Media Releases

PolyU showcases startup incubation and knowledge transfer excellence at Asia Summit on Global Health, advancing Hong Kong’s development into international health and medical innovation hub

Ageing populations and the growing prevalence of chronic diseases means demand for healthcare services continues to rise. The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is leveraging its strengths in interdisciplinary research by bringing together expertise in artificial intelligence (AI), healthcare and biomedical engineering to drive research and knowledge transfer, and support Hong Kong’s development into an international health and medical innovation hub. On 11 and 12 May, PolyU scholars, startups and research teams participated in the Asia Summit on Global Health (the Summit), engaging with experts, academics, investors and industry representatives from around the world through thematic forums, the InnoHealth Showcase exhibition and startup pitching sessions. The event provided a valuable platform for showcasing PolyU’s innovative research achievements in life sciences and healthcare technologies. Prof. Christopher CHAO, Senior Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU, served as the panel chair for the thematic session “Unlocking Growth in Silver Health: From Precision Medicine to Smart Ageing Innovations”. Together with industry experts from around the world, the panel shared their views on how precision medicine and smart technologies can be harnessed to improve quality of life for the elderly and to address social and economic challenges arising from an ageing population. Prof. Christopher Chao said, “Our participation today reflects PolyU’s steadfast commitment to becoming a global powerhouse in health technology. By combining our research excellence with a strong startup ecosystem, we are not just imagining the future of medtech—we are building it.” Prof. MA Cong, Associate Professor of the PolyU Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, joined the session “Transforming Healthcare through Digital Health and AI Innovations”. He shared insights into AI-driven drug discovery, including the key bottlenecks and potential risks in the field, and offered professional perspectives on how digital health and AI can drive healthcare innovation and facilitate the translation of research outcomes from the laboratory to clinical application. During the Summit, seven PolyU startups, three research teams, and The InnoHK Centre for Eye and Vision Research showcased a range of medical technology projects and startup achievements at the InnoHealth Showcase. These covered areas including ophthalmology and vision health, innovative therapeutics, biomedical treatment, smart medical devices, home-based rehabilitation and sports technology, as well as skin repair and medical aesthetic technologies. The exhibits highlighted PolyU research excellence in healthcare technology innovation and the University’s achievements in knowledge transfer. Meanwhile, three PolyU startups were invited to join dedicated pitching sessions to present their innovative technologies and application solutions to healthcare professionals, investors and business leaders. The sessions highlighted the commercial potential and development prospects of their projects, while also enabling participants to gain deeper insights into the practical value and societal impact of PolyU research outcomes. PolyU is dedicated to advancing innovation and entrepreneurship development that benefits the world. Through PolyVentures, its signature startup ecosystem, the University bolsters PolyU startups at every stage of their entrepreneurial journeys – from education and ideation to incubation, acceleration and fundraising. Through these efforts, PolyU strives to accelerate the commercialisation and industrialisation of research outcomes, thereby contributing to the advancement of healthcare technologies in Hong Kong and beyond. ***END***

PolyU presents Lifetime Achievement and Early Career Contribution Awards to two distinguished scholars at 2026 Yuen Ren Chao Prize in Language Science

