PolyU has expressed strong support of the policy initiatives announced in the HKSAR Government’s first Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development (2026-2030) and the 2026 Policy Address. The University is particularly encouraged by plans to accelerate the development of the Northern Metropolis University Town and establish a globally competitive university hub. With clear positioning and development directions for the university towns in San Tin, Hung Shui Kiu and Ta Kwu Ling, the blueprint lays a strong foundation for advancing education, research and innovation.

The University also supports the Government’s vision of integrating talent cultivation, scientific research, transformation of research outcomes and industry development. The initiatives will strengthen the coordinated development of education, technology and talent, while enhancing Hong Kong’s competitiveness as an international higher education and innovation hub.

Dr Lam Tai-fai, Council Chairman of PolyU, commented that the first Five-Year Plan and the 2026 Policy Address provide “a clear roadmap” for Hong Kong to capitalise on opportunities arising from the National 15th Five-Year Plan and foster the development of new quality productive forces. Reaffirming PolyU’s commitment to supporting the implementation of the Plan, he said, “PolyU fully supports the implementation of Hong Kong’s first Five-Year Plan and proactively aligns with national development strategies. PolyU has officially established the Policy Research Institute for Education, Technology and Talents to support the Government’s strategies in the integrated development of education, technology and talent.”

Professor Jin-Guang Teng, President of PolyU, welcomed the Government’s continued investment in innovation and technology, as well as measures to strengthen industry-academia-research collaboration and talent exchange. He was particularly encouraged by the continued enhancement of research and teaching facilities in the Loop Hong Kong Park within the Northern Metropolis. He said, “We look forward to actively participating in its development, working together to advance innovation and technology and strengthen industry-academia-research collaboration.”

Reflecting PolyU’s longstanding commitment to knowledge transfer, entrepreneurship and industry-academia-research collaboration, and its proactive alignment with the Northern Metropolis development direction, Professor Teng noted that the University has proposed establishing an institute in life and health technologies to advance the convergence of AI, life sciences, and health technologies, as well as a School of Innovation and Entrepreneurship to strengthen the talent pipeline for innovation and technology with a global perspective for Hong Kong, the Greater Bay Area and the Nation.

Driving innovation into impact

As a key contributor to innovation and technology development in both Hong Kong and the Nation, the University has established an extensive knowledge transfer network spanning Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland and overseas, including 12 Mainland Translational Research Institutes (MTRIs), the PolyU-Qianhai Disruptive Technology and Innovation Centre, and research institutes in Shenzhen. Through initiatives such as the PolyU Innovation Investment Roadshow Series (PIIRS) and the PolyVentures ecosystem, PolyU connects technology, capital and industry, and has incubated more than 900 start-ups. In 2024/25, the University’s knowledge transfer income reached HK$2.98 billion, while 10 projects secured funding under the Government’s RAISe+ Scheme, underscoring PolyU’s success in translating research excellence into industry impact.

Pioneering frontier technologies

To support national and Hong Kong innovation priorities, PolyU has established the PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research (PAIR), the PolyU Academy for Artificial Intelligence (PAAI) and the PolyU Aerospace Research Academy (PARA), advancing research in artificial intelligence, life and health technologies, advanced manufacturing, aerospace technology and the low-altitude economy. As the only university in Hong Kong to have participated in multiple national space missions, PolyU is also contributing to the InnoHK Centre for Space Manufacturing Technology in collaboration with the Hong Kong Institute of Science & Innovation, Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Shaping future-ready talent

PolyU further welcomed measures to allocating additional resources to support the capacity expansion and enhancement of post-secondary education, strengthening Hong Kong’s talent pipeline and international appeal as a study destination. Following the increase in the admission quota for non-local students, the University admitted nearly 1,000 non-local undergraduate students in 2026/27 and will continue expanding recruitment efforts globally while introducing programmes aligned with emerging technologies.

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