Media Releases

PolyU partners with CCB (Asia) to present “Financing the World, Building the Future” scholarships, nurturing globally-minded financial talents

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and China Construction Bank (Asia) (CCB (Asia)) jointly launched a scholarship programme to recognise students who have displayed talent in three key frontier areas – artificial intelligence (AI), sustainable finance and cross-border finance. The Scholarship Presentation Ceremony was successfully held today. Under the theme “Financing the World, Building the Future”, the scholarship programme aims to guide young talents in integrating theoretical knowledge with industry practice, deepen their insights on the emerging trends in the financial sector, and cultivate financial elites equipped with international vision and innovation capabilities, thereby injecting new momentum into the sustainable development of the financial industry and reinforcing Hong Kong’s position as an international financial centre. The Ceremony was officiated by Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, President of PolyU; Mr ZHANG Jun, Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of CCB (Asia); Mr CHEUNG Leong, Vice President (Administration and Development) of PolyU; Ms Daphne WAT, Deputy Chief Executive of CCB (Asia); Dr Laura LO, Associate Vice President (Institutional Advancement) of PolyU; Mr WANG Zi, Head of the Executive Office of CCB (Asia); Prof. Jimmy JIN, Associate Dean (External Relations and Development) of the PolyU Faculty of Business; Prof. George WONG, Associate Head of the PolyU School of Accounting and Finance; Ms Charmaine LI, Head of Institutional Banking of CCB (Asia); and Mr GUO Jingtang, Head of Human Resources of CCB (Asia). Prof. Jin-Guang Teng said, “This scholarship, jointly established by PolyU and CCB (Asia) for the first time, carries far-reaching significance—it identifies outstanding students in the field of fintech, and empowers them to become talents who will drive digital transformation of the financial industry and shape its long-term development. As an innovative world-class university, PolyU is committed to nurturing socially responsible professionals and leaders with a strong sense of national pride and a global perspective. In the latest Times Higher Education World University Rankings by subject, the University’s Business and Economics disciplines were ranked 25th globally and first in Hong Kong, a recognition of our efforts by the international academic community. By deepening our collaboration with CCB (Asia), we strive to translate knowledge and technology into real-world impact through education, industry collaboration and professional networks, nurturing future leaders with professional excellence and the capability of creating long-term value for Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area.” Mr Zhang Jun said, “‘The hopes of a country and the future of a nation lie in the hands of its young generation.’ Since its launch, the CCB (Asia) Scholarship Program has upheld its mission of ‘nurturing future pillars’, striving to cultivate innovative and dedicated talents for Hong Kong and the Nation. This year, we are delighted to join hands with PolyU for the first time, marking a new chapter in this talent development initiative. We look forward to using this collaboration as a new starting point to establish a long-term strategic partnership with PolyU, jointly advancing talent cultivation and academic research, continuously broadening and deepening our cooperation, and supporting Hong Kong’s development as an international innovation and technology hub.” The 2025/26 CCB (Asia) Scholarship Program recognises outstanding PolyU students who demonstrate academic excellence and innovative thinking. Selection is based on academic performance, internship experience and analytical insights into the fields of AI, sustainable finance and cross-border finance. The theme “Financing the World, Building the Future” highlights the importance of transcending geographical and knowledge boundaries to connect global resources and opportunities. PolyU is committed to research innovation and talent cultivation for societal benefit, while CCB (Asia), as the pivotal overseas platform of CCB Group, bridges international financial resources and cutting-edge trends. Through this collaboration, both parties will continue to nurture globally minded professionals and foster a sustainable finance ecosystem, empowering young talents to become the new generation of financial leaders rooted in Hong Kong, connected to the Greater Bay Area and empowered with a global perspective. The scholarship programme received an enthusiastic response from numerous high-caliber PolyU undergraduates across different disciplines and from diverse backgrounds. Following a rigorous selection process, 18 students were awarded scholarships across three tiers. The First Prize winners are Mr KHAN Hassam and Mr LAM Yuk Tung, both majoring in Accounting and Finance, as well as Mr XU Bangyan, majoring in Digital Finance and Investment, under the Bachelor of Business Administration (Honors) programme. The three First Place Award recipients expressed their commitment to seizing this opportunity to enhance their professional competence. They look forward to joining the financial industry upon graduation, contributing to society through their expertise and driving innovation in the sector. During the Ceremony, the three First Place Award Prize winners delivered presentations on AI, sustainable finance and cross-border finance respectively, showcasing their research findings and putting forward innovative and practical recommendations. Their presentations combined the latest industry developments with academic research, demonstrating the young generation’s keen insights into financial trends and their strong sense of social responsibility. Awardees also wrote down their future career aspirations and placed them into a symbolic globe representing “Financing the World, Building the Future” and signifying the joint commitment of PolyU and CCB (Asia) to support young talent dreams and collectively shape the development blueprint for the financial industries of Hong Kong, the Greater Bay Area and beyond.   ***END***

