In an interview with Master-Insight, PolyU President Professor Jin-Guang Teng shared the University’s ambitious vision and path towards becoming an innovative world-class university. He shared that PolyU is committed to cultivating graduates who will become leaders and drivers of innovation, advancing research that leads to innovations with direct societal benefits, and embedding the spirit of innovation across the University’s endeavours.

PolyU’s transformation began in the early 1990s, evolving from a polytechnic into a fully-fledged university. This development progressed faster than similar institutions in the UK and Australia, fuelled by a clear strategic vision and strong government support amid limited local higher education resources. Under President Emeritus Professor Poon Chung-kwong, PolyU built a robust research foundation and established distinctive programmes such as Hotel and Tourism Management, leading to the creation of the acclaimed Hotel ICON. The School of Design also grew significantly during this period.

During the tenure of President Emeritus Professor William W. Tang, PolyU extended undergraduate education from three to four years, emphasising students’ holistic development. A hallmark initiative launched was mandatory Service-Learning, requiring all undergraduates to participate in community projects, such as installing solar panels in rural Rwanda. This deepened students’ practical experience and sense of social responsibility.

Today, PolyU continues to innovate with pioneering programmes like the world’s first Master’s degree in Metaverse Technology, Asia’s first Master’s in blockchain, and a new Master’s in Electric Vehicle technology. In addition, the University established the PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research (PAIR), one of the largest research platforms of its kind in the Greater Bay Area, and is setting up Mainland Translational Research Institutes (MTRI) across Mainland China. These initiatives exemplify PolyU’s commitment to fostering interdisciplinary research and driving technological advancement.

Looking forward, PolyU aims to be a global hub for professional education by increasing student diversity beyond Mainland China. Despite geopolitical challenges, PolyU’s strengths in engineering and technology, strong academic environment, and the Greater Bay Area’s vibrant innovation ecosystem attract top talent. Supported by government investments and initiatives such as the Global STEM Professorship Scheme, PolyU remains steadfast in driving innovation and societal impact.

Watch the interview here (in Chinese):

Master-Insight