Media Releases

PolyU wins 18 awards at Asia Exhibition of Innovations and Inventions — Grand Award retained for second consecutive year and startups claim seven

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) achieved remarkable results at the 5th Asia Exhibition of Innovations and Inventions Hong Kong (AEII), taking home 18 accolades from 16 participating projects and retaining the event’s Grand Award for the second consecutive year. PolyU’s haul comprised one Grand Award, one Special Award, two Gold Medals with Congratulations of Jury, five Gold Medals, eight Silver Medals and one Bronze Medal. Among them, two winning projects were developed by the InnoHK Centre for Eye and Vision Research (CEVR), a partnership between PolyU and the University of Waterloo. These outstanding achievements underscore PolyU’s commitment to leveraging research innovation to address pressing societal challenges, contributing to Hong Kong, the Nation and the world. Prof. Christopher CHAO, PolyU Senior Vice President (Research and Innovation), remarked, “We are greatly motivated by the exceptional accomplishments of PolyU researchers and startups at this prominent event, which marks another pivotal milestone for the University. PolyU takes pride in tackling global issues with innovations and cutting-edge technologies. By harnessing our research excellence and knowledge transfer capabilities, we will continue to proactively translate innovative ideas into real-world applications, creating significant societal impact and driving constructive changes in the world.” Developed by Prof. Roderick SLAVCEV, Associate Professor of the School of Pharmacy at the University of Waterloo and Principal Investigator of CEVR and Prof. HUANG Chien-ling, Associate Professor of the Department of Health and Informatics at PolyU and Principal Investigator of CEVR, the project “Viromids: A Redosable, Low-Cost Gene-Delivery Platform for Ocular Therapy” garnered the Grand Award and a Gold Medal with Congratulations of Jury. Viromids is a virome-inspired, redosable gene-delivery platform that offers immune silence, large payload capacity (8–15 kb), and bacterial-scale manufacturability. By enabling single-vector delivery of large genes and repeatable dosing while significantly reducing production costs, Viromids offer a practical, globally accessible solution to preserve and restore sight for patients with inherited retinal diseases. Its scalable production model also positions Viromids as a foundational technology for next-generation affordable gene therapy worldwide. Securing the First Prize of Inventions Geneva Award and a Gold Medal with Congratulations of Jury was another project titled “PD-001R – A New Breakthrough for the Treatment of Neurodegenerative Diseases”, led by Prof. Simon LEE Ming-yuen, Cally Kwong Mei Wan Professor in Biomedical Sciences and Chinese Medicine Innovation, Chair Professor of Biomedical Sciences at the Department of Food Science and Nutrition, and Founder of PolyU startup AIM Pharmaceutical International Limited, in collaboration with Dr ZHAO Chen, Postdoc Fellow at the Department of Food Science and Nutrition and Chief Technology Officer of PolyU startup AIM Pharmaceutical International Limited. PD-001R is a first-in-class, novel small-molecule drug candidate for Parkinson’s disease (PD), derived from Alpinia oxyphylla Fructus and synthesised as a new molecular entity. Its primary mechanism of action is the promotion of pathological α-synuclein aggregate degradation. Preclinical studies show that PD-001R efficiently crosses the blood–brain barrier and exerts neuroprotective effects in animal models of PD and Alzheimer’s disease. It also exhibits favourable oral bioavailability and safety. The exceptional performance of the PolyU teams at this year’s AEII embodies the essence of PolyImpact—PolyU inventions and innovations that benefit the world. Among the award-winning innovations, seven were developed by PolyU startups, a testament to the strength of the University’s signature startup ecosystem, PolyVentures, which provides comprehensive support to PolyU startups throughout their developmental phases. It has nurtured over 600 startups to date, including three unicorns and two listed companies. AEII is a prestigious annual exhibition cum competition devoted to innovations and inventions in Asia, organised by The Hong Kong Exporters’ Association in partnership with Palexpo, the organiser of the International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva. This year the event attracted about 140 projects from around Asia. Project details: https://www.polyu.edu.hk/kteo/docdrive/Press/20251211_AEII_Appendix_Eng.pdf Projects Principal Investigators Awards Viromids: A Redosable, Low-Cost Gene-Delivery Platform for Ocular Therapy Prof. Roderick SLAVCEV Associate Professor, School of Pharmacy, University of Waterloo; Principal Investigator, InnoHK Centre for Eye and Vision Research   Prof. HUANG Chien-ling Associate Professor, Department of Health