PolyU x BOCHK “Building the Future: Robotics for the International Lunar Research Station” Lunar Robot Design Competition concludes successfully, sparking secondary school students’ interest in aerospace technology

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has long been an active participant in the Nation’s space missions and continues to promote STEM education through space-themed programmes, encouraging young people to join the field of innovation and technology and cultivating professional talent. This academic year, PolyU has co-organised the space-themed programme PolyU x BOCHK “Building the Future: Robotics for the International Lunar Research Station” with the Education Bureau (EDB) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government of the People’s Republic of China. The initiative aims to inspire secondary school students’ interest in space science and engineering, enabling them to put STEM knowledge in practice and nurturing future technology talent. The programme was sponsored by the Bank of China (Hong Kong) (BOCHK) and supported by the Chinese Society of Astronautics and the Hong Kong Society of Astronautics. As one of the programme’s highlights, the Lunar Robot Design Competition received a total of 65 design proposals from students of 52 secondary schools and international schools in the Greater Bay Area (GBA). An award ceremony was held today at the Chiang Chen Studio Theatre on the PolyU campus, attended by nearly 200 experts, students, teachers and parents. Dr CHOI Yuk-lin, Secretary for Education, stated, “We are deeply inspired by the successful launch of manned Shenzhou-23 spacecraft, and that it is the first time for a payload expert from the HKSAR to participate in it. The EDB will seize the momentum to further promote aerospace education in schools and keep optimising science, mathematics, and technology education.  The introduction of Primary Science and the newly updated Junior Secondary Science Curriculum have strengthened students’ scientific literacy.  These initiatives equip students with creative problem-solving skills, while enhancing their exposure to innovation and technology, including elements of space technology.  These curriculum developments aim to encourage students to not only learn scientific knowledge and skills, but also apply them creatively, just as what our participants have done in today’s competition.” Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, President of PolyU, said, “PolyU is dedicated to fostering innovation, research excellence and technological advancement. Leveraging the University’s cutting-edge engineering and research capabilities, our interdisciplinary teams have actively participated in critical National space missions, including the Chang’e lunar exploration missions and the Tianwen-1 Mars mission, contributing to our Nation’s historic space exploration endeavours. Later this year, we will also launch the PolyU Aerospace Research Academy (PARA), further strengthening our world-class excellence in deep space exploration as well as aviation. This competition clearly demonstrates the talent and potential of secondary school students in Hong Kong and the wider Greater Bay Area. The skills they have shown in this competition are exactly what the scientific community needs in the future.” Mr CHAN Man, Deputy Chief Executive of BOCHK, said, “The first astronaut from Hong Kong entering the Tiangong space station to conduct scientific experiments not only demonstrates Hong Kong’s contribution to supporting the nation’s ambition of becoming a space power, but also stands as a fine example of Hong Kong integrating more deeply into and serving the country’s overall development. This aligns with the National 15th Five-Year Plan’s clear direction to accelerate the development of aviation and aerospace as a strategic emerging industry. As a leading commercial and regional bank with over a century of deep roots in Hong Kong, BOCHK has long been a steadfast supporter of Hong Kong’s space development journey, with a special focus on inspiring and empowering our youth by supporting a wide range of youth development projects related to technological innovation and cutting-edges fields such as artificial intelligence. Whether through direct programme funding or strategic collaboration with academic institutions like PolyU, we are committed to providing the platform, the resources and the encouragement needed to nurture future talent for the development of national space exploration.” In his video address, Mr JIANG Jun, Deputy Secretary-General, Chinese Society of Astronautics, said that that the competition focused on the theme of lunar robot design, promoted learning through competition and empowered innovation. It provided a professional practical platform for youth in Hong Kong, Macau, and the Greater Bay Area to connect with deep space exploration and delve into robotics technology. The winning projects fully demonstrated the scientific literacy, innovative thinking, and sense of national responsibility of the young students. He encouraged the students to maintain their passion for aerospace technology and their pursuit of robotic innovation, to explore bravely, dare to break through, and integrate their personal aspirations into the grand national endeavour of space development. The judging panel highly praised the remarkable creativity and scientific thinking demonstrated by the participating students, noting that the teams’ innovative designs reflected their outstanding potential in the fields of space science and engineering. The panel encouraged the students to continue their studies in STEM fields and further refine their projects, thereby laying a solid foundation for their future research careers and allowing them to seize the vast opportunities arising from the rapid development of the Nation’s space industry. The Lunar Robot Design Competition focused on four themes: Exploration and Surveying Robots, Construction and Infrastructure Robots, Astronaut Support and Logistics Robots, and Multi-Robot Cooperative Systems. Students were required to design scientifically grounded robotic solutions for exploration of the lunar south pole. Following an evaluation by a judging panel comprising PolyU aerospace experts and members of the Hong Kong Society of Astronautics, teams from Pui Kiu College, Good Hope School and Malvern College Hong Kong were named the champion, first runner-up and second runner-up respectively. All finalist teams were also awarded grants to recognise their outstanding performance and to encourage them to continue promoting STEM education in their schools. The champion team from Pui Kiu College designed a bionic hexapod robot. Utilising a hexapod bionic chassis to navigate the moon’s complex terrain with agility, the robot is designed to aid in resource transport, material handling and assembly. It also features autonomous excavation and processing of lunar surface materials for 3D printing, providing robust support for lunar infrastructure projects. Dr Choi Yuk-lin (4th from left); Prof. Jin-Guang Teng (3rd from left); and Mr Stephen Chan (4th from right) presented the award to the champion team from Pui Kiu College. The first runner-up team from Good Hope School proposed a multi-robot cooperative system designed for lunar south pole exploration, consisting of a base, a transporter and two hopper explorers. By dividing the labour between stationary processing, heavy transport and agile scouting, the system overcomes the limitations of single robots, showcasing the potential of multi-robot systems in deep space exploration missions. Mr Cheung Leong (3rd from left) presented the award to the first runner-up team from Good Hope School. The second runner-up team from Malvern College Hong Kong proposed a design for an exploration robot powered by radioisotope thermoelectric generators. Equipped with dexterous robotic arms and a LiDAR system, the robot is capable of autonomous terrain mapping and resource exploration, making it suitable for long-term exploration and surveying missions in the permanently shadowed regions of the lunar south pole. Mr Cheung Leong (2nd from right) presented the award to the second runner-up team from Malvern College Hong Kong. The space-themed programme PolyU x BOCHK “Pioneering the Moon: Building the Future: Robotics for the International Lunar Research Station” earlier hosted a public space-themed lecture and a student tour of the PolyU Research Centre for Deep Space Explorations, allowing participants to gain a more profound understanding of aerospace science and foster a greater interest in and awareness of the Nation’s aerospace achievements. The award ceremony was held today at the Chiang Chen Studio Theatre on the PolyU campus, attended by nearly 200 experts, students, teachers and parents. ***END***

