Media Releases

PolyU and Beijing Sport University sign MoU

Chinese version only

PolyU Department of Rehabilitation Sciences faculty and students support 15th National Games, providing comprehensive sports physiotherapy services for athletes

This November, from 9th to 21st, the 15th National Games of the People’s Republic of China (the 15th National Games) will bring together top athletes from across the Nation in Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau. The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is committed to supporting the development of sports. A dedicated team of faculty and students from the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences provides comprehensive sports physiotherapy services to participating athletes, offering them pre-competition training and on-site medical services to ensure they are in peak physical condition and ready to perform at their best in the competition. Led by Prof. Amy FU, Peter Hung Professor in Pain Management, Associate Head and Professor of the PolyU Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, this multidisciplinary team comprises nine other faculty members and alumni from the Department, along with over 30 students currently pursuing Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Physiotherapy and Master of Science in Sports Physiotherapy programmes. The team has developed a comprehensive range of sports physiotherapy support programmes for athletes from the Hong Kong, China men’s and women’s handball teams, baseball team, gymnastics team and judo team, as well as the Guangdong province table tennis and fencing teams. Their services include pre-competition personalised performance assessments and analysis, health and training load monitoring, training support, and clinical physiotherapy consultations. During the 15th National Games, the team will also provide on-site medical support for the sports teams. A renowned expert with extensive experience in sports physiotherapy and team leadership, Prof. Amy Fu has led PolyU efforts in supporting a number of major international sport events, including the 2008 Beijing Olympics and the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games. She remarked, “The PolyU team is deeply committed to empowering Hong Kong and Chinese athletes as they prepare and compete at the highest levels. We are thrilled to be part of the 15th National Games, where we can leverage our unique strengths in sports science and sports physiotherapy to support the growth of sports in China.” Prof. Fu expressed her gratitude to the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China (SF&OC) for fostering the collaboration between PolyU and the SF&OC member associations. The PolyU team has been preparing for over a year, leveraging their extensive expertise in sports physiotherapy and the latest research findings to empower athletes to mitigate injuries and maintain a high level of physical condition. Their comprehensive approach involves conducting thorough assessments to identify injury risks, analyse athletes’ movement patterns and provide rehabilitation therapy for injured athletes. Additionally, they educate athletes on different recovery strategies to ensure their swift return to training and competition. Prof. Fu’s team has adopted several innovative in-house technologies, such as the Patellar Auto-mobilising Device for easing knee pain and a unique shoulder brace specifically designed for judo athletes. Mr Freddy TSE, Captain of the Hong Kong, China Men’s Handball Team and a graduate of the PolyU School of Hotel and Tourism Management, who will be competing in the 15th National Games, stated, “It is an immense privilege to represent Hong Kong at the National Games, and the rehabilitation support from the PolyU Department of Rehabilitation Sciences has been instrumental in our preparation and enabled us to withstand some of the rigours of competition. As a proud PolyU graduate, I am grateful for the institution that not only nurtured my growth but has also provided me with multifaceted support and care throughout my athletic career.” Mr Tony LEE, Hong Kong, China Judo athlete and PhD student of the PolyU Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, shared his insights, “As an athlete and physiotherapy researcher, I wear two hats – one as a competitor and the other as a scholar – and deeply appreciate the value of professional physiotherapy in elevating athletic performance and mitigating the risk of injury. PolyU’s rehabilitative support stands out for its comprehensive approach, providing not only expert guidance for recovery but also psychological encouragement that empowers us to persevere, focus and ultimately thrive.” The PolyU team operates within a unique faculty-student collaborative framework, where students are entrusted with delivering sports physiotherapy to elite athletes under the supervision of faculty members. Students participating in the project have stated that providing physiotherapy services to Hong Kong’s athletes competing in the National Games is a unique opportunity to develop critical decision-making skills under high-pressure conditions. During the course of their training, they learn how to assess and make sound judgments in offering appropriate management to any injured athletes. Their experience at the Games will help prepare them for their future careers as confident and competent physiotherapists. The 15th National Games marks a historic milestone as Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau unite for the first time to host this prestigious event. Hong Kong takes centre stage, hosting eight competitive events. Over 30 PolyU students and alumni will compete in about seven sports disciplines, including artistic gymnastics, athletics, beach volleyball, handball, karate, taekwondo and swimming. We wish our PolyU athletes every success in making the most of their home advantage and bringing glory to Hong Kong at the 15th National Games.   ***END***  