and Informatics, PolyU; Principal Investigator, InnoHK Centre for Eye and Vision Research Grand Award   Gold Medal with Congratulations of Jury PD-001R: A New Breakthrough for the Treatment of Neurodegenerative Diseases   Prof. Simon LEE Ming-yuen Cally Kwong Mei Wan Professor in Biomedical Sciences and Chinese Medicine Innovation; Chair Professor of Biomedical Sciences, Department of Food Science and Nutrition, PolyU; Founder, AIM Pharmaceutical International Limited (a PolyU startup)   Dr ZHAO Chen Postdoc Fellow, Department of Food Science and Nutrition, PolyU; Chief Technology Officer, AIM Pharmaceutical International Limited (a PolyU startup) 1st Prize of Inventions Geneva Award   Gold Medal with Congratulations of Jury Intelligent Construction Site Layout Design Platform   Dr WANG Dong Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Building and Real Estate, PolyU; Founder, ICC (Hong Kong) Limited (a PolyU startup) Gold Medal   PolyPi: Edge-AI Empowered Autonomous Robot for Pipeline Inspection and Maintenance Prof. CAO Jiannong Vice President (Education); Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Professor in Data Science; Chair Professor of Distributed and Mobile Computing, PolyU; Founder and Chief Scientist, UbiquiTech Innovations Limited (a PolyU startup)   Dr LIANG Zhixuan Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Computing, PolyU; Founder and CEO, UbiquiTech Innovations Limited (a PolyU startup) Gold Medal WING: Wireless Infrastructure for Next-Generation EV Charging   Prof. CHAU Kwok-tong Chair Professor of Electrical Energy Engineering, Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, PolyU   Prof. Lucian LIU Wei Assistant Professor, Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, PolyU Gold Medal Intelligent Driving Training and Evaluation System for Heavy-duty Trucks   Prof. FU Xiaowen Professor, Head of Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, PolyU   Dr TANG Yuk-ming Senior Lecturer, Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, PolyU Gold Medal BodyMate: A Smart Textile-Based Health Monitoring Vest for Continuous Elderly Vital Sign Detection   Ms Sisi TANG PhD student, School of Fashion and Textiles, PolyU; Founder, Leopitorca Global Limited (a PolyU startup) Gold Medal ProMuki - Wearable Ultrasound Monitoring and Analysing of Muscle Activities for Fitness, Sports, and Rehabilitation   Prof. ZHENG Yongping Henry G. Leong Professor in Biomedical Engineering; Chair Professor of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Biomedical Engineering, PolyU Silver Medal ORal-motor Assessment and Rehabilitation mobile App (ORAR App)   Dr WONG Wing-sze Research Assistant Professor, Department of Language Science and Technology, PolyU; Clinical Consultant and Co-inventor, Feelings Group Ltd (a PolyU startup)   Ms YIP Chi-hay Founder, Feelings Group Ltd (a PolyU startup) Silver Medal MetaBridge: A 3D Gaussian Splatting and Blockchain Platform for Cultural Heritage Digital Assetisation and Immersive Experience   Prof. Peter NG Hiu-fung Assistant Professor, Department of Computing and Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, PolyU Silver Medal A Proactive Early Warning System for Structural Health Monitoring of Wind Turbine Blades and Towers Based on Finite Element Simulation, Fiber Bragg Grating Sensing and Reinforcement Learning   Prof. YU Changyuan Professor, Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, PolyU   Ms MA Zhiqin PhD student, Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, PolyU Silver Medal Dr. Fresh: Natural and Eco-friendly External Preservation Technology   Mr HE Shuidong Doctoral student, Food Science and Management Department of Food Science and Nutrition, PolyU; Co-founder, Dr. Fresh Biotech Limited (a PolyU startup) Silver Medal PipeInspect: Cutting-Edge Inspection on Water Distribution Network with Fiber-optic Positioning Prof. DING Xiaoli Chair Professor of Geomatics, Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics, PolyU Silver Medal Automated Freeform Eyeglass for Instant Refractive Control Dr Elie Aymard Jonathan de LESTRANGE-ANGINIEUR Research Fellow, School of Optometry, PolyU   Prof. George WOO Senior Advisor, School of Optometry, PolyU Silver Medal Biomimetics Nanoplatform for the Treatment of Retinal Diseases Prof. DO Chi-wai Associate Professor, School of Optometry, PolyU; Principal Investigator, InnoHK Centre for Eye and Vision Research   Prof. Emmanuel HO Professor, School of Pharmacy, University of Waterloo Principal Investigator, InnoHK Centre for Eye and Vision Research Silver Medal Non-invasive, Ultrasensitive and Portable Saliva Glucose Sensors Prof. YAN Feng Chair Professor of Organic Electronics, Department of Applied Physics, PolyU; Co-founder, Intellisense & Cognisense Technology Limited (a PolyU startup)   Dr ZHAO Zeyu Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Applied Physics, PolyU; Co-founder, Intellisense & Cognisense Technology Limited (a PolyU startup) Bronze Medal ***END***

