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PolyU secures seven projects under RGC Junior Research Fellow Scheme

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is committed to fostering outstanding young researchers and enhancing their innovative research capabilities to address urgent societal needs. Seven PolyU projects have been awarded funding under the Research Grants Council (RGC) Junior Research Fellow Scheme 2026/27, which supports promising postdoctoral researchers to pursue impactful projects at a pivotal stage of their careers. Led by PolyU senior researchers, the awarded projects span diverse, forward-looking fields, including energy storage and advanced materials, artificial intelligence, port operations, and doctoral education. These initiatives not only expand the frontiers of knowledge but also tackle critical challenges in sustainability, digital transformation and talent development. The RGC Junior Research Fellow aims to provide supports to promising local and non-local postdoctoral researchers at UGC-funded universities at a pivotal time in their very early careers. In each round of the yearly exercise, the scheme funds 60 researchers for a period of 24 months to conduct postdoctoral research on a full-time basis at a UGC-funded university, with an optional extension of the postdoctoral stage for up to 12 months upon request. List of awarded PolyU projects:

PolyU project wins Bronze at Edison Awards for Hong Kong’s first GNSS signal quality monitoring platform

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) consistently emphasises research collaboration to develop key technologies for future advancement and translate them into practical solutions. PolyU has been recognised at the prestigious Edison Awards 2026, winning a Bronze Award for its collaborative project with the Logistics and Supply Chain MultiTech R&D Centre (LSCM). This award-winning innovation marks the establishment of Hong Kong’s first platform dedicated to monitoring GNSS signal quality and detecting interference, contributing to the city’s smart development. Led by Prof. Wu CHEN, Head of Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics and Chair Professor of Satellite Navigation, and supported by the LSCM, the award-winning project titled “Hong Kong GNSS signal quality monitoring and interference detection system”, has won the Bronze Prize in the “Public Safety, Security & Digital Integrity” category at the 2026 Edison Awards. This system enables continuous monitoring of GNSS data quality, provides real-time alerts in case of malfunction, and detects and locates sources of signal interference. With global applicability, the system supports a wide range of critical applications, including civil aviation, unmanned aerial vehicles, and communication networks. It helps address Hong Kong’s need for reliable GNSS infrastructure, ensuring the safety and reliability of navigation and timing services. Established in 1987, the Edison Awards recognise and honor outstanding innovations, products, and services that demonstrate originality, creativity, and advanced technology. The awards are organised by the non-profit organisation Edison Universe, which is dedicated to promoting innovation. Learn more: Winners of Edison Awards 2026 Hong Kong GNSS signal quality monitoring and interference detection system (LSCM)

PolyU innovation in thermally-adaptive soft robotic clothing wins Gold Prize at Edison Awards 2026

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is committed to translating world‑class innovations into practical applications that benefit industries and society. Supported by The Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel (HKRITA), a project led by PolyU researchers to develop the first-of-its-kind thermally-adaptive soft robotic clothing has won the Gold Prize at the 2026 Edison Awards. This intelligent clothing enhances thermal comfort with ultra‑high breathability in extreme cold and dynamically changing thermal environments, which is crucial for safeguarding wearers’ safety and health, demonstrating PolyU’s strength in advancing intelligent wearable technologies and impactful research. Led by Prof. Dahua SHOU, Associate Director of PolyU-Xingguo Technology and Innovation Research Institute, Associate Director of Research Centre of Textiles for Future Fashion, Lee Family Endowed Young Scholar in Advanced Textiles Technologies and Associate Professor at School of Fashion and Textiles, and funded by HKRITA, the invention “iAdapt: Intelligent Soft Robotic Clothing” has won the Gold Award in the “Consumer Solutions” category at the 2026 Edison Awards.This thermally adaptive soft robotic clothing automatically adjusts its air gap to maintain comfort across a range of thermal conditions. By employing a programmable inflation-deflation process in its embedded soft robotic skeletons, it can tune and optimise heat and moisture transport properties while maintaining consistently high breathability. Made from durable, lightweight, and skin-friendly fabrics, the clothing is washable, waterproof, and more breathable than thermally equivalent down jackets. Guided by sensor data and optimised thermal management models, wearers can monitor and adjust the garment’s settings via a mobile app. As artificial intelligence is further integrated into the system, it could enable more adaptive, personalised, and responsive thermal regulation in changing environments. This breakthrough innovation offers personalised thermal comfort for a wide range of professional and general users, including outdoor workers, firefighters, and athletes. It represents a major step forward in intelligent wearable technology with strong market potential. Established in 1987, the Edison Awards recognise and honour outstanding innovations, products, and services that demonstrate originality, creativity, and advanced technology. The awards are organised by the non-profit organisation Edison Universe, which is dedicated to promoting innovation.

