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PolyU and Lands Department extend strategic collaboration to promote geospatial social innovation for smart and inclusive urban development

The Research Institute for Land and Space (RILS) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), the Survey and Mapping Office (SMO) of the Lands Department, HKSAR Government, and The Jockey Club Design Institute for Social Innovation (J.C.DISI) of PolyU have officially established the Special Interest Group on Geospatial Social Innovation (SIG-GSI), marking a new milestone in promoting the use of geospatial technologies and social innovation for public and community benefit. The formation of the SIG-GSI builds upon the collaboration framework established between PolyU and the Lands Department in September 2025 to advance smart surveying, mapping and geospatial services that incorporate authoritative standards.  Through pioneering research, technology enhancement and professional training, the partnership aims to accelerate Hong Kong’s transformation into a digital city.  Under the framework, PolyU’s academic and research units work closely with the SMO in research, education and knowledge transfer, focusing on interdisciplinary fields including land surveying, geographic information systems, remote sensing, smart cities, artificial intelligence and location-based technologies. As the first major initiative under this collaboration framework, the Group brings together RILS, SMO and J.C.DISI, with J.C.DISI joining as a new collaborating unit.  Drawing on its expertise in social innovation, multidisciplinary engagement and community-centred design, J.C.DISI will help identify opportunities and foster collaboration in areas aligned with the Group’s mission. The convenors of the SIG-GSI are Prof. DING Xiaoli, Director of RILS; Mr CHOI Wai Man, Raymond, Chief Land Surveyor/Land Information Centre, and Mr SO Man Cheong, Kenneth, Chief Survey Manager/Special Duties of SMO; and Ms Sam LAM, Interim Director of J.C.DISI.  The SIG-GSI provides a platform for academia, government and social innovation practitioners to collaborate in leveraging spatial data and geospatial technologies to address urban and community challenges.  Through research exchange, capacity building, pilot projects and professional activities, the Group aims to advance applications of spatial data and geospatial technologies in areas such as community development, social inclusion, walkability and smart city development, while promoting innovative solutions that contribute to the public and social good. The Group held its inaugural meeting on 9 July 2026 at PolyU.  During the meeting, members discussed priority areas for collaboration and future initiatives that will harness spatial data and geospatial technologies to create positive social impact. A key focus of the discussion was the upcoming launch of the Walkin’HK application on 15 July 2026.  The application aims to promote the concept of walkability across Hong Kong by leveraging open spatial data available through the HKSAR Government’s Common Spatial Data Infrastructure (CSDI) Portal.  By drawing on a wide range of open spatial datasets—including 3D visualisation map, 3D pedestrian network, address information and community facilities—the platform will provide valuable spatial insights into the pedestrian environment, support walkability studies and foster more people-centred urban development through enhanced community engagement. Through this tripartite collaboration, the SIG-GSI will serve as a dynamic platform for harnessing geospatial intelligence, social innovation and multidisciplinary expertise to develop practical, inclusive and sustainable land and space solutions for Hong Kong, contributing to the city’s continued advancement as a smart, resilient and people-centred metropolis.

RISA co-organises the 4th Asia Pacific Alliance for Obesity and Sarcopenia Metabolism (APAOSM) Scientific Meeting

