Media Releases

PolyU debuts at VivaTech 2026, championing global collaboration and Hong Kong’s role as a “super-connector”

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) made its debut at Paris-based Viva Technology 2026 (VivaTech), Europe’s leading startup and tech event held from 17 to 20 June. The PolyU delegation was led by Prof. Christopher CHAO, PolyU Senior Vice President (Research and Innovation), and Prof. Zijian ZHENG, PolyU Vice President (Knowledge Transfer), with an exhibition booth in the Hong Kong Pavilion under the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC). The University also hosted two inspiring panel discussions, marking a major milestone in expanding its global footprint and strengthening ties between Hong Kong and European markets. At the exhibition, the University showcased five outstanding PolyU startups and their innovations across high-growth tech domains, including artificial intelligence (AI), optoelectronic tech, health tech, sustainability and smart manufacturing. These promising ventures leveraged the pivotal platform of VivaTech to connect with global industry players, investors and corporate innovators, exploring opportunities for expanding overseas business collaboration and knowledge exchange. Among the featured PolyU startups, Bacbudy Limited and LeafIoT Technology Limited were named in the organiser’s top 400 participating startups using sustainable innovation to tackle climate, healthcare, digital inclusion and education challenges. PolyU also hosted an exclusive thematic session on-site and engaged in high-level industry dialogue to deepen collaboration between Europe and Hong Kong. At session titled “Breaking Barriers with Autonomous Systems: Transforming Industries with AI Innovation”, Prof. Christopher Chao stated in his opening remarks, “Bringing Hong Kong and France together at VivaTech underscores the importance of cross-continental collaboration in shaping the future of technology. At PolyU, we embrace this global outlook and actively foster technology-driven partnerships worldwide.” He also commended the showcased startups for their demonstration of resilience and creativity, as well as their commitment to improving lives with technology and innovation.  “By leading startups to international platforms such as VivaTech, we empower them to expand overseas, explore new markets and broaden their networks, thereby contributing to the global development of Hong Kong’s innovation and technology industries,” said Prof. Chao. Through his keynote address, Prof. Zheng Zijian shared his insights on how Hong Kong is scaling innovation as a leading AI hub and urged the global audience to seize new opportunities in Chinese Mainland. He remarked, “In Chinese Mainland, PolyU has over 1,000 partner universities and research institutes, over 50,000 alumni and 14 alumni networks. Backed by our robust network of 12 PolyU Mainland Translational Research Institutes, thousands of collaborative projects have been or are being undertaken. With such advantages, we are poised to fully integrate cutting-edge PolyU research with the industrial strengths and vast market scale of Chinese Mainland to create tangible societal benefits.” At the fireside chat of the networking reception titled “Hong Kong Tech Night: Where Innovation Meets Opportunity”, Prof. Zheng shared PolyU’s knowledge transfer strategies and explored the potential of Hong Kong-France collaboration. During the Hong Kong Seminar-cum-Networking Reception hosted by HKTDC, Prof. Christopher Chao engaged in an insightful executive dialogue with other leaders at the forefront of Hong Kong’s innovation and technology ecosystem. At this high-level seminar with the theme “Talent and Infrastructure Powering the Hong Kong Tech Leadership and Global Collaboration”, Prof. Chao discussed how academia-industry collaboration could help translate cutting-edge research into commercially viable solutions as well as attract and nurture talents, thereby strengthening Kong Kong’s position as a world-class innovation hub. More importantly, he explored how academic-driven initiatives, benefitting from Hong Kong’s unique role as a “Super Connector”, can further drive Hong Kong-Europe synergy in advancing global innovation and technology development. VivaTech is one of Europe’s biggest startup and tech events and is held annually in Paris, France. The event connects startups, tech leaders, major companies and investors, bringing together world-premiere demos, launches and conferences in a collaborative ecosystem. For full details of PolyU’s participation at VivaTech 2026, please visit this webpage. Representatives from the participating PolyU startups shared their entrepreneurial journeys and innovations with the international audience. ***END***

PolyU, EDB and SCOLAR co-organise International Summit on Use of AI in Language Learning and Teaching 2026; Showcase latest AI-related innovations in language education

