Media Releases

「致敬國家豐碑」國情教育宣講活動在理大圓滿舉行 逾250名師生及各界代表出席

Chinese only

PolyU welcomes 2025 Policy Address measures to accelerate the construction of the Northern Metropolis University Town and the development of Hong Kong as an international education hub

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) welcomes the measures announced by the Chief Executive in the 2025 Policy Address, which promote the integrated development of education, technology and talents. These initiatives enable universities to attract more non-local students and teaching and research talents, and advance the development of emerging technologies and industries, solidifying Hong Kong’s position as an international innovation and technology centre and accelerating th establishment of an international education hub. Dr LAM Tai-fai, Council Chairman of PolyU, said, “PolyU fully supports the HKSAR Government’s effort to establish Hong Kong as an international hub for education and high-calibre talents, advancing the synergistic development of talent cultivation, talent attraction, and technology. We also welcome the establishment of the Committee on Development of the Northern Metropolis to help accelerate the development of the Northern Metropolis University Town. Two years ago, PolyU submitted a proposal to the Government outlining plans to establish a ‘medical school’ and a large ‘teaching hotel’ with an exhibition and convention centre, addressing the healthcare needs of the Greater Bay Area’s population and boosting the region’s tourism, convention, and exhibition industries. PolyU has been on a strong upward trajectory in recent years, ranking 54th in the QS World University Rankings 2025, but it faces the acute challenge of land and space shortages for further development. The University hopes the Government will provide steadfast support for the establishment of a new campus in the Northern Metropolis to relieve these bottlenecks and help strengthen Hong Kong’s position as an international innovation and technology hub, build an international post-secondary education hub, and establish the city’s third medical school. Furthermore, PolyU has also provided strong support for the Government’s efforts to promote Chinese culture, including the Chinese Culture Festival and a wide range of community engagement activities. Since last year, PolyU has launched the PolyU Chinese Culture Festival, comprising a series of activities related to Chinese culture. Earlier, together with the Guangdong University of Technology, PolyU co-produced a stage play commemorating the 60th anniversary of the Dongjiang Water Supply to Hong Kong, fostering a sense of national pride among students. The University has also hosted film screenings, talks, and exhibitions to mark the 5th Anniversary of the Implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law and the 80th Anniversary of the Victory in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression.” Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, President of PolyU, said, “PolyU supports the Government’s measures on building an international education hub, including relaxing restrictions on the admission of self-financing non-local undergraduate and research postgraduate students as well as the establishment of the Task Force on Study in Hong Kong, helping further promote Hong Kong’s higher education sector. Committed to fostering a multicultural and international learning atmosphere on campus, the University is actively expanding its outreach to multiple emerging markets in Central Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Europe and South America to attract more outstanding non-local students. To meet market needs, we have launched various new programmes in emerging technologies to nurture professional talent for a wide range of industries. In view of this, the Faculty of Computer and Mathematical Sciences was established to meet the pressing demand for high-end talent in the age of AI.” In the last academic year, PolyU organised over 590 undergraduate recruitment activities across nearly 64 countries and regions worldwide, including 46 Belt and Road and ASEAN countries. In alignment with the Government’s initiative to increase the admission quota of non-local students, PolyU has proactively expanded its non-local student intake since the 2024/25 Academic Year. This year, the University admitted around 1,100 non-local students, including 400 international students. Moving forward, PolyU will make the most of the resources provided by the Government and roll out large-scale publicity campaigns to further strengthen its overseas outreach, attracting outstanding non-local students from around the globe. PolyU is pleased with the Government’s strong commitment to promoting the development of the AI and data science industries, with the aim of positioning Hong Kong as a global hub for AI development. In particular, the establishment of the Hong Kong AI Research and Development Institute will facilitate upstream AI R&D, midstream and downstream R&D outcomes, as well as the expansion of use cases. This initiative aligns closely with the University’s establishment earlier this year of the Faculty of Computer and Mathematical Sciences and the PolyU Academy for Artificial Intelligence. Led by scholars with extensive experience in developing large AI models, these two academic units will drive AI-driven interdisciplinary research and innovation, while also nurturing talent in related fields for Hong Kong. Additionally, PolyU supports the Government’s various initiatives to propel the development of strategic emerging industries, including aerospace and the low-altitude economy. PolyU boasts solid research capabilities in both fields and, notably, stands as the only university in Hong Kong to have participated in multiple national space missions. Last year, the University established the Research Centre for Low Altitude Economy and launched an MSc Programme in Low-Altitude Economy, comprehensively addressing the needs for interdisciplinary research and talent development in this emerging field. Co-organised by the Working Group on Developing Low-altitude Economy under the Government and the Greater Bay Area Low Altitude Economy Alliance, PolyU will host the International Low-Altitude Economy Summit on 9 October 2025 to showcase Hong Kong’s leading position in the low-altitude economy to the world. PolyU also welcomes the Government’s launch of the Innovation and Technology Talents Exchange Scheme for Industry and Academic Sectors, which encourages university professors to engage in corporate R&D activities and invites technical experts from technology enterprises to contribute to teaching, strengthening the collaborative development of the industry, academic and research sectors. This initiative aligns with PolyU’s commitment to expanding its network of industry partnerships and translating research outcomes into practical solutions. Following the establishment of the PolyU Shenzhen Research Institute, the University has set up translational research institutes in 12 major Mainland cities, as well as the Qianhai Disruptive Technology and Innovation Research Centre in Shenzhen, to address local industrial and societal needs. Through the cooperative model for technology transfer defined by the equation: “PolyU research + Mainland industrial chain + Mainland market = societal benefit”, PolyU actively promotes technology transfer and collaborative innovation. Earlier this month, PolyU’s Policy Research Centre for Innovation and Technology submitted its recommendations to the HKSAR Government for the 2025 Policy Address, focusing on driving economic development and improving people’s livelihoods. Many of these recommendations are aligned with the policy directions outlined in the 2025 Policy Address, including consolidating aerospace research resources, advancing the low-altitude economy, promoting carbon trading and carbon pricing, and advancing new energy vehicles and green energy in Hong Kong. ***END***  

