At the forefront of discovery and innovation, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is leveraging the power of research to create meaningful societal impact. Guided by its mission to achieve “world-leading research and innovation for societal benefits”—as set out in its latest Strategic Plan—PolyU has reached remarkable new heights in recent years, affirming its position as a leader in research and innovation.

One of the most striking indicators of this progress is the University’s sustained growth in securing external research funding, which has surged from just under $500 million in 2019/20 to more than $1.4 billion in 2024/25—increasing nearly by 190% in just five years. Further underscoring this trajectory of excellence, PolyU topped all University Grants Committee (UGC)-funded universities in the Research Grants Council (RGC) Collaborative Research Fund 2024/25, earning both the highest number of grants and the total funding amount awarded.

These milestones highlight PolyU’s transformation into a world-class research powerhouse. To explore the University’s vibrant culture of research excellence, its forward-looking strategies, and its aspirations for the future, we spoke with Professor Christopher Chao, Senior Vice President (Research and Innovation), for an insider perspective.

Attracting top talent for world-leading research

Professor Chao attributes much of PolyU’s success in securing funding and driving innovation to its strategic focus on recruiting world-class talent engaged in cutting-edge, frontier research. The University has implemented several targeted initiatives to attract leading academics and researchers. One such initiative is the “Global STEM Professorship Scheme”, supported by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, which enables PolyU to bring internationally renowned scholars to its campus. Additionally, the University’s own “Strategic Hiring Scheme” has been instrumental in recruiting exceptional talent, while the “Presidential Young Scholars Scheme” focuses on nurturing promising early-career researchers. 

Central to PolyU’s recruitment philosophy is a commitment to impact-driven research.

This approach aligns seamlessly with PolyU’s motto, “To learn and to apply, for the benefit of mankind”. By building a community of researchers and innovators devoted to societal betterment and addressing real-world challenges, PolyU not only wins increased funding but also fosters stronger partnerships with donors and industry stakeholders. These collaborators are drawn to the University’s shared vision of driving transformative impact across industries and communities.

Exploring diverse pathways in research funding

This focus on tangible impact also inspires the University to seek out a wider array of funding opportunities that directly align with specific societal needs, in addition to conventional grants from the RGC or Innovation and Technology Fund (ITF). Notable examples include the Smart Traffic Fund by the Transport Department and the Green Tech Fund by the Environment and Ecology Bureau. Since the inception of both funds in 2021 and 2020 respectively, PolyU has distinguished itself by securing both the highest number of funded projects and the largest total funding among all UGC-funded universities. 

In parallel, PolyU empowers its researchers through substantial internal funding, allocating nearly $2.5 billion from 2022/23 to 2024/25 to cultivate a robust research ecosystem and drive innovations for the betterment of society. This includes matching schemes that incentivise researchers to pursue external grants, magnifying overall funding impact. Ultimately, PolyU’s funding strategy creates a multiplier effect—expanding resources, building confidence, and cultivating a culture of research excellence across the University.

Professor Christopher Chao

• Senior Vice President (Research and Innovation)

• Director of Policy Research Centre for Innovation and Technology

• Chair Professor of Thermal and Environmental Engineering, Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering and Department of Mechanical Engineering

Driving knowledge transfer for societal benefits

To further amplify PolyU’s research influence and drive knowledge transfer, the University has set up 12 Mainland Translational Research Institutes (MTRIs) in strategic cities across the Chinese Mainland, with several of them already in full operation. Professor Chao explains, “Through these MTRIs, PolyU aligns its research strengths with local industrial and societal needs, enabling translational research that directly fuels each city’s economic development.” This model establishes a powerful partnership: host cities provide research space, facilities, and funding, while PolyU contributes its world-class expertise, advanced technologies, and exceptional talent to develop impactful solutions for each city.

The MTRIs also play an important role in strengthening PolyU’s broader ecosystem of fostering entrepreneurship. For instance, the University’s Graduate School is launching a Master of Technology Entrepreneurship in January 2026, designed to empower students to turn innovative ideas into successful ventures and emerge as future leaders in technology-driven entrepreneurship. As part of the programme, students are required to complete a startup project at an MTRI, ensuring a direct connection between academic learning and practical application. Similarly, PolyU’s International Future Challenge competition, which inspires young innovators to commercialise innovative technologies, leverages the networks and resources of the MTRIs to accelerate the growth of student-led ventures.

Looking ahead, Professor Chao sees the MTRIs as having the potential to serve as gateways for PolyU’s technologies, innovations and startups to enter the international market, beyond the Chinese Mainland. By first demonstrating success in the diverse Mainland market via the MTRIs, PolyU can build a strong foundation for its innovations to be embraced internationally. This strategic trajectory amplifies PolyU’s global presence while reinforcing Hong Kong’s role as a pivotal “super connector” between the Chinese Mainland and the world. (Read more: Fuelling Innovation and Transformation across the Chinese Mainland)

 

Expanding interdisciplinary research excellence

As global challenges grow ever more complex, there is a need for solutions that transcend traditional academic boundaries, incorporating insights from different fields. The PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research (PAIR) provides a vital platform for advancing such solutions. Now well-established, PAIR encompasses 19 research institutes and centres. (Read more: PAIR: A Driving Force for Tackling Global Challenges)

Building on this foundation, PolyU is establishing new academies, also with an interdisciplinary ethos, to address emerging societal needs. In April 2025, the University launched the PolyU Academy for Artificial Intelligence (PAAI). This new academy positions PolyU at the forefront of AI research and applications, while helping to establish Hong Kong as a global hub for generative AI. PAAI will integrate AI into fields such as medicine, robotics, and smart manufacturing—advancing innovation that directly benefits society. (Read more: Powering the Last Mile of GenAI)

 

By the end of the 2025/26 academic year, PolyU will also establish the PolyU Aerospace Research Academy (PARA) to coordinate and strengthen its expertise in aerospace research and applications. Looking further ahead, the University plans to launch a Future Technology Academy or Research Institute.

Embracing a global vision

When asked how PolyU can sustain its competitive edge in research and innovation among the world’s leading universities in the years ahead, Professor Chao offers a compelling vision: “We must adopt a truly global outlook. This means staying attuned to worldwide developments and leveraging our technologies and solutions to address pressing global challenges. PolyU must position itself as a pivotal player in tackling emerging global trends.” He highlights the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals as a key framework, embodying the universal challenges and trends that PolyU is committed to addressing through impactful research. 

Additionally, PolyU will aim to attract more international students, including PhD students, by enhancing its outreach efforts in overseas countries and markets to recruit outstanding non-local candidates. “By welcoming more students from different regions of the world, we will enrich our University community with a wealth of different perspectives and wisdom. This diversity will help fuel creativity, drive innovation, and spark breakthrough research ideas,” Professor Chao suggests.

Lastly, PolyU will strategically forge and expand joint collaborations with world-renowned universities and leading global enterprises, creating powerful synergies that amplify the reach and real-world impact of its research and knowledge transfer initiatives on a truly international scale.

Hence, as PolyU looks to the future, its bold strategies, global vision, interdisciplinary research culture, and steadfast commitment to societal impact set the stage for continued growth and influence in the higher education research and innovation landscape.