News

The 2026 Flying to Deep Space - International Forum on Science, Technology and Innovation Cooperation and Development Parallel Session 3 - Lunar Exploration, Innovation and Sustainable Development Successfully Concluded

The 2026 Flying to Deep Space-International Forum on Science, Technology and Innovation Cooperation and Development  Parallel Session 3, titled Lunar Exploration, Innovation and Sustainable Development, jointly organised by PReCIT of PolyU, the Chinese Society of Astronautics, and the International Astronautical Federation, was successfully concluded on 17 April. The session explored innovation and sustainable development in lunar exploration, covering frontier topics including orbit astronomical observation, lunar surveyor missions, space weather, lunar micro/nano-satellite development, lunar exploration projects based on commercial space stations, high-fidelity digital twins and discrete element simulation of lunar soil, as well as applications of ultrasonic technology for lunar resource development and long-term habitation.  In his welcoming remarks, Prof. Yu Hongyu, Designated Executive Director of Aerospace Research Academy (under preparation) of PolyU expressed that discussing moon exploration today is no longer just about "can we go," but about "how to go smarter, more enduringly, and more sustainably." Prof. Yu also pointed out that cooperation is the only path to sustainable exploration.  The session brought together aerospace experts and scholars from Hong Kong, Macao, and the Chinese Mainland, including Prof. Zhang Yonghe, Vice President of Innovation Academy for Microsatellites of Chinese Academy of Sciences; Prof. Zhao Qi, Associate Professor of Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering of PolyU; Prof. Wen Xiewen, Assistant Professor of Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering of PolyU; Prof. Li Gang, Professor of State Key Laboratory of Lunar and Planetary Sciences of Macau University of Science and Technology; Prof. Wei Mingchuan, Satellite Technology Research Institute of Harbin Institute of Technology; Prof. Li Xiaoniu, Research Associate of College of Aerospace Engineering of Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics; and Dr Chili Wu, Associate Director of PReCIT and Principal Research Fellow of the Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering of PolyU, attended in support.   Photo Album: Click here

PolyU Top 10 Research & Innovation Stories of the Year contribute to global sustainability

PolyU has unveiled the “PolyU Top 10 Research & Innovation Stories of the Year,” delivering impactful research for high-quality development and innovation. Prof. Christopher Chao, Senior Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU and Director of PReCIT, said in an interview with Sing Tao Daily that many selected research projects are related to the promotion of green technology. They range from breakthroughs in new energy technologies to responses to climate change, and from smart city development to innovations in environmental protection, reflecting the University’s comprehensive deployment in these fields and its proactive response to pressing global needs. Prof. Chao also added that PolyU’s research is closely aligned with the “15th Five-Year Plan” goal of green industrial development and benchmarks itself against the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, continuously building a cross-disciplinary research ecosystem that transforms forward-looking research into impactful solutions.   Learn More: https://polyu.me/4mFztqQ

Prof. Christopher Chao on Northern Metropolis development

PolyU hosted the “PolyU Northern Metropolis Future Forum Season 3” with the theme of “Co-creating a Better and Beautiful Northern Metropolis” on 14 April. Prof. Christopher Chao, Senior Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU and Director of PReCIT, gave an interview to Hong Kong Commercial Daily, outlining how PolyU could leverage its research strengths in strategic I&T industries to lay a solid foundation for building a vibrant I&T ecosystem in the Northern Metropolis. Prof. Chao also discussed how the University would align its development in the Northern Metropolis with the requirements of the country’s 15th Five-Year Plan. PolyU would fully capitalise on the strategic opportunities presented by the Northern Metropolis, contributing to Hong Kong–Shenzhen collaboration in I&T and to coordinated innovation across the GBA.   Learn More: https://polyu.me/427jzMf