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is hosting the International Summit on the Use of AI in Language Learning and Teaching 2026 (AIinLT 2026) from 21 to 24 June. Organised by the PolyU Department of English and Communication (ENGL), in collaboration with the Education Bureau (EDB) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government and the Standing Committee on Language Education and Research (SCOLAR), AIinLT 2026 provides a dynamic platform for teachers in primary, secondary and tertiary education, as well as education researchers and professionals, to exchange insights and experience. The Summit features keynote presentations and a panel discussion exploring the latest applications of artificial intelligence (AI) in language education, as well as workshops designed to advance teaching and learning practices with AI.  The opening ceremony, followed by the first keynote address and panel discussion, was held today in the Jockey Club Auditorium at PolyU. Officiating guests included Dr CHOI Yuk-lin, Secretary for Education of the HKSAR Government; Prof. CAO Jiannong, PolyU Vice President (Education),and Dr Anissa CHAN WONG Lai-kuen, Chairperson of SCOLAR.  Dr Choi Yuk-lin said that the event marked the grand unveiling of Digital Education Week 2026, which would be leveraged to effectively connect experts, scholars and relevant sectors around the world to exchange successful experiences, with a view to establishing an international platform for the sustained advancement of digital education, and showcasing the learning outcomes of Hong Kong students in digital education. Dr Choi noted that the Blueprint for Digital Education Development in Primary and Secondary Schools (the Blueprint) just announced would serve as a roadmap to provide guidance for schools to promote AI education from primary through secondary school levels. She emphasised that the EDB is driving the comprehensive implementation of “AI for all schools” and “AI for all students” with a view to ensuring our education system aligns with the country’s positioning of Hong Kong as an international innovation and technology centre by providing talent support. Prof. Cao Jiannong highlighted PolyU’s commitment to advancing language education through the integration of AI in language learning and teaching. Through the PolyU Education 4.0 initiative, the University has embraced purposeful, pedagogically sound applications of AI to enrich learning and equip students with the skills needed to thrive in future workplaces. This commitment is reflected in the University’s new Language Education Institute, which will provide all PolyU students with opportunities to harness AI to support their language learning journeys. It is also evident in the University’s emphasis on the humanities, which play a vital role in helping students and educators use AI ethically while fostering deeper learning and creativity. Dr Anissa Chan said that SCOLAR has remained steadfast in its mission for the past 30 years to enhance the language proficiency of the people of Hong Kong. Looking ahead, SCOLAR will work in line with the Blueprint to bring together expertise from various sectors to shape a new landscape for language education. She hoped that the Summit would not only mark a new chapter in integrating AI into language learning, but also serve as an important bridge to foster innovation across sectors. Prof. Mairéad PRATSCHKE, an independent researcher and adviser specialising in AI strategy, ethical governance and human-centred design, delivered the first keynote address. In her presentation, she explored language education within hybrid communities—learning environments in which human educators, peers and AI agents each play integral roles. She also outlined the distinct contributions of both human and machine participants and their evolving impact on the future of education. The panel discussion that followed was moderated by Prof. Jenifer HO, Associate Professor of ENGL, and Dr Rickey LU, Senior Lecturer of ENGL. Themed “AI Across Educational Landscapes: Insights, Challenges, and Knowledge Exchange,” the panel consisted of educators from local primary and secondary schools, as well as scholars in the fields of education innovation and languages, promoting cross-sector dialogue. Throughout AIinLT 2026, a number of local and international scholars and experts will deliver keynote addresses (in alphabetical order by surname): Prof. CHEUNG Chi-keung, Professor and Dean of Education at The Chinese University of Hong Kong; Prof. Jang Ho LEE, Professor of English Education at Chung-Ang University, Korea; Prof. Tony MCENERY, Chair Professor of Corpus Linguistics and AI for the Humanities at PolyU; Prof. Benjamin Luke MOORHOUSE, Associate Professor at City University of Hong Kong; and Prof. YANG Hongxia, Chair Professor of Generative Artificial Intelligence at PolyU. They will share key insights on AI and its ongoing role in transforming language learning and teaching across a multitude of learning contexts.  As part of AIinLT 2026, a series of hands-on workshops will be held on 23 and 24 June to provide educators with practical solutions for integrating AI into the classroom, thereby creating more engaging and personalised learning experiences that more effectively meet individual student needs.  For more details of the International Summit on the Use of AI in Language Learning and Teaching 2026, please visit: https://events.polyu.edu.hk/aiinlt2026/home ***END***  

PolyU rises steadily in the latest QS World University Rankings, securing a place among the global top 50

