankings, PolyU was placed 50th globally — a record-high position for our University — with 24 of our subjects ranked among the world's top 100. Behind those numbers are the people you will meet every day: dedicated teachers, world-leading scholars and talented peers, all committed to an unwavering pursuit of excellence. Make full use of this world-class environment — ask questions, seek out mentors, and stretch yourself intellectually and academically.

Preparing You to Lead in the Age of AI

We are living through one of the most profound technological transformations in human history. Artificial intelligence is reshaping industries, redefining professions and opening new possibilities in education. Our ambition is not merely for you to keep pace with this change, but to help lead and shape it.

That is why we have introduced our Education 4.0 initiative, which integrates AI and emerging technologies into a student-centred approach to learning and teaching. This is a paradigm shift: learning that is more interactive, more flexible and more personalised, empowering you to become future-ready leaders who will thrive in the AI-driven age.

As part of Education 4.0, beginning this academic year, all first-year first-degree students will take a new compulsory course, “AI as a Tool for Language Learning”. The course will strengthen your communication skills and enhance your competitiveness in an increasingly interconnected world.

A World of Learning Beyond the Campus

A PolyU education extends far beyond the classroom and our campus. Studying at PolyU gives you an opportunity to develop into a socially responsible individual with a strong sense of national pride and a global perspective.  By the 2027/28 academic year, we aim to enable every undergraduate student to have a rich non-local learning experience during their studies. Whether you take part in an exchange, internship or Service-Learning project outside Hong Kong, engaging with different cultures and communities will broaden your horizons and deepen your global perspective. I therefore encourage you to seize these non-local learning opportunities when they arise.

Equally important for the University is fostering a strong sense of national identity and a commitment to serving society. One meaningful example is our largest-ever Chinese Mainland Service-Learning programme, held recently in Wenshan, Yunnan, where more than 400 PolyU students and staff delivered nine projects benefiting over 4,000 residents, greatly enhancing their sense of social responsibility while deepening their understanding of Chinese history and culture. PolyU has also become the first Hong Kong university to establish patriotic education bases in both Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland, in collaboration with Xi’an Jiaotong University. Our annual PolyU Chinese Culture Festival, which includes the upcoming Mid-Autumn Festival Gala, further nurtures an appreciation of Chinese history and culture. I warmly encourage you all to take part.

Research That Changes Lives

Beyond education, PolyU is a world-class research powerhouse, advancing discoveries and innovations that address society’s most pressing challenges. For example, through the PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research (PAIR), the PolyU Academy for Artificial Intelligence (PAAI) and the newly established PolyU Aerospace Research Academy (PARA), we conduct mission-driven interdisciplinary research across key strategic domains ranging from AI and sustainability to advanced technologies and aerospace. Our research strengthens Hong Kong’s position as an international innovation and technology hub, contributes to national development and improves lives around the world.

Our research excellence is matched by our dedication to nurturing the innovators of tomorrow. Indeed, two outstanding young PolyU scholars were recently named on the MIT Technology Review Innovators Under 35 (TR35) China list 2025, recognising the excellence, originality and real-world impact of their work. As a PolyU student, you are now part of this vibrant culture of innovation — one that will inspire you to explore new possibilities, transform ideas into impactful solutions and contribute to a better future.

Ninety Years of Impact

In 2027, PolyU will celebrate its 90th anniversary. Our story began in 1937, when we were established as a Government Trade School offering technical education. Nearly nine decades on, we have grown into an innovative world-class university making a positive impact on Hong Kong, our Nation and the world, exemplified by our motto, "To learn and to apply, for the benefit of mankind." I look forward to celebrating this important milestone with you.

Finally, make this academic year count. Be bold, be curious, and take full advantage of all that PolyU has to offer. Remember that university life is not only about the knowledge you acquire, but also about the person you become and the positive difference you choose to make.

I wish you a rewarding, healthy and memorable year ahead.

With best regards,