The Research Centre for SHARP Vision (RCSV) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) held a retreat on 6 August 2026 under the theme “Interdisciplinary Research Opportunities in Vision Science and Ophthalmology.” The event brought together faculty members, researchers and young investigators from different disciplines to foster academic exchange, strengthen research connectivity and explore collaborative opportunities in vision science and ophthalmology.
The retreat served as a valuable platform for enhancing connections within the PolyU research community and beyond. Through strategic updates, keynote lectures and young investigator presentations, participants gained insights into RCSV’s latest developments, ongoing initiatives and interdisciplinary research directions. The event also enabled colleagues from different faculties, departments and research units to deepen mutual understanding of their respective expertise and identify potential areas for future collabortion.
The programme commenced with welcoming remarks by Prof. Qingyan Chen, Director of PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research (PAIR), who shared his expectations for research institutes and research centres under the PAIR framework. This was followed by opening remarks and an RCSV strategic update by Prof. Mingguang He, Director of RCSV, PolyU, who highlighted the Centre’s recent progress and reaffirmed its commitment to advancing high-impact interdisciplinary research.
The retreat featured keynote lectures by Prof. Weixiong Zhang, Associate Director of PAIR; Prof. Erin Cho, Dean of the School of Fashion and Textiles; Prof. Xin Zhou, Visiting Professor of the School of Optometry; Prof. Feng Pan, Associate Professor of the School of Optometry; Prof. Lei Zhou, Professor of the School of Optometry; and Prof. Danyue Zhao, Associate Professor of the Department of Food Science and Nutrition. Drawing on expertise from diverse fields, the speakers shared valuable perspectives on the potential of interdisciplinary collaboration to drive innovation in vision science and ophthalmology. Their presentations were highly informative and stimulated discussion on new research possibilities across disciplinary boundaries.
In the afternoon, the retreat continued with three Young Investigator Sessions on AI and Digital Vision Research, Vision Across the Life Course and Neurovision and Translation Innovation. These sessions showcased emerging research by early-career scholars and provided an opportunity for further academic exchange and discussion. The presentations reflected the breadth of research within the RCSV network and underscored the importance of supporting the next generation of interdisciplinary researchers.
A key objective of the retreat was to promote stronger connectivity among faculty members and researchers through RCSV. By facilitating exchange and dialogue, the Centre seeks to foster interdisciplinary partnerships, encourage collaboration across departments and institutions, and support members in developing joint grant applications. The retreat also increased awareness of RCSV’s work and provided participants with an update on the Centre’s interdisciplinary research activities and strategic direction.
The retreat provided a meaningful platform for intellectual exchange, educational sharing and community building. It further strengthened understanding of RCSV’s mission, achievements and future direction, while encouraging participants to build new connections and pursue collaborative research and grant opportunities.
| Research Units | Research Centre for SHARP Vision | School of Optometry | PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research |
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