PolyU and Linkerbot collaborate to advance embodied AI research, pioneering innovation in smart manufacturing and robotics technologies

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and Linkerbot Beijing Technology Co., Ltd. (Linkerbot) yesterday (29 April) signed a framework cooperation agreement to promote cutting-edge research and technological innovation in embodied artificial intelligence (AI). The two parties will explore conducting joint research on frontier technologies in this field, including AI-driven dexterous hands, vision-language-action (VLA) models, and integrated flexible sensing and actuation systems, with a view to accelerating technology iteration and translation, and injecting fresh impetus into the development of smart manufacturing, robotics and other related industries. At the signing ceremony held on the PolyU campus, the cooperation agreement was signed by Prof. ZHENG Zijian, Vice President (Knowledge Transfer) of PolyU, and Ms ZUO Jiaping, Co-founder and Vice President of Linkerbot. Prof. Xiaowen FU, Chair Professor of Logistics Engineering and Head of the PolyU Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, PolyU scholars who will participate in the collaborative projects, and representatives from the Linkerbot research outreach division, also attended the ceremony to celebrate the collaboration. Embodied AI has been incorporated into the country’s future industry plan and was identified as a new economic growth driver in the Outline of the National “15th Five-Year Plan,” demonstrating immense potential for industrialising related technologies. Prof. Zheng Zijian said, “PolyU is committed to advancing pioneering scientific research and fostering deep industry-university-research collaboration. Building on this partnership, the University will capitalise on its robust research strengths in AI, materials science and sensing technologies, and synergise with Linkerbot’s specialised expertise in dexterous robotic hardware and real-world commercial deployment, overcoming critical technical bottlenecks in embodied intelligence.” Ms Zuo Jiaping said, “Linkerbot is driven by ‘Clever Hands Create Everything’ and the philosophy of ‘One Million Hands, One Million Skills’, empowering robots with true dexterous manipulation. Harnessing PolyU’s world-class strengths in AI, materials science and flexible sensing, this collaboration will focus on skill learning and generalisation, end-to-end multimodal synergy, and flexible sensing and exoskeleton technologies. Leveraging the advantages of the Greater Bay Area, we will accelerate the transition of embodied AI from the laboratory to real-world scenarios, injecting new momentum into Hong Kong’s development as an international innovation and technology hub, and the upgrading of the Nation’s intelligent manufacturing sector.” PolyU possesses solid fundamental research capabilities and high-calibre talent in the field of embodied AI, while Linkerbot boasts rich expertise in its technology development, adoption and marketisation. The two parties will foster comprehensive collaboration across research, knowledge transfer and industrial applications, creating an innovation ecosystem that integrates industry, academia, research and application. The first phase of the joint projects will cover areas such as human-robot collaboration based on AI and dexterous hands, synergy of skill primitive learning and vision-language-tactile models, VLA foundation models, and integrated flexible sensing and actuation systems for intelligent assistive exoskeletons. Building on this collaboration, PolyU and Linkerbot will actively respond to the national strategy of empowering all sectors with AI and of promoting the deep integration of the real and digital economies. The partnership advances efforts to fuel the development of embodied AI and smart manufacturing, and to drive technology breakthroughs and translation in key areas such as dexterous manipulation and human-robot collaboration, contributing to the Nation’s technological innovation.