The 4th Scientific Meeting of the Asia Pacific Alliance for Obesity and Sarcopenia Metabolism (APAOSM), held concurrently with the 2nd Scientific Meeting of the APAOSM Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Committee, was successfully hosted at PolyU on 11 July 2026.  Co-organised by the Research Institute for Smart Ageing (RISA), the Hong Kong Nutrition Association and the Shenzhen Hospital of Southern Medical University, the symposium brought together leading experts, clinicians, and researchers from across Southeast Asia and Oceania.  The hybrid event, which attracted over 50,000 online and in-person participants, fostered rich academic exchange on cutting-edge topics in obesity, metabolic medicine, clinical nutrition, bariatric surgery, and the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare. Highlighting RISA’s core research in innovative gerontechnology, Prof. ZHENG Yongping, Director of RISA, delivered a featured presentation during the morning session on the clinical application of palm-sized ultrasound for the precise assessment of sarcopenia and fatty liver disease.  The symposium also featured a diverse range of academic sessions, oral presentations, and e-poster showcases covering advanced topics such as the gut microbiota, targeted nutritional interventions, and the latest international guidelines.  Through co-organising this high-impact international event, RISA continues to strengthen its regional and global collaborations, driving multidisciplinary research, technological innovation, and practical solutions to enhance the metabolic health and well-being of the ageing population.   Online coverage: Journal San Wa Ou - https://polyu.me/4wRGgRR ifeng - https://ishare.ifeng.com/c/s/8uhXHb7dpbU

Ir Prof. NI Yi-Qing receives the Chinese Academy of Engineering’s 16th Guanghua Engineering Science and Technology Award

Ir Prof. NI Yi-Qing, Chair Professor of Smart Structures and Rail Transit at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University and Member of the Research Institute for Sustainable Urban Development (RISUD), has recently been honoured with the 16th Guanghua Engineering Science and Technology Award. Established by the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE), the Guanghua Engineering Science and Technology Award recognises Chinese engineers and scientists for their outstanding achievements and contributions in the fields of engineering, technology and management. Presented biennially, the award comprises two categories: the Guanghua Engineering Science and Technology Achievement Award and the Guanghua Engineering Science and Technology Award. Following a rigorous process involving nomination, preliminary assessment, public announcement and final review, CAE academicians selected 40 awardees from a pool of 471 outstanding candidates, including one recipient of the Guanghua Engineering Science and Technology Achievement Award and 39 recipients of the Guanghua Engineering Science and Technology Award. The awardees span a wide range of disciplines, including mechanical engineering, information technology, chemical engineering, metallurgy, materials and energy. Among them, three awardees are from Hong Kong. Prof. Ni has devoted more than 30 years to the research and application of structural health monitoring technologies. He pioneered an integrated modular design approach for large-scale structural health monitoring systems and a life-cycle structural health monitoring paradigm. These innovations have been widely applied in the design and implementation of health monitoring systems for major civil engineering structures. Press release: https://polyu.me/4fnU1km   Online coverage: Wen Wei Po - https://polyu.me/4bdy5Hi; https://polyu.me/4vRzYBJ Ta Kung Pao - https://polyu.me/4vnsnd4; https://polyu.me/4bzXQBN Lion Rock Daily - https://polyu.me/44ojtkF China News - https://polyu.me/3Tt14AL Sina - https://polyu.me/4pbUqLh China Daily - https://polyu.me/4wgawq1 People.cn - https://polyu.me/4vZNfZb Dot Dot News - https://polyu.me/4gxPzBQ Qiaobaous - https://polyu.me/4yh3pPm World Journal - https://polyu.me/4w2CWDC Rednet.com - https://polyu.me/4yvvt1E 

PolyU scholar wins HUAWEI Spark Award, highlighting University’s strengths in research translation and industry collaboration

Prof. Tommy WEI Minchen, Management Committee Member of Photonics Research Institute (PRI), Member of Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Smart Cities Research Institute (SCRI), Research Centre for SHARP Vision (RCSV) and Research Centre for Digital Transformation of Tourism (RCDTT), and Associate Head (Research) of the Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering, was recently honoured with the prestigious HUAWEI Spark Award in recognition of his team’s innovative solution to a major industrial technology challenge and its successful translation of cutting-edge research findings into real-world industrial applications. Prof. Wei and his team have long dedicated on the underlying mechanisms of the human visual system, translating research findings into innovative solutions for full-link multimedia systems ranging from camera capture to screen display. Addressing a major bottleneck in display colour calibration for this year’s HUAWEI challenge, the team leveraged visual science research to deliver a breakthrough engineering solution. This innovation significantly enhances the colour calibration accuracy and user experience of product displays. The technology has already been deployed, making a tangible contribution to the advancement of display technology worldwide. Established by HUAWEI in 2021, the Spark Award focuses on fundamental research in areas including information and communications technology, materials science and mathematical algorithms. Under the initiative, Huawei identifies industrial challenges with significant commercial and scientific value and invites universities worldwide to develop original solutions, recognising researchers whose innovations advance both science and industry. Press release: https://polyu.hk/Yavgv   Online coverage: 同花順 - https://polyu.me/4y61H30 Wen Wei Po - https://polyu.me/4f6RvP8 Headline Daily - https://polyu.me/3SUTeje

