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理大代表團訪問武漢 深化鄂港創科合作 武漢科技創新研究院成立一周年 推動科研成果落地轉化 (Chinese only)

Chinese version only

PolyU recognised at CES 2027 Innovation Awards

Two research projects developed by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) have been recognised at the distinguished Consumer Electronics Show (CES) Innovation Awards 2027, garnering Innovation Awards in the “Digital Health” and “Artificial Intelligence” categories, respectively. These achievements demonstrate PolyU’s capabilities in interdisciplinary research and in translating research findings into practical applications. The Smart Motion Capture App for Rehabilitation (SMCAR), developed by a research team led by Prof. Kenneth FONG, Director of the Research Centre for Assistive Technology (RCATech) and Associate Head (Research, Innovation, and Knowledge Transfer) of the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences of PolyU, alongside the first inventor Dr Winnie LAM from RCATech and the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, was honoured in the “Digital Health” category. SMCAR is an innovative mobile application that transforms everyday smartphones and tablets into powerful, efficient rehabilitation tools. Without the need for wearable sensors or specialised equipment, the app enables accurate and reliable markerless motion capture, allowing healthcare and rehabilitation professionals to remotely monitor patients’ motor performance and assess their rehabilitation progress. Combining advanced artificial intelligence (AI) and augmented reality technologies, SMCAR provides real-time visual feedback, automatically logs activity data and evaluates movement performance. The key strength of SMCAR lies in its harnessing of widely available consumer devices, allowing patients at home to efficiently receive professional rehabilitation evaluations and guidance while lowering the threshold for personalised care, thereby fostering favourable conditions for the widespread adoption of rehabilitation services worldwide. TruTru, an AI-powered handheld interactive companion device, was honoured with an award in the “Artificial Intelligence” category. Developed by Prof. MA Yuan, Assistant Professor of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, and his research team, the device assists users in improving their holistic and emotional well-being. Crafted from soft materials, TruTru houses electronic components that sense user touch, prompting AI to generate dynamic tactile feedback in real time. In addition, the device emits gentle, colourful illumination corresponding to various modes, providing users with real-time, personalised tactile and visual experiences. TruTru aims to offer gentle and subtle sensory support through dynamic tactile feedback, alleviating stress, anxiety or emotional distress. Upholding a human-centred spirit, the research team integrates AI technology into mindfulness and personal well-being routines, opening up warm, empathetic, and humanised technological solutions for mental well-being. Prof. Christopher CHAO, Senior Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU, said, “As PolyU marks its fourth consecutive year of participation at CES, we are thrilled that our research achievements have once again gained international recognition on the global stage. These honours not only affirm the solid research foundation of PolyU teams in frontier interdisciplinary research but also reflect the University’s dedication to translating innovative ideas into impactful solutions that address societal needs and enhance quality of life through advanced technology.” Organised annually by the Consumer Technology Association, CES highlights breakthrough innovations in the consumer electronics sector and stands as one of the world’s most influential consumer electronics technology events. The award-winning teams and 13 PolyU start-ups will participate in CES 2027, held in Las Vegas, USA, from 6 to 9 January 2027, showcasing the University’s winning technologies alongside a broad portfolio of pioneering research across diverse fields. ***END***

理大初創亮相第九屆進博會 展示多元科研轉化成果 拓展產學研合作機遇 (Chinese Only)

Chinese Only

Wuhan–Hong Kong Innovation and Technology Collaboration Conference and PIIRS held in Wuhan, connecting 23 deep-tech innovations with capital and industry to strengthen Wuhan–Hong Kong collaboration

