Past Events

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.

MHRC: The 1st Human Brain Mapping Symposium in the Greater Bay Area

On 7 November 2025, the Mental Health Research Centre (MHRC) and the Life Science Imaging Centre at the Hong Kong Baptist University, co-hosted the inaugural Human Brain Mapping Symposium in the Greater Bay Area. Held at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, the symposium attracted over 200 in-person participants and an online audience of more than 21,949 across various social media platforms.

RISA organized Research Seminar-Strategies to Increase Research Capacity and Productivity, As Well As to Foster International Collaborations

The Research Institute for Smart Ageing (RISA) successfully hosted Research Seminar- “Strategies to Increase Research Capacity and Productivity, As Well As to Foster International Collaborations” with the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU RS) on 4 Nov 2025. The event aims to foster meaningful international connections to pursue academic excellence and impactful innovation. We are honoured to have Prof. Paulo FERREIRA, NHMRC Research Fellow, Professor, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Director of the Musculoskeletal Research Hub, Charles Perkins Centre, Research Academic Director, University of Sydney as the speaker.

RCRE Seminar: Engineering Application of Ductile Concrete (ECC)

Prof. Victor Li of University of Michigan delivered a seminar on the topic of “Engineering Applications of Ductile Concrete (ECC)” on 3 November 2025. The seminar was jointly organized with the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IOM3) Hong Kong Branch and CEE of PolyU, and co-organized by the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (HKIE), Hong Kong Concrete Institute (HKCI) and American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Greater Bay Section. Over 100 participants joined the seminar.

RCRE Seminar: The 3D Eco-Concrete Printing for Hong Kong’s Construction Industry

A joint seminar with Hong Kong Institute of Project Management (HKIPM), PolyU-NAMI 3D Concrete Robotic Printing Research Centre (RCC3D), BRE and CEE of PolyU, titled "The 3D Eco-Concrete Printing for Hong Kong's Construction Industry," was held successfully on 28 October 2025. The seminar featured insightful presentations from three distinguished guests: Dr Jacky Chung (RCC3D and RCRE Member), Ir Lucas Lam (RCC3D) and Dr Junli Liu (CEE). Following the seminar, attendees toured RCC3D’s lab to observe 3D concrete printing technologies in action.

RILS Public Lecture: Dr Olga ROSTAPSHOVA of University of Chicago champions data-driven approach to environmental regulations

On 14 October 2025, Dr Olga ROSTAPSHOVA, Executive Director of the Energy and Environment Laboratory at the University of Chicago, delivered an online public lecture on "A Data-Driven Approach to Improving Enforcement of Environmental Regulations". The lecture was well-attended by over 300 registrations, attracting audience across the globe.

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.