PolyU and VSC Steel Processing Holdings Limited sign MoU

Chinese version only

Over 1,300 guests and PolyU members attend the flag-raising ceremony to celebrate 76th anniversary of founding of the People’s Republic of China

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) today hosted a flag-raising ceremony on campus to celebrate the 76th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. The flag-raising ceremony was officiated by PolyU Council Chairman Dr LAM Tai-fai; President Prof. Jin-Guang TENG; and Mr BAO Haibin, Director-General of the Policy Research Department, Office of the Commissioner’s Office of China’s Foreign Ministry in the HKSAR. They were joined by Deputy Council Chairman Dr Daniel YIP Chung-yin; University Court Chairman Dr Katherine NGAN NG Yu-ying; Treasurer of the University Mr Arthur LEE Kin; Honorary Court Chairman Dr Roy CHUNG Chi-ping; and President Emeritus Prof. the Honourable POON Chung-kwong, together with Council and Court members, other University senior management, Honorary Graduates, University Fellows, Outstanding Alumni, members of the PolyU Foundation, and over 1,300 distinguished guests, staff, students and alumni, wishing prosperity and stability for the Nation and Hong Kong. The ceremony was performed by the PolyU Student Flag-Raising Team. Dr Lam Tai-fai said, “The People’s Republic of China has flourished over the past 76 years, bringing unprecedented opportunities to Hong Kong. As one of the world’s top 100 universities, PolyU is committed to nurturing talent and future-ready leaders with a strong sense of national pride, and strengthening a sense of national identity and belonging to the Nation among the University’s community. We are actively promoting the integrated development of education, technology and talents, contributing to the Nation’s efforts to become leading country in these fields.” Prof. Jin-Guang Teng remarked, “This year marks the 76th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, with the Nation continuing to achieve remarkable success on its path of high-quality development. As an innovative world-class university, PolyU will continue to leverage its strengths in education, research and knowledge transfer to drive world-leading research and innovation. The University will support Hong Kong’s development as an international innovation and technology centre and international hub for post-secondary education, contributing to the national goal of building China into a leading country in education, technology and talents.” PolyU is committed to promoting Chinese culture and has been organising the “PolyU Chinese Culture Festival” series of events to cultivate a deeper appreciation of Chinese heritage among the younger generation. To commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression, PolyU held a screening of the film “The National Anthem” at the Jockey Club Auditorium after the flag-raising ceremony. The film tells the story behind the national anthem, “March of the Volunteers.” The song captures the fearless and tenacious fighting spirit of the Chinese nation. Over 600 guests and members of the PolyU community attended the event.     ***END***  

PolyU researchers develop underground utilities inspection technologies to locate invisible water pipe leakages and voids

