News

PolyU Reshapes AI Training Paradigm, Significantly Reducing Costs and Democratising AI Research

PolyU Academy for Artificial Intelligence (PAAI) has announced achieving several milestones in Generative AI (GenAI) research. The PAAI team is pushing the boundaries of AI with a novel collaborative GenAI paradigm known as Co-GenAI, which has the potential to transform frontier model training from a centralised, monolithic approach into a decentralised one. Significantly lowering training resource requirements, protecting data privacy and removing resource barriers such as graphics processing unit (GPU) monopolies paves the way for a more inclusive and accessible environment for global institutions to participate in AI research. Prof. YANG Hongxia, Executive Director of PolyU PAAI, Associate Dean (Global Engagement) of the Faculty of Computer and Mathematical Sciences, and Professor of the Department of Computing, stated, “Ultra-low-resource foundation model training, combined with efficient model fusion, enables academic researchers worldwide to advance GenAI research through collaborative innovation.” Prof. Christopher Chao, Senior Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU and Director of PReCIT, stated, “AI is a key driver in accelerating the development of new quality productive forces. The newly established PAAI is dedicated to expediting AI integration across key sectors and developing domain-specific models for diverse industries. These initiatives will not only solidify the leading position of PolyU in related fields, but also help position Hong Kong as a global hub for GenAI.” Press Release: English; 繁體中文; 简体中文 Online Coverage:  The Standard - https://polyu.me/4hpY7J6

International Low-Altitude Economy Summit Parallel Session 3 - Policy and Regulation Successfully Concluded

The International Low-Altitude Economy Summit Parallel Session 3 - Policy and Regulation, organised by PReCIT of PolyU, with the support of the Working Group on Developing the Low-altitude Economy of the HKSAR Government and the Greater Bay Area Low-altitude Economy Alliance, successfully concluded on 9 October. The session explored policy framework for the development of low-altitude economy, public-private collaboration models, regional integration, and venue partners for the Sandbox projects, attracting over 200 faculty, students, leaders from various sectors, and public. The forum brought together government and business leaders, scholars and industry experts, including Ms Joan Hung, Deputy Secretary for Transport and Logistics of the HKSAR Government; Mr Dominic Chow, Deputy Director-General of Civil Aviation of the HKSAR Government; Mr Maxwell Zhang Head of DICT Centre, China Mobile Hong Kong Co. Ltd.; Mr Liu Chen, Chairman of Hangzhou Low-Altitude Industry Development Co., Ltd; Mr Su Yabing, Full-time Deputy Director of Zhuhai Municipal Office for Advancing the Development of the Guangdong-HongKong-Macao Greater Bay Area; Ms Zhao Hui, Executive Director of International Advanced Technology Application and Promotion Center (GBA), GBA Application Scenarios Innovation Center; and Mr Cheung Ting Pong, Co-Founder and Chairman, The Low Altitude Economy Association of Hong Kong, China;, along with Prof. Christopher Chao, Senior Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU and Director of PReCIT; Prof. Eric Chui, Co-Director of PReCIT and Head of Department of Applied Social Sciences; Prof. Chen Wen-hua, Interim Head of Department of Aeronautical and Aviation Engineering and Director of Research Centre for Low Altitude Economy; Prof. John Shi, Director of Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Smart Cities Research Institute and Chair Professor of Geographical Information Science and Remote Sensing; Prof. Wen Liu, Executive Director of PolyU-Hefei Technology and Innovation Research Institute; and Dr Chili Wu, Associate Director of PReCIT and Principal Research Fellow of Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering, attended in support.

Prof. Christopher Chao on How to Contribute to National Space Industry

The Chinese aerospace industry has steadily constructed a complete aerospace technology system, transforming the lunar exploration myth into a reality of scientific practice. Prof. Christopher Chao, Senior Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU and Director of PReCIT, penned an article in Wen Wei Po, analysing how Hong Kong can leverage its advantages through industry-academia collaboration to contribute to national aerospace industry and continue promoting international aerospace cooperation.   Online Coverage: Wen Wei Po - https://polyu.me/3WhgqGM

PolyU Showcases Latest Space Research Excellence at the 76th International Astronautical Congress

The 76th International Astronautical Congress is being held in Sydney, Australia. PolyU, as a participantin the Nation's space exploration programmes, highlighted the University’s strong research capabilities in aerospace engineering and science on the global stage. Prof. Christopher Chao, Designated Senior Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU and Director of PReCIT, was interviewed by Phoenix TV about PolyU’s participation and contributions to national space missions. Prof. Chao highlighted that PolyU is showcasing nine pioneering projects with around ten professors and researchers engaging international partners. He also shared that PolyU’s deep involvement in major national missions, including Chang’e 3,4,5,6 and Tianwen-1 (locating landing position to Mars), as well as designing and building the lunar soil-grabbing system that successfully collected samples.   Online Coverage: Phoenix TV - https://polyu.me/4nsaPJH  