PolyU to hold the 2026-27 Taught Postgraduate Programme Information Week

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is committed to supporting and aligning with the development needs of society and the Nation. By offering a wide range of high-quality taught postgraduate programmes, PolyU aspires to enhance professionalism across various emerging fields, meet evolving manpower demands of society and nurture future ready professionals who will drive social innovation. In the 2026-27 academic year, the University will offer more than 120 taught postgraduate programmes, including the following 7 newly launched programmes: Doctor of Business Administration MSc in Cybersecurity* MSc in Satellite Engineering* MSc in Sustainable Energy MSc in Intelligent Robotics Engineering MSc in Mathematics for Artificial Intelligence Technology* MSc / PgD in Artificial Intelligence in Hospitality * This programme is subject to approval This year’s PolyU Taught Postgraduate Programme Information Week will be held in a hybrid format, featuring both online and in-person events to provide prospective students with the latest admission and programme information as well as personalised consultations. The Academic Registry will host a live broadcast information seminar in Mandarin on 13 December, (Saturday) from 1pm to 5:30pm, during which representatives from the 11 faculties and schools will introduce programme details and latest academic developments. In addition, from 15 to 22 December, individual faculties, schools and departments will organise programme-specific information seminars, where programme leaders and teaching staff will explain programme highlights and admission requirements in detail. For more information about the PolyU Taught Postgraduate Programme Information Week and online registration, please visit: https://www.polyu.edu.hk/study/pg/taught-postgraduate/programme-information-seminars Applications for taught postgraduate programmes for the 2026-27 academic year are now open. For programme details and application procedures, please visit: https://www.polyu.edu.hk/study/pg/taught-postgraduate   ***END***

PolyU honours four outstanding alumni

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is pleased to announce that it has conferred the “Outstanding PolyU Alumni Award 2025” on four alumni in recognition of their significant achievements in their respective fields, as well as their contributions to their alma mater and society. The Award highlights PolyU’s accomplishments in nurturing leaders for Hong Kong, the Nation and the world. The Award recognises distinguished graduates of PolyU, as well as those of its predecessors, namely the Government Trade School, Hong Kong Technical College, and the Hong Kong Polytechnic. Recipients of the Outstanding PolyU Alumni Award 2025 (in alphabetical order of surname; see Appendix for biographies): Dr Steve CHUANG Tzu-hsiung, JP Founder and Chief Executive Officer, ProVista Group Dr Elton SUN Wu Vice President, Hyatt China; Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, UrCove Hotels Ir Tony WONG Chi-kwong, JP Commissioner for Digital Policy, The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China Mr Eddie WONG Kwok-hing, CSDSM Commissioner of Correctional Services, The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China The Award Selection Committee was chaired by Dr LAM Tai-fai, GBS, JP, PolyU Council Chairman. The ex-officio members included Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, BBS, JP, PolyU President; and Prof. Wing-tak WONG, PolyU Deputy President and Provost. Other members included Mr Alex WONG Chun-bong, PolyU Council Member; Ir Arthur LEE Kam-hung, University Court Member; Mr Dennis HO Chiu-ping, President of the Outstanding PolyU Alumni Association; and Ir YAU Kwok-fai, President of the Federation of PolyU Alumni Associations. Since the launch of the Award in 1996, 113 recipients have been honoured for great distinction in their respective fields, as well as for their dedicated support and contribution to their alma mater and the wider community. The Award Presentation Ceremony will be held on 13 January 2026. ***END***

PolyU establishes Academy for Artificial Intelligence to develop a world-class AI innovation hub