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) today held the latest roadshow in its flagship PolyU Innovation Investment Roadshow Series (PIIRS) in Wuhan, at the Wuhan Institute of Industrial Innovation and Development (WHIIID), a strategic partner of PolyU. On the same occasion, PolyU and WHIIID jointly hosted the Wuhan–Hong Kong Innovation and Technology Collaboration Conference, further strengthening exchange and collaboration between the two cities. The events attracted around 200 representatives from the government, industry, academia, research and investment sectors, facilitating the connection of PolyU research outcomes with industrial needs and capital in Wuhan and the wider Central China region. Dr LAM Tai-fai, PolyU Council Chairman; Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, PolyU President; and Prof. Christopher CHAO, Senior Vice President (Research and Innovation), led the PolyU delegation to the event. In his address, Dr Lam Tai-fai said, “PolyU has always upheld its motto, ‘To learn and to apply, for the benefit of mankind’, closely aligning frontier research with industry needs to bring research outcomes out of the laboratory and put them to work for the Nation and society. Wuhan has a wealth of scientific and educational resources. In particular, China’s Optics Valley has strengths in optoelectronic information, life and health sciences, and high-end manufacturing, which closely align with PolyU’s research strengths. As collaboration between Hubei and Hong Kong continues to deepen, cooperation between PolyU and WHIIID has progressed rapidly. We look forward to continuing to work hand in hand with Wuhan, contributing PolyU’s strengths to the rise of Central China and to the Nation’s pursuit of greater self-reliance and strength in science and technology.” Ms LI Xiling, President of WHIIID, said, “As an innovation hub developed as a priority by Hubei Province and Wuhan, in the more than four years since it began operations WHIIID has established close partnerships with leading universities and research institutes in China and overseas. WHIIID and PolyU have maintained close engagement and taken the lead in implementing a series of substantive collaborations. These include the signing of a strategic cooperation agreement in July this year and the joint establishment of the Wuhan–Hong Kong Collaborative Life and Health Industry Innovation Base in Qiaokou District. We look forward to further strengthening the mechanisms and models that underpin our collaboration, helping to accelerate the translation and application in Wuhan of more PolyU research outcomes.” At the event, Prof. HAO Jianhua, Associate Director of the PolyU–Wuhan Technology and Innovation Research Institute, Head of the Department of Physics and Materials, and Chair Professor of Materials Physics and Devices, and Mr ZHANG Peng, Director of the Innovation Hub Office and Head of the Science and Technology Development Department of WHIIID, signed a grant-to-equity agreement for the project “Advanced Copper Foil for High-frequency, High-speed GPUs and 6G Communications”. Under the agreement, WHIIID will support Prof. Hao’s team in advancing research and translating its outcomes into practical applications, contributing to the socio-economic development of Wuhan and the wider Central China region. A letter of intent for cooperation on the PolyU Yangtze River Science and Technology Innovation Investment Fund was also signed. The Fund is jointly funded by four parties: Yangtze River Industrial Investment Private Equity Fund Management Co., Ltd, Wuhan Qiaokou Industrial Development Co., Ltd, Wuhan Institute of Industrial Innovation and Development Investment Co., Ltd, and Wuhan Gaosen Asset Management Co., Ltd. With a size of no less than RMB100 million, the Fund will invest specifically in PolyU startups, focusing on strategic emerging industries such as next-generation information technology, artificial intelligence, high-performance integrated circuits, and life and health sciences. As a project partner, PolyU will recommend high-quality innovation and technology projects from the University and connect them with the Fund, facilitating the translation and application of further research outcomes in Wuhan.   Ms SUN Wei, Head of the Investment Services Department of Yangtze River Industrial Investment Private Equity Fund Management Co., Ltd; Mr LI Shengbing, General Manager of Wuhan Qiaokou Industrial Development Co., Ltd; Mr WANG Xinfeng, Deputy General Manager of Wuhan Institute of Industrial Innovation and Development Investment Co., Ltd; and Mr CHEN Hua, Chairman of Wuhan Gaosen Asset Management Co., Ltd, signed the letter of intent on behalf of the four investors. Ms Amylia CHAN, Interim Director of the Knowledge Transfer and Entrepreneurship Office, PolyU, signed on behalf of the University as a project partner. Ms Li Xiling then presented Dr Lam Tai-fai with a letter of appointment as an Honorary Advisor of Weichu Academy. An innovation and entrepreneurship talent development platform under WHIIID, Weichu Academy is committed to building a multi-level talent development system and expanding global innovation partnerships, providing intellectual support and innovation momentum for high-quality regional development. The PolyU delegation subsequently held discussions with the WHIIID leadership team. Held alongside the Conference, PIIRS in Wuhan showcased 23 deep-tech innovations developed by teams led by PolyU professors, spanning five key domains: Artificial Intelligence and Digital Economy, Advanced Manufacturing and Innovative Materials, Life Sciences and Healthcare, Smart City and Sustainable Development, and Aerospace and Aviation Technology. These projects highlight the University’s research excellence and innovation capabilities. The event featured project presentations and roadshows, enabling teams to introduce their technological strengths and potential applications to investment institutions and industry representatives. An on-site PolyU Innovation and Technology Showcase facilitated in-depth exchanges and business discussions between research teams and potential investors, helping projects connect with local capital and industrial markets. As an important platform connecting PolyU with the innovation and technology industry in Central China, PIIRS in Wuhan brought together PolyU research outcomes, regional capital and industry needs. It promoted the deployment of PolyU innovations in the Central China market and accelerated research translation and industrialisation, injecting fresh momentum into the high-quality development of the innovation and technology ecosystem in Wuhan and the wider region. The event also featured a sharing session - “Deep Tech Investment Opportunities from the VC Lens”. Mr ZHANG Jie, Founder of the Chuanxin Innovation and Technology Platform and Executive Director of Wuhan Juhua Chuanxin Private Equity Fund Management Co., Ltd, shared his experience of translating research outcomes into practical applications on his journey from scientist to entrepreneur. He explored investment opportunities and practical challenges, helping research and entrepreneurial teams assess their projects from a market perspective and improve their prospects for successful research translation and commercialisation. For details of the projects showcased at PIIRS in Wuhan, please refer to the event brochure. Ms Li Xiling (right) presented Dr Lam Tai-fai (left) with a letter of appointment as an Honorary Advisor of Weichu Academy. Dr Lam Tai-fai (2nd from left) and Prof. Jin-Guang Teng (3rd from left) led the PolyU delegation to tour the “PolyU Innovation and Technology Showcase”. Dr Lam Tai-fai (2nd from right), Prof. Jin-Guang Teng (1st from right) and Prof. Christopher Chao (4th from right) listened to project briefings on site. The PolyU Innovation Investment Roadshow Series in Wuhan showcased 23 deep-tech innovations developed by teams led by PolyU professors, demonstrating the University’s research capabilities and innovation strengths. During the sharing session “Deep Tech Investment Opportunities from the VC Lens”, Mr Zhang Jie, Founder of the Chuanxin Innovation and Technology Platform and Executive Director of Wuhan Juhua Chuanxin Private Equity Fund Management Co., Ltd, shared his experience of translating research outcomes into practical applications on his journey from scientist to entrepreneur. *** End ***