Chief Designer of Chinese Lunar Exploration Programme delivers talk on development of national aerospace technology, encouraging students to chase dreams in space

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) warmly welcomed Academician WU Weiren—Chief Designer of the Chinese Lunar Exploration Programme, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, Director and Chief Scientist of the Deep Space Exploration Laboratory, and Chairman of the International Deep Space Exploration Association—who delivered a talk titled “Chasing Dreams in Space, Exploring the Cosmos” at the Jockey Club Auditorium on campus yesterday. Academician Wu visited Hong Kong at the invitation of the China Soong Ching Ling Foundation to participate in “A Master Lecture For Children”, an event co-funded by the Institute of Philanthropy and The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, with The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups as a strategic partner and supported by the Hong Kong Rosamond Foundation Company Limited. During his visit, Academician Wu graciously made time to visit PolyU. During the talk, he shared insights with more than 600 students, faculty, alumni and guests on the Nation’s latest developments and strategic plans for its aerospace missions. Academician Wu Weiren is a leading expert long engaged in research and engineering practice in aerospace telemetry, tracking and communications and in systems engineering for deep space exploration. Academician Wu and his team have led various historic missions in the Chang’e Programme, making significant contributions to the Nation’s lunar and deep space exploration. He and his team are currently advancing the construction of the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS), a China‑initiated, multinational project. Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, PolyU President, said, “Every step taken by the Nation’s aerospace researchers advances humanity’s quest to explore the unknown. As one of the most distinguished leaders in China’s aerospace field, Academician Wu has elevated the Nation’s deep space exploration technologies to a world-leading level. His invaluable experience and visionary insights inspire young students to explore the cosmos and ignite their passion for chasing their dreams in space. Deep space exploration is one of PolyU’s strategic research domains, and the University has been engaged in aerospace innovation for more than 30 years. As our country continues to make breakthroughs in aerospace technology and deep space exploration, PolyU is honoured to be part of this journey—standing as the only university in Hong Kong to have participated in multiple national space missions. Looking ahead, PolyU remains committed to cultivating outstanding research talent and driving innovation in related fields, helping to build the Nation into a space power.” In his talk, Academician Wu reviewed the history of global space exploration and introduced the Nation’s landmark achievements in various space projects, including the manned space programme, lunar exploration, BeiDou Navigation Satellite System, and  high-resolution Earth imaging satellite system. In just two decades, China completed the three phases of “orbiting”, “landing” and “returning”, achieving several world firsts. The Chang’e-5 mission, carrying out China’s first extraterrestrial sample-return mission and analysis of the lunar soil samples revealed the sixth new mineral discovered on the Moon — Changesite-(Y), contributing to humanity’s expanded understanding. Academician Wu also highlighted that over 30 locations on the Moon have been named with elements of Chinese culture, including the landing site of Chang'e-4 — the first soft landing on the far side of the Moon — which has been named Statio Tianhe, breaking the long-standing dominance of Western countries in lunar naming rights. He also mentioned that many universities and research institutions in Hong Kong have been actively involved in the Nation’s deep space exploration missions, with research teams, including those from PolyU, helping to ensure the safe lunar landing and sample collection of the Chang’e series, as well as the safe landing of the Tianwen-1 mission on Mars. Looking ahead, the development and utilisation of deep space resources are gradually becoming one of the popular fields within the international scientific community, with significant implications for developing material resources, harnessing the unique resources of the space environment, and securing advantageous positions in deep space. Academician Wu noted that near-Earth asteroids, the Moon and Mars contain abundant resources such as minerals, water ice, helium-3 and atmospheric substances, which hold immense economic value, and that the ultra-high vacuum, microgravity and intense radiation found in space provide natural platforms for major scientific breakthroughs which could spawn and empower new industries on Earth, such as space pharmaceuticals. He also pointed out that space is a key arena for fostering new quality productive forces, listing a range of sectors and projects that could stimulate economic growth and improve people’s livelihoods, including space-based solar power stations, space tourism, space agriculture and space elevators. After the talk, Academician Wu engaged in a dialogue session with PolyU students, which was moderated by Prof. WU Bo, Fiona Cheung Professor in Spatial Science, Associate Head (Research) of the PolyU Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics, and Associate Director of the Research Centre for Deep Space Explorations. He discussed various issues with a PhD student from the Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics, a master student from the Department of Aeronautical and Aviation Engineering, and an undergraduate student representative of the University’s Astronomy Club. During the session, a student asked what role artificial intelligence (AI) will play in future deep space exploration projects amid its rapid development. Academician Wu believes that, in the AI era, large-scale deep space exploration projects often involve tens of thousands of personnel and cannot be carried out solely by traditional methods. The application of AI will facilitate intelligent astronautics, exploration, control, communication, navigation and more. Since 2010, PolyU has been participating in the Nation’s space exploration programmes and collaborating with the China Academy of Space Technology to develop and manufacture sophisticated space instruments. PolyU researchers have also used advanced topographic mapping technologies to identify the optimal landing sites for spacecraft. These contributions contributed to the success of the Nation’s lunar exploration missions, including Chang’e-3, Chang’e-4 and Chang’e-5, as well as the Mars exploration project Tianwen-1. In recent years, PolyU has established the “Research Centre for Deep Space Explorations”, and the “Joint Research Centre of Advanced Aerospace Propulsion Technology” in collaboration with the Academy of Aerospace Propulsion Technology. PolyU has obtained approval to borrow lunar soil samples collected by the Chang’e-6 and Chang’e-5 mission from the Lunar Sample Management Office under the China National Space Administration’s Lunar Exploration and Space Engineering Centre to support a range of research projects. At the same time, PolyU scholars are also actively engaged in national aerospace and deep space exploration initiatives, including research studies conducted on the Shijian‑19 satellite and projects to mitigate the risk of hypervelocity impacts from space debris on satellites and space stations. ***END***