PolyU School of Optometry and CEVR join hands with HKSTP to launch Global VisionTech Incubation Programme, bringing together global vision innovation to accelerate research translation and commercialisation

The School of Optometry of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), the InnoHK Centre for Eye and Vision Research (CEVR), and the Knowledge Transfer and Entrepreneurship Office (KTEO) of PolyU, in collaboration with the School of Optometry and Vision Science of the University of Waterloo and The Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP), have officially launched the Global VisionTech Incubation Programme. The Programme aims to bring together leading vision science research teams, medical technology startups and entrepreneurial talent from around the world, positioning Hong Kong as a key hub for research translation, technology validation, venture incubation and market expansion. It seeks to accelerate the journey of cutting-edge vision technologies from the laboratory to clinical application, market adoption and international development. The Programme launch ceremony was held yesterday (28 May) during the International Conference of Vision and Eye Research 2026 on the PolyU campus. Officiating guests were Ms Lillian CHEONG, Under Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry (ITIB) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government of the People’s Republic of China; Prof. Christopher CHAO, Senior Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU; Mr Terry WONG, Chief Executive Officer of HKSTP; Prof. Zijian ZHENG, Vice President (Knowledge Transfer) of PolyU; Prof. Ben THOMPSON, CEO and Scientific Director of CEVR, and Professor of the School of Optometry and Vision Science of the University of Waterloo; and Prof. Allen CHEONG, Associate Head (Academic Programmes and Clinical Training) and Professor of the School of Optometry of PolyU, and COO and Deputy Scientific Director of CEVR. In her video address, Ms Lillian Cheong said, “Innovation and technology are key drivers of Hong Kong’s future development. The Government is committed to fostering a vibrant innovation and technology ecosystem that supports research excellence, knowledge transfer, and the translation of impactful technologies into real-world applications. The launch of the Global VisionTech Incubation Programme is particularly meaningful. By integrating research, clinical expertise, entrepreneurship support, and international collaboration, the programme demonstrates how Hong Kong can serve as a platform for nurturing innovative healthcare technologies with global impact.” Prof. Christopher Chao remarked, “PolyU has long been committed to driving knowledge transfer and entrepreneurship. Through its flagship startup ecosystem PolyVentures, the University nurtures the next generation of entrepreneurs who aspire to change the world with innovation and technology, thereby contributing to society and benefiting humanity. This incubation programme provides a robust research translation platform for global talents in the domain of vision technology. It enables the latest discoveries in the field to be transformed into real-world solutions to benefit those in need, safeguarding eye health and shaping a brighter future for humanity.” In his remarks, Mr Terry Wong said, “Vision technology is a rapidly growing frontier at the intersection of healthcare and advanced innovation. Through the Global VisionTech Incubation Programme, we are bringing together global research excellence, entrepreneurial talent and HKSTP’s comprehensive incubation ecosystem to accelerate the commercialisation of high impact vision technologies. This initiative reflects our commitment to attracting world class innovation to Hong Kong and empowering startups to transform research outcomes into practical solutions with real-world value.” The Global VisionTech Incubation Programme will focus on three major areas: vision science, healthcare and advanced technologies, with the goal of accelerating the translation and commercialisation of frontier innovations. The Programme is designed around three key objectives: advancing research translation and commercialisation, fostering VisionTech innovation and entrepreneurship, and attracting and nurturing global research talent and entrepreneurs in Hong Kong, thereby further strengthening the City’s long-term competitiveness as an international innovation and technology hub.  The PolyU School of Optometry and CEVR will leverage their strong academic, research and clinical capabilities to provide participating teams with expert knowledge support, guidance on technology translation, and advice on technology validation and optimisation. At the same time, HKSTP will offer comprehensive incubation support, including business development advisory, funding and investment matching opportunities, infrastructure support, and connections to industry partners, investors and global markets. The Programme is also supported by KTEO, which will facilitate innovation translation, entrepreneurship development and industry engagement to help accelerate the journey from research excellence to real-world impact. The Global VisionTech Incubation Programme marks an important milestone in deepening collaboration among Hong Kong’s academic sector, clinical research community, and innovation and technology ecosystem. Through a structured incubation model spanning three years and three cohorts, the Programme will establish a sustainable pipeline of VisionTech innovation projects, nurture startups with global competitiveness, promote collaboration among industry, academia and research, and further enhance Hong Kong’s attractiveness as a premier destination for international innovation talent and research initiatives. Applications for the first cohort of the Programme are now open.  For details, please visit the website. ***END***  