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has risen to 50th place globally in the latest QS World University Rankings 2027 released by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), marking a record-high position for the University. The milestone reflects strong international recognition of PolyU’s academic excellence, research and innovation capabilities, and overall institutional strength, further elevating its standing in the global higher education landscape. Dr LAM Tai-fai, PolyU Council Chairman, said, “The year 2027 marks the 90th anniversary of PolyU. At this particularly significant moment, the University is delighted to have achieved another excellent result in the latest QS World University Rankings 2027. The PolyU team and I are greatly encouraged and inspired by this achievement, which is truly gratifying. PolyU has progressed in a consistent and steady manner in accordance with its development blueprint, moving forward pragmatically and purposefully. Today, the University has successfully joined the ranks of the world’s top 50 universities, reaching an important milestone in its development journey. This achievement has not come easily. It is the result of the dedicated efforts of all PolyU staff, especially the senior management, as well as the strong support and guidance of all stakeholders, including our alumni, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and the Central Government. On behalf of PolyU, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to them all. Looking back to 2019, when I was first appointed as the Council Chairman, Hong Kong was going through an extremely difficult period in its history. The black-clad violence at that time caused serious damage to the University campus, and there were misunderstandings and negative comments about PolyU from some sectors of society. In the face of such complicated situations and difficult circumstances, our work was highly challenging and carried enormous pressure. However, all members of the PolyU community united and worked tirelessly, upholding the University motto, “To learn and to apply, for the benefit of mankind”. Through these efforts, PolyU’s QS World University Rankings have continued to rise steadily, from 106th in 2019 to 75th in 2021, 65th in 2023, 57th in 2025, and now 50th in 2027. These results are truly encouraging. As the Nation is committed to becoming a leading country in education, technology, and talent cultivation, PolyU, as an world-class innovative university with affection for both the country and Hong Kong, is deeply conscious of its responsibilities and the long journey ahead. We will fully integrate into and serve the Nation’s overall development strategy, remain steadfast in our educational mission, and strive to nurture outstanding talent with a strong sense of national pride, a global perspective, and a commitment to serving society and contributing to the country. While continuing to pursue excellence in education and research, PolyU will also give its full support to Hong Kong’s development into an international hub for post-secondary education and high-calibre talents, and an international innovation and technology centre. PolyU has long faced a serious shortage of campus land and space, which has greatly constrained the University’s long-term and healthy development. Faced with this pressing issue, a practical solution must be found as soon as possible. We will step up collaboration with provincial and municipal governments as well as universities in the Chinese Mainland to help alleviate the current pressure on land resources and space. From a long-term development perspective, Hong Kong is formulating its first Five-Year Plan, and we hope that the Northern Metropolis University Town will provide PolyU with sufficient land and development space, laying a stronger foundation and creating more favourable conditions for the University’s future expansion. PolyU looks forward to the continued support of the Central and HKSAR Governments, various sectors of society and all University stakeholders, so that together we can move ahead with determination and courage, scale new heights in learning and teaching, research, knowledge transfer and international impact, make greater contributions to Hong Kong and the Nation, and achieve new peaks in world university rankings.” Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, President of PolyU, said, “PolyU’s steady rise in global rankings over the years is clear evidence of the University’s substantial progress in learning and teaching, impactful research, and other key areas. Looking ahead, PolyU will further integrate into and serve the Nation’s overall development strategy, fully leveraging the University’s unique strengths. With the integrated development of education, technology and talents as our core focus, and building on our existing network of translational research institutes across 12 cities in the Chinese Mainland, we will respond to local industrial and societal needs, accelerate the application of frontier technologies, promote the commercialisation of research outcomes, and deepen industry-academia-research collaboration, thereby making greater contributions to national development, high-quality growth and the building of the Nation into a global science and technology powerhouse. At the same time, PolyU will support Hong Kong’s development into an international hub for post-secondary education. We are actively seeking to participate in the development of the Northern Metropolis University Town to lay a solid foundation for the University’s long-term growth, while steadily advancing the upgrading of the College of Professional and Continuing Education (CPCE) into a private university.” Breaking into the global top 50 marks an important achievement in PolyU’s development. The University will continue to progress steadily, focusing on world-class learning and teaching as well as world-leading research and innovation, and pressing ahead with its long-term development plans to contribute to higher education as well as the development of Hong Kong, the Nation and the world.   ***END***

PolyU and Deep Space Exploration Lab jointly launch first National deep space cultural and creative works promotion event, blending aerospace with arts to spark enthusiasm for space exploration