PolyU and Tsinghua University collaborate to advance innovative research in the fields of medical technology and engineering physics

Chinese only

PolyU scholars pioneer smart and sustainable personal cooling technologies to address global extreme heat

Global warming poses a growing threat to human health and work performance. Currently, about 3.6 billion people worldwide live in areas highly susceptible to climate change. From 2000 to 2019, more than 480,000 heat-related deaths occurred globally each year. Extreme heat also impairs focus and productivity and worsens mood by elevating stress hormones and disrupting sleep. In response to the increasing frequency of heat waves, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) scholars are developing next-generation personal cooling solutions that push the limits of conventional clothing and promote sustainability. Prof. Dahua SHOU, Limin Endowed Young Scholar in Advanced Textiles Technologies, Associate Professor of the PolyU School of Fashion and Textiles, Associate Director of the Research Centre of Textiles for Future Fashion, and Associate Director of the PolyU-Xingguo Technology and Innovation Research Institute, has published a peer-reviewed paper in Science, offering new insights into sustainable personal cooling using advanced textiles and intelligent wearables. Smart technologies, especially intelligent wearables and AI, can be key to sustainable personal cooling. Prof. Dahua Shou said, “According to the World Meteorological Organisation, there is an 80% chance that at least one year between 2025 and 2029 will be the hottest on record, making personal cooling increasingly vital for well‑being, health and productivity. We have been creating intelligent, superhero‑like garments that provide on‑demand adaptive cooling and clinician‑like health monitoring to help address the challenge of extreme heat.” By integrating the four cooling mechanisms of radiation, conduction, convection and evaporation, this stand‑alone perspective outlines strategies to adaptively regulate body heat and moisture in dynamically changing real‑world settings. The paper also presents an AI‑driven, closed‑loop framework that connects sensing, prediction, and actuation to deliver personalised, energy-efficient cooling, with a scalable and recyclable design that supports public health, workplace safety, and performance. Sustainable personal cooling is evolving from the use of passive fabrics to the integration of smart systems. Notably, spectrum‑selective textiles effectively release mid‑infrared body heat while blocking external solar and urban heat gain. Thermal insulation is being engineered with conduction-tunable fillers, while ventilative and evaporative cooling is boosted by moisture-responsive fibres. Lightweight wearables, such as variable emittance devices, and electrocaloric and thermoelectric modules paired with flexible solar and on-body energy storage, enable active and controllable cooling. These emerging technologies strategically employ model-selective cooling and incorporate human‑centered design for comfort, durability, washability, and low weight, expanding comfort zones and reducing dependence on air conditioning. Despite promising progress, key challenges in personal cooling remain. Sweating helps cool the body, but limited sweat management increases fabric weight and cling, while reducing permeability and radiative cooling efficiency, especially during heavy perspiration. Real-time adaptive thermoregulation, which responds to changing environments and individual physiology while ensuring comfort and safety, is ideal but difficult to achieve. Prof. Dahua Shou said, “We also need interdisciplinary integration across textiles, thermodynamics, flexible electronics, and AI, along with scalable, recyclable manufacturing that balances sustainability, wearability, fashion, and performance. Standardised, user‑centric metrics, such as cooling power per watt, thermal sensation, and user acceptance, are essential for fair comparison and adoption.” Prof. Shou and his research team are tackling extreme heat with various innovative technologies. iActive™ intelligent sportswear uses low‑voltage-driven artificial “sweat glands” and a root‑like liquid network mapped to sweat zones to quickly eject perspiration as droplets, reducing weight and cling, keeping the skin dry, and removing sweat up to three times faster than peak human sweating. Omni‑Cool‑Dry™ is a breathable skin‑like fabric that routes sweat directionally while providing spectrum‑selective cooling. By reflecting solar and ground radiation and emitting mid‑infrared body heat, it helps keep wearers cool and dry even under the sun, lowering skin temperature by about 5°C compared to conventional fabrics. For hot workplaces, thermo‑adaptive Soft Robotic Clothing embeds temperature‑responsive soft actuators that expand to thicken fabric and trap still air, solving the problem of “one‑level” thermal insulation. Thermal resistance varies from 0.23 to 0.48 K·m²/W, keeping the inner surface 10°C cooler than conventional insulating garments even when the exterior temperature reaches 120°C. SweatMD is an all‑textile, non-invasive wearable that channels fresh sweat through a nature‑inspired microfluidic network and uses skin‑friendly sensing yarns to track biomarkers like glucose and potassium. It delivers real‑time, molecular‑level health insights such as indicators of fatigue and dehydration to a smartphone. Collectively, these innovations form an AI‑ready ecosystem: sensors quantify physiology, models predict cooling demand, and intelligent clothing actuates targeted responses. Integrating textile sensors, fiber‑based coolers, and on‑body energy harvesters has the potential to enable self‑sustained cooling. Spanning everyday wear, as well as sports, and protective gear, these innovations bridge the gap between fundamental research and real-world applications to address global challenges. PolyU translational research institutes across Mainland cities and interdisciplinary research centres, such as the PolyU-Xingguo Technology and Innovation Research Institute and the Research Centre of Textiles for Future Fashion, allows the University’s scholars to tap into these cities’ diverse application scenarios and collaborate with leading enterprises to accelerate the transformation and scalable deployment of scientific research achievements. These research innovations earned the Gold Medal with Congratulations of the Jury (2025) and a Gold Medal (2024) at the Geneva Invention Exhibition, as well as the TechConnect Global Innovation Award. Prof. Shou also received The Fiber Society’s Distinguished Achievement Award, a prestigious honour awarded annually to a single scholar worldwide. ***END***

PolyU and Lands Department join forces to drive surveying and geospatial innovations for Hong Kong’s digital transformation