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) today held the PolyU Academy for Artificial Intelligence (PAAI) Inauguration, demonstrating its support to the Nation’s “Artificial Intelligence (AI) Plus” initiative under the 15th Five-Year Plan to support high-quality development across industries. Leveraging PolyU’s cross-disciplinary strengths in computer science, mathematics and data science, the PAAI strives to foster international collaboration and help position Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area as a globally influential AI innovation hub. On the same day, PolyU hosted a series of forums, bringing together experts from around the world to advance cutting-edge AI technologies and their innovative applications in healthcare. The Inauguration took place at the PolyU Chiang Chen Studio Theatre, officiated by Prof. SUN Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry of the HKSAR Government of the People’s Republic of China, and Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, President of PolyU. Prof. Sun Dong remarked, “The country’s Recommendations for Formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan reaffirm Hong Kong’s strategic position as the international innovation and technology centre. Our vision to become a global hub for AI development was underscored in the 2025 Policy Address delivered by our Chief Executive, with promotion of AI being top of our agenda, taken forward through multi-pronged measures on key enablers, including talent, data and industry applications.” “The inauguration of the PAAI marks not just a milestone, but a new chapter in our city’s united efforts to expedite the AI development. This Academy will inspire ideas, foster collaboration and fuel Hong Kong's AI ecosystem,” he added. Prof. Jin-Guang Teng elaborated: “Leveraging PolyU’s strong foundation in AI, computer science, mathematics, data science and other globally recognised disciplines, the PAAI will foster interdisciplinary and international collaboration to drive AI development, positioning Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area as a leading AI innovation hub. It will deliver sustainable, efficient and impactful solutions for key sectors – ranging from healthcare and finance to education and beyond. It will also cultivate a talent ecosystem that can drive future innovation by leveraging Hong Kong’s international research environment and its government-industry-academia-research network.” Prof. Qiang YANG, PAAI Director, and Prof. Hongxia YANG, PAAI Executive Director, delivered keynotes on “The AI Revolution: Challenges and Opportunities” and “Co-Generative AI (Co‑GenAI)” respectively, elaborating on the University’s key tasks in advancing AI and how related projects are being translated into real-world applications that benefit diverse industries. Addressing future AI challenges, Prof. Qiang Yang noted that the PAAI will continue to advance key technologies including Co‑GenAI, Federated Learning and Edge Foundation Models, while setting out robust technological roadmaps in the priority fields of healthcare, education, finance and robotics. He highlighted Hong Kong’s dual positioning as an international financial centre as well as an international innovation and technology hub. Together with the extensive clinical networks and strong industry demand in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, the PAAI will seek to expand decentralised AI infrastructure, enabling more institutions to use advanced AI technologies under safe and controllable conditions. Prof. Hongxia Yang added that traditional AI training faces hurdles such as high thresholds for computing capacity and data privacy protection. By aggregating the strengths of hundreds of industry-specific models, Co‑GenAI can reduce reliance on centralised computing resources and build high-quality foundation models that better reflect real-world application scenarios. The PAAI is working with various medical institutions to implement the “Cancer GenAI” project, while also exploring the potential of AI in infectious disease prevention and control, robotic systems and finance. In the “International Forum on AI 2025”, moderated by Prof. Qiang Yang and the “Intelligent Oncology Forum” moderated by Prof. Jing CAI, Head of the PolyU Department of Health Technology and Informatics, convened leading experts from academia and clinical medicine. Participants engaged in in-depth discussions on the deep integration of AI and healthcare, innovative applications and cross-disciplinary technological breakthroughs, contributing insights to further propel AI technologies. The PAAI will contribute to building Hong Kong into a global testing ground that drives AI innovation in healthcare and smart city development, fostering world-class technologies and talent. It will also strengthen collaboration with industry, medical institutions, schools and government departments to apply AI solutions in public health and education systems. In ShanghaiRanking’s Global Ranking of Academic Subjects announced last month, PolyU ranked first in Hong Kong and 16th worldwide in the newly introduced “Artificial Intelligence” subject area, underscoring the University’s forward-looking strategy and achievements in facilitating AI in education. Officiating the PAAI Inauguration, Prof. Sun Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry of the HKSAR Government of the People's Republic of China, said that the PAAI marked not just a milestone, but a new chapter in the city’s united efforts to expedite the AI development. PolyU President Prof. Jin-Guang Teng said that the PAAI would cultivate a talent ecosystem to drive future innovation by leveraging Hong Kong’s international research environment and its government-industry-academia-research network. During the media interview session, PolyU Senior Vice President (Research and Innovation) Prof. Christopher Chao (2nd from left); PAAI Director Prof. Qiang Yang (2nd from right); PAAI Executive Director Prof. Hongxia YANG (1st from left); and Prof. Jing Cai, Head of the Department of Health Technology and Informatics (1st from right), outlined the PAAI’s strategy and the development and applications of AI across industries. ***END***