PolyU Faculty of Business celebrates 30th anniversary of its DBA programme, with over 400 academic and industry leaders gathering to explore new trends for scholar-leaders in AI era

The Faculty of Business at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) hosted a grand dinner on 14 May to celebrate the 30th anniversary of its Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) programme. The event was attended by Mr Paul CHAN, Financial Secretary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government of the People’s Republic of China, as the guest of honour. It brought together over 400 industry partners, alumni, faculty members, and students to discuss emerging trends in nurturing scholar-leaders in the AI era and the future direction of the DBA programme. In his keynote speech, Mr Paul Chan shared how technology and innovation had transformed business and commerce, and analysed the challenges posed by the AI era, advocating for co-ordinated action between the Government, business and academia to seize these opportunities. He said that in this age, “Distinctly human skills - curation, verification, ethical judgement - become more valuable. The world today needs the capacity to turn ideas into impact. Thirty years ago, PolyU had the foresight to create a programme that would turn experienced executives into scholar-leaders – people who think critically, research rigorously and act decisively. That foresight is more valuable today than ever.” Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, PolyU President, stated, “The accelerating pace of technological change is redefining every profession, and education must evolve swiftly to keep graduates ahead of the curve. PolyU is committed to fostering innovation in teaching. Through our Education 4.0 initiative, the University is harnessing AI and smart technologies to create a more student-centred learning and teaching environment, empowering students to become better learners and to thrive in today’s AI-driven age, thereby strengthening Hong Kong’s position as a leading international post-secondary education hub.” Prof. Edwin CHENG, Dean of the PolyU Faculty of Business, highlighted, “Since launching Hong Kong’s first DBA programme in 1996, the Faculty of Business has remained committed to nurturing scholar-leaders who integrate academic thinking with leadership practice. The Faculty’s academic and research excellence is internationally recognised, with outstanding performance in several authoritative rankings, including being ranked first worldwide in Management by ShanghaiRanking. The PolyU Faculty of Business will continue to build on its strong academic foundation and influence to collaborate with all sectors of society in addressing global challenges.” A panel discussion held during the event was facilitated by Prof. Jimmy JIN, Associate Dean (External Relations and Development) of the PolyU Faculty of Business, and featured three preeminent AI pioneers as guest speakers: Dr Xiaodong HE, Senior Vice President of JD.com; Dr Feng XIAO, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of HashKey Group; and Mr Evan YAO, Co-founder and Vice President of Marketing at ENGINEAI Robotics Technology. The discussion explored how AI and Web3 can turn innovative ideas into applications of commercial value and societal impact, and addressed frontier topics such as AI applications, digital asset infrastructure and robotics development. Looking ahead, the PolyU Faculty of Business will continue to pursue innovation-driven education and scholarship, making contributions that are sustainable and having a positive impact on Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area. Over 400 industry partners, alumni, faculty members and students gathered to celebrate PolyU DBA programme’s 30th anniversary. ***END***