PolyU awarded Smart Traffic Fund to develop intelligent traffic signal control system for temporary traffic management

Prof. Edward CHUNG Chin-shin, Member of Research Institute for Artificial Intelligence of Things (RIAIoT) and Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Smart Cities Research Institute (SCRI), and Professor of Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), has received about HK$3.578 million in funding from the Smart Traffic Fund to develop an intelligent traffic signal control system tailored for temporary one-lane-two-way traffic arrangements. The 24-month project, titled “Development of an Intelligent Signal Control System for Temporary Traffic Arrangement”, is one of three projects funded under the 25th batch of the Smart Traffic Fund.  It aims to provide the traffic management industry with a more flexible and efficient solution for temporary one-lane-two-way arrangements, which are commonly implemented on Hong Kong’s narrow streets during roadworks.  By optimising signal control and traffic management, the project seeks to alleviate bottlenecks, shorten vehicle queues and reduce traffic congestion. Prof. Chung and his team will develop advanced sensing technologies to monitor queue lengths and traffic flow in real time, and establish a dynamic traffic flow model to support more responsive traffic management.  Adaptive signal control algorithms will be applied to dynamically adjust signal timings according to prevailing traffic conditions and varying traffic demands.  A mobile prototype system will be developed as a practical tool to support temporary traffic management.   Online coverage: Bioengineer - https://polyu.me/4h6YWbN EurekAlert - https://polyu.me/4aLobwm

New directorship appointments for RISUD and RCRE

We are pleased to announce the appointment of Ir Prof. NIU Jianlei, Chair Professor of Building Environment and Energy of the Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering, as Director of Research Institute for Sustainable Urban Development (RISUD) with effect from 1 July 2026.  An internationally recognised expert in building environment and energy, Prof. Niu’s research focuses on indoor environmental quality, thermal comfort, HVAC systems and urban microclimates.  He currently leads a major RGC Theme-based Research Scheme project on healthy and resilient cities and serves as Editor-in-Chief of Energy and Buildings. He is also a Fellow of American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), Fellow of International Society of Indoor Air Quality and Climate (ISIAQ) and Fellow of the International Building Performance Simulation Association (IBPSA). We are also delighted to announce the appointment of Prof. Charles XU Chunbao as Director of Research Centre for Resources Engineering towards Carbon Neutrality (RCRE) and Chair Professor of Advanced Biorefinery in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering with effect from 2 July 2026.  Joining PolyU following a global search, Prof. Xu is an internationally renowned scholar in advanced biorefinery and sustainable resource engineering.  With more than 20 years of research experience, he has published over 400 journal papers, holds 12 international patents and is recognised for his pioneering work in converting biomass and organic wastes into sustainable fuels, green chemicals and biopolymer materials.  He is a Fellow of the Chemical Institute of Canada, the Canadian Academy of Engineering and the Engineering Institute of Canada. We extend our warmest congratulations to Ir Prof. Niu and Prof. Xu on their new appointments.  We are confident that, under their leadership, RISUD and RCRE will continue to strengthen their research excellence and make significant contributions to sustainable urban development and carbon neutrality.