PolyU and Xi’an Jiaotong University jointly establish Patriotic Education Base to enhance students’ sense of national pride

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is actively supporting the Nation’s efforts to promote patriotic education and foster national spirit. Recently, PolyU and Xi’an Jiaotong University (XJTU) announced their collaboration to jointly establish “The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Patriotic Education Base (Xi’an)” (the Base). As the first university in Hong Kong to set up a demonstration base for patriotic education in Chinese Mainland, PolyU will share resources and complement the strengths of XJTU to nurture socially responsible professionals and leaders with a strong sense of national pride and a global perspective, benefiting the society and contributing to the Nation. An unveiling ceremony was held in Xi’an and jointly officiated by Dr LAM Tai-fai, Council Chairman of PolyU; Prof. LU Jianjun, Secretary of the CPC Xi’an Jiaotong University Committee; Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, President of PolyU; and Prof. SHAN Zhiwei, Vice-President of XJTU. The ceremony was moderated by Mr CHENG Jin, Member of the Standing Committee of the Party Committee, Director of the Publicity Department, and Director of the United Front Work Department of XJTU. Prof. Jin-Guang Teng and Prof. ZHANG Liqun, President of XJTU, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on behalf of the two universities to establish a long-term cooperation mechanism. Dr Lam Tai-fai said, “As a University committed to both our Nation and Hong Kong, PolyU actively supports and aligns with national strategies, and is dedicated to advancing patriotic education. Through curriculum design and other diverse activities, our ‘Patriotic Education Base’ will enable staff and students to gain a deeper understanding of Chinese culture and to appreciate the Nation’s century-long efforts in modernisation and remarkable achievements in the new era. This will strengthen their sense of national pride and belonging to the country, empowering them to better integrate into the overall national development and contribute to the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. PolyU and XJTU have a strong foundation of collaboration, with shared aspirations and complementary strengths. The two universities will surely open up new horizons together, contributing to the national goal of building China into a leading country in the areas of education, talent and technology.” Prof. Lu Jianjun said, “The establishment of the ‘Patriotic Education Base’ is not only a deepening of the friendship between the two universities, but also an important initiative in nurturing the sense of national pride and jointly fulfilling the mission of education. Looking ahead, I hope both universities will keep the Nation’s priorities in mind and continue to deepen cooperation in talent cultivation, collaborative research, and cultural exchange, cultivating a new generation that is capable of shouldering the responsibility of national rejuvenation. At the same time, I look forward to both universities leveraging Hong Kong as a bridge to jointly build a world-class hub for industry–education collaboration, contributing wisdom and strength to further develop China into a great country and to the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.” PolyU and XJTU have cooperated for over 20 years, with the joint establishment of the Patriotic Education Base marking a new milestone in their partnership. Both universities will each set up a dedicated task force to jointly advance the development of the Base, and establish a teaching centre at their jointly built “Xi’an Tongli International College”, which will serve as a regular teaching site to conduct teaching, seminars and field study activities. Currently, PolyU undergraduate students are required to complete General University Requirements which include Cluster-Area Requirements subjects in Chinese history and culture. Overseas field studies will be integrated into the curriculum framework, leveraging the advantages of the Base to organise student visits to Xi’an and regions along the Belt and Road for experiential learning. During these field visits, students will explore topics such as national history, technological development and cultural heritage, fulfilling their credit requirements. The course is designed and taught by PolyU professors, with XJTU professors invited to provide academic input and guest lectures, offering a well-rounded learning experience that combines classroom teaching with practical application. To promote the integrated development of education, technology and talents, the Base will deeply embed a culture of research guided by national strategic needs. It will leverage the strengths of both PolyU and XJTU to deepen research collaboration in cutting-edge areas such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors and new materials. Both universities will share research resources and platforms, encourage student exchanges and learning, and facilitate the joint creation and sharing of research achievements. PolyU is committed to nurturing students’ sense of social responsibility and practical capability and is the first university in Hong Kong to make academic Service-Learning a graduation requirement for all undergraduate students. Since 2014, the University has offered Service-Learning subjects in Chinese Mainland, including in Xi’an, with students participating in projects in community building, educational tutoring and rural development. Building on this foundation, the Base will organise student participation in Service-Learning projects and design immersive study routes that leverage Xi’an’s rich historical sites and its cultural and technological venues, thereby deepening students’ sense of national pride. In addition, the Base will host national studies courses for the youth of Hong Kong and Macao, offering a national education learning experience that combines thematic lectures, field visits and exchanges, and integrates learning of Xi’an’s historical culture as well as of its modern development. The establishment of the Base is supported by the Central Government, the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China, and local government in Chinese Mainland, providing a strong foundation for its long-term development and building a bridge for mutual learning between Hong Kong and Chinese Mainland youth. PolyU is preparing its first student delegation for a visit to Xi’an in spring 2026. The delegation will tour the Base and engage with local scholars, students and enterprises in areas such as technological innovation, sports and the arts, aiming to broaden participants’ horizons and deepen their understanding of national development. ***END***