Proper maintenance of underground infrastructure is crucial for a city’s sustainable development. However, with its high-density underground utilities, such maintenance work is particularly challenging in Hong Kong. A research team from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has leveraged advanced underground exploration technologies to develop underground utilities inspection systems that support early detection of urban infrastructure anomalies, including voids and pipe leakages, for enhanced urban management. Underground utilities are essential for providing water, energy and communication services. As the infrastructure ages and deteriorates, it becomes prone to cracks, leakages and even road subsidence, leading to service disruptions and road accidents. Developed by Prof. Wallace Wai Lok LAI, Associate Head and Professor of the PolyU Department of Land Surveying and Geo-informatics, and his research team, their technologies help accurately pinpoint the source of leakages and indicate their severity through analysis of underground images and leak noises. Addressing the complexity of Hong Kong’s underground pipeline network, these technologies can serve as safeguards against related urban risks. Multi-channel and vehicle-towed GPR technology supports large-scale inspection In the construction sector, ground-penetrating radar (GPR) technology is often used to investigate underground anomalies by scanning and imaging underground structures. The researchers utilised advanced multi-channel and vehicle-towed GPR that allows large-area scanning. From the images generated of underground pipes, they successfully decoded water leakage signatures in utilities surrounded by soil, and established a set of quantitative benchmarks for determining where there is leakage and assessing how serious it is. With this technology, researchers can uncover potential underground cavities and pipeline leakages before they actually occur, and examine changes in time-lapse radar data for ongoing detection. One of the critical aspects of the project is the introduction of a unified framework for producing consistent and quantitatively interpretable GPR images. Prof. Lai said, “Traditionally, GPR technology is used for subjective near-surface geophysical mapping and prospecting. Our research presents a significant advancement in using it as an objective measurement and a diagnostic tool to identify and locate hazards, and assess their severity, further advancing the application of GPR.” Another side of the coin: Leak noise analysis also helps locate leakage source When pipe leakage is detected in a particular region by GPR, it is important to locate the leakage for subsequent repair. Repair work relies on precise positioning for excavation, and this is where another technology comes into play—distinction of leak noise and its positioning. The researchers conducted analysis to understand the characteristics of such sounds for years, specifically examining the amplitude and magnitude of sounds distant from and at the leakage point. They further found that leakage caused by different factors, such as pipe cracks or valve leaks, and on different levels of severity produces noise with different patterns. Supported by these findings, through studying the sound data the researchers are able to discover the source of the leakage and distinguish between different leakage scenarios. Currently, with the help of ground microphones and leak noise correlators, technicians in the industry collect leak noise at fixed points, including suspected leak points and high-risk locations like areas near valves. These tools are, however, prone to interference from environmental noise like traffic, making it hard to accurately identify the source and condition of the leak in many occasions. The team is now exploring the use of robots equipped with acoustic hydrophones that can go deep into underground pipelines to collect sound data directly for more precise locating of the leak source and arrangement for immediate repair. Integrating AI and robotics technologies for future application At the forefront of research on underground pipeline inspection for decades, Prof. Lai’s projects have received support from the government and industrial institutions. Among these is the Water Supplies Department (WSD), which collaborated with Prof. Lai’s team to launch the underground water mains leak detection training centre, Q-Leak, in 2021 to advance leak detection technology. The two parties earlier signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Shenzhen Bwell Technology Co. Ltd to jointly establish the Pipeline Robots Joint Laboratory, focusing on developing pipeline robotics technologies. In addition, making use of the GPR images and leak noise previously collected, the research team is working with the Government and industry partners to establish a database and develop an AI model that enables efficient comparison and analysis of substantial underground pipeline images and sound data, while also generating more accurate and reliable assessment results. The team envisions that this initiative will facilitate large-scale inspection of underground pipelines in Hong Kong and beyond. Prof. Lai remarked, “WSD aims to reduce the rate of water leakage from 13.4% to less than 10% before 2030. Meanwhile, the Highways Department reported 52 cases of road subsidence between 2021 and 2023, many caused by leakage in high-pressure underground water pipelines. By harnessing a range of advanced technologies, we aim to develop a data-driven warning system and surveillance plan, along with a risk-based asset management strategy, for detecting underground leakage and voids with improved accuracy and efficiency, and providing scientific support to relevant policy decisions.”   ***END***