RCDTT and PATA forecast Asia Pacific international visitor arrivals to reach 789.2 million by 2028

The PolyU Research Centre for Digital Transformation of Tourism (RCDTT), in collaboration with the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), has released the PATA Asia Pacific Visitor Forecasts 2026–2028: Mid-Year Update. The report indicates steady growth in international visitor arrivals across 39 Asia Pacific destinations over the next three years, reaching 714.9 million in 2026, 758.8 million in 2027 and 789.2 million in 2028. By then, the region is expected to have recovered to 115.6% of its 2019 visitor volume, signalling a new phase of tourism expansion. The report also identifies the key destinations and source markets driving this growth. Among the region’s ten largest destinations, Vietnam is projected to record the strongest growth, with arrivals increasing by 31.2% between 2025 and 2027. Macao, Japan, Hong Kong SAR, Turkey and Malaysia are also expected to see notable increases, while the Chinese mainland will remain the region’s largest destination, welcoming 157.8 million international visitors in 2027. Prof. SONG Haiyan, Director of RCDTT, Associate Dean (Research) and Chair Professor at the School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM), said that the forecasts provide governments, tourism organisations and industry stakeholders with valuable insights to support strategic planning in a rapidly evolving travel market.   Online coverage: Travel Daily News - https://polyu.me/4wh2In9 Travel and Tour World - https://polyu.me/4wmSi5L TTR Weekly - https://polyu.me/4v0oMRZ Travel Industry Wire - https://polyu.me/4w8P2KU FTN News - https://polyu.me/4eC4zNJ Hospitality Trends - https://polyu.me/4gNflSw Gaming Industry Wire - https://polyu.me/4wljUbq

Exploring a New Global Frontier in Neuroscience: Cambridge NeuroWorks and PolyU PAIR Joint Seminar Series

We are delighted to announce that the second seminar of the Cambridge NeuroWorks and PolyU PAIR Joint Seminar Series will be held on 21 July 2026 (Tuesday).  The seminar titled “Bioelectronic Systems as Neural Interfaces” will be delivered by Prof. John A. ROGERS of Northwestern University, U.S.A. Prof. John A. ROGERS is Director of the Querrey Simpson Institute for Bioelectronics in the Northwest University.  He has co-authored nearly 1000 papers and is co-inventor on more than 100 patents, over 70 of which have been licensed to major companies or to start-ups that have emerged from his laboratories.  His research has been recognised through numerous honours, including the James Prize for Science and Technology Integration from the National Academy of Sciences, U.S.A. (2022) and the IEEE Biomedical Engineering Award (2024).  He is a Fellow of the Royal Society, a member of the National Academy of Engineering, the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Medicine, the National Academy of Inventors and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in the U.S.A. In this seminar, Prof. Rogers will explore the transformative field of bioelectronic neural interfaces, which are reshaping neuroscience and opening up new avenues for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders.  He will also discuss how advanced electronic and optoelectronic technologies can be seamlessly integrated with soft biological tissues, enabling the precise monitoring and modulation of neural circuits across 1D, 2D and 3D architectures. Join us for an engaging presentation by Prof. Rogers, offering insight into the potential of bioelectronic systems to transform healthcare and deepen our understanding of the nervous system.   Bioelectronic Systems as Neural Interfaces Date: 21 July 2026 (Tuesday) Time: 8:00-9:30pm (HKT) / 7:00-8:30am (CDT) / 1:00-2:30pm (BST) Format: Online via Zoom Speaker: Prof. John A. ROGERS, Louis Simpson and Kimberly Querrey Professor of Materials Science and Engineering, Biomedical Engineering and Neurological Surgery (and by courtesy Electrical and Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemistry and Dermatology) Director, Querrey Simpson Institute for Bioelectronics Northwestern University Language: English Event website: https://polyu.hk/VeQzW Registration: https://polyu.hk/chKNV

Tracking influenza transmission through wastewater: Stanford research reveals new opportunities for public health