PolyU holds inaugural Qian Weichang International Summit

PolyU reaffirmed its commitment to interdisciplinary research, global collaboration and talent cultivation with the successful conclusion of the inaugural Qian Weichang International Summit (QWIS) on 30–31 March 2026. Organised by PolyU and sponsored by the K.C. Wong Education Foundation, the QWIS was held in honour of Professor Qian Weichang, widely recognised as the “Father of Mechanics” in China. With the theme of “Interdisciplinary Advances in Science and Engineering”, the QWIS brought together distinguished guests and leading academics from renowned institutions worldwide to discuss cutting-edge topics and jointly drive innovation and development in the fields of science and engineering.   The QWIS featured eight distinguished plenary speakers from world-renowned universities, including Prof. CHEN Gang, Carl Richard Soderberg Professor of Power Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Prof. Dario FARINA, Professor and Chair in Neurorehabilitation Engineering at Imperial College London; Prof. GAO Huajian, Xinghua Distinguished University Professor at Tsinghua University; Prof. HU Haiyan, Chair Professor of Mechanics at the Beijing Institute of Technology; Prof. George MALLIARAS, Prince Philip Professor of Technology at the University of Cambridge; Prof. David QUÉRÉ, Professor at the École Polytechnique; Prof. YANG Wei, Professor at Zhejiang University; and Prof. ZHANG Xu, President of the Guangdong Institute of Intelligence Science and Technology. Their presentations focused on the latest research findings in mechanics, medicine, electronics, energy and materials science, which stimulated interdisciplinary collaboration and fresh perspectives for scientific exploration. Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, President of PolyU, said in his opening address, “The QWIS aims to bring together distinguished scholars from around the world to foster cross-boundary exchange and collaboration, inspire innovative thinking, push knowledge boundaries, and empower the next generation of talent in science and engineering to address global challenges, carrying forward the shared mission of the K.C. Wong Education Foundation and Professor Qian Weichang. The PolyU motto ‘To learn and to apply, for the benefit of mankind’ embodies our steadfast commitment to world-class education and interdisciplinary research that creates meaningful impact for Hong Kong, our Nation, and the world.”   At the QWIS’s Gala Dinner, Prof. Christopher CHAO, Senior Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU, made the opening speech, saying, “The QWIS breaks interdisciplinary boundaries, marks a significant milestone in PolyU’s mission to foster international academic collaboration, and reinforces our role as a world-class innovative institution, highlighting Hong Kong’s role as a dynamic international education hub.”   Learn More:https://polyu.hk/IHMjO   Online coverage: https://polyu.me/47Qv1PM

PolyU wins 37 awards at 51st International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva

PolyU achieved remarkable success at the 51st International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva, a total of 32 PolyU winning innovations received 37 accolades, including two Special Awards, six Gold Medals with Congratulations of the Jury, 14 Gold Medals, 10 Silver Medals, two Bronze Medals, one Special Prize and two Special Merit Awards. Among them, two were led by the InnoHK Centre for Eye and Vision Research (CEVR), a partnership between PolyU and the University of Waterloo. Prof. Christopher CHAO, PolyU Senior Vice President (Research and Innovation), commended the award-winning teams and startups, stating, “PolyU teams’ exceptional performance at the Geneva Inventions Expo this year is a testament to the strong international recognition of the University’s research excellence and innovation capabilities. Their accomplishments affirm PolyU’s steadfast commitment to advancing frontier research innovation and translating research outcomes into impactful real-world solutions. We will continue to nurture world-class researchers and startups, strengthen industry-academia-research collaboration and deepen knowledge transfer, creating lasting impact for Hong Kong, the Nation, and the world.”   This year, PolyU’s ground-breaking innovations span diverse fields, including life sciences, healthcare, vision health, aerospace, artificial intelligence, robotics, sustainable energy, green applications, engineering, advanced materials and sustainable textiles. They are poised to create a tangible impact for society and build a smarter, healthier and more sustainable future.   Learn More: https://polyu.hk/wLkhV   Online Coverage: Bauhinia - https://polyu.me/4luSmfr Ta Kung Pao - https://polyu.me/4bKpDQn

Prof. Christopher Chao and Prof. Chris Lo on scholars’ contribution to Hong Kong’s global symbiosis