PolyU educators honoured with prestigious UGC Teaching Award

Educators from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) received the 2025 University Grants Committee (UGC) Teaching Award (the Award) in two categories. Prof. Shirley NGAI, Associate Head and Associate Professor of the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, was awarded in the General Faculty Members category for her visionary leadership in physiotherapy education, while Prof. Jeffrey LEUNG, Assistant Professor of the School of Optometry, was selected as the awardee for the Early Career Faculty Members category in recognition of his contributions to interdisciplinary collaboration and curriculum transformation. The awards were presented by Mr Tim LUI, Chairman of UGC, at a presentation ceremony held today. Prof. CAO Jiannong, PolyU Vice President (Education), congratulated the award-winning scholars and remarked, “PolyU is committed to pursuing excellence in education and research, while fostering teaching innovation to enhance the quality of learning and teaching. Prof. Ngai and Prof. Leung have introduced pioneering teaching methods and novel educational technologies, making significant contributions to nurturing the next generation of allied healthcare professionals. I believe their spirit of innovation, passion for teaching and unwavering efforts will inspire the PolyU community to further excel in the field of education.” Introducing medical simulation into physiotherapy education Throughout her 13-year teaching journey, Prof. Shirley Ngai has espoused a student-centred pedagogy and had a transformative impact on physiotherapy education with her extraordinary leadership. An awardee for the Early Career Faculty Members category in 2016, Prof. Ngai is the first individual to receive this prestigious accolade twice. With the aim of revolutionising competency-based clinical training, Prof. Ngai has introduced medical simulation into physiotherapy education in Hong Kong. This approach utilises simulated patients to enhance students’ clinical skills and confidence, equipping them to face real-world clinical environments. Her numerous innovative teaching initiatives, including mobile learning apps and self-directed e-books, as well as the adoption of advanced technologies such as Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality, also strengthen students’ self-directed learning and professional competency. The online learning modules and a globally recognised online course she has developed have been adopted by more than 3,800 learners from over 130 regions worldwide. Prof. Ngai has actively promoted academic and curriculum reform to elevate international standards in rehabilitation education. She spearheaded the creation of Blended Clinical Education, a comprehensive framework incorporating virtual patient cases, grading rubrics and quality assurance systems. This initiative breaks through the traditional practice of recognising only hands-on clinical training and has drawn attention from the global academic community. Expressing her great honour at receiving the Award for a second time, Prof. Ngai said, “My dynamic teaching journey has shaped my teaching philosophy: exceeding traditional boundaries, tackling challenges and relentlessly innovating to elevate outcomes for every student. I have noticed that many students feel stressed when applying university knowledge during clinical placement; I therefore took the initiative to reform the clinical curriculum to hone skills that are essential for clinical practice. The Award is a tremendous encouragement. I will continue championing my various novel solutions to educators worldwide, striving to make even greater contributions to the academic community.” Pioneering interdisciplinary collaboration and AI assessment system to promote innovative optometry education Drawing on his extensive clinical and research experience, Prof. Jeffrey Leung has been dedicated to nurturing creative, compassionate and adaptable professionals who are prepared to address the ever-evolving demands of quality healthcare since he joined the School of Optometry in 2020. Grounded in experiential and transformative learning, Prof. Leung has actively engaged students through immersive, real-world projects. He challenged students to design new vision training tools tailored to patients’ needs, transforming them from passive learners to active innovators while fostering their critical and creative thinking. He has also led interdisciplinary collaborations with education students to improve paediatric eye care for children with special educational needs, with a view to enhancing optometry students’ empathy and sense of social responsibility. Prof. Leung is proactive in integrating cutting-edge technologies into teaching. He has developed an artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted clinical skills assessment system that offers instant, objective feedback on students’ clinical performance, providing students with personalised guidance while elevating diagnostic training. Prof. Leung remarked, “As healthcare providers, I firmly believe that we must focus on more than eyes, also caring for the individuals we serve. My teaching philosophy is built on this—to guide students in shifting their perspective from ‘seeing an eye’ to ‘seeing a person’. In line with this, I encourage students to become creators and design novel solutions for authentic clinical challenges. I also connect them with peers from different professional backgrounds for building a real-world foundation for the interdisciplinary collaboration that modern healthcare demands. I am very grateful to the University for supporting my efforts to explore different ways to teach. This award will motivate me to take my teaching vision forward.” The UGC Teaching Award was introduced to honour academics of the UGC-funded universities for their outstanding teaching performance and achievements, as well as leadership in and scholarly contributions to teaching and learning within and outside their campuses. It comprises three categories of awardee: General Faculty Members, Early Career Faculty Members and Collaborative Teams.   ***END***

PolyU and Zhejiang Qiangnao Technology sign MoU to explore the establishment of Joint Research Centre for Brain-Computer Interface, driving deployment scheme of intelligent prosthesis in Hong Kong