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has long been committed to aerospace development, having participated in multiple national deep space exploration missions and actively supported aerospace science popularisation initiatives. PolyU and Deep Space Exploration Lab (DSEL) jointly launched the First National Deep Space Cultural and Creative Promotional Event, themed “Dreaming of Deep Space, Sharing the Future,” soliciting outstanding cultural and creative works from across the country. The final round of judging was completed yesterday (16 June), followed by an award presentation ceremony and expert talks held on the PolyU campus. The series of activities has promoted the deep integration of science popularisation and technological innovation, injecting new interest into the Nation’s future deep space exploration endeavours. The event was also co-organised by the International Deep Space Exploration Association, and supported by various institutions, including the China Soong Ching Ling Science and Culture Centre for Young People, China International Communications Group, the Tsinghua University Art and Science Research Center, the Beijing-Hong Kong Talent Exchange Centre, the Beijing- Hong Kong Academic Exchange Centre, the Hong Kong Science Popularization and Science Fiction Academy, the Macao Science Center and AstroReach (Beijing) Technology Co., Ltd. The award presentation ceremony was attended by Mr LIU Maozhou, First-level Inspector of the Department of Educational, Scientific and Technological Affairs of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Prof. Christopher CHAO, PolyU Senior Vice President (Research and Innovation); Mr YU Jike, Deputy Director of DSEL; Mr Hsu Hoi Shan, President of the Beijing-Hong Kong Academic Exchange Centre; Prof. LU Xiaobo, Director of the Tsinghua University Art Museum; and Mr LAU Kai-ip, Museum Director of the Hong Kong Science Museum. In his welcoming remarks, Prof. Christopher Chao said, “PolyU’s research teams have been deeply involved in several key missions, including the Chang’e and Tianwen series, contributing Hong Kong’s wisdom. This event, jointly organised by PolyU and DSEL, has created a platform connecting technology, culture and future imagination through a range of activities, including a cultural and creative works promotion campaign, expert talks and a special exhibition. It advances the collaborative development of science popularisation and technological innovation, while further inspiring young people’s interest in exploring aerospace technology.” Mr Yu Jike remarked, “PolyU is deeply integrated into the Nation’s deep space exploration endeavours. Leveraging its strong research capabilities and talent, the University has contributed to the successful implementation of major aerospace missions, including the Chang’e and Tianwen series. With the theme of ‘cross-disciplinary integration of deep space exploration and cultural creativity’, this event has fostered a high-quality platform where technology blends with art, while enhanced exchanges between Chinese mainland and Hong Kong are fostered, and professional exploration and public creativity coexist.” Comprising a student category and an open category, the event received more than 600 submissions, of which 100 were from Hong Kong and Macao. The open category engaged participants from all sectors of society—from enterprises, research institutions and individual creators to cross-sector teams—demonstrating broad participation in the event and its social influence. The judging panel consisted of senior experts from Chinese mainland and Hong Kong in the fields of deep space science, science popularisation and communication, as well as art and design. After rigorous evaluation, a number of outstanding works with both scientific depth and artistic appeal were selected. The event featured multi-tiered awards to recognise outstanding participants. Among them, a student team from Tsinghua University were awarded the overall Grand Prize for their work “Pu Gong: A Future Vision for Interstellar Scientific Exploration.” It proposes a novel concept for interstellar study tours, including the design of a multifunctional interstellar mothership and the establishment of a complete interstellar transportation system, enabling young people to journey into deep space for planetary exploration. The expert talks further promoted the organic combination of academic exchange and science popularisation. Ms LIN Shan, Chief Expert of the Deep Space Exploration Science Popularisation Centre; Prof. WU Bo, Associate Director of the PolyU Research Centre for Deep Space Exploration; and Ms ZHOU Wu, Invited Expert of the Deep Space Exploration Science Popularisation Centre, each delivered keynote addresses. Their presentations covered diverse topics, including the ongoing progress of human deep space exploration, PolyU efforts in deep space exploration research and aerospace science popularisation, as well as AI-empowered science fiction writing. These were followed by a panel discussion themed “Popularising and Promoting Aerospace Science Exploration.” Moderated by Ms ZHAO Xin, Head of Brand Operations at Deep Space Exploration Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd., the session featured Ms Zhou Wu; Mr LIU Yanjun, Chairman of the Greater Bay Area Aerospace Science Popularisation Centre; Dr SO Chu-wing, Curator (Space) of the Hong Kong Space Museum; and Mr LI Zheng, General Manager of the Zhuhai Aerospace Land. They discussed cross-sector collaboration and future directions for the promotion of space science popularisation, while also engaging in a lively Q&A session with the audience. Parallel with the event, PolyU hosted a special exhibition titled “Dreaming of Deep Space”, which revisited the Nation’s remarkable journey in deep space exploration from lunar orbit missions to Mars exploration through images, videos and physical prototypes. The exhibition attracted numerous students, staff and members of the public, allowing them to experience the allure of deep space exploration up close while also vividly illustrating the cross-disciplinary integration of aerospace technology and cultural creativity. PolyU hosted a special exhibition titled “Deep Space Exploration in China” in parallel with the event, revisiting the Nation’s remarkable journey in deep space exploration from lunar orbit missions to Mars exploration through images, videos and physical prototypes. PolyU hosted a special exhibition titled “Deep Space Exploration in China” in parallel with the event, revisiting the Nation’s remarkable journey in deep space exploration from lunar orbit missions to Mars exploration through images, videos and physical prototypes. This promotional event was a pioneering nationwide deep space cultural and creative initiative. By showcasing vibrant and diverse creative works, it transformed distant aerospace technology into cultural experiences that are perceptible, relatable and participatory. This not only enhanced public understanding and interest in deep space exploration, but also provides a new platform for the integration of aerospace technology with arts and culture. Additionally, the event has deepened collaboration between Chinese mainland and Hong Kong in the fields of aerospace science popularisation and cultural communication, further expanding the reach of China’s deep space exploration culture.   ***END***

PolyU hosts inaugural HKSAR “3Chuang Competition” Contest, unleashing innovative youth power to drive innovation and technology development in Hong Kong