Media report: PolyU scholar explores Hong Kong’s new role in high-value maritime and logistics services

As the global shipping and logistics ecosystem undergoes rapid transformation, competitiveness is increasingly driven not by physical scale alone, but by the ability to deliver high‑value, technology‑enabled maritime and logistics services. Prof. Mike Lai Kee-hung, Associate Dean (Academic Support) of the Faculty of Business, Chair Professor of Shipping and Logistics, and Interim Head of the Department of Logistics and Maritime Studies at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), authored an article sharing insights on Hong Kong’s role and opportunities amid the reshaping global trade and logistics landscape, stressing that Hong Kong must further strengthen its position as an international shipping centre through high-value maritime and logistics services. In the article, Prof. Lai underscored that future growth lies in the integration of smart logistics, green shipping, digitalisation and value‑added professional services to move up the value chain. As an international shipping and logistics centre, Hong Kong should leverage its strengths in finance, law, insurance and arbitration, while further enhancing research support and innovation applications to deepen industry-academia-research collaboration and seize new opportunities arising from the transformation of the shipping ecosystem. PolyU’s research strengths in sustainable logistics, smart ports and shipping digitalisation provide critical knowledge support for Hong Kong’s transformation. The research project titled “Policy Recommendations on Uplifting Hong Kong’s Status as an International Shipping Centre through Development Opportunities in the Greater Bay Area”, led by Prof. Lai received support through the Strategic Public Policy Research Funding Scheme 2024/25 from the Chief Executive’s Policy Unit of the HKSAR Government. The project examines development opportunities in the Greater Bay Area and provides key knowledge support for Hong Kong’s maritime and logistics transformation.  Further reinforcing his contributions to policy and industry development, Prof. Lai has recently been appointed as a Member of the Hong Kong Logistics Development Council, where he will contribute his academic expertise to advising on strategies to advance Hong Kong’s logistics and shipping ecosystem. The appointment reflects strong recognition of Prof. Lai’s longstanding research impact, policy engagement and leadership in shipping and logistics, as well as PolyU’s role in supporting Hong Kong’s development as an international logistics and innovation hub.  

PolyU research reveals hidden health risks from urban airborne microbes: low concentration of bacterial toxins may trigger nearly 20% of inflammatory responses, while drug-resistant fungi may spread with the wind

Public concern about air pollution has traditionally centred on chemical pollutants such as vehicle exhaust and industrial emissions found in fine particulate matter (PM2.5). However, researchers at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) have discovered that seemingly insignificant microbial components in the air, including bacteria, fungi, viruses and cellular debris, pose a long-overlooked health hazard. The research revealed that, although accounting for less than one-millionth of the total mass of PM2.5, bacterial endotoxins can trigger inflammatory responses in the human respiratory system in nearly 20% of cases. The research team also detected drug-resistant fungi in urban air, raising further public health concerns. A PolyU research team comprising Prof. JIN Ling, Assistant Professor of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and the Department of Health Technology and Informatics, Prof. Polly LEUNG, Professor of the Department of Health Technology and Informatics, and their jointly supervised PhD student, Ms Jinyan YU, conducted a systematic analysis of the microbial components in PM2.5. The study showed that the microbial constituents of PM2.5 are predominantly bacteria. Among them, a structural component of bacterial cell walls known as endotoxin accounts for less than 0.0001% of the total mass of PM2.5, yet triggers up to 17% of inflammatory response. Its toxicity-to-mass contribution ratio is the highest of all known PM2.5 components. In other words, to effectively reduce the health risks posed by air pollution, the key may not lie in lowering the overall PM2.5 mass, but in precisely targeting and controlling these highly toxic trace components. The findings have been published in the academic journal Environmental Science & Technology. Prof. Jin Ling noted, “Traditional air quality management has largely focused on reducing the overall PM2.5 level. However, as major pollution sources such as industrial and vehicular emissions decline due to global clean-air initiatives, previously overlooked microbial pollutants will play an increasingly important role in future public health risk management. Accurately identifying these toxic components and their sources will help safeguard public health.” In addition to the health risks posed by bacteria, Prof. Jin Ling is also concerned about the threat posed by airborne fungi. In another study published in Environmental Science & Technology Letters, Prof. Jin, Dr Franklin CHOW, Research Assistant Professor of the Department of Health Technology and Informatics, and their jointly supervised Postdoctoral Fellow Dr Chunlan FAN and PhD student Mr Tian CHEN, analysed Candida species commonly found in respirable suspended particulates (PM10) in urban areas, exploring how they are carried and transmitted and then cause infections in the community. Candida species are classified by the World Health Organization as priority pathogens and their potential health risks have drawn global attention. The research team identified multidrug-resistant Candida parapsilosis in urban air and revealed its close genetic links to clinical strains from infected individuals. This suggests that the general public may be exposed to drug-resistant fungi through everyday breathing or skin contact with the air. The research also revealed that Candida species are seasonally prevalent in urban ambient air and widely distributed in anthropogenic settings such as wastewater treatment facilities, healthcare environments and ventilation systems in residential buildings. Notably, Candida parapsilosis showed exceptionally strong environmental resilience and drug resistance, making it a major pathogenic fungal threat in urban air. Prof. Jin said, “The spread of drug-resistant fungi in both environmental and clinical settings, alongside a growing at-risk population worldwide, highlights antifungal resistance as a critical global environmental health issue. Moving forward, the team will identify urban-specific fungal reservoirs and investigate conditions that promote drug resistance and model airborne transmission pathways, providing a scientific basis for developing more effective public health strategies.”