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and Zhejiang Qiangnao Technology Co. Limited (Qiangnao Technology) today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at Cyberport to explore the establishment of the “PolyU-Qiangnao Joint Research Centre for Brain-Computer Interface”. The two parties will also collaborate on promoting the deployment scheme of Qiangnao Technology’s intelligent bionic limbs in Hong Kong, accelerating the translation and application of medical technology, and benefitting people with disabilities.  Witnessed by Prof. SUN Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry; Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, President of PolyU; and Mr Bicheng HAN, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Qiangnao Technology, the MoU was signed by Prof. ZHENG Yongping, Henry G. Leong Professor in Biomedical Engineering, Chair Professor of Biomedical Engineering and Director of Research Institute for Smart Ageing of PolyU, and Ms Nyx HE, Partner of Qiangnao Technology.  “The landing of Qiangnao Technology in Hong Kong and its collaboration with PolyU mark a significant milestone in Hong Kong’s innovation ecosystem in the field of smart rehabilitation technology,” said Prof. Jin-Guang Teng. “For half a century, PolyU has nurtured over 50,000 healthcare professionals. The University has long been dedicated to deepening medicine-engineering integration and advancing AI-empowered medical development, while actively promoting medical innovation. PolyU is now making every effort to establish Hong Kong’s third medical school, further leveraging its strengths in research and talent development. PolyU’s Department of Biomedical Engineering stands out as the only provider in Hong Kong offering undergraduate education and training Prosthetists and Orthotists accredited by the International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics. Since the graduation of the first cohort in 1999, we have consistently provided the local healthcare system with professionals equipped with both expertise and practical skills. This collaboration with Qiangnao Technology will align with the recent Policy Address, in which the Government announced plans to introduce a two-year scheme: through the Innovation and Technology Fund, it will grant full subsidies to amputees in Hong Kong for the configuration and use of high-tech prostheses free of charge. We will actively participate in this scheme, carrying out installation of intelligent bionic limbs and evaluation in line with professional standard, thereby enabling amputees to benefit from innovative rehabilitation technologies.”  Mr Bicheng Han said, “Qiangnao Technology is committed to developing non-invasive brain-computer interface (BCI) and intelligent prosthetic technologies. Our team developed the world’s first mass-produced intuitive-controlled intelligent prosthetic bionic hands, as well as innovative application solutions in rehabilitation, sports health, and education. We’re thrilled to partner with PolyU on this exciting initiative to expedite the validation and application of our technologies in clinical and real-life scenarios, enabling the technologies to serve the public. We hope to combine strengths from industry, academia, and research institutions to drive product innovation, industry standardisation, and internationalisation leveraging the platform of this research centre. Our ultimate goal is to provide a wider range of affordable, sustainable, and diverse innovative solutions for users in Hong Kong, the Greater Bay Area, and around the world.”  Founded in 2015, Qiangnao Technology is a leading technology company in the field of non-invasive BCI in China. As the first Chinese team selected by Harvard Innovation Lab and the first unicorn in the field of BCI in China, it has made numerous breakthroughs in the research and development of products such as intelligent prosthetic bionic hands. With a portfolio of over 420 patents, Qiangnao Technology has achieved notable progress in the fields of rehabilitation for the disabled and assistive therapeutic technology for patients suffering from brain diseases. Its technologies and products have been successfully launched in multiple markets around the world.  With PolyU’s academic excellence, professional talents and research capabilities and Qiangnao Technology’s expertise in product development, commercialisation, and cutting-edge technologies, the two parties will collaborate on research, development, application, clinical studies, and technology upgrade for BCI-related products, establishing the next generation BCI technology platform. The partnership will also encompass education and training initiatives, including curriculum design, student competitions for different age groups, and training facilities. This programme will be jointly executed by PolyU’s Department of Biomedical Engineering and Qiangnao Technology in collaboration with other departments.  The PolyU team for this collaboration will be led by Prof. Zheng Yongping. With a long-standing focus on ultrasound imaging, medical-engineering integration, intelligent rehabilitation, and smart ageing technologies, Prof. Zheng’s team has pioneered novel BCI signalling technologies based on ultrasound imaging of the brain and muscles. In 2024, Prof. Zheng achieved a remarkable milestone by winning the Gold Medal with Congratulations of the Jury at the 49th International Exhibition of Inventions in Geneva for ProRuka—a groundbreaking prosthetic hand controlled by sonomyography and AI algorithm developed by PolyU. As a seasoned expert in medical device invention and commercialisation, Prof. Zheng has successfully brought to market two ultrasound-based medical devices, namely Scolioscan (a device for scoliosis assessment) and Liverscan (a portable device for screening liver fibrosis and fatty liver). These solutions have been deployed in 15 countries and regions, providing services to more than 100,000 patients. Building on this success, Prof. Zheng will lead the establishment of a BCI platform for new generation research, development, application, evaluation and technology transfer in collaboration with Qiangnao Technology. The team will also coordinate clinical evaluation, installation, training, and follow-up assessment in relation to intelligent bionic limbs, as well as establish a standardised and scalable deployment systems. ***END***