PolyU Professor Chen Qingyan elected Fellow of the Royal Society

Prof. CHEN Qingyan, Director of the PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research (PAIR) and Chair Professor of Building Thermal Science at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), has just been elected a Fellow of the Royal Society, the UK’s national academy of science. Election to the Fellowship of the Royal Society is one of the highest scientific honours in the world. Founded in 1660, the Royal Society is the world’s oldest scientific academy in continuous existence, and its fellowship includes some of the most renowned scientists and thinkers in modern history. A globally recognised thought leader, Prof. Chen is renowned for his pioneering work in indoor air quality (IAQ), aircraft cabin environments, and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), and is among the very few scholars from the institution to receive this distinguished honour. His significant contributions have earned him recognition among the world’s leading scientists in the “Building and Construction” field, according to Stanford University’s World’s Top 2% Most-cited Scientists list. His models for simulating indoor environments have been instrumental in shaping public policy and driving innovation in ventilation systems. He has also developed design guidelines and strategies that have become industry benchmarks, prioritising occupant well-being and fostering healthier, more energy-efficient environments. Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, PolyU President said, “We are proud of Prof. Chen’s contributions to the scientific community. His work has played an important role in advancing human well-being and safety. His research has also helped inform safety standards for public transportation, including efforts to reduce infectious disease transmission on airplanes and cruise ships.” Prof. Chen expressed his gratitude for the honour, saying, “I am deeply humbled to receive this recognition, which is truly one of the highest accolades a scientist can achieve. I would like to extend my sincerest thanks to my research team and collaborators at PolyU, as well as my family, for their unwavering support over the years.” Throughout his career, Prof. Chen has received numerous awards and recognitions for his groundbreaking works, including the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE); the Institute of Environmental Sciences and Technology; the International Building Performance Simulation Association, the Scandinavian Federation of Heating, Ventilation and Sanitary Engineering Associations (SCANVAC); the Society of Heating, Air-Conditioning and Sanitary Engineers of Japan and the U.S. National Science Foundation. ***END***

PolyU research reveals snow droughts continue to threaten global food security and calls for climate-resilient agriculture practices to promote sustainable development

Global climate change is reshaping agricultural ecosystems. As warmer winters become more prevalent, snow droughts caused by insufficient snowfall are becoming more frequent. This leaves winter wheat, which relies on snow cover for insulation and water supply, vulnerable to low-temperature frost damage and water stress, posing a major threat to global food security. A research team from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has utilised innovative explainable machine learning to uncover the persistent and significant negative impact of snow droughts on winter wheat yields, highlighting that global food security is facing unprecedented challenges. This breakthrough study provides key scientific evidence for building climate-resilient agriculture, ensuring food security and promoting sustainable development. Led by Prof. Shuo WANG, Associate Professor of the PolyU Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics, a core member of the Research Institute for Land and Space, and a member of the State Key Laboratory of Climate Resilience for Coastal Cities, the study was conducted in collaboration with scholars from the University of Hong Kong and the University of California, Irvine. The findings have been published in the international journal Nature Food. Over the past 60 years, the frequency of snow droughts across the Northern Hemisphere’s winter wheat croplands has increased significantly. The proportion of croplands affected by snow drought surged from 46–54% in 1960–1970 to 70–99% in 2010–2020, reflecting the fact that snow droughts have evolved from a localised risk into a widespread phenomenon. The research team developed the XGB-SHAP model framework to accurately identify the direct impact of snow drought on crop yields. The framework combines Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) with Shapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) to effectively exclude interference from other climate factors such as high temperature and rainfall, enabling a quantitative analysis of the direct impact of snow drought on winter wheat yields. This study also systematically analysed snow–crop–water interactions, providing a robust empirical basis for developing climate-resilient agricultural systems. Using the XGB-SHAP framework, the study found that approximately 45% of croplands in the Northern Hemisphere experienced significant adverse impacts from snow droughts, with Europe, Central Asia and the United States being the regions most severely affected. Meanwhile, in East Asia, the yield benefits of longer growing seasons due to warmer winters are gradually diminishing and the regional hydrothermal balance is becoming increasingly unstable. The study also identifies increased fertiliser use, intensified freezing stress and reduced precipitation as the three primary factors contributing to winter wheat’s increased sensitivity to snow drought. While enhanced soil nutrient levels can promote crop growth, they also make crops more dependent on the water supply and thermal insulation provided by snow cover. When snow drought occurs, these factors can amplify the risk of yield loss. Prof. Shuo Wang noted, “As global warming continues, climate risks are no longer limited to ‘acute stressors’ such as heatwaves, but also include gradually accumulating and far-reaching ‘chronic stressors’ such as snow droughts. As winter wheat is a major commodity in global agricultural trade, the effect of its yield variability can ripple through global trade networks, driving up food prices and potentially leading to regional food security crises.” Looking ahead, the research team recommends strengthening the climate resilience of agricultural systems by enhancing crop varieties, improving agricultural management and monitoring risks. Alongside intensifying efforts to develop crop varieties with both cold and drought tolerance, agricultural management models have to shift from traditional, input-intensive production to more precise and sustainable nutrient management systems. Furthermore, snow cover monitoring should be incorporated into agricultural risk assessment and early warning systems. Identifying snow drought risks at an early stage and enhancing the resilience of agricultural systems will ensure that stable food production is maintained in the face of climate change, steering global agriculture towards a more sustainable future. ***END***