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is committed to advancing knowledge transfer, encouraging students to embrace a spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship, address social challenges with professional knowledge and contribute to National development. As the sole organising university of the inaugural Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Contest of the 16th National E-commerce “Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship” Competition for College Students (3Chuang Competition), PolyU hosted the HKSAR Contest cum Award Presentation Ceremony on 12 June. A total of 12 elite teams garnered 12 awards in the Contest, earning the opportunity to advance to the National Finals. The inaugural HKSAR Contest of the 3Chuang Competition aims to encourage local tertiary students to break barriers across institutions, regions, cultures and disciplines. It brings together innovative ideas and unlocks entrepreneurial potential, further fostering the development of Hong Kong’s innovation and technology ecosystem. Outstanding teams will have the chance to advance to the National Finals and expand their horizons. In his speech, Prof. DONG Cheng, Associate Vice President (Knowledge Transfer) of PolyU, remarked, “PolyU is honoured to be the sole organiser of the inaugural HKSAR Contest of the 3Chuang Competition. We are committed to driving the translation of research outcomes into impact for societal benefits. The National competition provides a platform for young people to unlock their potential in innovation and entrepreneurship, bringing together remarkable talents, who can learn from each other with a creative mindset, serve society and contribute to National development.” Prof. Dong added that PolyU had set up 15 translational research institutes and centres across the Chinese Mainland. He encouraged the winning teams to leverage PolyU’s extensive innovation network, incubation support and market resources, thereby better integrating into the overall National development, tapping into Chinese Mainland markets, and converting innovation outcomes into tangible momentum for social advancement. Prof. LI Qi, Chairman of the Competition Organizing Committee (COC) of the 3Chuang Competition from Xi’an Jiaotong University, has vigorously supported PolyU in hosting the HKSAR Contest and fully recognised its efforts. He remarked in his speech, “A total of 34 provinces, municipalities, autonomous regions and Special Administrative Regions across the Nation have taken part in this year’s Competition, which also marks the HKSAR’s debut participation. We especially appreciate the tremendous support and assistance from PolyU’s senior management, faculty and students. They have contributed to the HKSAR and brought glory to the Nation, laying a fertile ground for nurturing ‘3Chuang’ talents while connecting domestic and overseas stakeholders for the development of ‘3Chuang’. We warmly welcome outstanding teams from Hong Kong to the National Finals, to achieve even greater results.” The National 3Chuang Competition landed in Hong Kong last year. Since its kick-off, it has attracted numerous cross-region, cross-institution and cross-discipline teams to participate in the university-level round of competition. Team members come from 32 higher education institutions across Hong Kong, Macao, the Chinese Mainland and overseas. In addition to major universities in Hong Kong, prestigious names such as Guangdong University of Technology, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen University, the City University of Macau and the University of Toronto in Canada also feature. Eventually, 29 outstanding teams from the Regular, International and Practical Tracks entered the HKSAR Contest, where they competed before a jury comprising experts from academia, industry and investment sectors for accolades including the First Prize, Second Prize and Best Entrepreneurship Award. The COC of the 3Chuang Competition will announce the list of teams who qualified for the National Finals after all provincial-level contests conclude later this month. The winners of the HKSAR Contest of the 16th 3Chuang Competition are as follows (the order of the teams winning the same award is arranged according to their names in Chinese): Track Award Winning Team Applying College Collaborating College(s) Winning Project Regular Track First Prize OnAn Technology Hong Kong Metropolitan University The Hong Kong Polytechnic University AI and 3D Printing-Based Posthumous Facial Restoration Platform Dr.Fresh The Hong Kong Polytechnic University N.A. Space Mold Prevention Expert: Full-Chain Moisture & Mold Control Management and Optimization for Warehousing HK Knowledge-in-Action Innovation Team The Hong Kong Polytechnic University N.A. Smart Sandplay Therapy System for Children with Autism AIOFEYE The Hong Kong Polytechnic University The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Jinan University, Southern University of Science and Technology, Huai’an University AI-Powered Retinal Imaging Screening for Community Eye Health Management: Building a Closed-Loop Service of Screening, Risk Stratification, Referral, and Follow-up Second Prize PolyNova The Hong Kong Polytechnic University N.A. Lingmao Youli — An AIGC-Powered Digital Cultural and Creative E-Commerce Platform for Intangible Cultural Heritage Tourism MasterTrip The Chinese University of Hong Kong Hanshan Normal University, Sun Yat-sen University GlobeTrail ZhiZai ING Team The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Beijing Normal-Hong Kong Baptist University, City University of Macau Cicada Agent - Personalized Autonomous Learning AI Platform Yunfan Intelligent Computing The Hong Kong Polytechnic University N.A. QiShou: Hong Kong AI Sign Language Translation Public Service Platform Reminder Smart Pillbox Team The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Shanghai Lixin University of Accounting and Finance, East China University of Science and Technology Automated, Dose-Controlled, Networked Smart Pillbox — Ushering in a New Era of Personalised and Precise Medication for the Elderly Cyber Bian Que The Hong Kong Polytechnic University N.A. Smart Medchain: AI-Powered Cross-border prescription review service International Track Second Prize giveme_5 The Hong Kong Polytechnic University University of Toronto, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Lingnan University “SilverLink” Smart Elderly Care Solution Platform Practical Track Best Entrepreneurship Award The Pear Ideals Four The Hong Kong Polytechnic University N.A. AkkMore Prebiotic: Healthy, Tasty, Low-Carbon and Digital Storytelling Founded in 2009, the 3Chuang Competition is a National entrepreneurship competition endorsed by the Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China. With the aim of fostering among tertiary students an innovative mindset, creative thinking, entrepreneurial capabilities and team collaboration in practical scenarios, it is one of the largest and most influential innovation and entrepreneurship competitions focused on e-commerce for tertiary students in the Nation. The Competition has attracted numerous aspiring student entrepreneurs over the years, and this year alone saw over 280,000 teams from nearly 1,500 universities nationwide sign up. In addition to launching the HKSAR Contest for the first time, an International Track has been introduced to deepen international cooperation, boost regional economic development, facilitate cultural and academic exchanges, and promote balanced development of e-commerce worldwide. For more information, please visit the official website. “OnAn Technology” from Hong Kong Metropolitan University won the First Prize in the Regular Track for its project “AI and 3D Printing-Based Posthumous Facial Restoration Platform”. “Dr.Fresh” from PolyU won the First Prize in the Regular Track for its project “Space Mold Prevention Expert: Full-Chain Moisture & Mold Control Management and Optimization for Warehousing”. “HK Knowledge-in-Action Innovation Team” from PolyU won the First Prize of the Regular Track for its project “Smart Sandplay Therapy System for Children with Autism”. “AIOFEYE” from PolyU won the First Prize of the Regular Track for its project “AI-Powered Retinal Imaging Screening for Community Eye Health Management: Building a Closed-Loop Service of Screening, Risk Stratification, Referral, and Follow-up”. “The Pear Ideals Four” from PolyU won the Best Entrepreneurship Award of the Practical Track for its project “AkkMore Prebiotic: Healthy, Tasty, Low-Carbon and Digital Storytelling”. “giveme_5” from PolyU won the Second Prize of the International Track for its project “‘SilverLink’ Smart Elderly Care Solution Platform”. ***END***

PolyU develops smart assistant “AI-Care” that automatically identifies daily tasks and provides guidance to support independent living for visually impaired people