On 29 June 2026, Prof. Alexandria BOEHM of Stanford University, U.S., delivered a PAIR Distinguished Lecture titled “Influenza Transmission and Diversity in Humans and Animals Inferred from Untreated Wastewater across the United States”.  The lecture attracted more than 80 attendees in person, while approximately 15,600 viewers watched the livestream across multiple social media platforms. During the lecture, Prof. Boehm highlighted the important role of wastewater surveillance in monitoring infectious diseases and explained how viral signals can provide timely insights into trends of community transmission.  She noted that Influenza A RNA detected in wastewater solids can effectively reflect seasonal influenza transmission patterns and accurately track the beginning, peak, and end of flu seasons.  These data not only help monitor outbreak developments but also provide valuable references for clinical decision-making and public health communication. Prof. Boehm further pointed out that Influenza A RNA concentrations in wastewater closely correspond to community infection patterns.  The wastewater surveillance programme she leads, WastewaterSCAN, began as a pilot project at just two sites and has since expanded to more than 150 wastewater treatment plants across 40 U.S. states.  Data accumulated over years of surveillance have not only revealed patterns of influenza transmission across seasons and regions, but also demonstrated close associations between influenza activity and other respiratory viruses such as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The lecture also explored how wastewater surveillance can be used to identify influenza virus subtypes.  Prof. Boehm explained that while total Influenza A RNA levels can reflect outbreak trends, subtype information is equally essential for assessing vaccine effectiveness and disease severity.  By analysing haemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) gene sequences, researchers can identify currently circulating virus subtypes—including H3N2, H1N1, and H5N1—from wastewater samples, enabling a more comprehensive understanding of the distribution and transmission of different influenza strains. Beyond reflecting human infections, animal influenza signals detected in wastewater also provide valuable insights for disease transmission monitoring.  Prof. Boehm explained that these data help track the progression of avian influenza outbreaks in U.S. cattle and assess transmission risks among animals.  With advances in metagenomic technologies, researchers are now able to assemble novel influenza virus genomes from wastewater samples, offering deeper insights into how these viruses evolve over time. Prof. Boehm emphasised that understanding circulating virus subtypes can support more effective vaccine development and help anticipate potential viral reassortment events at an early stage, strengthening preparedness for emerging threats.  She concluded that continued advances in wastewater surveillance may eventually help predict which influenza gene sequences are likely to circulate, providing a stronger scientific basis for preventive vaccine development, including the selection of strains for future seasonal vaccines. The lecture concluded with a Q&A session moderated by Prof. LI Xiangdong, Director of the Research Institute for Sustainable Urban Development.  Both in-person and online participants had lively discussions with Prof. Boehm, exploring topics ranging from wastewater surveillance to influenza prevention and control. Please click here for an online review.

Prof. LIU Ai-Qun shares quantum technology trends and cybersecurity insights at LegCo

Prof. LIU Ai-Qun, Director of the Research Institute of Quantum Technology (RIQT), recently shared his expert insights on cybersecurity in the quantum era at Hong Kong’s Legislative Council (LegCo).  He also met with members of the LegCo T5 Group, the Panel on Information Technology and Broadcasting, and representatives of China Mobile Hong Kong (CMHK) to exchange views on the subject. Prof. Liu noted that, with the continued advancement of quantum computing, future quantum computers may be capable of breaking widely used commercial encryption within hours, whereas conventional computers could take thousands of years to perform the same task.  Such a technological breakthrough could pose significant cybersecurity and financial risks to Hong Kong, warranting close attention from all sectors of society. He highlighted that quantum technology has been identified as one of the key developments in China’s 15th Five-Year Plan and outlined PolyU’s forward-looking response through its research in Quantum Key Distribution and Post-Quantum Cryptography.  Prof. Liu further shared that his team has developed low-cost, scalable quantum chips with high key rates and has completed security trials on Hong Kong’s first 55-kilometre chip-based quantum communication network.  He also revealed that the team will embark on a new round of trials with CMHK to advance the development of cross-boundary and metropolitan hybrid chip-based QKD networks, further supporting Hong Kong’s ambition to establish a secure, world-class quantum communications infrastructure.   Online coverage: Wen Wei Po - https://polyu.me/43WnbBS