PolyU concludes successful debut at Innovation Zero World Congress 2026

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) successfully made its first participation at the Innovation Zero World Congress 2026, the UK’s largest low‑carbon innovation event, held at Olympia London on 28–29 April. During the Congress, PolyU showcased a range of sustainability‑driven innovations, covering areas such as renewable energy enhancement, advanced cooling solutions, and smart materials. These innovations garnered strong interest from participants across industry, government, and academia. In addition to the exhibition, Prof. Ni Meng, Associate Dean (Research) of the Faculty of Construction and Environment and Chair Professor of Energy Science and Technology of PolyU, joined the panel session “Global Lessons: International Pathways to Energy System Transformation,” sharing insights on clean‑energy research and policy developments in the Chinese Mainland and Hong Kong.  The PolyU delegation also visited the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China, where they met with representatives from the Department of Science and Technology to explore opportunities for strengthening China–UK collaboration in research and innovation. These engagements underscore PolyU’s commitment to leveraging research excellence to build global partnerships and contribute to addressing critical global challenges, from achieving a net‑zero transition to ensuring long‑term sustainability.  

PolyU SHTM and THINK CHINA joint study offers strategic insights into capturing value of Chinese Mainland tourists in Hong Kong and Macao

As cross‑border travel between Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong and Macao continues to normalise, the challenge for both cities has moved beyond simply restoring visitor volumes to monetising evolving travel patterns characterised by shorter stays, increased price sensitivity and more deliberate spending behaviour. The School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), in collaboration with THINK CHINA, today released the findings of a joint research study examining the spending habits, mobility patterns and value created by Chinese Mainland tourists in Hong Kong and Macao. Led by Prof. Kam HUNG, Principal Investigator and SHTM Professor; Prof. Tony TSE, Co‑Investigator and SHTM Professor of Practice; and Mr Benjamin SUN, Co‑Investigator and Managing Director of THINK CHINA, the study addresses a critical shift in the post‑pandemic recovery tourism landscape and translates empirical findings into strategic, forward‑looking recommendations for destination managers, tourism operators and policymakers. The study draws on a rigorous mixed‑method research design, combining enhanced survey instrumentation with strict data‑quality controls. A total of 3,209 valid responses were analysed, from 1,928 Chinese Mainland visitors to Hong Kong and 1,281 to Macao, enabling a detailed, segmented analysis of the spending, shopping behaviour, mobility and decision‑making of Chinese Mainland tourists. Key findings from the study include the following. Chinese Mainland visitors should not be treated as a single demand pool Proximity drives visit frequency but not necessarily value.Same‑day visitors, predominantly from the Greater Bay Area, show significantly higher repeat visit rates, while overnight visitors remain the primary drivers of immediate per‑trip value due to their broader participation in shopping, dining, accommodation and experiential activities. The research advocates a shift from traffic‑based thinking to conversion‑based thinking: same-day visitors should be seen as a repeat-customer base with lifetime-value potential, whereas overnight visitors should be targeted for deeper cross-category spend. Accommodation choice emerges as a powerful commercial signal Travellers who combine star‑rated and non‑star‑rated stays show longer stays and stronger spending performance, indicating a trend of selective premiumisation rather than simple budget constraints. Luxury shoppers remain the clearest high‑value segment, though value creation differs across destinations In Hong Kong, luxury spending produces a step‑change in total expenditure, driven by fashion‑led baskets and large‑ticket purchases concentrated in established luxury districts such as Central, Tsim Sha Tsui and Causeway Bay. In Macao, premium demand is most evident on the Macao Peninsula and, in particular, the Cotai Strip, where integrated resort environments amplify luxury intensity. Beauty and family shoppers represent scalable value pools Beauty shoppers sit within an affordable‑premium band and are responsive to trust‑building, curated content and digital touchpoints. Family travellers, while not always the highest spenders on a per‑capita basis, generate economic impact through larger baskets and wider category participation across attractions, dining, accommodation and household‑related purchases.They offer a wider commercial reach than luxury shoppers while supporting conversion levers. The study underscores that shopping demand is not fixed, but can be shaped through better‑designed visitor journeys, improved information accessibility, reduced transaction friction and stronger ecosystem integration among tourism, retail, hospitality, attractions, events and transport. Crucially, Hong Kong and Macao should not follow identical strategic playbooks. Hong Kong’s strength lies in its citywide retail connectivity, long-standing brand trust and the efficient conversion of short, multi‑stop trips into shopping and dining spend. Macao’s competitive advantage lies in ecosystem integration, where gaming, entertainment, MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions), concerts, resort stays and retail can be orchestrated into unified total‑spend pathways. Prof. Kam Hung remarked, “Destinations that succeed in the next phase of competition will be those that shift away from treating visitors as mere footfall and instead manage them as distinct, monetisable customer segments.” Mr Benjamin Sun added, “It’s time to rethink Hong Kong and Macao beyond geographic borders. A decade ago, our consumer markets were clearly defined; today, seamless movement across the Greater Bay Area has blurred those lines. Locals remain the foundation, but GBA visitors should be seen as a natural extension of our core audience. The real opportunity lies in understanding the distinct segments within this expanded market—and activating them with precision and frequency. Those who act decisively will unlock the next wave of growth across tourism and retail.” Prof. Kaye CHON, SHTM Dean, Chair Professor and Walter and Wendy Kwok Family Foundation Professor in International Hospitality Management, said, “This research underscores the importance of moving beyond volume‑driven thinking towards value‑oriented destination management. By bridging academic research and industry practice, we aim to help the industry and policymakers navigate shifting visitor behaviours and strengthen long‑term competitiveness.” To view the full report, please download it here.

PolyU scholar honoured with BOCHK Science and Technology Innovation Prize for outstanding contributions to advanced manufacturing