PolyU Info Day for Undergraduate Admissions attracts over 43,000 visitors

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) today held its Information Day for Undergraduate Admissions (Info Day). PolyU President Prof. Jin-Guang TENG; Deputy President and Provost Prof. Wing-tak WONG; Designated Senior Vice President (Research and Innovation) Prof. Christopher CHAO; Vice President (Education) Prof. CAO Jiannong; and Vice President (Student and Global Affairs) Prof. Ben YOUNG attended the opening ceremony alongside other senior management team members, deans and representatives from faculties and schools, before visiting booths set up by faculties, schools and departments. The Info Day attracted over 43,000 secondary school students, parents and individuals interested in pursuing further studies and in learning about the University’s latest admissions and programme information. This year’s Info Day, themed “Innovation and Diversity”, featured over 250 exciting activities, including admissions talks hosted by the Academic Registry that covered admissions information related to JUPAS, non-JUPAS (non-local qualifications), Senior Year admission (Associate Degree or Higher Diploma qualifications) and National College Entrance Examinations (Gaokao). There were also programme consultations organised by faculties, schools and departments, guided tours of the University’s laboratories and facilities, student sharing sessions and workshops. The event attracted many prospective students and their parents to come and explore PolyU’s diverse range of programme options and vibrant campus life. PolyU has adopted a flexible undergraduate admissions strategy, offering students more adaptable programme options and launching programmes across various emerging fields to better meet society’s talent needs. In the 2026/27 academic year, the Faculty of Engineering will launch the BSc (Hons) in Sports Science and Technology, and the Faculty of Humanities will launch the BSc (Hons) in Language Science and Technology. Students can also tailor their study paths to better suit their personal interests. Those with clear academic goals can choose their preferred departmental schemes or programmes directly, while others wishing to further explore their options can enrol on one of the bachelor’s degree schemes to gain a better understanding of the different majors within a faculty/school before making their choice of study path. Students admitted to the Bachelor’s Degree Scheme in Interdisciplinary Studies will be able to explore programmes from different faculties/schools before deciding on their majors, allowing for more self-directed and flexible learning. To foster students’ global perspective, PolyU will continue to offer an additional HK$30,000 overseas exchange funding to all undergraduate students who receive an academic Entry Scholarship, supporting their participation in student exchange programmes. The University’s goal is for all undergraduates to engage in at least one non-local learning experience by the 2027/28 academic year. For more information regarding the newly launched undergraduate programmes for the 2026/27 academic year at PolyU, please visit: https://www.polyu.edu.hk/tc/media/media-releases/2025/0911_polyu-info-day-for-undergraduate-admissions-to-be-held-on-27-september/ ***END***

PolyU and Dassault Systèmes establish first Center of Excellence in Asia Pacific to advance “AI + digital twin” for materials innovation