PolyU research uncovers hidden cause of ageing in perovskite solar cells; new strategy significantly extends cell lifetime

A research team at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has found a previously overlooked cause of ageing in perovskite solar cells exposed to light. The team has also developed a solution that effectively extends the cells’ lifetime, an important step towards bringing the technology to market. The study was conducted by Prof. YANG Guang, Assistant Professor of the PolyU Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, together with a team from Zhejiang University, and has been published in the international journal Watt. Prof. Nam-Gyu PARK of Sungkyunkwan University, Korea, a pioneer in perovskite photovoltaics, commended the work in a research highlight in the same journal. Perovskite solar cells are efficient, low-cost, lightweight and versatile, and are widely seen as one of the most promising next-generation solar technologies. However, their performance gradually declines after long exposure to sunlight, a process known as photodegradation. Solar panels must work reliably outdoors for many years, so photodegradation has long been a major barrier to large-scale perovskite solar cell commercialisation. The layer of a perovskite solar cell that generates electricity comprises countless tiny crystals called grains. The surface of each grain has a particular orientation, known as its crystal facet. In mixed-facet perovskite solar cells, grains with different facets sit side by side. Each facet has its own properties, which can affect how charges move, how defects form and how the material ages under light. The places where grains meet are called grain boundaries. When the cell absorbs sunlight, it produces negatively charged electrons and positively charged holes. Ideally, the two collect to form an electric current, but if they meet defects at grain boundaries, they can become trapped and cancel each other out. This wastes solar energy and gradually damages the cell. The team found that in mixed-facet structures, when grains with two common facets, (100) and (111), sit next to each other, charge losses on the two sides of the boundary between them are uneven. The (111) side of the boundary has more defects. Most of these are vacancies: gaps left where formamidinium (FA) ions should be in the material. As a result, an abnormal build-up of holes develops on that side. The (111) facet is naturally more resistant to ageing under light. However, the build-up of holes unexpectedly makes the (111) grains degrade faster, turning them into a source of ageing in the cell. The finding shows that a cell's lifetime depends not only on how stable each grain is, but also on how neighbouring grains interact. To address this source of degradation, the team added a compound called 3-fluorophenylethylammonium bromide (m-F-PEABr). Its molecules are too bulky to enter the grains, so they naturally collect at the grain boundaries. The positively charged end of each molecule takes the place of the missing FA ions and fills the vacancies at the (111) boundaries. Meanwhile, the fluorine-containing part holds the molecule firmly in place. Once the boundaries are repaired, charge losses on both sides become balanced, so no single spot becomes a focal point for degradation. Cells treated with this targeted strategy reached a power conversion efficiency of 26.55%. They also kept over 90% of their initial efficiency after more than 2,200 hours of continuous operation under light equivalent to one sun. This measure, known as the T90 operational lifetime, is a key indicator of long-term durability. Prof. Yang said, “Perovskite solar cells are already highly efficient, but stability is still the biggest barrier to commercialisation. Previous research has mostly focused on reducing the number of defects. We have shown for the first time that uneven charge losses between neighbouring grains are a key cause of ageing while the cells are working. By balancing the charge losses between grains, we can improve both the efficiency and the stability of the cells. This offers a new way of understanding cell ageing and opens a new path for developing more durable, commercially viable perovskite solar cells.＂ ***END***