Hong Kong currently has nearly 200,000 visually impaired people. Although white canes and guide dogs can assist with basic mobility, daily tasks such as shopping and taking public transport remain challenging for them. A research team at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has developed an innovative assistive system, “AI-Care”,which is driven by an advanced artificial intelligence (AI) model. Connecting smart glasses and a mobile application, the system proactively detects surrounding objects and provides voice guidanceto help visually impaired people handle daily tasks independently. The team has partnered with industry collaborator Hillming Smartech Ltd. (HSL) to advance commercialisation, and with the Hong Kong Society for the Blind (HKSB) to launch community trials, aiming to inject new momentum into building an inclusive smart city. The launch ceremony of the AI-Care project was held yesterday (10 June) at the PolyU campus. It was officiated by Prof. the Hon. Kam-fai WONG, Legislative Council Member of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) of the People’s Republic of China; Prof. Changwen CHEN, Interim Dean of the PolyU Faculty of Computer and Mathematical Sciences; Prof. Qing LI, Head of the PolyU Department of Computing; alongside Mr Sean FONG, Chief Executive of HKSB; Mr YANG Zhiming, Technical Director of Assistive Technology of the China Culture and Information Service Center of the Visually Handicapped (China Braille Library); Mr Hillming LI, CEO of HSL; and Ms Shirley TSANG, Director of Rehabilitation Services at HKSB. Project leader Prof. Jing LI, Associate Professor of the PolyU Department of Computing and Associate Director of the PolyU Research Institute for Generative AI also attended the event. Addressing the ceremony, Prof. Changwen Chen said, “PolyU is committed to impactful research. We believe the true measure of technological innovation lies not only in how smart our AI becomes, but also in how deeply it empowers those who need it most. By transforming AI from a passive tool into a proactive companion, AI-Care not just advances the development of assistive technology, but also promotes social inclusion.” Mr Sean Fong remarked, “AI-Care empowers people with visual impairments to transcend physical limitations, enabling them to live more independently and participate in society with confidence. Many of HKSB’s service users have already benefited from such innovations, and we are eager to integrate this novel system into our services.” Mr Hillming Li said, “The Government has been a strong advocate for building an accessible city. AI-Care is not only a successful transfer of cutting-edge technology, but also an innovation with a human touch, empowering underserved communities to experience the world more fully and embrace greater opportunities for a richer and more fulfilling life. We hope to further expand its application and even scale this technology across the country.” AI-Care is built upon an advanced AI model that is adapted from cutting-edge Visual Question Answering and Natural Language Processing frameworks specifically for daily shopping scenarios, covering the full workflow from product searching and payment to receipt audit. Breaking away from the passive “question-and-answer” approach of traditional digital assistive tools, it uses smart glasses to capture the user’s perspective, thereby proactively identifying everyday objects. The system then transfers image data to the mobile application for processing and analysis, and generates real-time audio instructions. Smart glasses available on the market mostly target sighted users, relying on visual context and sight-dependent cues, and therefore do not fully meet the unique needs of visually impaired users. AI-Care, on the other hand, adopted rigorous post-training for its AI model using domain-specific data, making its image recognition and voice guidance better aligned with the spatial perception and cognitive needs of visually impaired users, and ensuring precise, actionable guidance. The system completed phased testing in the first quarter of this year, involving 17 visually impaired participants, and achieved an average satisfaction score of 93. The team plans to scale up the trials through continued collaboration with the social welfare sector. The research team demonstrated the current functions of AI-Care at the event. Prof. Jing Li added, “For our team, what we most look forward to is seeing how AI research can truly support independent living for the visually impaired. While current AI models show impressive generic skills, enabling them to understand users’ needs as flexibly and accurately as human assistants, to know how to provide help and to intervene proactively at the right moment remains a major challenge. AI-Care embodies a human-centric approach to technology and marks a major step forward in the development of AI-powered assistive tools.” Supported by HK$5 million in funding from the HKSAR Government’s Innovation and Technology Fund and other industry sponsors, the research team has completed the design of the core AI model and verified the stability of the cloud-based server. The team is currently working to enhance the system’s memory management, optimise the hardware and advance prototyping, with the aim of commercialising the technology and expanding its application.   ***END***

PolyU School of Optometry and China Hong Kong Paralympic Committee sign MoU to advance Para sports development and support vision impairment classification for athletes