Prof. Changyuan YU, Chair Professor of Photonic Information System in the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering and Director of the PolyU-Jinjiang Technology and Innovation Research Institute, has been awarded the 4th BOCHK Science and Technology Innovation Prize (“BOCHK STIP”) in recognition of his pioneering contributions to the research and application of photonic information systems. Since the Prize was established in 2022, PolyU’s world-leading scholars have been widely recognised for their breakthroughs and achievements in innovation and technology. Over four consecutive years, seven PolyU scholars have received six BOCHK STIP awards, spanning the fields of “Life and Health”, “Advanced Manufacturing”, “FinTech” and “Artificial Intelligence and Robotics. This strong track record is a testament to PolyU’s deep-rooted strength in world-class innovation and technology. Prof. Christopher CHAO, PolyU Senior Vice President (Research and Innovation), said, “We are greatly encouraged by the continued recognition of PolyU scholars with this prestigious award. This not only reflects the University’s outstanding achievements in advancing interdisciplinary research and technological innovation, but also underscores our strong capability in translating cutting-edge technologies into practical applications across different industries. Looking ahead, PolyU will continue to capitalise on its research strengths to drive the realisation of innovation and technology, contributing to high-quality development and the cultivation of new quality productive forces for Hong Kong and the Nation.” This year’s BOCHK STIP recognises Prof. Yu and his team for their development of fundamental optical communication systems, including carrier recovery, signal compensation and optical performance monitoring. The team has also pioneered the research and commercialisation of AI-assisted optical fibre sensing systems and a variety of photonic meta-devices and chips, which have promoted the revolution of photonic manufacturing technologies. Prof. Yu’s research focuses on integrated photonic devices, optical fibre communication, sensing systems, and biomedical instruments. He is an Optica Fellow and formerly served on the Telecommunications Standards Advisory Committee for the Singapore government. His teaching and research achievements are extensive. He has supervised more than 20 postdoctoral researchers and over 40 PhD students, received 16 Best Paper Awards at international conferences, and has led or co-led more than 70 research projects, including a project funded under the Innovation and Technology Commission’s RAISe+ Scheme. His team has also been very active in commercialising research outcomes, having established several startups and winning numerous major accolades, including the Special Merit Award from “Lucian Blaga” University of Sibiu, Romania and Gold Medal at the International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva 2026, the Gold Award at Hong Kong TECHATHON+ 2025 and 2026, the Guangdong Province First Prize of Technological Invention Award in 2020 and the National Championship (biomedical area) in the 3rd China Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition in 2014. BOCHK STIP, a non-government merit-based award, was established by the Hong Kong Alliance of Technology and Innovation and the title sponsored by the Bank of China (Hong Kong). It aims to reward outstanding scientists and research teams in Hong Kong and in Hong Kong-established institutions located in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area for their significant achievements in scientific and technological innovation and transformation.

PolyU and Fu Hong Society establish Asia’s first Centre for Inclusive Innovation harnessing academia-industry synergy to translate research for social inclusion