PolyU establishes Research Institute for Microbiology to tackle antimicrobial resistance and drive AI-empowered medical innovation

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) officially inaugurated the Research Institute for Microbiology (RIM) on 23 October, taking a critical step forward in advancing interdisciplinary microbiology research and innovation across the University. Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, PolyU President; Prof. GAO Fu, Director of the CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology at the Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Prof. CHEN Sheng, Director of RIM, Head of the Department of Food Science and Nutrition and Chair Professor of Microbiology; Prof. DONG Cheng, Associate Vice President (Knowledge Transfer) and Associate Director of RIM; Prof. ZHANG Weixiong, Associate Director of the PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research (PAIR), Associate Director of RIM and Chair Professor of Systems Biology and Artificial Intelligence; Prof. HUANG Jian, Associate Director of RIM, Chair Professor of Data Science and Analytics of the Department of Applied Mathematics and Department of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, witnessed the official establishment of RIM. Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Prof. Jin-Guang Teng said, “The establishment of the Research Institute for Microbiology marks an important milestone in PolyU’s pursuit of interdisciplinary research and innovation. Embracing a One Health perspective, the Institute will bring together expertise in microbiology, immunomedicine, data science, systems biology, and artificial intelligence to accelerate scientific discovery and address pressing challenges. Through close collaboration across disciplines and sectors, we aim to translate research into innovations that safeguard public health and advance biotechnology, and to develop RIM into a world-renowned research institute in microbiology with impact extending well beyond the laboratory.” Prof. Zhang Weixiong, said that, with the valuable addition of RIM, PAIR now comprised 20 research units. The Institute will accelerate collaboration among PAIR’s research units and across its three research themes: Advanced Technologies and Manufacturing, Good Health and Well-being, and Smart and Sustainable Cities. Prof. Chen Sheng introduced RIM to the audience, outlining the Institute’s vision and mission which encompasses five research focus areas: infectious diseases; bacterial antimicrobial resistance under the One Health framework; drug and vaccine development; beneficial microorganisms and human health; and AI core. Following the ceremony, a seminar - “AI-Empowered Vaccine Development” - was delivered by renowned microbiologist Prof. Gao Fu who shared significant research breakthroughs in COVID-19 vaccine, therapeutic antibodies development, and T-cell immunotherapy. He also explained how AI can facilitate antibody design and modification. The seminar and subsequent inspiring discussion engaged over 16,000 online and in-person participants. ***END***

PolyU joins Excellence 9 and elected as next rotating presidency institution; Participates in UK-China Excellence University Presidents Forum to explore educational transformation in AI era