The School of Optometry at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and the China Hong Kong Paralympic Committee (HKPC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 5 June. The two parties will leverage their respective strengths, combining academic research expertise with sports resources to foster the long-term development of Hong Kong’s Para sports ecosystem, while providing comprehensive and professional support for Para athletes, coaches and practitioners. Witnessed by Prof. David SHUM, Dean of the PolyU Faculty of Health and Social Sciences and Mrs Jenny FUNG, President of China Hong Kong Paralympic Committee, the MoU was signed by Prof. KEE Chea-su, Head and Professor of the PolyU School of Optometry and Dr Jim LUK, Vice President of China Hong Kong Paralympic Committee. The PolyU School of Optometry will engage in deep cooperation with HKPC across four key areas: Facilitating vision impairment classification: Vision classification is essential for ensuring fair competition in Para sports. The PolyU School of Optometry will utilise its professional optometric expertise to assist visually impaired athletes in completing precise vision impairment classifications according to their specific sports. Providing professional training and support: PolyU will deploy an expert team to provide academic expertise and professional support for seminars, workshops and coaching courses organised by HKPC, while HKPC will facilitate connections with athletes, coaches and Para sports resources, thereby building a practical exchange platform. Promoting joint research and educational initiatives: Both parties will explore joint research projects, educational initiatives and development programmes, aiming to enhance training effectiveness and the eye health of Para athletes. Fostering international collaboration and exchanges: Both parties will jointly explore international collaboration opportunities to promote academic and technical exchanges between local and overseas Para sports organisations. Prof. Kee Chea-su said, “This meaningful collaboration will help translate the PolyU School of Optometry’s world-class clinical expertise and research outcomes into a broader societal impact. Not only will it showcase the School’s excellence in optometric specialities on the international sports stage, but it will also strengthen our clinical research and training in the specialised field of vision impairment. By providing precise, standard-setting classifications and scientific support, we look forward to contributing to the professionalisation of Para sports while further demonstrating our School’s leadership in global optometric care.” Dr Jim Luk stated, “Fair competition in Para sports relies heavily on scientific classification, with vision classification carrying the highest technical threshold. This partnership holds profound significance for the long-term development of Para sports in Hong Kong. We look forward to working closely with PolyU to achieve fruitful outcomes in classification, professional training, joint research and international exchanges, driving the professionalisation of local sports.” Looking ahead, both parties hope to harness this collaboration to unlock new opportunities for Hong Kong's Para sports community and jointly promote the popularisation and professionalisation of sports locally. ***END***

PolyU delegation’s Central Asia visit yields partnerships with leading universities and institution in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, fostering further collaboration in Belt and Road regions

A delegation from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) visited Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan in Central Asia from 31 May to 5 June, with a view to further expanding its networks in the Belt and Road (B&R) regions, exemplifying its efforts to promote internationalisation and reinforce regional ties. Witnessed by Mr John LEE, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), the delegation exchanged a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Nazarbayev University (NU), New Uzbekistan University (NewUU) and the “El-Yurt Umidi” Foundation, respectively. The partnerships span academic exchanges, innovative development and talent cultivation, which will foster higher education collaboration in the B&R regions, contributing to Hong Kong's development into an international hub for post-secondary education. Leading the delegation, Prof. Wing-tak WONG, Deputy President and Provost of PolyU, said, “As a world top 100 university, PolyU is committed to creating societal benefits through world-leading research and innovation. In support of the HKSAR Government, we leverage Hong Kong's distinctive advantage of possessing strong support from the Motherland and close connection to the rest of the world, establishing partnerships with top universities worldwide to promote international talent cultivation and academic cooperation. As Central Asia is an important node of our Nation’s B&R Initiative, these new partnerships will amplify joint efforts in higher education and scientific research in these regions, while also drawing outstanding talent to pursue further studies and development in Hong Kong and thus consolidating its position as an international hub for high-calibre talent.” During the visit to Kazakhstan, Prof. Raymond SZE, Associate Dean of the Faculty of Computer and Mathematical Sciences, and Prof. JIANG Binyan, Associate Head (Teaching) of the Department of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, engaged in in-depth discussion with Prof. Rehan SADIQ, Provost of NU, exploring new pathways for joint academic initiatives and research collaboration. Prof. Sze also joined the HKSAR Government Business Networking Luncheon and exchanged insights into education, research innovation and regional cooperation with local leaders from different sectors. Witnessed by Mr John Lee, PolyU and NU exchanged an MoU which aims to explore collaboration in areas including student and staff exchanges, research and participation in internationally funded projects. The two universities will also work to strengthen exchanges and collaboration among members of the University Alliance of the Silk Road, in support of the Nation's B&R Initiative. Led by Prof. Wing-tak Wong and Prof. H.C. MAN, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, the PolyU delegation then visited Uzbekistan. With the aim of forging strategic educational ties, a trilateral meeting was held among PolyU, NewUU — the country’s first comprehensive research university — and the “El-Yurt Umidi” Foundation, mapping out strategic joint academic initiatives. Witnessed by Mr John Lee and Mr Sardor UMURZAKOV, Advisor to the President of Uzbekistan on Strategic Development, PolyU exchanged an MoU with NewUU and the “El-Yurt Umidi” Foundation, respectively. The former aims to strengthen educational and academic connections through strategic partnerships. The latter seeks to offer professional traineeship programmes for selected Uzbek government officials in cybersecurity, robotics and drone systems, with the first cohort expected to commence training on the PolyU campus within 2026. PolyU and the Foundation will also jointly offer scholarships and other support to talented Uzbek high school graduates admitted to PolyU undergraduate programmes.  PolyU will continue to broaden its international collaboration network, strengthen partnerships in the B&R regions and actively promote academic, research and talent exchanges, making greater contributions to Hong Kong, the Nation and the world. ***END***

PolyU develops smart window film to regulate light and humidity, reducing building energy consumption and promoting low-carbon city development