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and Dassault Systèmes signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to launch the Dassault Systèmes–PolyU Center of Excellence. Established on the existing PolyU Research Centre of Materials Intelligent Manufacturing, the Center is the first Dassault Systèmes Center of Excellence in the Asia Pacific region. Combining PolyU’s research excellence in artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics for materials innovation with Dassault Systèmes’ leadership in digital twin technologies and advanced software solutions, this industry-academia international partnership aims to foster innovation in “AI + materials” and “AI + digital twin,” support talent development in “AI + manufacturing,” and drive industrial upgrading in Hong Kong, the Greater Bay Area and beyond. The MoU signing ceremony was held at the PolyU campus on 17 September. Witnessed by Prof. Christopher CHAO, Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU, and Mr Samson KHAOU, Executive Vice President of Asia-Pacific, Dassault Systèmes, along with distinguished representatives from PolyU and Dassault Systèmes, the MoU was signed by Prof. CHUNG Chi-yung, Head of the PolyU Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, and Ms Joanne LI, 3DEXPERIENCE Edu Sales Director of China, Dassault Systèmes. The signing was followed by a plaque unveiling ceremony officiated by Prof. Christopher Chao and Mr Samson Khaou, which marked the official launch of the Dassault Systèmes–PolyU Center of Excellence. On this occasion, it was also announced that Mr Samson Khaou had been appointed as a member of the Industrial Advisory Board of the PolyU Research Centre for Materials Intelligent Manufacturing, with an official letter presented by the Research Centre’s Director Prof. Haitao ZHAO, Professor of the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering and Director of the PolyU Research Centre for Materials Intelligent Manufacturing. This represents a significant milestone in international cooperation between academia and industry, connecting the “AI + manufacturing” innovation ecosystems of Hong Kong, France as well as the rest of the world. Mr Samson Khaou (right) has been appointed as an Industrial Advisory Board Member of the PolyU Research Centre for Materials Intelligent Manufacturing. Prof. Haitao Zhao (left) presented him an official letter of membership at the event. Prof. Christopher Chao remarked, “PolyU is committed to promoting interdisciplinary innovative research and has made noteworthy achievements in AI as well as in other emerging fields. With the University’s longstanding partnership with Dassault Systèmes since 2003, the newly established Center of Excellence will further reinforce our shared vision in ‘AI + materials’ and ‘AI + digital twin.’ It will also harness the research capabilities of the PolyU Research Centre for Materials Intelligent Manufacturing to deliver lasting benefits of ‘AI + manufacturing’ to Hong Kong, the Greater Bay Area and beyond.” Mr Samson Khaou stated, “This new Center of Excellence is fully aligned with Dassault Systèmes’ next ten-year strategy, which is to leverage AI to virtualise materials, equipment and the manufacturing process. Through this partnership, we will focus on three priorities: first, fostering new generations of digital talent through the Center, curriculum development initiatives and hands-on projects in ‘AI + materials’ and ‘AI + digital twin’; second, deepening integration between industry, academia and research to strengthen Hong Kong’s innovation ecosystem; and third, expanding our long-term investment and presence in Hong Kong by working closely with universities, industries and government to establish an AI Lab for industry applications. We are excited to work hand-in-hand with PolyU to bring into real-life impact from virtual worlds.” Within the collaborative framework, the PolyU Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering will provide comprehensive academic support to the Dassault Systèmes–PolyU Center by aligning its resources, talent and research strengths with the Center’s initiatives. Prof. Chung Chi-yung highlighted that the Center is more than just an infrastructure of AI and digital twin technologies; it is a hub where ideas, technologies and talent converge to create measurable international impact in “AI + materials.” The new Center will be led by Prof. Haitao Zhao. He introduced the Center’s vision, mission and research focus and noted that it would strive to address the expanding needs of industry for intelligent manufacturing solutions, particularly in materials, energy and sustainable development, and leverage robotics platforms and domain-specific large language models to promote the development of “AI + digital twin.” ***END***

PolyU announces senior appointments: Prof. Wing-tak Wong reappointed as Deputy President and Provost; Prof. Christopher Chao appointed as Senior Vice President (Research and Innovation)

