Department of Applied Mathematics (AMA) currently has five main research groups; namely Computational Mathematics and Scientific Engineering, Differential Equations, Financial Mathematics, Optimization and Management Science as well as Statistics. With a passion of grooming the next generation of research scholars, AMA offers both MPhil and PhD research programmes in the following five major areas:

• Applied Optimisation and Optimal Control

• Applied Statistics

• Data Science

• Engineering and Computational Mathematics

• Financial Mathematics

World-leading research and top in world rankings

Our research in Mathematics and Statistics has received remarkable recognition since 2009. In the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings by Subject 2026, PolyU is ranked 40 in Statistics and Operational Research and 68 in Mathematics.

AMA’s ranking by different ranking agencies in the past 6 years:

Our Department has the following infrastructures to promote research collaborations:

CAS AMSS-POLYU Joint Laboratory of Applied Mathematics

Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Academy of Mathematics and Systems Science (AMSS) and the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) Joint Laboratory of Applied Mathematics is one of the 22 CAS joint laboratories with universities of Hong Kong, which were approved by CAS in October 2018. The CAS AMSS-PolyU Laboratory has three research groups with members from AMSS and PolyU, and will capitalise on their specialities to extend the frontiers of research in applied mathematics. For more details, please visit https://www.polyu.edu.hk/ama/research-and-consultancy/cas-amss-polyu-jlab/

The PolyU-SDU Joint Research Center on Financial Mathematics

The PolyU-SDU Joint Research Center on Financial Mathematics was established in 2010 to promote research collaboration on Financial Mathematics among researchers of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and Shandong University (SDU). It fosters technical exchange and research cooperation between Mainland China and Hong Kong, and allows the Party to capitalise on their specialities to extend the frontiers of Financial Mathematics.

Statistical Advisory Unit

The Department has a Statistical Advisory Unit that provides both internal and external statistical consultancy and advisory services.

The University Centre for AI Computing (UCAIC)

The University Research Facility in Big Data Analytics (UBDA) was established on 8 May 2018 and has been renamed to the University Centre for AI Computing (UCAIC). It is the first university-wide research facility in big data analytics among the universities in Hong Kong. The facility is jointly managed by big data experts from the Department of Computing and AMA and representatives from other disciplines. UCAIC will provide consultancy service and technical support to PolyU research community and industry partners, assisting them in developing innovative solutions to research problems and application challenges by capitalising on the use of models, algorithms and platforms for big data analytics and processing. Our Department will facilitate multidisciplinary research in applied mathematics + AI.

Research Centre for Quantitative Finance (RCQF)

The Research Centre for Quantitative Finance (RCQF) aims to promote research, education, and academia-industry collaborations in the field of quantitative finance. The centre will bring together experts from relevant fields such as finance, mathematics, statistics, and data science at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University.

Research Centre for Nonlinear Analysis (RCNA)

The Research Centre for Nonlinear Analysis (RCNA) is dedicated to research, education, and academic-industry collaboration in fields where nonlinear analysis is essential.

Research Centre for the Mathematical Foundations of Generative AI (CMGA)

The Research Centre for the Mathematical Foundations of Generative AI (CMGA) focuses on optimizing generative AI models, exploring their ethical and social impacts, and collaboratiing with partners to address real-world challenges.

Research Centre for Intelligence Operations Research (IOR)

The Research Centre for Intelligence Operations Research (IOR) pioneers advancements in operations research by leveraging cutting-edge AI methodologies, serving as a hub for a vibrant and responsible intelligent optimization and operations research community, and delivering practical benefits to society.