The Excellence 9 (E9), an alliance comprising nine leading universities in the Chinese Mainland, convened its 15th Presidents’ Joint Conference on 29 October at Southeast University in Nanjing. With the approval of all member institutions, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) officially joined the alliance, marking the expansion of E9 into a new “9+1” framework. PolyU was also elected as the next rotating presidency institution of the alliance. It will work closely with fellow member universities to deepen collaboration in engineering education, research innovation, talent cultivation and teacher-student exchanges, fostering regularised communication between Hong Kong and Chinese Mainland higher education to better integrate into and serve national development strategies. Academician Jin-Guang TENG, PolyU President, expressed his gratitude for the trust and support of the other member institutions. He noted that PolyU has long attached great importance to exchange and cooperation with Chinese Mainland higher education, enjoying robust partnerships and fruitful achievements with E9 institutions, such as Tongji University, Tianjin University and Harbin Institute of Technology, across academic exchanges, research collaboration, talent development and innovation and entrepreneurship. Academician Jin-Guang Teng remarked, “In the era of artificial intelligence (AI), knowledge acquisition is no longer a barrier of learning. We must encourage students to step beyond the classroom, apply their professional expertise to community service and broaden their global perspective, while enhancing students’ cross-cultural exchange through practical engagement.” He looked forward to increasing reciprocal visits among teachers and students, expanding diverse collaborative platforms such as joint laboratories and international academic conferences, and establishing a regularised cooperation mechanism between Hong Kong and Chinese Mainland higher education to elevate the alliance’s global influence and discourse power. Renowned for its robust engineering disciplines, PolyU possesses distinct strengths in nurturing engineering and innovation talent, advancing research excellence and promoting internationalisation. Upon joining the alliance, PolyU will leverage disciplinary synergies with other member universities to strengthen cooperation in engineering education reform, joint scientific research, academic exchanges and global talent cultivation, while actively supporting key initiatives such as international career development for outstanding engineers. As PolyU celebrates its 90th anniversary next year, the University plans to seize this milestone as an opportune moment to host the next E9 Presidents’ Joint Conference, celebrating the occasion together with fellow member institutions. Established in 2010, the Excellence 9 (E9) was co-founded by the Beijing Institute of Technology, Chongqing University, Dalian University of Technology, Southeast University, Harbin Institute of Technology, South China University of Technology, Tianjin University, Tongji University and Northwestern Polytechnical University. Upholding the philosophy of “Pursuing Excellence and Resource Sharing”, the alliance is dedicated to driving higher education pedagogical reforms and jointly fostering exceptional talent. Following the Conference, Academician Jin-Guang Teng attended the UK-China Excellence University Presidents Forum held in Nanjing on 30 October. Hosted by Southeast University and with the theme “Breaking Education Borders for a New Global Future”, the Forum brought together leaders from over 20 premier universities across China and the UK, including the University of Oxford, the University of Cambridge and Tongji University, to share educational innovations, foster interdisciplinary synergy and explore new pathways for international collaboration in higher education in the AI era. Attending Panel One as the head of E9’s newest member university, Academician Jin-Guang Teng engaged in in-depth dialogue with Academician Sun Youhong, President of Southeast University; Prof. Sai Gu, Deputy Pro-Vice-Chancellor (East and South East Asia) of the University of Warwick; Prof. Zhao Xianzhong, Vice President of Tongji University; Prof. Matthew Grenby, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of Newcastle University; and Prof. Wang Bo, Vice President of the Beijing Institute of Technology. Centred on the theme “Transformation and Innovation: AI Revolution in Global Education”, the leaders explored institutional transition paths and future talent cultivation paradigms, with Prof. Teng sharing innovative PolyU practices in advancing towards a “Fourth-Generation University”. Academician Jin-Guang Teng highlighted that, with the advent of the AI era, higher education is transitioning from the traditional discipline-based and curiosity-driven paradigm towards a fourth-generation university model characterised by “demand-driven, problem-oriented, interdisciplinary and academia-industry collaboration”. PolyU’s strategic positioning as an innovative world-class university, alongside its educational goal of nurturing students through the vision of “value-led, competency-based, fostering proactive learning and embracing innovation”, exemplifies this developmental model. He further elaborated on PolyU’s forward-looking explorations in AI education: well before generative AI tools swept the globe, PolyU was a pioneer in incorporating AI into compulsory curricula for undergraduate students. Furthermore, the University launched its visionary “Education 4.0” initiative, integrating AI and smart technologies into teaching and learning to empower future-ready leaders capable of addressing emerging global challenges. During the Forum, participating universities released a joint initiative on reshaping the future of global education, establishing consensus on tackling shared challenges, deepening educational exchange, transforming talent training models, driving interdisciplinary innovation and building enduring dialogue mechanisms. PolyU remains steadfast in its aim of deepening collaboration with higher education in the Chinese Mainland and across the globe. Moving forward, the University will continue to demonstrate its unique advantages of being “rooted in Hong Kong, backed by the Motherland and connected to the world”, fostering cross-regional and interdisciplinary educational and scientific partnerships to contribute to higher education development locally, nationally and globally. ***END***