Qiangnao and PolyU launch “People-Oriented Technology Programme” to deploy cutting-edge intelligent bionic limbs for Hong Kong amputees

The kick-off ceremony of the “People-Oriented Technology Programme by Qiangnao Technology and The Hong Kong Polytechnic University” (the Programme) was successfully held today at the Central Government Offices of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). Jointly organised by Qiangnao Technology (Qiangnao) and The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), with the Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau (ITIB) of the HKSAR Government of the People’s Republic of China serving as the advisory body, the initiative marks a proactive response to the “Support People-Oriented Scientific Research” policy outlined in the 2025 Policy Address. The Programme introduces Qiangnao’s advanced intelligent bionic hands and bionic knee joints for local configuration and use. Funded and supported by the Innovation and Technology Fund (ITF), the trial programme allows eligible amputees in Hong Kong to apply for configuration and use of these high-tech prostheses free of charge, facilitating the practical transformation of cutting-edge medical technology to tangible benefits for those in need. The kick-off ceremony was officiated by Prof. SUN Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry of the HKSAR Government of the People’s Republic of China; Mr Kelvin CHOI, Permanent Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry; and Mr Ivan LEE, Commissioner for Innovation and Technology, alongside Mr Bicheng HAN, Founder and CEO of Qiangnao; Ms Sienna XU, Representative of Qiangnao; Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, President of PolyU; Prof. Christopher CHAO, Senior Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU; and Prof. Yongping ZHENG, Henry G. Leong Professor in Biomedical Engineering and Chair Professor of Biomedical Engineering of PolyU. The event was also attended by participants from the first phase of trial who have already been fitted with the intelligent prostheses, medical rehabilitation experts and representatives from social welfare organisations. The event aims to raise awareness of the Programme within Hong Kong's disability community so that more individuals in need can benefit. Applications are now officially open to eligible individuals. Prof. Sun Dong stated, “Today’s I&T initiatives respond to the National 15th Five-Year Plan, which calls for the full implementation of the ‘AI+’ action plan to empower public well-being through AI. Hong Kong possesses strong research capabilities, with five universities ranked among the world’s top 100 and two medical schools in the global top 40. It has a solid foundation in life and health technology, AI, and robotics, and is well positioned to put into practice the principle of technology for the benefit of people. The launch of the programme also embodies the original intent of using technology for good and being people-oriented, bringing cutting-edge technologies into real-world applications, to the lives of citizens in need.” Mr Bicheng Han stated, “Over the next two years, with the support of the HKSAR Government, Qiangnao will work with PolyU and partners from all sectors of society to diligently implement the project and provide service support, so that more eligible amputees in Hong Kong can receive high-tech prostheses free of charge. We will also continue to enhance product experience and rehabilitation support services.” Prof. Jin-Guang Teng said, “Scientific research must ultimately benefit society. The vision for developing people-oriented technology, as outlined in the Chief Executive’s Policy Address, aligns perfectly with PolyU’s motto, ‘To learn and to apply, for the benefit of mankind’. This Programme holds immense significance: Qiangnao brings world-leading core technologies in intelligent bionic prostheses, while PolyU provides local implementation, promotion, and scientific research support. The team will evaluate the effectiveness of the technology based on clinical application scenarios, collect user feedback for timely adjustments and optimisations, and continuously improve the overall user experience. With the support of the Innovation and Technology Fund, this initiative ensures that cutting-edge technology truly serves public livelihood and benefits society.” The initial phase of the Programme aims to fit 60 Hong Kong amputees with intelligent bionic hands and bionic knee joints, managed by the PolyU team. The intelligent bionic hands help upper-limb amputees restore grip strength and fine-motor capabilities. The intelligent bionic knee joints are equipped with multi-sensor and a smart hydraulic system, and can detect walking intentions in real time. They support climbing stairs and switching between fast and slow walking speeds, and feature emergency-stop and fall-prevention protections. It is anticipated that users will experience a significant boost in self-care abilities and confidence in returning to the workplace after fitting. During the kick-off ceremony, amputees who had been successfully fitted with the high-tech prostheses under the Programme shared their experience and stories. The intelligent bionic hand contains sensors that detect myoelectric and neural signals from upper-limb muscles without any internal implantation, thereby controlling the hand’s movements. After training, wearers can perform delicate daily tasks such as writing and playing musical instruments. Users of intelligent bionic knee joints can walk on flat ground, climb stairs and participate in sports activities. Building upon existing roadmap, Qiangnao and PolyU will engage in deep cooperation, combining PolyU’s academic excellence, talent, and research and development capabilities with Qiangnao’s expertise in product commercialsation and advanced technology to co-establish the “Joint Research Centre for Brain-Computer Interfaces”. The centre plans to explore areas such as custom prosthetics, rehabilitation training systems, and interdisciplinary interaction design. This will drive the integration of scientific research and clinical application, bringing solutions tailored to the needs of the local disability community. Against the backdrop of the HKSAR Government’s sustained investment in innovation and technology, emerging fields like Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCI) are gradually being included in urban development policy. As cross-disciplinary collaboration and technical evolution accelerate, BCI is moving toward broader application scenarios. While helping people transcend physical and mental boundaries, it is also becoming a vital force in driving social inclusion and technological transformation. For over a decade, Qiangnao has focused on the research and development and implementation of non-invasive BCI core technologies. From intelligent bionic hands and knee joints to autism intervention and sleep assistance products, the company adheres to the philosophy of “Tech for Good”, ensuring innovation serves society. Looking ahead, Mr Bicheng Han expressed his hopes for deeper future collaboration with Hong Kong in medical rehabilitation and other sectors, leveraging technology to drive urban development and allowing frontier technology to truly serve the public. PolyU has spent years cultivating expertise in medical and rehabilitation technology, housing Hong Kong’s only internationally recognised education and training pathway for prosthetics and orthotics. Utilising its unique advantages in “medicine-engineering integration” and clinical translation, PolyU is helping top-tier intelligent prosthetic technologies successfully land, expand, and continuously optimise in Hong Kong. The PolyU team will leverage real-world clinical settings to validate technical efficacy and collect user feedback for adjustments, fully enhancing and optimising the application experience for users. Ms Sienna Xu introduced Qiangnao’s advanced intelligent bionic hands and bionic knee joints. During the kick-off ceremony, amputees who had successfully been fitted with the high-tech prostheses under the Programme shared their experience and stories. *** END ***