Northern Metropolis University Town

The Policy Address outlines accelerating the development of the Northern Metropolis University Town (NMUT). Dr Christine Choi, Secretary for Education, stated that establishing the NMUT is not solely about increasing teaching space for institutions. Institutions must explore ways to integrate industry development with the academic sectors, as well as approaches to collaboration among other institutions to introduce new elements to the Northern Metropolis. Prof. Christopher Chao, Designated Senior Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU and Director of PReCIT, responded that PolyU expects to establish joint laboratories with newly introduced key enterprises in the NMUT, with the aim of training postgraduate students and supporting companies in developing research projects.   Online Coverage: Ming Pao - https://polyu.me/4no6erP

Prof. Eric Chui on Social Service Initiatives in the Policy Address

Prof. Eric Chui, Head of Department of Applied Social Sciences of PolyU and Co-Director of PReCIT, shared his views on social service initiatives during an interview on RTHK’s programme “Hong Kong United:”   Community Living Rooms: Districts with higher concentrations of subdivided units and lower median incomes, such as Kwun Tong, North District, Tsuen Wan, are suitable locations to establish community living rooms.   Ageing in place: Beyond setting up more neighbourhood elderly centres, strengthen outreach; collaborate with Care Teams for regular visits to elderly living alone; and better integrate neighbourhood centres with District Health Centres’ services.   Support for caregivers: Promote smart home incident detection, such as fall alerts, so that caregivers can receive timely notifications even without 24/7 monitoring.   Online Coverage: RTHK - https://polyu.me/46IDPa1 (07:07–09:03)  

Prof. Christopher Chao on Research Commercialisation

At the 2025 Jiangsu Conference on Industry-Academia-Research Cooperation and Exchange in Nanjing, Prof. Christopher Chao, Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU and Director of PReCIT, shared with Xinhua Daily, emphasising that the industrialisation of research achievements should begin by fostering deep connections between “scientists, entrepreneurs, and investors” to align research directions more closely with industry needs. Prof. Chao also mentioned that PolyU has established long-term collaborations with Jiangsu in recent years, including the establishment of PolyU-Wuxi Technology and Innovation Research Institute in 2023 and PolyU-Nanjing Technology and Innovation Research Institute in 2024, transforming Hong Kong’s research outcomes into practical applications in the rich industrial ecosystem of the two cities.   Online Coverage: Xinhua Daily - https://polyu.me/4628UFB JS China - https://polyu.me/3ImVMSj Sohu - https://polyu.me/3VeNuyS qq - https://polyu.me/4pmFI3s

Prof. Christopher Chao and Prof. Eric Chui Share the 2025 Policy Address Recommendations

Prof. Christopher Chao, Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU and Director of PReCIT, and Prof. Eric Chui, Co-Director of PReCIT and Head of Department of Applied Social Sciences, were interviewed by Commercial Radio, introducing the 2025 Policy Address submitted earlier by PReCIT. Prof. Chao shared that PolyU and the universities in Hong Kong have strong research capabilities, and the aerospace industries, which have become popular in recent years, may become an industry trend. Establishing a “Hong Kong Aerospace Coordination Office” will help its development. Prof. Chui mentioned that PolyU is committed to nurturing interdisciplinary talents, and recommended to continue to expand support for local students and increase the quota of Belt and Road Scholarships to 450 to admit more outstanding students.   Online Coverage: Commercial Radio - https://www.881903.com/news2/local/2595345

Prof. Eric Chui Introduces The 2025 Policy Address Recommendations Submitted by PReCIT

Prof. Eric Chui, Co-Director of PReCIT and Head of Department of Applied Social Sciences of PolyU, was interviewed by Radio Television Hong Kong, introducing the recommendations to the HKSAR Government for the 2025 Policy Address submitted earlier by PReCIT. Prof. Chui emphasised that the recommendations closely align with the commitment to driving economic development and improving people’s livelihoods, and effectively utilise Hong Kong's unique advantages under One country, Two systems to propose sustainable solutions for Hong Kong.   Online Coverage: RTHK - https://podcast.rthk.hk/podcast/item.php?pid=288&eid=264947&year=2025&list=1&lang=zh-CN

Polyu International Future Challenge (Jinjiang Region) Successfully Concludes

PolyU's flagship innovation and entrepreneurship competition, International Future Challenge, has successfully attracted over 700 elite startup teams from around the world, competing for a total prize pool of over HK$2 million. Recently, the finals and industry matchmaking event of the Jinjiang region were successfully held. Prof. Christopher Chao, Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU and Director of PReCIT, was interviewed by Jinjiang TV, emphasising PolyU and PolyU-Jinjiang Technology and Innovation Research Institute as platforms for fostering collaboration with Jinjiang's industries and businesses, facilitating local enterprises to expand internationally through Hong Kong.   Online Coverage: Jinjiang TV - https://polyu.me/4g1iBr2