中鐵電氣化局訪問香港理工大學 攜手推動軌道交通創新發展 (Chinese only)

Chinese version only

SIIC delegation visits PolyU to deepen industry-academia-research collaboration and seize new opportunities arising from national development

A delegation from Shanghai Industrial Investment (Holdings) Co., Ltd (SIIC), led by Ms LENG Weiqing, Chairman of SIIC, visited The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) on 21 October. The delegation met with PolyU representatives, including Dr LAM Tai-fai, PolyU Council Chairman; Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, President; Prof. Christopher CHAO, Senior Vice President (Research and Innovation); Dr Ben LAU, Interim Vice President (Campus and Facilities); and Ms Amylia CHAN, Interim Director of Knowledge Transfer and Entrepreneurship. The two parties engaged in in-depth discussions on frontier fields including artificial intelligence (AI), biomedicine, green and low-carbon development, and smart cities. They explored opportunities for deepening collaboration in industry-academia-research innovation, the commercialisation of technological achievements and joint talent development, with a shared vision of leveraging the respective strengths of Shanghai and Hong Kong to seize the new opportunities arising from national development. Dr Lam Tai-fai extended a warm welcome to Ms Leng Weiqing and the SIIC delegation. He noted that PolyU would celebrate its 90th anniversary next year. As a patriotic university with affection for the Nation and Hong Kong, PolyU is committed to nurturing socially responsible talent with a strong sense of national pride and a global perspective, thereby serving society and contributing to the Nation. He added that, as a world-class innovative university, PolyU attached great importance to addressing the needs of industry and translating research outcomes into practical applications that enhance enterprise competitiveness. Dr Lam expressed his hope that PolyU and SIIC would join hands to deepen AI-driven educational innovation and transformation, foster the integration of frontier research with industrial applications, and advance the integrated development of education, technology and talent, thereby contributing to the Nation’s efforts to become a leading country in these fields. Prof. Jin-Guang Teng stated that, as a world-class innovative research university, PolyU proactively aligns itself with major national strategies to support Hong Kong’s development into an international innovation and technology hub. Upholding the principles of being “demand-driven, problem-oriented, interdisciplinary and integrating education with industry”, the University promotes original innovation and translates research into practical applications that serve industry and benefit society. Prof. Teng noted that PolyU had established 12 technology and innovation research institutes across various cities on the Chinese mainland, which together form a comprehensive innovation chain spanning basic research to enterprise incubation. He looked forward to deepening collaboration between both sides in fields such as life and health sciences and environmental engineering, thereby jointly accelerating the translation and commercialisation of research outcomes. Ms Leng Weiqing stated that SIIC adhered to the philosophy of being “founded on technology, strengthened by finance and driven by industry”. Leveraging resources in both Shanghai and Hong Kong as well as its full-cycle investment system, SIIC looked forward to deepening collaboration with PolyU in frontier research, commercialisation of research outcomes and financial empowerment. By combining the University’s research capabilities with SIIC’s industrial, capital and application-scenario resources, the two sides can complement each other’s strengths and achieve mutually beneficial outcomes. During the meeting, both sides also exchanged views on areas including health management, green and low-carbon development, and fund investment. Prof. Christopher Chao presented the vision and research directions of PolyU’s technology and innovation research institutes on the Chinese mainland. Mr HUANG Haiping, Vice President of SIIC, and Mr GU Feng, Chief Financial and Investment Officer of SIIC, shared the Group’s plans for the transformation of its property business, the development of eco-parks and joint Shanghai-Hong Kong property development in Hong Kong. They also outlined SIIC’s strategic plans for Shanghai-Hong Kong funds, the Hong Kong embodied intelligence super accelerator and the hydrogen energy industry in Hong Kong, exploring further opportunities for collaboration between the two sides. Following the meeting, the SIIC delegation, accompanied by Ms Amylia Chan, toured PolyU research facilities to learn more about the University’s research achievements in areas including generative AI and materials intelligence. A PolyU team led by Prof. YANG Hongxia, Executive Director of the PolyU Academy for Artificial Intelligence, demonstrated the “Collaborative Generative AI Platform”, independently developed by PolyU startup InfiX.ai. Meanwhile, Prof. ZHAO Haitao, Director of the PolyU Research Centre for Materials Intelligent Manufacturing, explained how the Centre’s materials intelligence project connects research needs, engineering design and equipment delivery to advance the development and application of new materials for the AI industry. The visit has strengthened ties between PolyU and SIIC, laying a solid foundation for university–enterprise collaborative innovation and industry-academia-research collaboration between Shanghai and Hong Kong. Looking ahead, both sides will leverage their respective strengths to deepen comprehensive collaboration, foster closer integration of technological innovation with industrial development and jointly serve the overall national development, thereby contributing to the Nation’s high-quality development. The SIIC delegation visited the Research Institute for Generative Artificial Intelligence under the PolyU Academy for Artificial Intelligence. At the PolyU Research Centre for Materials Intelligent Manufacturing, Prof. Zhao Haitao, Director of the Centre (1st from left) introduced the materials intelligence project to the SIIC delegation. ***END***