As global warming intensifies, window technologies that can automatically regulate indoor light and humidity in response to environmental changes could help reduce building energy consumption and support the development of a low-carbon city. A research team at the International Centre of Urban Energy Nexus (UEX) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has developed an innovative smart window film that leverages the unique properties of various materials to lower indoor temperatures during the day while absorbing moisture and reducing its transparency at night, thereby enhancing energy efficiency as well as improving indoor comfort and privacy. Antibacterial, durable and cost-effective, this innovative window film is particularly suitable for use in humid regions such as Hong Kong, offering a promising solution for green building development. Known as the “Moisture-responsive and Light-regulating” (MRLR) film, development of the PolyU innovation was led by Prof. YAN Jinyue Jerry, Chair Professor of Energy and Buildings, and Dr LIU Junwei, Research Assistant Professor of the Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering at PolyU. The team have revolutionised existing window film designs by adopting a dual-layer structure composed of a hydrophilic polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofiber layer and a transparent polyacrylamide (PAAM) hydrogel with excellent water retention. By leveraging the materials’ water absorption and evaporation characteristics, the film is able to regulate light, heat and humidity simultaneously. Prof. Yan said, “Currently, the industry widely uses ‘thermochromic’ or ‘photochromic’ materials in smart windows to improve thermal management in buildings, but these films often face challenges such as high cost and insufficient durability. The PolyU team has innovated the film design using eco-friendly and low-cost materials to achieve simultaneous regulation of indoor light, heat and humidity, thereby reducing buildings’ reliance on cooling systems. Our film features a simple structure and has strong potential for large-scale production, making it highly promising for sustainable green building applications in the future.” The MRLR film performs different functions in response to day-night environmental changes. During the day, sunlight causes the water stored within the film to evaporate, reducing the amount of solar radiation entering the room and lowering the indoor temperature. At night, when relative humidity rises, the hydrophilic materials in the film absorb moisture from the air, which also lowers the film’s transparency, ultimately reducing indoor humidity with enhanced privacy. Research results showed that the film effectively reduced humidity in a test chamber from 91.73% to 53.76% within six hours at night, while lowering the indoor air temperature by up to 21.1°C during the day, demonstrating remarkable environmental regulation performance. To further evaluate the MRLR film’s energy-saving potential and carbon reduction efficacy, the team established a global model using typical meteorological year data from several major cities. The results indicated that the film could effectively regulate indoor temperatures and reduce seasonal energy demand, offering significant benefits for global energy conservation and emissions reduction. Based on the data from the studied cities, the team estimated that the average annual energy consumption could drop by over 20%, cutting global annual carbon emissions by more than 18kg per square metre. Dr Liu added, “Low-latitude regions usually have a higher demand for air conditioning, making conventional cooling systems a major source of building energy consumption. By providing all-day regulation of light, heat and humidity, the MRLR film is particularly effective for cities in tropical and subtropical regions like Hong Kong.” The team also conducted 300 cycles of moisture adsorption and desorption tests, confirming the film’s excellent durability and stability. Due to the film’s low manufacturing cost, the investment payback period is only one to two months, offering significant economic benefits. Furthermore, experimental observations have confirmed that the film effectively resists bacterial and fungal contamination and maintains dust-repellent properties even after five days of continuous exposure to severely polluted air. The study, titled “Scalable moisture-responsive and light-regulating films for building energy saving and privacy protection”, has been published in the academic journal, Advanced Energy Materials. ***END***

PolyU signs MoU with DSSSC to build new pathway for non-local student academic progression

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has been actively supporting the efforts of the HKSAR Government to promote the “Study in Hong Kong” brand and strengthen Hong Kong’s position as an international post-secondary education hub. On 1st June, PolyU signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Hong Kong Direct Subsidy Scheme Schools Council (DSSSC) to provide more systematic articulation support for non-local students in Direct Subsidy Scheme (DSS) schools. The two parties will jointly enhance Hong Kong’s appeal as an international education hub. In support of the Government’s initiative to increase the number of non-local students admitted to DSS schools starting from September this year, PolyU and DSSSC will deepen collaboration in a number of areas under the MoU. These include introducing PolyU admission pathways to non-local students nominated by DSS schools, offering entry scholarships to outstanding non-local students from DSS schools and jointly conducting international outreach activities to support strategic student recruitment. The two parties will also identify and engage early with non-local students in DSS schools who demonstrate potential for admission to PolyU, invite eligible students to participate in PolyU summer programmes, and provide appropriate transition support for students admitted to the University to help them integrate into campus life and embark on the next stage of their academic development. Prof. Wing-tak WONG, Deputy President and Provost of PolyU, said, “PolyU is pleased to join hands with DSSSC to explore more comprehensive progression pathways for non-local students in DSS schools. By strengthening collaboration in admission, scholarships, outreach and student support, we aim to help students thrive and to reinforce Hong Kong’s role as an international education hub.” Sister Margaret WONG, Chairman of DSSSC, said, “DSSSC is honoured to establish this strategic platform with PolyU. This collaboration demonstrates the close alignment between Hong Kong secondary schools and universities, which can help non-local students overcome academic and cultural challenges ahead of time during their secondary schooling, thereby mitigating cultural shock when entering university. We hope that non-local students can build deep friendships and a strong sense of belonging here, ultimately choosing Hong Kong as their home after graduation and jointly contributing to building Hong Kong into an international education and innovation hub.” With the signing of this MoU with PolyU, DSSSC has now established comprehensive collaborative relationships with all eight UGC-funded universities in Hong Kong, further strengthening connections and furthering Hong Kong’s development as an international education hub. As an innovative world-class university, PolyU will continue to leverage its strengths in education, research and knowledge transfer to attract outstanding students from around the world to pursue their studies in Hong Kong. Through diversified learning experiences and comprehensive student support, the University is committed to nurturing socially responsible professionals and leaders with a strong sense of national pride and a global perspective. ***END***