Past Events

Harvard expert Prof. John D. Spengler discusses climate crisis and cooling innovations at PAIR Seminar

On 9 December 2025, Prof. John D. SPENGLER from Harvard University delivered a PAIR Seminar titled “If you think it is hot now – just wait a few years”. The seminar explored innovative approaches to cooling neighbourhoods, saving lives, and strengthening local economies. The event attracted over 70 in-person participants and an online audience of more than 13,000 across various social media platforms.

Gerontech for smart ageing: how AI-powered assistive technology empowers ageing-in-place and elderly care

At the PAIR Seminar on 26 November 2025, Prof. Alex MIHAILIDIS from the University of Toronto shared his latest tech-enabled rehabilitation projects at the AgeTech Futures Institute (AgeTech). His presentation, titled “Supporting and rehabilitating older adults through AgeTech: from prevention to personalised care” explored how technology and artificial intelligence (AI) drive elderly care and rehabilitation services to go beyond the institution-based, recovery-focused model and move towards home-based, personalised care, while also providing support to caregivers and alleviating their burden. The seminar attracted over 110 in-person participants and an online audience of more than 13,000 across various social media platforms.

Harnessing AI for the future of Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products: insights from Prof. CUI Zhanfeng of Oxford

At the PAIR Seminar on 18 November 2025, Prof. CUI Zhanfeng of the University of Oxford shared the latest development in Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMPs). His presentation titled “AI and Biomanufacture of ATMPs” attracted about 100 in-person participants and an online audience of over 21,000 across various social media platforms.

Bridging the gap between research and practice: realising healthier indoor air

Prof. William P. BAHNFLETH of The Pennsylvania State University, USA, presented a PAIR Seminar titled “How Can We Realise the Aspirations of Indoor Air Science? Lessons from 30 Years Spent Trying to Improve Indoor Air Quality” on 14 November 2025 at the PolyU campus. The seminar attracted approximately 100 in-person participants and an online audience of over 21,300 across various social media platforms.

New theory on tourist behaviour unveiled by Prof. Sara DOLNICAR at PAIR Seminar

At the PAIR Seminar on 14 October 2025, Prof. Sara DOLNICAR of The University of Queensland, Australia, shared her pioneering theory of consumer behaviour during leisure. Her presentation, titled “Habit-Enjoyment-Effort Theory – Changing Consumer Behaviour in Hedonic Contexts”, explored human behaviours in settings where the pursuit of pleasure is paramount. The seminar attracted over 170 in-person participants and an online audience of more than 13,800 across various social media platforms.

The Art of Achievement: Prof. David PUI’s Scientific Legacy

At the PAIR Seminar on 10 October 2025, Prof. David Y. H. PUI of University of Minnesota, USA, shared insights that have contributed to his career success in both academia and industry. His talk, titled “Preparing for a Successful Career Starting with Your Graduate Theses”, focused on the essential personal qualities and skill sets for completing university education and excelling as an educator or technologist. The seminar attracted over 100 in-person participants and an online audience of more than 15,000 across various social media platforms.

Prof. Iain McCULLOCH of Princeton highlights next-generation solar fuels at PAIR Seminar

Green hydrogen, produced from water using renewable energy, is anticipated to become a leading fuel of the future, offering clean, carbon-free energy for a wide range of industrial applications. It also has the potential to provide complementary energy storage when combined with intermittent solar power. However, achieving economically competitive, large-scale solar-generated hydrogen production remains a significant challenge. Photochemical water splitting, a process that uses light-absorbing nanoparticle semiconductors to drive redox reactions on their surface, offers a promising solution.

Exploring New Frontiers in Nanotechnology: Prof. David PUI Unpacks Applications in Microelectronics and Environmental Health

Prof. David Y. H. PUI from the University of Minnesota, U.S.A., delivered the PAIR Seminar titled “Nanoparticle Technologies in Microelectronics, Air Quality, Health Effects, and Filtration” on 13 June 2025 on the PolyU campus. The seminar drew over 60 attendees in person and engaged an online audience of more than 13,100 from various countries and regions who joined the live broadcast on social media platforms.

Trailblazing PAIR Seminar by Prof. YAO Jianping on the Advancement of Microwave Photonic Systems

Prof. YAO Jianping from the University of Ottawa, Canada, delivered the PAIR Seminar titled “Photonic Integrated Circuits for Next-Generation Microwave Photonic Systems” on 11 June 2025 on the PolyU campus. The seminar drew over 70 attendees in person and engaged an online audience of more than 15,300 from various countries and regions who joined the live broadcast on social media platforms.

Prof. LIU Dikai from the University of Technology Sydney presented human-centred intelligent robotics in a seminar

Prof. LIU Dikai, Distinguished Professor and Strategic Research Director in the School of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Australia, delivered a PAIR seminar titled “Human-Centred Intelligent Robotics: Case Studies, Lessons Learnt, and Opportunities” on 10 October 2024 at PolyU. The seminar attracted over 120 in-person participants and captivated an online audience of over 13,100 from various countries and regions, who watched the live broadcast on multiple social media platforms, including Bilibili, Weixin, Weibo, YouTube, etc.