PolyU distinguished scholar Prof. Yang Chai receives Croucher Senior Research Fellowship 2026 for revolutionising AI computation

Prof. Yang CHAI, Associate Dean (Research) of the Faculty of Science and Chair Professor of Semiconductor Physics at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), has been awarded the prestigious Croucher Senior Research Fellowship 2026 in recognition of his outstanding achievements in revolutionising artificial intelligence (AI) computation at the sensor level. Each recipient of the Senior Research Fellowship receives funding up to HK$3 million to support their research. Prof. Christopher CHAO, Senior Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU, congratulated Prof. Chai on this prestigious honour, “PolyU scholars are dedicated to world-leading research and innovation. This award not only recognises Prof. Chai’s pioneering work but also highlights PolyU research excellence in the field of AI computing. As an innovative world-class university, PolyU will continue to pursue excellence in education, research and knowledge transfer for the benefit of Hong Kong, the Nation and the world.” Prof. Chai’s research focuses on bioinspired computing and semiconductor devices. He has pioneered a disruptive in-sensor computing paradigm that revolutionises AI computation at the sensor level and has actualised this paradigm through hardware implementation for vision sensors. His innovative research on sensory AI contributes to the advancement in machine visions with enhanced image recognition, visual adaptation in extremely dim or bright lighting, and agile perception of dynamic motion. Expressing his gratitude for the award, Prof. Chai said, “I am deeply grateful to the Croucher Foundation for recognising my research in bioinspired computing and semiconductor devices. This award is not only an encouragement for me personally, but also a recognition of the PolyU research team. We will continue to pursue innovative research to create a positive impact on society.” Prof. Chai is a distinguished academic in the field of nanoelectronic devices and emerging computation paradigms. He earned his Bachelor’s degree at Nanjing University and his Master’s at Peking University, completing his PhD at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. His research on in-sensor motion perception was selected as one of the “China Chip10 Sciences”. He also received the 2024 Falling Walls Science Breakthrough in Engineering & Technology, funding from the National Science Fund of China for Distinguished Young Scholars, as well as the BOCHK Science and Technology Innovation Prize in the field of AI and Robotics. ***END***

PolyU Hefei Technology and Innovation Research Institute officially inaugurated

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PolyU School of Nursing co-hosts Sigma Asia Regional Conference 2025, bringing together experts from 19 countries and regions to advance digital health and AI in nursing