Prof. Christopher Chao, Senior Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU and Director of PReCIT, and Prof. Chris Lo, Professor of Department of Logistics and Maritime Studies and Co-Founder of PolyVenture Immune Materials Limited, were interviewed by China Daily Hong Kong Edition, sharing how scholars and startups stand at the forefront of Hong Kong’s global symbiosis and exemplify the city’s strength. Prof. Chao further highlighted PolyU’s strategy to incubate and support campus startups.   Learn More: https://www.chinadailyhk.com/hk/article/630371

PolyU shines at MWC Barcelona 2026 as the sole university exhibitor from Hong Kong and recognised as GLOMO Award Finalist

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) made its debut at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) Barcelona 2026, the world’s largest and most influential event for the mobile and connectivity industry. The only higher education institution from Hong Kong to exhibit at the event, PolyU showcased a range of pioneering research innovations spanning the interdisciplinary fields of artificial intelligence (AI) for healthcare and education, next-generation connectivity and security, as well as smart city infrastructure, demonstrating the University’s capability to translate research outcomes into real-world solutions that benefit the global community.   Leading the delegation, Prof. Christopher Chao, Senior Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU and Director of PReCIT, said, “PolyU is honoured to be the first university from Hong Kong to participate at MWC Barcelona. This major international event enables us to demonstrate our capabilities in advanced technologies and interdisciplinary research to global audience. By engaging with leading industry representatives and presenting our world-class 6G, AI, and smart city innovations, we are not only showcasing PolyU’s research excellence but also expanding our global footprint and fostering partnerships that accelerate the transfer of knowledge from laboratories to the global market.”   Learn More: https://polyu.hk/VpNaj   Online coverage: https://polyu.me/40r26xE

CSocD64: Prof. Eric Chui Shares Experience in Responding to the Hong Kong Tai Po Fire

The 64th session of the United Nations Commission for Social Development held a side event last night with the theme of "Empowering Communities," focusing on strengthening community participation, promoting social inclusion, and enhancing the response capacity of social services. Prof. Eric Chui, Head of Department of Applied Social Sciences of PolyU and Co-Director of PReCIT, used the Tai Po fire incident as an example at the meeting, explaining how various sectors of society collaborated to assist in the community's recovery and reconstruction. Prof. Chui shared that PolyU provided critical support and community services during the incident, including collaboration with non-governmental organisations to offer expertise in nursing and social work, as well as providing professional training for communities with needs.

APEC 2026: Prof. Christopher Chao on Hong Kong’s Innovation and Technology Ecosystem

The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) 2026 Senior Officials’ Meeting commenced in Guangzhou under the theme “Building an Asia-Pacific Community to Prosper Together,” with three priorities of “Openness, Innovation, and Cooperation.” Prof. Christopher Chao, Senior Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU and Director of PReCIT, discussed Hong Kong’s innovation ecosystem and its world competitiveness: five universities ranking among the world’s top 100 with 1,821 "Top 2% Most Cited Scientists", and the InnoHK attracting over 30 leading research institutions from 12 economies, engaging over 3,000 local and international researchers. Prof. Chao shared that Hong Kong is playing a dual role as a “super connector” and “super value-adder,” efficiently bridging innovation resources of the Chinese Mainland and the world to advance regional collaboration.

Prof. Christopher Chao on Optimising I&T Supporting Systems

The State Council's report on application of sci-tech achievements released in December 2025 shows that China has witnessed a marked increase in both the volume and quality of applications of sci-tech achievements, effectively transforming innovations into productive forces. However, it highlights the need to strengthen the development of technology transfer manager teams and reinforce policy system regarding benefit distribution from achievement commercialisation and professional promotion. Prof. Christopher Chao, Senior Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU and Director of PReCIT, shared with Wen Wei Po that technology transfer managers are the key connection between “research” and “production”. Their professional training and value recognition require national policy and institutional support to effectively benefit the innovation ecosystem. Additionally, Hong Kong can leverage its mature international network and rich experience in connecting with global market rules, as well as utilise regional collaboration and financial innovation advantages to help systematically cultivate a national talent pool of technology transfer personnel with international perspectives. Online Coverage:  Wen Wei Po - https://polyu.me/46wpOvF