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and the Lands Department of the HKSAR Government today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a collaborative framework for advancing the development of smart survey, mapping and geospatial services that incorporate authoritative standards. Through pioneering research, providing technological training and facilitating technology enhancement, this partnership aims to accelerate the City’s transformation into smart Hong Kong. At the signing ceremony held on the University campus, Prof. WANG Zuankai, Associate Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU, and Mr CHANG Kwok-fai, Deputy Director (Survey and Mapping) of the Lands Department, signed the MoU. They were joined by Prof. CHEN Qingyan, Director of the PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research (PAIR); Prof. CHEN Wu, Head of the PolyU Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics (LSGI); Prof. DING Xiaoli, Director of the PolyU Research Institute for Land and Space (RILS); Prof. John SHI Wenzhong, Director of the PolyU Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Smart Cities Research Institute (SCRI); Prof. WENG Qihao, Director of the PolyU Research Centre for Artificial Intelligence in Geomatics (RCAIG); Mr CHU Siu-ki, Assistant Director (Survey and Mapping) of the Lands Department; and other guests to witness this noteworthy occasion. In his welcoming address, Prof. Wang Zuankai said, “From urban planning and environmental monitoring to disaster response and resource management, spatial data and artificial intelligence (AI) are transforming the way we understand and interact with our environment. We envision that, by bringing together Survey and Mapping Office (SMO)’s authoritative expertise and professional experience, with PolyU’s academic excellence, cutting-edge research and innovative drive, this MoU will strengthen Hong Kong’s position as a global smart city leader and create a legacy of innovation and prosperity for our community.” Speaking at the signing ceremony, Mr Chang Kwok-fai said that the partnership combines the PolyU’s research excellence with the Lands Department’s practical experience, marking a significant step towards modernising Hong Kong’s geospatial technologies. Through the partnership, Lands Department will promote the application of innovative solutions to enhance land administration efficiency and support Hong Kong’s development as a smart city. Under the collaborative framework, four academic and research units at PolyU—namely LSGI, RILS, SCRI and RCAIG—will join forces to collaborate with SMO in research, education and knowledge transfer, primarily focusing on interdisciplinary areas of land surveying, geographic information systems, remote sensing, smart city, AI and location-based technology. In pursuing related initiatives, the two parties plan to establish a joint research centre, where PolyU will contribute personnel and technical resources, while SMO will offer professional and industrial insights. The centre will seek to optimise and apply a range of methods, practices and technologies related to surveying, Satellite Positioning Reference Station Network (SatRef), advanced unmanned aerial vehicles, geospatial data integration and analytics, and smart address management for enhancing efficiency and accuracy in urban planning and development of Hong Kong. In addition, PolyU and SMO will consider providing industry practitioners and relevant government staff with training on the latest surveying and geospatial technologies and practices. Prof. Chen Qingyan highlighted the significance of PolyU’s interdisciplinary research in supporting the sustainable development of Hong Kong. He said, “Smart and sustainable cities is one of the key domains of PolyU’s interdisciplinary research. Under this theme, we combine expertise from diverse fields—spanning land surveying, geo-informatics, civil engineering, computing and AI—to pursue research innovations in spatial data analytics, system integration, infrastructure design and sensing technology. We then translate our discoveries into technologies and recommendations for adoption by industry and government, with the aim of making meaningful contributions to improving urban planning and land resource management.” Prof. Wu Chen stressed the importance of this government-academia collaboration. He elaborated, “SMO possesses valuable datasets, regulatory frameworks and practical insights into urban challenges, while PolyU contributes cutting-edge research, technical expertise, and innovative solutions. By working together, we can bridge the gap between theory and practice, ensuring that scientific advancements are effectively translated into real-world applications. Ultimately, this collaboration will accelerate the creation of a smarter, more sustainable Hong Kong by leveraging the strengths of both sectors to address complex urban issues and improve the quality of life for citizens.” Prof. Chen Qingyan highlighted the significance of PolyU’s interdisciplinary research in supporting Hong Kong’s sustainable development.  Prof. Wu Chen stressed the importance of this government-academia collaboration. Fostering closer ties between academia, government and industry, this collaboration will drive the development of smart Hong Kong by embracing advanced surveying and geospatial innovations, and deeply integrating robust technologies to promote the City’s sustainable development. ***END***

SF&OC Vice-President Kenneth Fok encourages PolyU community to embrace spirit of Olympism and the 15th National Games

With its emphasis on whole-person education, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) proactively invites accomplished leaders from different sectors to share their stories, encouraging students to unleash their potential and pursue their dreams. Jointly organised by PolyU and the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China (SF&OC), and co-organised by the Hong Kong China Sports Alliance (HKCSA), the “All in All the Way – The Spirit of Olympism and the 15th National Games” under the Dean of Students Talk Series: “Together We Dream, We Fly” was held today. Mr Kenneth FOK, Vice-President of the SF&OC, Chairperson of the Hong Kong, China Olympic Academy and PolyU Council Member, delivered an inspirational talk on his extensive experience in Hong Kong sports development and his hopes for the 15th National Games to be held in November this year, encouraging students to actively participate in and support this major national sporting event. The event attracted around 200 attendees, including members of the University management, staff and students. With the theme “Fully Supports the 15th National Games – Olympism Education Programme (OEP)”, Mr Fok shared his journey participating in sports development work. He highlighted the commitment to nurturing elite athletes and introduced the OEP which aims to promote the spirit of Olympism. As the 15th National Games is approaching, he remarked that this is the first time the event will be co-hosted by Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, which is highly significant as it will further promote the integration within the Greater Bay Area. Mr Fok remarked, “Hong Kong’s sports development has achieved remarkable progress in recent years, thanks to the Government’s continuous support. This has enabled Hong Kong, China athletes to shine on the international competitions. Their confidence and performance are also fueled by the unwavering encouragement from the public. This collective effort to advance sports development is truly invaluable. The 15th National Games to be staged in Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, reflects the Nation’s trust in Hong Kong and provides a platform for sports collaboration on a regional level while elevating local sports standards. I hope all Hong Kong citizens will come together to support the Games, participate in various sports activities, and help create a sports extravaganza that belongs to each of us — showcasing Hong Kong’s passion for sports and its solidarity and progress.” Facilitated by Prof. Horace K. W. MUI, PolyU Interim Dean of Students, Mr Fok engaged in a compelling dialogue with swimmer Ms AU Hoi Shun Stephanie, five-time Olympian and Asian Games medallist, and fencer Mr Nicholas Edward CHOI, London 2012 Olympian and Asian Games medallist, who have both been appointed as inaugural SF&OC “Olympic Ambassadors”. While sharing their personal journeys as professional athletes, they addressed the challenges they had encountered along the way and highlighted the significance of perseverance and dedication in the pursuit of sporting dreams. Prof. Wing-Tak WONG, PolyU Deputy President and Provost, said, “We are honoured to have Mr Kenneth Fok, as well as Ms Stephanie Au and Mr Nicholas Choi, share their experiences with us. Mr Fok’s remarkable achievement in the sports sector and in promoting the Olympism, along with the perseverance and passion for sports demonstrated by both athletes, serve as an inspiration for us all in our academic and professional pursuits. PolyU has always supported sports development, and last year our sports team achieved the remarkable feat of winning both the men’s and women’s overall championships in the intercollegiate competitions, marking our seventh consecutive victory. I hope that PolyU athletes and students will continue to uphold the Olympic motto: ‘Faster, Higher, Stronger – Together” in striving towards their dreams.” PolyU is highly supportive of sports development and nurturing elite Hong Kong athletes. It has created a vibrant sports culture on campus and offers various schemes that enable student-athletes to excel in both academic and sporting life. These initiatives include the Outstanding Sportsmen Recommendation Scheme (OSRS), the Student-Athlete Learning Support and Admission Scheme (SALSA Scheme) and the Special Talents Admission and Recognition Scheme (STARS). The University also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Hong Kong Sports Institute on the Elite Athletes Study Programme. The “Fully Supports the 15th National Games” OEP is organised by SF&OC and co-organised by the Hong Kong China Sports Alliance. The OEP launched in 2005, aims to deepen students’ understanding on Olympism and sports development, while encouraging participation in sports of the public.   ***END***  