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and Fu Hong Society (FHS) have jointly established Asia’s first Centre for Inclusive Innovation, a milestone celebrated with an opening ceremony today (24 April) at the PolyU Industrial Centre. Supported by matching funds from the PolyU Faculty of Business and a generous donation from the SF Family Foundation Limited, the Centre is positioned to drive “Research, Innovation and Service Transformation”. Translating the University’s interdisciplinary research outcomes into real-world applications to benefit the social welfare sector, the Centre will launch pilot, validation and optimisation schemes in areas including rehabilitation technology and vocational training, with the aim of propelling Hong Kong to a leading role in advancing social inclusion in Asia. As Asia’s first Centre for Inclusive Innovation, the Centre is distinguished by the deep collaborative model between PolyU and FHS. Staff members and service users of FHS will actively participate in the research process, while PolyU and FHS have jointly contributed funding to establish the Centre, demonstrating close collaboration between the academic and social welfare sectors. The ceremony was officiated by Mr HO Kai-ming, Under Secretary for Labour and Welfare of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government of the People’s Republic of China. Witnessed by Dr Laura LO, Associate Vice President (Institutional Advancement) of PolyU and Dr IP Yan-ming, President of Fu Hong Society, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by Prof. LAI Kee-hung, Associate Dean (Academic Support) of the Faculty of Business, Interim Head of the Department of Logistics and Maritime Studies and Chair Professor of Shipping and Logistics at PolyU, and Mr CHIEN Kwok-keung, Chairman of Fu Hong Society. This collaboration signifies the joint vision of PolyU and FHS in fostering collaboration among industry, academia and research. By combining PolyU’s research excellence with FHS’s extensive frontline experience in community services, the collaboration aims to drive the translation of impactful research solutions into real-world settings, laying a solid foundation for the rehabilitation technology ecosystem in Asia. The signing ceremony was followed by an unveiling ceremony symbolising the official commencement of the Centre’s operation. During his speech, Mr Ho Kai-ming said, “In advancing the development of rehabilitation services in Hong Kong, PolyU and Fu Hong Society have always been our important partners. With the generous support of SF Family Foundation Limited and the PolyU Faculty of Business, I look forward to the Centre leveraging the strengths of various organisations to provide more targeted support for the diverse needs of persons with disabilities living in the community, while further alleviating the physical and emotional burden on their caregivers. The Government will continue to work closely with the social welfare sector, academia, the business sector and other stakeholders to foster innovation in rehabilitation services and build a caring and inclusive society together.” Dr Laura Lo noted, “PolyU is committed to fostering the deep integration of academia, industry and research. Through sustainable business models, we transform interdisciplinary research outcomes into innovative solutions that can be implemented over the long term for the benefit of society. With the support of matching funds from the PolyU Faculty of Business, we are providing the catalyst to bridge gaps in rehabilitation services, contributing PolyU expertise to the long-term development of Hong Kong's social welfare sector.” Dr Ip Yan-ming shared, “The Centre for Inclusive Innovation combines PolyU’s professional