Global population ageing and the rising number of patients with chronic diseases are placing greater strain on healthcare systems; advances in digital technologies and artificial intelligence (AI) are creating new opportunities for the nursing profession. The Pi lota At-Large Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing (Sigma), led by the School of Nursing at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and including the nursing schools of five other higher education institutions in Hong Kong, has joined forces with Sigma Asia to host the Sigma Asia Regional Conference 2025 on 5 and 6 December. Themed “Digital Health and AI in Nursing: Transforming Care Through Innovation”, the Conference brings together over 550 nursing practitioners, researchers and scholars from 19 countries and regions. In his welcoming address, Prof. David SHUM, Dean of the PolyU Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, Yeung Tsang Wing Yee and Tsang Wing Hing Professor in Neuropsychology, and Chair Professor of Neuropsychology, stated, “Rapid technological advances are transforming healthcare and social services and necessitate a parallel evolution in the education and training of healthcare and social care professionals. To come up with innovative and impactful projects, we need to be creative and bold, also, interdisciplinary collaborations, hard work and resilience are necessary. Finally, we need support from the government, industry and the community.” Prof. Janelle YORKE, Co-Chair of the Conference, Vice President of Pi lota At-Large Chapter, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Global STEM Professor, Head of the PolyU School of Nursing, Angel S.P. Chan Lau Professor in Health and Longevity, and Chair Professor of Nursing, said, “The PolyU School of Nursing is committed to leveraging emerging technologies to advance nursing education, research and practice. Hosting this conference further demonstrates the dedication of the School and the Pi Iota At-Large Chapter to remaining at the forefront of the nursing profession and leading industry development.” Prof. Janet WONG, Co-Chair of the Conference, former President of Pi lota At-Large Chapter, Dean of the School of Nursing and Health Sciences at Hong Kong Metropolitan University, said, “This conference gathers nursing educators, researchers and practitioners in the region to discuss key trends in the application of emerging technologies in healthcare. It also provides an opportunity to further consolidate and expand our networks with other chapters and regional bodies.” The Conference features multiple keynote speakers: Prof. Sok Ying LIAW, Professor and Head of the Alice Lee Centre for Nursing Studies, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine at the National University of Singapore; Prof. Michael Joseph DINO, Director of Research Development and Innovation at Our Lady of Fatima University, Philippines; Prof. Younhee KANG, Dean of the College of Nursing at Ewha Womans University, South Korea; Dr Kathleen MCGROW, Chief Nursing Innovation Officer at Microsoft; Prof. Zhiwen WANG, Professor of the School of Nursing at Peking University; and Dr Huyen Thi Hoa NGUYEN, Director of the Nursing Program at VinUniversity, Vietnam. Their sessions highlight key trends and issues related to emerging technologies and explore their impacts on nursing practice and workforce, healthcare education and research. Sigma is dedicated to cultivating professional nursing communities worldwide and advancing nursing knowledge, teaching and service through education, research and practice. The Pi Iota Chapter was founded by the PolyU School of Nursing in 2000. It evolved to become an At-large Chapter in 2021, which comprises the six nursing schools from higher education institutions in Hong Kong: PolyU School of Nursing; the School of Nursing and Health Sciences at Hong Kong Metropolitan University; The Nethersole School of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine at The Chinese University of Hong Kong; the School of Nursing, LKS Faculty of Medicine at The University of Hong Kong; the School of Nursing at Tung Wah College; and the Division of Nursing Education at the School of Continuing Education of Hong Kong Baptist University. ***END***

PolyU and HKUST inaugurate State Key Laboratory of Climate Resilience for Coastal Cities and gather global experts for Symposium to tackle challenges of climate change

Approved by the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) of the People’s Republic of China, the State Key Laboratory of Climate Resilience for Coastal Cities (SKL-CRCC) – jointly established by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) – was officially inaugurated today. Dedicated to addressing the challenges posed by climate change, the Laboratory aims to enhance infrastructure resilience in Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland and coastal cities worldwide. Its core missions include strengthening climate-risk early-warning systems and emergency response capabilities, and promoting sustainable development to address challenges posed by climate change. Concurrently, a two-day international symposium is being held, bringing together world-leading experts and scholars to discuss how climate resilience in coastal cities can be strengthened globally. The inauguration was held at PolyU’s Hotel ICON and officiated by Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, PolyU President; Prof. Nancy IP, HKUST President; Prof. Wing-tak WONG, PolyU Deputy President and Provost; Prof. Xiangdong LI, Dean of the Faculty of Construction and Environment, Director of SKL-CRCC and Director of the Otto Poon Research Institute for Climate-Resilient Infrastructure (RICRI) of PolyU; Prof. Charles NG Wang-Wai, Vice-President for Institutional Advancement of HKUST, Director of SKL-CRCC, and CLP Holdings Professor of Sustainability; and Prof. Qingrui YUE, Chairman of the Academic Committee of SKL-CRCC. Prof. Jin-Guang Teng emphasised, “The establishment of SKL-CRCC not only closely aligns with the National Climate Change Adaptation Strategy 2035, but also supports the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government’s focus on climate-resilient urban development. Its significance is far-reaching: it reflects the nation’s commitment to technological self-reliance, scientific excellence and sustainable development, and exemplifies the synergy of Hong Kong’s world-class universities. By leveraging our complementary advantages, this strategic collaboration will drive national innovation and global scientific progress. PolyU sincerely thanks the Central Government and the HKSAR Government for their foresight and support. We will continue translating research into impactful solutions and make the laboratory a ‘core engine’ for resilient urban development, strengthening public safety, urban resilience and sustainable development.” Prof. Nancy Ip said, “We extend our profound gratitude to the Central Government and the HKSAR Government for their steadfast and visionary support in establishing this inaugural State Key Laboratory of Climate Resilience for Coastal Cities. This endeavour powerfully demonstrates Hong Kong’s capacity to unite world-class research expertise from leading institutions in a strategic collaboration to address one of our generation’s most urgent challenges. By pioneering solutions for urban disaster mitigation and infrastructure resilience, this laboratory represents a strategic national initiative. It will serve to enhance Hong Kong’s position as an international innovation and technology hub, contributing steady and meaningful momentum to our nation’s scientific advancement and long-term sustainable development.” Prof. Xiangdong Li and Prof. Charles Ng Wang-Wai, Directors of SKL-CRCC, stated that PolyU and HKUST teams leverage the advanced facilities of both universities to conduct research in multiple areas: Climate Change and Extreme Weather, Urban Infrastructure and Resilience, Urban Compound Disasters and Evolution, Extreme Rainstorm Disasters and Nature-based Solutions, Coastal Engineering and Technology, and Climate Change Risk Perception, Early Warning, and Response Policy Management. They pointed out that data collected through various research initiatives will significantly improve coastal cities’ future forecasting accuracy and response capabilities under severe weather conditions. Group photo of the officiating party and distinguished dignitaries. Group photo of the officiating party and key members of SKL-CRCC. The two-day international symposium features approximately 30 keynotes by experts from renowned universities in Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland, other parts of Asia, Europe, the Americas and Australia. Topics include marine heatwaves, earthquakes, urban water management and artificial intelligence applications. Through academic exchange and in-depth discussion, the Symposium aims to advance world-class knowledge to strengthen climate resilience in coastal cities globally. SKL-CRCC was officially accredited as the status of a State Key Laboratory by MOST in August 2025. To address climate change and disaster risks, it aims to deeply integrate its work into the national strategic frameworks and global development initiatives, focusing on resilience construction and disaster mitigation. It is committed to enhancing the resilience of coastal urban infrastructure to address the compound challenges posed by climate change. The Symposium brings together world-leading global experts and scholars to discuss how climate resilience in coastal cities can be strengthened globally. ***END***