PolyU Info Day for Undergraduate Admissions to be held on 27 September, featuring over 250 activities and showcasing latest programmes and admissions information

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) will hold its Information Day for Undergraduate Admissions (Info Day) on 27 September. This year’s event, themed “Innovation and Diversity”, will feature over 250 activities, including admissions talks hosted by the Academic Registry covering admissions information relating to JUPAS, non-JUPAS (non-local qualifications), Senior Year admission (Associate Degree or Higher Diploma qualifications) and National College Entrance Examinations (Gaokao). There will also be programme consultations organised by faculties, schools and departments, guided tours of the University’s laboratories and facilities, student sharing sessions and workshops, providing students and others interested in pursuing further studies with the latest admissions information and a diverse range of programme options. PolyU has adopted a flexible undergraduate admissions strategy, offering students more flexible programme options and launching programmes across various emerging fields to better meet society’s talent needs. Students can 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. PolyU will introduce two new bachelor’s degree programmes 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 (Linguistics and Translation / Language Sciences and Analytics). The following programmes will undergo changes: Existing programmes Changes BEng (Hons) Scheme in Aviation Engineering (Aviation Engineering / Air Transport Engineering) Retitled as BEng (Hons) Scheme in Aviation Engineering (Aeronautical Engineering / Air Transport Engineering)* BSc (Hons) Scheme in Biomedical Engineering Retitled as BSc (Hons) in Biomedical Engineering BSc (Hons) Scheme in Intelligent Supply Chain and Engineering Management (Intelligent Supply Chain / Engineering Management with Data Analytics) Retitled as BSc (Hons) Scheme in Intelligent Supply Chain and Engineering Management (Aviation Operations and Systems / Intelligent Supply Chain / Engineering Management with Data Analytics) A new BSc (Hons) in Aviation Operations and Systems introduced under the Scheme *Programme retitled in English only PolyU strives to provide a holistic learning experience that fosters students’ global perspective. The University 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 PolyU Info Day for Undergraduate Admissions details and registration, please visit: https://www.polyu.edu.hk/study/events/ ***END***

PolyU International Future Challenge draws over 700 startup teams worldwide; Hong Kong Main Track announces top winners in Open and Student Tracks

