The PolyU Foundation hosted an Appreciation Dinner last month at Hotel ICON, welcoming around 170 distinguished donors, members of the Foundation Governing Committee, alumni, corporate partners, and esteemed guests, alongside PolyU’s senior management and staff. This enchanting evening, held in celebration of the University’s anniversary, not only honoured PolyU’s remarkable milestones in education and research but also paid tribute to the enduring generosity and commitment of its supporters.

In his heartfelt address, Professor Jin-Guang Teng, PolyU President, expressed profound gratitude to all attendees for their unwavering support in advancing the University’s pursuit of excellence in research and innovation. He conveyed special thanks to the donors who contributed to the Research Matching Grant Scheme (Rounds 1 and 2), acknowledging their vital role in enabling PolyU to secure additional government resources, thus empowering scholars to drive impactful research that benefits society at large.

The evening’s programme featured an engaging dialogue moderated by Professor Christopher Chao, Senior Vice President (Research and Innovation), who led a stimulating discussion on PolyU’s significant research achievements. Esteemed supporters of the University—Ir Dr Otto Poon Lok-to, Dr Roy Chung Chi-ping, and Mr Yeung Fan—shared their personal motivations for championing PolyU’s diverse research initiatives, spanning fields such as environmental science, biomedical engineering, and AI-driven fashion innovation within the Greater Bay Area. Their reflections illuminated new horizons for research excellence, interdisciplinary collaboration, and profound societal impact.

Emphasising that “research is not only about innovation, but also about responsibility”, Professor Alex Wong, Deputy Chairman of the PolyU Foundation, joined Professor Teng in presenting souvenirs to donors as tokens of appreciation, reaffirming the University’s heartfelt gratitude for their steadfast belief in PolyU’s mission and long-term vision.

Looking to the future, PolyU remains committed to reinforcing its leadership position by aligning its pioneering research capabilities with industry needs, fostering cross-sector collaboration, and promoting knowledge transfer. Through these initiatives, the University aspires to transform research breakthroughs into practical solutions, driving sustainable development and creating enduring value for society.

Prof. Jin-Guang Teng thanked all attendees for their support of the University.

An engaging dialogue moderated by Prof. Christopher Chao highlighted PolyU’s major research achievements, as Ir Dr Otto Poon Lok-to, Dr Roy Chung Chi-ping, and Mr Yeung Fan shared their motivations for supporting the University’s diverse research initiatives.

Members of the Foundation, senior management of PolyU and distinguished guests raised their glasses in a toast, honouring the commitment and support of their donors.