To achieve carbon neutrality on campus in support of the Government’s target of reaching carbon neutrality by 2050 for Hong Kong, a Task Force on Campus Carbon Neutrality was established in December 2021 under the chairmanship of Vice President (Research and Innovation) with expert members from different Faculties and Research Institutes/Centres under the PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research (PAIR). The Task Force will work out a roadmap, including action plans with achievable goals by an agreed target date for implementation.

The University Accountability Agreement (UAA) is a formal agreement between the University Grants Committee (UGC) and each of the UGC-funded universities. It serves to articulate the nature and substance of the relationship between the UGC and the universities. The first UAA was signed in June 2019 for the 2019-22 triennium. In addition to setting out the duties and responsibilities associated with public funding, the UAA contains performance indicators which include both sector-wide performance measures and institution-specific key performance indicators. They cover five key domains - 1) quality of the student experience of teaching and learning; 2) quality of research performance and of research postgraduate experience; 3) knowledge transfer and wider engagement; 4) enhanced internationalisation; and 5) financial health and institutional sustainability. The performance indicators provide a tool for the UGC to assess the performance of universities against their individual goals under the principle of institutional autonomy.

With the conclusion of the Planning Exercise for the 2022-25 triennium, and further to the University’s previous exchange of advice and communication with the UGC on the model text and the performance indicators in the UAA for the 2022-25 triennium to be renewed, PolyU received in January 2022 the final draft agreement approved by the UGC. The University confirmed the final draft in March 2022, with approval by the University’s Council. The formal signing of the renewed UAA between the UGC and PolyU will be completed in the first half of 2022.

The Chief Executive mentioned in her 2021 Policy Address that the Government will support The Hong Kong Polytechnic University in exploring the use of its Hung Hom Bay Campus, which is currently used for self-financing post-secondary education, for academic and research development. A Working Group for Review of Academic Planning of CPCE has been set up under the chairmanship of Deputy President and Provost [also Vice Chairman of the College of Professional and Continuing Education (CPCE) Council]. It will consider how CPCE can continue to be successful, contributing to PolyU and the Hong Kong community, and at the same time accommodate some of PolyU’s requirement for additional research space. Apart from space, the Working Group will also look into CPCE’s student numbers and finances.

PolyU has been supportive of the development of local sports talent, aiming to enable student-athletes to engage in dual-track development in sports and academic pursuits. Since 1998, PolyU has admitted more than 1,200 elite athletes to various full-time programmes through the Outstanding Sportsmen Recommendation Scheme.

PolyU has recently strengthened its direct admission scheme for student-athletes via joining the Student-Athlete Learning Support and Admission Scheme launched by the UGC. The Scheme aims to provide opportunities for student-athletes who are eligible to represent Hong Kong in regional or international competitions with remarkable achievements in sports to pursue their undergraduate studies at PolyU. The Scheme is open for applications until 31 March 2022 and the admission assessment is mainly based on the sports achievements of the candidates.

85th Anniversary Theme Song Campaign x Wellness@PolyU: Following the debut of the 85th Anniversary theme song at the Launch Ceremony and its broadcast on campus and across various social media platforms with more than 240K views received so far, a “Sing the Theme Song” Campaign will be introduced soon, together with a wellness exercise designed by the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences. A video featuring the exercise and the theme song is in the pipeline. We look forward to your participation in the “Sing the Theme Song” Campaign. We also hope that you will practise the wellness exercise to stay healthy and fit during the pandemic.

85th Anniversary Souvenirs: We announced earlier the winning and special recognition entries from staff, students and alumni for 85th Anniversary souvenirs. A full collection of 85th Anniversary souvenirs are being made, including an anniversary pin, a special edition paper art coasters set, an antiviral mask case using COVID-19 killing material and a PU30 reusable face mask developed by the Institute of Textiles and Clothing, a wellness resistance band for exercise, as well as a wireless phone charger stand and a name card holder with the design adopted from the winning entries. We will give out featured souvenirs to staff members to serve as a memento of the 85th Anniversary celebrations. Furthermore, a selection from our 85th Anniversary souvenir collection is available in the University Bookstore.

Please stay tuned to our website at www.polyu.edu.hk/en/85anniversary/ and e-communications to learn about the Anniversary events.