The PolyU International Future Challenge, the flagship innovation and entrepreneurship (I&E) competition of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), has attracted more than 700 outstanding teams worldwide to compete for cash prizes totalling over HK$2 million. The final of the PolyU × Waterdrop International Future Challenge (Hong Kong region) was held on the PolyU campus yesterday (9 September 2025). The top teams will advance to the Grand Final this December, where they will compete against the winning teams from six other regions. The PolyU × Waterdrop International Future Challenge (Hong Kong region) is sponsored by the Waterdrop Inc., Huawei Cloud Hong Kong, and the PolyU Faculty of Health and Social Science, with support from Cathay Pacific, Nike and NTT. The competition, comprising Open and Student Tracks, attracted around 200 teams. After a rigorous selection process, around 30 outstanding teams advanced to today’s Final, where they competed for a range of awards and cash prizes in an elevator pitch format. The top four teams in the Student Track, selected through a stringent judging process, will advance to the Grand Final, joining the champions and merit award winners from each domain in the Open Track. The Waterdrop Cup (Champion) was awarded to Harmonex Limited from the Open Track for their project “AIRmotion”. The Student Track champion was Renew Biotechnology Limited, recognised for their project “Sprayable Biomimetic Double Mask for Anti-scar Wound Healing”. The two winning teams received cash prizes of HK$150,000 and HK$30,000 respectively. The Open Track in Hong Kong focuses on five core domains: cargo and travel, finance and insurance, health, information and communications technology, and sports. It aims to gather revolutionary solutions for these industries. To cultivate an I&E culture and ignite young students’ entrepreneurial passion, the Challenge features a dedicated Student Track. The participating teams were invited to join the PolyU Entrepreneurship Nurturing Series, which offered a range of training sessions covering topics from developing an entrepreneurial mindset and generating ideas to business model creation and pitching skills. The shortlisted teams were also invited to participate in exploratory tours to Vietnam, Singapore, Shanghai, the Greater Bay Area, and the Yangtze River Delta region, where they gained insights into innovation ecosystems in diverse regional markets, expanded their global perspectives, as well as explored collaboration and market opportunities, paving the way for future entrepreneurial developments. Prof. Christopher CHAO, PolyU Vice President (Research and Innovation) congratulated the winning teams, wished them even greater success on their I&E journeys, and emphasised: “Striving to be an innovative world-class university, PolyU actively nurtures a new generation of entrepreneurs, advances the translation of research outcomes into real-world applications, and is committed to strengthening the I&T ecosystems of Hong Kong and multiple Mainland cities through the PolyVentures ecosystem and its MTRIs. The PolyU International Future Challenge is much more than a competition—it is a dynamic platform that integrates education, research translation, incubation and investment. It provides a stage for the aspiring entrepreneurs among our students, faculty members, alumni and the community at large to fully leverage their strengths, turning ideation and cutting-edge research into applications that benefit society. In his keynote speech, Dr SHEN Peng—Founder, Chairman and CEO of Waterdrop Inc., a judge for the competition and a recipient of the 2024 Outstanding PolyU Alumni Award—said: “It is an honour, as an alumnus, to support my alma mater’s flagship I&E competition, share my entrepreneurial journey with young entrepreneurs, inspire aspiring entrepreneurs and help broaden their horizons. My time at PolyU laid a solid foundation for my entrepreneurial path and, more importantly, taught me that as we grow our businesses we must also give back to society and uphold corporate social responsibility.” The award-winning startups/projects of the PolyU × Waterdrop International Future Challenge (Hong Kong region) are as follows: Open Track Award Winning Project Winning Startup/Team Cash Prize The Waterdrop Cup AIRmotion Harmonex Limited HK$150,000 Cargo and Travel Champion* Smart Scanning System - The X Logistech Limited HK$50,000 and 10,000 USD credit of Huawei Cloud service Merit Award* Smooji Smooji Limited HK$15,000 Merit Award* Advanced Wireless Charger for Drones in response to Low Altitude Airspace Economy (LAAE) Nova Electric Limited HK$15,000 Merit Award* AkkMoreä Natural Fat Replacer Bo InnoHealth Biotechnology Company Limited HK$15,000 Finance and Insurance Champion* Mediconcen MediConCen Limited HK$50,000 and 10,000 USD credit of Huawei Cloud service Merit Award* Otonomi - Parametric Cargo Delay Insurance Otonomi (Asia-Pacific) Limited HK$15,000 Merit Award* Theo Quant Theo Quant Limited HK$15,000 Merit Award* Inriskable Inriskable (HK) Limited HK$15,000 Health Champion* Wearable Salivary Glucose Sensing Platform Intellisense & Cognisense Technology Limited HK$50,000 and 10,000 USD credit of Huawei Cloud service Merit Award* AIRmotion Harmonex Limited HK$15,000 Merit Award* VISI - AI-Powered Vision Therapy Vcare Vision Technology Limited HK$15,000 Merit Award* and Translational Research Grant Virtual Patient Simulation System Advantage Data Vision Limited HK$15,000 and Translational Research Grant capped at HK$500,000 Translational Research Grant NeuroLap CUI Ruize, Prof. QIN Jing, GAO Bingchen, ZHOU Jun Translational Research Grant capped at HK$500,000 Information and Communications Technology Champion* Dragonfly Vision: microsecond-level panoramic thumb camera Dragon Vision Technology Limited HK$50,000 and 10,000 USD credit of Huawei Cloud service Merit Award* PolyPi: Edge-AI Empowered Autonomous Robot for Pipeline Inspection and Maintenance UbiquiTech Innovations Limited HK$15,000 Merit Award* iOptiCrane ICC (Hong Kong) Limited HK$15,000 Merit Award* Charger Circle Chargercircle Technology Limited HK$15,000 Sports Champion* Textile Sensor System Easenory Technology Limited HK$50,000 and 10,000 USD credit of Huawei Cloud service Merit Award* Bio-Based Functional Materials: Industrial Applications in Sports Hong Kong Yingzhui International Technology Development Co., Limited   HK$15,000 Merit Award* Runwell Prof. Vincent LEUNG Kin Keung, Ken SOU Ho Kong, Fiona SHEK Hoi Wai, Dominic LEUNG Rui Ming, Nicole LI Yuan, Lukas Wambua MUTETI HK$15,000 Merit Award* OMEGA Tournament Scoring System DAAPP Limited   HK$15,000 Student Track Award Winning Project Winning Startup and Team Cash Prize Grand Prize* Sprayable Biomimetic Double Mask for Anti-scar Wound Healing Renew Biotechnology Limited HK$30,000 First Prize* Virtual MRI Contrast Enhancement System for Precise Tumour Detection and Treatment MA Zongrui, Huang Yu-Hua, Xiong Tianyu HK$20,000 Second Prize* AI-Empowered Digital Twin for Smart Building Management Cyanse Smart Energy Tech Limited HK$10,000 Second Prize* Drowning Prevention System with AI-Enhanced Passive Acoustic Sensing for Wearable Detection Blue Guardian Tech Limited HK$10,000 Merit Award Bioabsorbable Polymeric Vascular Graft and Regeneration Medicine Technology Platform Hong Kong Yihai Medical Technology Co., Ltd HK$5,000 Merit Award Natural and Eco-friendly External Preservation Technology Dr. Fresh Biotech Limited HK$5,000 Merit Award Goolab - OV Premier Bone Enhance Drink Goolab Technology Company Limited HK$5,000 Merit Award WriteRight Companions Education Limited HK$5,000 Merit Award Wearable Multimodality Physiological Muscle Sensor for Early Detection of Sarcopenia Ampli Electronics Limited HK$5,000 Merit Award Hardware + AI Dual - Core Driving Empowers Unmanned Intelligent Operation and Maintenance of Power Systems Xiao Ma Technology Limited HK$5,000 Best Presentation Award (voted by the audience) Drowning Prevention System with AI-Enhanced Passive Acoustic Sensing for Wearable Detection Blue Guardian Tech Limited HK$5,000 Best Innovation Award (voted by the audience) Sprayable Biomimetic Double Mask for Anti-scar Wound Healing Renew Biotechnology Limited HK$5,000 Most Popular Award (voted by the audience) WriteRight Companions Education Limited HK$5,000 *Teams advancing to the Grand Final The PolyU International Future Challenge adopts a unique “1+N” framework, where “1” denotes the Hong Kong main track and “N” comprises multiple regional tracks across Mainland cities and regions, including Huizhou, Wenzhou, Qianhai (Shenzhen), Shanghai, Nanjing, and Jinjiang. All tracks are open to startup teams and innovators from around the world. PolyU partners with leading enterprises in each competition region and with its MTRIs to offer participating and award-winning teams the necessary support and guidance, including visits to Mainland cities and PolyU MTRIs, corporate visits, business and technical consulting services, and overseas trips. Please click here to visit the webpage for further details. The Waterdrop Cup (Champion) of the Open Track was awarded to Harmonex Limited. The Student Track champion was Renew Biotechnology Limited. ***END***

