The Hong Kong Polytechnic University School of Design (PolyU Design) has taken a step forward in advancing design education and innovation through a strategic partnership with Alibaba International Design and the Hong Kong Designers Association (HKDA). Formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed during the Hong Kong Design Summit 2026, the collaboration will explore new opportunities in AI-driven design education, industry-academic collaboration, and innovation research, while contributing to the growth of Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area's creative industries.
The MOU brings together the expertise of academia, industry and the professional design community to address emerging opportunities at the intersection of design and artificial intelligence. Key areas of collaboration include the joint development and delivery of academic and professional training programmes, industry-academia partnerships that foster design and technology innovation, and the co-organisation of flagship events, forums and summits that promote design excellence and cross-sector exchange. AI-related courses have been identified as the initial focus of programme collaboration.
The agreement was signed by Prof. Kun-Pyo Lee, Dean of PolyU Design, Mr Gu Wei Head of AIGC Design Business at Alibaba International Design, and Ms Mui Kinoshita, Chairman of HKDA, during the summit attended by leaders from the creative, business and education sectors. Witnessing the signing were Prof. Henry Duh, Associate Dean (Global & Industry Engagement) of PolyU Design, alongside representatives from Alibaba International Design and HKDA.
As one of world's leading design schools, PolyU Design has long championed interdisciplinary learning and close engagement with industry. The new partnership reflects the School's commitment to preparing future designers for a rapidly evolving professional landscape shaped by emerging technologies and new modes of creative practice. By integrating AI into design education and fostering stronger industry connections, PolyU Design seeks to equip students and professionals with the skills and perspectives needed to drive meaningful innovation.
The collaboration also aligns with broader efforts to strengthen Hong Kong's position as a regional hub for design, technology and creative entrepreneurship. Through joint initiatives spanning education, research and professional development, the three partners aim to create opportunities for knowledge exchange, talent cultivation and innovation across Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area.
The MOU signing was one of the highlights of the Hong Kong Design Summit 2026, an annual gathering of designers, industry leaders and innovators organised by HKDA. The summit featured business matching activities, industry showcases and discussions on the future of design, emphasising the growing importance of collaboration between academia and industry in driving creative and economic development.
The partnership underscores the School's ongoing mission to challenge conventions, embrace new technologies and explore innovative approaches to design education and research. By connecting creativity, technology and industry expertise, PolyU Design, Alibaba International Design and HKDA are working together to empower the next generation of designers and shape the future of the creative economy.
| Topics | PolyU Design Knowledge Transfer | Collaboration | MOU | Design |
|---|---|
| Research Units | School of Design |
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