PolyU has announced the appointment of Professor Zheng Zijian as its new Vice President (Knowledge Transfer), effective 1 April, 2026. A distinguished scholar and serial entrepreneur, Professor Zheng is set to steer the University’s strategic mission of turning world-class research into tangible societal impact.

In his new capacity, Professor Zheng will oversee a broad portfolio, including translational research, technology commercialisation and entrepreneurship. His leadership will extend to key units such as the Jockey Club Design Institute for Social Innovation, the Knowledge Transfer and Entrepreneurship Office, and Mainland Research Units. A primary focus of his tenure will be deepening strategic partnerships across Chinese Mainland and the Greater Bay Area, helping ensure PolyU remains at the forefront of the innovation landscape.

Professor Zheng joined PolyU as an Assistant Professor in 2009. He is currently Director of the PolyU-Daya Bay Technology and Innovation Research Institute, Associate Director of the Research Institute for Intelligent Wearable Systems, Associate Director of the University Research Facility in Materials Characterization and Device Fabrication, and Chair Professor of Soft Materials and Devices. His academic record is remarkable, with over 270 papers published in prestigious journals like Science and Nature. With more than 50 patents to his name, he is also a recognised leader in manufacturing technology and materials science.

Professor Zheng is committed to transforming academic research into real-life application. Beyond his academic accolades, he has founded several PolyU startups to commercialise flexible battery and wearable body sensor technologies. His experience in the startup ecosystem, coupled with a proven track record of securing substantial funding for high-impact translational research, aligns perfectly with the strategic demands of leading PolyU’s commercialisation efforts.

PolyU President Professor Jin-Guang Teng, expressed high confidence in his appointment, noting that Professor Zheng’s blend of management experience and sustained excellence in translational research. “I am confident that Professor Zheng will provide visionary leadership in his new role, further strengthening PolyU’s knowledge transfer ecosystem, accelerating technology commercialisation and entrepreneurship, and enhancing the University’s impact in support of national development and Hong Kong’s position as an international innovation and technology hub,” Professor Teng stated.

An alumnus of Tsinghua University and the University of Cambridge, Professor Zheng is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry and a Founding Member of The Hong Kong Young Academy of Sciences. As he steps into this leadership role, his vision will be instrumental in bridging the gap between academic discovery and industrial application, further strengthening PolyU’s contribution to global development.