PolyU holds 32nd Congregation (Autumn Sessions), encouraging doctoral graduates to contribute to society through innovation

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) kicked off its 32nd Congregation (Autumn Sessions) today with a ceremony at the Jockey Club Auditorium on campus, at which 324 graduates were awarded Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree. The ceremony was presided over by PolyU Council Chairman Dr LAM Tai-fai and President Prof. Jin-Guang TENG. Prof. Jin-Guang Teng congratulated the doctoral graduates. He said, “Our Nation’s commitment to scientific and technological self-reliance and innovation-led growth, together with Hong Kong’s rapid development as an international innovation and technology hub, has created a vibrant landscape of opportunities for researchers and innovators. More than ever, society needs visionary leaders who can bridge the gap between frontier discovery and meaningful application.” He encouraged the graduates to seize the opportunities that present themselves and use their talents to serve our City, our Nation, and the world, living up to the PolyU motto, “To learn and to apply, for the benefit of mankind”. Speaking about PolyU’s development, Prof. Jin-Guang Teng said, “PolyU is committed to becoming an innovative world-class university that meets societal needs. Our strategic direction exemplifies what is known as a ‘fourth-generation university’: an institution that is demand-driven, problem-oriented, interdisciplinary in its approach and committed to academia-industry integration.” He added that PolyU was expanding its interdisciplinary platforms. Building on the success of its well-established PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research (PAIR), PolyU Academy for Artificial Intelligence (PAAI) and PolyU Aerospace Research Academy (PARA), the University plans to establish a fourth research academy, the PolyU Academy for Lifestyle Medicine and Health Technology (PALM). Leveraging the University’s track record of excellence in nursing, rehabilitation sciences, food science and nutrition, and other relevant disciplines, PALM will aim to be a world-leading innovative and impactful lifestyle medicine research institute that will contribute to improving quality of life across our Nation and beyond. To take the University’s innovation ecosystem to the next level of excellence, PolyU will also establish the School of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (SIE) in January 2027. The School is designed to be a launchpad that turns bold ideas into real-world ventures, incubating high-quality startups while cultivating a new generation of entrepreneurial leaders for our technology-driven era. PolyU will soon enter a historic chapter as it celebrates its 90th anniversary in 2027. Prof. Jin-Guang Teng invited the graduates to join the upcoming celebrations, while encouraging them “to lead with excellence, pioneer solutions to the world’s toughest challenges and build a better future for all.” The University is conferring academic awards on a total of 12,391 students this year, including 1 Doctor of Engineering honoris causa, 625 Doctor of Philosophy graduates, 223 professional doctorate graduates, 51 Master of Philosophy degree graduates, 6,886 taught master’s degree graduates, 4,594 bachelor’s degree graduates and 11 postgraduate diploma graduates. ***END***