PolyU congratulates Hong Kong’s first payload specialist Dr Lai Ka-ying on Shenzhou-23 Mission Launch

PolyU launches AI-enhanced gamified auditory-cognitive training system in local communities, providing innovative homecare solutions for underprivileged older adults with hearing loss

Age-related hearing loss is very prevalent in older adults and is associated with accelerated cognitive decline and increased dementia risk. Funded by the Fu Tak Iam Foundation Limited, the School of Nursing (SN) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has developed the AI-enhanced Gamified Auditory-Cognitive Dual-Task Training System 2.0 (the System) that addresses hearing loss and dementia risk with an integrated innovative solution. In partnership with the Community CareAge Foundation (CCAF), the System has been incorporated into a three-year, territory-wide service under CCAF’s CareAge Hearing Programme and is expected to benefit around 2,400 underprivileged older adults in Hong Kong. A launch ceremony for the System was held today at the PolyU campus. It was officiated by Prof. David SHUM, Dean of the PolyU Faculty of Health and Social Sciences (FHSS); Prof. Janelle YORKE, Head of SN; Ms Yuki NG, Philanthropy Manager of the Fu Tak Iam Foundation Limited; Dr CHAN Wah-fat, Chairman of the Board of Directors of CCAF; and Mr LEUNG Chun-hong, Chief Executive of CCAF. Project leader Prof. Ivy Yan ZHAO, Assistant Professor of SN and a member of the PolyU Research Institute for Smart Ageing, and other members of her research team also attended the event to celebrate the official launch of the System in local communities. Prof. David Shum said that the System exemplified PolyU and FHSS’s commitment to improving healthy ageing through interdisciplinary research and public engagement. Prof. Janelle Yorke also expressed her delight at the successful transfer of SN’s research outcomes to community application. She noted that the official launch of the System marked a shift towards smart management of hearing and cognitive health for older adults living at home, bringing new momentum to the enhancement of homecare services for the elderly. Dr Chan Wah-fat remarked that the collaboration between PolyU and CCAF had bridged a service gap in community healthcare. Mr Leung Chun-hong then introduced the CareAge Hearing Programme, which offers comprehensive hearing screening, specialist consultations, personalised care plans and hearing aids. It will also provide service recipients with free access to the System, aiming to further improve hearing care and address financial, informational and attitudinal barriers to care services facing older adults. Breaking away from the traditional clinical approach of treating the ear and brain separately, the System focuses on the synergy between ear and brain and provides older adults with hearing loss with 12-week auditory-cognitive dual-task training. Incorporating everyday scenarios, the training combines speech-in-noise listening, rapid speech comprehension and competing-speaker tasks with cognitive games which target attention, memory, executive function and visuospatial skills. These tasks are designed to strengthen ear-brain connection, thereby simultaneously enhancing older adults’ cognitive and daily listening abilities. The 2.0 version of the System has been upgraded with AI technologies, enabling personalised listening materials based on users’ preferences, hearing abilities and training progress. The AI-enhanced System is also equipped with intelligent functions such as speech recognition, automated spoken-response assessment, real-time feedback and interactive progress assessment, improving user engagement and training effectiveness. At the ceremony, Prof. Ivy Zhao introduced the System’s functionalities and its clinical application outcomes. Data have shown that older adults who trained with the System demonstrated significant improvements in concentration, memory and mental clarity, as well as reduced hearing-related handicap. An elderly user shared that the training had not only deepened her understanding of her own hearing loss but also improved her quality of daily life. In particular, in noisy environments such as near roads, she is now better able to clearly perceive surrounding sounds and subtle changes, greatly enhancing her safety and alertness. Prof. Ivy Zhao introduced the System’s functionalities and its clinical application outcomes. Under the CareAge Hearing Programme, the AI-enhanced Gamified Auditory-Cognitive Dual-Task Training System 2.0 will be available free of charge for a three-year period to home-dwelling elderly persons aged 60 or above who meet financial eligibility criteria. The SN team will set up a support counter at CCAF’s CareAge Health Centre to provide older adults with installation assistance, user training, in-person technical support and a telephone hotline.   ***END***