research and technological expertise with Fu Hong Society’s many years of frontline experience. It breaks away from the traditional one-way paradigm of ‘receiving services’, empowering persons with disabilities to become ‘creators’. This not only addresses their genuine needs but also enables them to give back to society. It is about empowering them with not just self-reliance, but also dignity and a sense of achievement.” SF Family Foundation Limited believes that, by prioritising projects with clear social impact, charitable funding ensures innovation addresses public needs rather than purely commercial goals. Aligned with our national 15th Five-Year Plan, this support advances high-quality development, the innovation-driven development strategy, and inclusive and shared development, fostering research and rehabilitation solutions that benefit society broadly and sustainably.   Leveraging PolyU’s interdisciplinary strengths in five inaugural research projects The “PolyU–FHS Centre for Inclusive Innovation” goes beyond traditional vocational rehabilitation frameworks by implementing five interdisciplinary research projects in its initial phase. Drawing upon PolyU research strengths in business, healthcare, social sciences and engineering, these initiatives cover multiple forward-looking applications, including: the formulation of the Hong Kong Inclusive Technology Adoption Standard (HKITAS)—the City’s first dedicated guidelines for non-government organisations to apply technology safely and efficiently; the research and development of personalised ophthalmic aids through 3D printing; the application of antibacterial surface technologies to develop antimicrobial 3D-printed accessories designed to enhance hygiene and safety in communal living environments; the pioneering of AI-enhanced swallowing assessment; and the development of an intelligent food preparation system to provide nutrient-optimised soft meals. These evidence-based application solutions are designed to precisely address service needs and enhance the quality of life for persons with disabilities. The Centre’s operation is built upon the synergy of four integrated core pillars. The mechanism begins with “Needs Co-creation”, which closely connects service users, frontline staff and researchers to ensure that innovation is rooted in actual needs from the outset. This is followed by “Prototyping and Field Pilots”, where research outcomes are refined within the FHS’s real-world service settings through development, testing and continuous enhancement to ensure their technical feasibility for application. To maintain scientific rigour, the Centre employs “Cross-Disciplinary Research and Impact Evaluation”, utilising data analysis and clinical evidence to measure improvements in users’ work and life quality. Finally, the Centre focuses on “Standards Development and Knowledge Translation” by establishing industry benchmarks like HKITAS and knowledge sharing platforms to ensure these inclusive technology solutions can be scaled across the entire social service sector. By combining clinical practice with applied technology, the PolyU–FHS Centre for Inclusive Innovation is dedicated to redefining the professional value of persons with disabilities. The Centre guides service users to transition from traditional OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturing) to participating in the research, development and production of OBM (Original Brand Manufacturing) products. The structured approach allows individuals with varying abilities to participate in high-value-added production, enhancing their capabilities and achieving the goal of long-term sustainable development. The guests visited the exhibition highlighting PolyU research projects.