PolyU stands shoulder to shoulder with all sectors of society, providing comprehensive support to victims of the Tai Po fire and affected staff and students

A devastating No. 5 alarm fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po occurred on 26 November, resulting in severe casualties and leaving thousands of families homeless. The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) community is deeply saddened by the tragedy. PolyU President Prof. Jin-Guang TENG expressed that the University, with profound sorrow, deeply mourns those who perished in the fire and the brave firefighter who lost his life battling the deadly blaze. He also extended the University’s deepest condolences to the families of the deceased and heartfelt sympathies to the injured and all affected residents, and paid tribute to all frontline personnel contributing to the rescue operations. PolyU has promptly activated its contingency measures in response to this major incident. Prof. Teng further stated, “This tragedy has touched the hearts of everyone in Hong Kong. As a member of the Hong Kong community, PolyU is dedicated to providing comprehensive support to those affected. We will continue to monitor and fully support the mental health of our staff and students and address the practical needs of community residents. We will stand shoulder to shoulder with all sectors of society as we weather this difficult period together.” Community support: Mobilising staff, students and alumni to assist affected residents PolyU’s School of Nursing yesterday deployed a team of nearly 30 staff and students to Tai Po “Good House”, in response to appeals from the Community Care Age Foundation and the Hong Kong PHAB Association, to provide assistance such as triage and the distribution of supplies to displaced residents, including disabled people and older adults. The School will continue to support those in need by sending additional teams in the coming days. At the same time, the Faculty of Health and Social Sciences has reached out to the Primary Healthcare Commission, offering the services of alumni and staff who are registered nurses or social workers. Nearly 70 alumni and staff from the School of Nursing and the Department of Applied Social Sciences have already signed up to provide mental health counselling services and comprehensive support to victims at shelter nursing stations. On-campus support: Services for staff and students in need and support for mental health PolyU has also consolidated resources across departments and units to provide a range of support to students and staff affected by the incident, including temporary accommodation in student halls of residence and the provision of essential daily supplies. In addition, the University will offer flexible class and examination arrangements, counselling services, emotional support, as well as emergency financial aid for students in need.The School of Nursing’s Resilient Students Training Hub (ReST Hub), located in Block A on campus, will provide mental health and resilience consultations for staff and students, with extended service hours on Saturday and Sunday. Furthermore, the School has set up a dedicated hotline to offer psychological counselling to students in need. Following the incident, the University’s Human Resources Office promptly contacted affected colleagues to understand their situation and needs. If staff members or their family members experience emotional distress, anxiety or any difficulties, the Office’s Employee Assistance Programme will provide confidential support, counselling and resources, and can also offer leave or flexible working arrangements for staff in need.   ***END***