A recent visit to PolyU’s campus by a delegation led by Mr Chen Jiachang, Vice Minister of Science and Technology, involved in-depth discussions with PolyU management and researchers focusing on PolyU’s core initiatives to promote innovative education and research, as well as to nurture technology talent. The delegation gained valuable insights into PolyU’s advanced research and technology transfer efforts in the fields of artificial intelligence (AI) and healthcare.

Commending PolyU’s contributions to the Nation

Mr Chen commended PolyU for its substantial contributions to technological innovation and praised the University’s proactive alignment with key national strategies. These strategies emphasise prioritising science and technology as a primary productive force, implementing initiatives to revitalise the country through science and education, and fostering innovation-driven development.

He noted the continuous strengthening of Hong Kong’s technology and innovation capabilities, highlighted by the establishment of 15 state key laboratories (SKLs). Mr Chen expressed hope that Hong Kong’s universities will leverage their strengths to integrate technological and industrial innovation while utilising their international connections to enhance the Nation’s global influence and leadership in science and technology.

Currently, PolyU has two State Key Laboratories: the State Key Laboratory of Climate Resilience for Coastal Cities, jointly established with Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, and the State Key Laboratory of Ultra-precision Machining Technology. These initiatives actively contribute to the Nation’s innovation ecosystem and support the strategic goal of establishing China as a global technological powerhouse by 2035.

In response to Mr Chen’s remarks, PolyU President Professor Jin-Guang Teng emphasised the University’s commitment to driving world-leading research and innovation, particularly in AI and healthcare. He expressed a desire for further high-level exchanges with the Ministry of Science and Technology to enhance the synergistic development of science and technology innovation between the Chinese Mainland and Hong Kong.

Highlights of AI-powered medical innovations

The delegation included representatives from the Ministry of Science and Technology, Beijing-Hong Kong Exchange of Personnel Centre, National Health Commission, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Engineering, National Natural Science Foundation of China, Department of Science and Technology of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou Municipal Science and Technology Bureau, Science, Technology and Innovation Commission of Shenzhen Municipality, as well as the Innovation and Technology Commission of the Government of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) of the People’s Republic of China.

As part of their visit, the delegation toured the Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Lab at the PolyU Industrial Centre, where scholars introduced a range of cutting-edge AI-powered medical innovations. These included the Collaborative Generative AI project; a portable retinal fundus camera utilising generative AI technology; a 3D ultrasound system for scoliosis assessment; a portable liver fibrosis and fatty liver assessment system; a virtual MRI contrast enhancement system; AI-powered image restoration and enhancement technology; robots for post-stroke telerehabilitation; a polypeptide neoantigen vaccine platform for precision cancer immunotherapy; a mobile exoneuromusculoskeleton device for rehabilitation; and an AI-based platform designed to expedite the discovery and development of novel drug candidates. These projects exemplify how PolyU integrates its robust research capabilities in AI, healthcare, and engineering to create impactful, practical solutions.

Led by Mr Chen Jiachang (centre, front row), a delegation that included representatives from the Ministry of Science and Technology, Beijing-Hong Kong Exchange of Personnel Centre, National Health Commission, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Engineering, National Natural Science Foundation of China, Department of Science and Technology of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou Municipal Science and Technology Bureau, Science, Technology and Innovation Commission of Shenzhen Municipality, as well as the Innovation and Technology Commission of the Government of the HKSAR visited PolyU.

The delegation visited the Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Lab at the PolyU Industrial Centre to learn about the University’s cutting-edge innovations in AI-powered medicine.