PolyU appoints Prof. Cao Jiannong as Vice President (Education)

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is pleased to announce the appointment of Prof. CAO Jiannong as Vice President (Education). He assumed office on 1 September 2025. Prof. Cao is an internationally renowned scholar in computing and data science, specialising in parallel and distributed computing, wireless sensing and networking, big data and artificial intelligence, and mobile cloud and edge computing. He has published six co-authored and nine co-edited books, along with over 800 papers in major international journals and conference proceedings, and holds 34 patents. He has received numerous awards for his outstanding research achievements. Prof. Cao currently serves as Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Professor in Data Science, Chair Professor of Distributed and Mobile Computing in the Department of Computing, and Director of the Institute for Higher Education Research and Development (IHERD). He previously served as Head of the Department of Computing from 2011 to 2017, Dean of Graduate School, and Head of the College of Undergraduate Researchers and Innovators (CURI) from 2021 to 2025. Welcoming the appointment, Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, President of PolyU, said, “Prof. Cao is a distinguished scholar and visionary academic leader. He has served PolyU with dedication for the past 27 years and possesses extensive leadership and management experience in higher education. In his new role, I am confident that Prof. Cao will propel PolyU to even greater heights of educational excellence, help the University nurture professionals and leaders who can excel in the artificial intelligence era, and make significant contributions to further strengthen PolyU’s development as an innovative world-class university.” As Vice President (Education), Prof. Cao oversees the planning and development of learning and teaching across the University. He will lead the development and enhancement of academic programmes, advancing curriculum and pedagogy; drive digital transformation and the adoption of advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence, to foster innovation in education; and develop and implement institutional policies and plans to ensure academic quality assurance in an evolving digital landscape. Prof. Cao received his Doctor of Philosophy degree from Washington State University. He is a member of Academia Europaea, a fellow of the Hong Kong Academy of Engineering, a fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), a fellow of the China Computer Federation (CCF), and a distinguished member of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM). He served as Chair of the Technical Committee on Distributed Computing of the IEEE Computer Society from 2012 to 2014, and received the Overseas Outstanding Contribution Award from the CCF in 2017.   ***END***