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is pleased to announce the reappointment of Prof. Wing-tak WONG as Deputy President and Provost, effective 1 December 2025. Additionally, Prof. Christopher CHAO has been appointed as Senior Vice President (Research and Innovation), commencing his term on 1 October 2025. Both professors are world-renowned scholars with outstanding leadership capabilities and extensive management experience. They will work together to drive PolyU towards greater achievements and further strengthen its leading position in the global higher education and innovation sector. Prof. Wong has served as Deputy President and Provost since 2020, playing a pivotal role in strategic planning, organisational restructuring, talent recruitment, campus digital transformation, and teaching innovation. He established the Department of Food Science and Nutrition, expanded global partnerships, enhanced curriculum design, elevated student learning experiences, and drove the establishment of interdisciplinary centres and the transfer of research outcomes. Prior to his current role, Prof. Wong held various important management positions, including Head of the Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, Dean of the Faculty of Applied Science and Textiles, and Deputy Dean of the Shenzhen Research Institute. He spearheaded the establishment of multiple research platforms and centres, including the Food Safety and Technology Research Centre. Prof. Wong is currently Chair Professor of Chemical Technology at PolyU and Chairman of the Hong Kong Council for Testing and Certification. He has published numerous papers in internationally renowned journals such as Nature Communications, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, and Advanced Science, receiving multiple academic honours for his outstanding contributions to nanoscience, inorganic chemistry, and various interdisciplinary research fields. Prof. Chao, currently serving as Vice President (Research and Innovation) at PolyU, brings a wealth of leadership and management experience to his new role. With his astute understanding of the local and Mainland educational landscape, he has driven impressive research advancements over the past few years, fostering interdisciplinary research collaborations, knowledge transfer, and innovation. Under his guidance, PolyU has made groundbreaking progress in several key research areas, solidifying its position as a leader in higher education and innovation within both Hong Kong and the Mainland. Going forward, Prof. Chao will continue to shape the University’s academic research and innovation endeavours with his forward-thinking vision. Prof. Chao is also an internationally recognised scholar in thermal and environmental engineering. He has authored over 220 journal papers, holds more than 20 patents, and has received numerous prestigious international awards, including the “Louise and Bill Holladay Distinguished Fellow Award 2025” from the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE). Additionally, he is a fellow of various professional organisations, including the Hong Kong Academy of Engineering, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, ASHRAE and the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (UK). Dr LAM Tai-fai, Council Chairman of PolyU, said, “To support PolyU’s accelerated and sustainable growth, we made the decision to restructure our management in June this year, introducing key leadership roles including Senior Vice President (Research and Innovation) and Vice President (Knowledge Transfer). This restructuring will enable us to have a more resilient, dynamic, and well-rounded management team. The Council fully supports these appointments, and is delighted to have a world-class management team in place that has demonstrated a deep commitment and unity to serving PolyU. We are proud of their unwavering dedication to the University’s mission and values.  As one cohesive team, I am confident that our management will continue to operate with synergy, leverage each other’s strengths to drive innovation, push boundaries in teaching and research, and propel the University towards new heights of achievement.  PolyU will continue to uphold its motto of ‘To learn and to apply, for the benefit of mankind’, adhering to its original aspiration, moving forward steadfastly, helping Hong Kong develop into an international education hub, and contributing to building a strong education system for the Nation.” Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, President of PolyU, said, “Prof. Wong and Prof. Chao are highly respected in academia and have accumulated extensive experience in university administration and higher education development. Over the past few years, as core members of PolyU’s management team, they have been dedicated to their duties and fulfilled their missions, making significant contributions to the University’s development. They have a deep understanding of PolyU’s strategic positioning and future planning, and I believe they will not only drive development in key areas such as education quality, research innovation, and knowledge transfer, but also inject new momentum into consolidating PolyU’s position as an innovative world-class university.” Prof. Wong said, “Over the past few years, I have had the privilege of working closely with the University team to drive various initiatives. Looking ahead, we shall continue advancing the sustainable development of the University and nurturing professionals with innovation and a global perspective. My focus will remain on elevating academic standards, innovating teaching practices, and cultivating holistic student development, thereby solidifying the foundation for PolyU’s ongoing success.” Prof. Chao commented, “I am deeply honoured by the University’s trust in appointing me to this pivotal role. I shall strive to foster interdisciplinary research collaborations, deepen knowledge transfer, and cultivate strategic partnerships with diverse sectors to further elevate PolyU’s international standing and societal impact. It is my utmost priority to harness the power of innovation and research to propel the University towards new heights of excellence.” ***END***