AI-empowered wearable rehabilitation device: PolyU develops closed-loop sensory wristband to enable personalised rehabilitation for stroke patients

Stroke ranks as the fourth leading cause of death in Hong Kong. Between 2001 and 2021 there was a distinct trend towards younger onset ages of stroke, which has exerted a profound impact on the public health system and the families of patients. To address the challenges of disability and slow rehabilitation progress associated with hemiparesis, a common sequela of stroke, a research team at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has applied intelligent closed-loop mobile technology to develop a new-generation wearable rehabilitation device, the “Remind-to-Move” (RTM) sensory wristband. Complemented by a mobile application, the device delivers instant feedback to users and automatically adjusts treatment regimens, thereby enabling more personalised home-based rehabilitation training. Led by Prof. Kenneth FONG, Associate Head of the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences and Director of the Research Centre for Assistive Technology at PolyU, the RTM sensory wristband is specifically designed for patients with hemiparesis due to neurological conditions such as stroke or cerebral palsy. By emitting vibration signals, it reminds patients to perform exercises as instructed by their therapists. The latest version is enhanced with a “closed-loop system” that integrates artificial intelligence (AI), neuroscience and kinematic technologies. By real-time comparison of the movement patterns of the hemiparetic limb with its non-affected counterpart, the system automatically adjusts training parameters such as frequency and intensity, thereby improving the patient’s mobility more effectively. Prof. Fong said, “When facing with limb dysfunction, stroke patients tend to unconsciously rely on their non-affected limbs to complete daily activities, gradually reducing the use of their hemiparetic side. This leads to ‘learned non-use’ of the affected limb and hinders its recovery. The RTM sensory wristband developed by PolyU directly addresses this critical issue. By sensing and analysing the user’s movement patterns, it emits timely signals to guide patients in actively using their hemiparetic limbs for home-based rehabilitation training. In the long run, it can effectively improve patients’ sensory awareness and mobility of the affected limb, facilitating their faster return to normal daily life.” Prof. Fong has led his team in the development of “RTM therapy” using wearable rehabilitation devices since 2009. The RTM wristband is the world’s first rehabilitation intervention specifically designed to promote use of the hemiparetic arm in adult stroke patients and children with cerebral palsy. Earlier iterations adopted an “open-loop system” with fixed, preset therapy and were proven to effectively reduce “learned non-use” of the hemiparetic upper limb. To achieve more personalised rehabilitation outcomes, the team has upgraded the new-generation wristband to a “closed-loop system”, which sends cues based on the user’s actual arm movements and provides real-time feedback. Research findings showed that both the open-loop and closed-loop RTM systems improved hand function and movement frequency. Notably, the close-loop system exhibited more prominent advantages—compared to participants in the open-loop group, those using the closed-loop system demonstrated higher movement frequency and more marked improvements in hand function. “By using AI-enabled technology to provide real-time feedback, the closed-loop system can tailor exercise training to personal needs,” Prof. Fong explained. “The data collected also help us analyse the interaction between exercise programmes and external assistive devices, which is conducive to designing more targeted treatment protocols to promote neuroplasticity. Our research provides a novel approach for the treatment of hemiparetic upper limb dysfunction and holds great significance for popularising tele- and home-based rehabilitation.” Looking ahead, the team aims to integrate the closed-loop RTM mechanism into a broader range of more wearable rehabilitation devices to further enhance therapeutic efficacy. The related study has been published in the journal Wearable Technologies. Prof. Fong’s research is supported by the Research Impact Fund from the Research Grants Council. Both the open-loop and closed-loop RTM devices have been patented in the United States and the Chinese Mainland, and the previous generation of the open-loop RTM devices has been adopted for over 10 years by 16 public hospitals in Hong Kong and international institutions such as the Kessler Rehabilitation Center in the United States, while its use has been extended to Singapore and the Chinese Mainland. The research team is currently recruiting stroke patients to participate in a clinical study of the new version of the RTM wristband. Participants will wear the wristband and engage in a four-week telerehabilitation programme under the guidance of a professional occupational therapist. The study aims to gain deeper insight into upper-limb activity patterns and evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention. ***END***