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) proudly presented the 2026 Yuen Ren Chao Prize in Language Science at a presentation ceremony held on 8 May. Prof. Brian MACWHINNEY, Theresa Heinz Professor of Cognitive Psychology at Carnegie Mellon University, and Prof. Charles B. CHANG, Fellow of the Psychonomic Society, were bestowed with the Lifetime Achievement Award and the Early Career Contribution Award respectively for their remarkable achievements in and outstanding contributions to the field of language science. Initiated and hosted by the PolyU Faculty of Humanities (FH), the Yuen Ren Chao Prize in Language Science (the Chao Prize) is awarded on a biennial basis. Named in honour of the late Prof. Yuen Ren Chao, widely regarded as the father of modern Chinese language studies, the Chao Prize commemorates Prof. Chao’s interdisciplinary legacy and recognises scholarly excellence that advances language research and education. Addressing the ceremony, Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, PolyU President, noted, “The Chao Prize is perfectly aligned with PolyU’s motto, ‘To learn and to apply, for the benefit of mankind.’ It reflects the University’s pursuit of excellence in education and research, as well as its commitment to making positive impacts on Hong Kong, the nation and the world. At a time when artificial intelligence is transforming how people communicate, learn and create knowledge, language science plays a foundational role in helping us understand how people acquire and use language. The University recently established the Division of Artificial Intelligence and the Humanities under FH, reflecting our strong commitment to harnessing technology to enrich its humanity disciplines.”  This year, the Chao Prize is generously sponsored by PolyU Technology and Consultancy Company Limited (PTeC). Representing the patron, Prof. Christopher CHAO, PolyU Senior Vice President (Research and Innovation), stated, “The Chao Prize reflects PolyU’s strong commitment to research that is both scientifically rigorous and socially relevant. By translating academic excellence into practice, PTeC aims to create value beyond the University and make a lasting difference to industry and society.” Prof. HU Guangwei, Interim Dean of FH, highlighted the broader academic vision underpinning the Chao Prize and said, “This occasion is not only a celebration of the work of two outstanding scholars, but also a reflection of PolyU’s shared belief that humanistic knowledge is essential to innovation in an age increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence.” The two 2026 Yuen Ren Chao Prize in Language Science laureates are both internationally renowned scholars who have made significant contributions with far-reaching impact on language science research worldwide. Prof. Brian MacWhinney has been awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award for his lifetime of distinguished contributions to language science, encompassing integrative theoretical innovation, research infrastructure development and lasting international impact on the study of human language. At the forefront of language science research for over five decades, he pushes forward research addressing the complexity of human language by integrating experimental methods, large-scale data resources and theoretically motivated computational approaches. He is also the founding Director of the Child Language Data Exchange System and TalkBank, the world’s largest open-access integrated repository for spoken-language data. Prof. Brian MacWhinney has been awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award for this year’s Chao Prize. Prof. Charles B. Chang has been awarded the Early Career Contribution Award in recognition of his outstanding early career contributions to the study of bilingual speech and language development, as well as his demonstrated leadership and international impact in advancing language science. Through meticulous experimental phonetic analyses, he has demonstrated that a speaker’s first language can change under the influence of a second language within a relatively short period of time, leading a breakthrough in language science at the international level. His research continues to investigate factors that drive language change when multiple languages interact in the bilingual and multilingual mind, advancing understanding of cross‑linguistic influence, heritage language speech and the dynamic nature of multilingual sound systems. Prof. Charles B. Chang has been awarded the Early Career Contribution Award for this year’s Chao Prize. For biographies of the two laureates, please visit the website of the Yuen Ren Chao Prize in Language Science.   ***END***

PolyU Community Mental Health Support Programme Volunteer Appreciation Ceremony Concluded Successfully

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has dedicated significant efforts to supporting residents affected by the Wang Fuk Court fire in Tai Po. The School of Nursing formed a multidisciplinary volunteer team, mobilising faculty members, students and alumni to reach out to the community, offering tangible assistance and mental-health support to residents. In recognition of the team’s selfless contributions, the School organised a Community Mental Health Support Programme Volunteer Appreciation event on 30 April, aiming to encourage the University community to leverage its expertise and strengths for the benefit of society. The Ceremony was held on the PolyU campus and officiated by Dr LAM Ching-Choi, Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Mental Health (ACMH) and Non-Official Member of the Executive Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government of the People’s Republic of China; Mr Horace LIT, Executive Manager, Charities (Health; Older Adults) of The Hong Kong Jockey Club; Prof. Daniel SHEK, Associate Vice President (Undergraduate Programme) of PolyU; Dr Laura LO, Associate Vice President (Institutional Advancement); and Prof. David SHUM, Dean of the Faculty of Health and Social Sciences (FHSS). During his speech, Prof. Daniel Shek said, “We offer our deepest sympathies and heartfelt condolences to the residents of Wang Fuk Court. In the face of adversity, our community has come together to demonstrate care and resilience. It is truly moving to see the projects’ implementation today as an excellent demonstration of PolyU’s motto: ‘To learn and to apply, for the benefit of mankind’. We have always believed that academic excellence only finds its true meaning through civic responsibility and compassionate action.” Prof. David Shum remarked, “The Community Mental Health Support Programme has demonstrated the power of collaboration, bringing together healthcare professionals, community partners, housing-site operators and volunteers to provide holistic care.” The PolyU volunteer team comprised over 100 FHSS alumni—including psychiatric nurses, occupational therapists and social workers—exemplifying the University’s strong interdisciplinary strengths. In addition to distributing over 1,000 relief supply packages to affected residents, the volunteers leveraged their professional expertise to offer immediate and comprehensive health, emotional and social support in helping affected residents to rebuild their lives. Prof. Vivian HUI, Assistant Professor of the School of Nursing, the Community Mental Health Support Programme Leader and a member at ACMH, expressed her gratitude to the volunteers for their professional support and selfless contributions. She said, “We are grateful for the support of the PolyU team that includes professionals from different fields. They have leveraged their knowledge and rich experience to give back to society. With their shared efforts, we have been able to provide residents with timely and comprehensive care, addressing their physical, psychological and social needs. The Programme also equipped the team with valuable hands-on experience, further enhancing their professional competencies and fostering personal growth.” Since mid-December last year, the School of Nursing has partnered with seven government and non-governmental organisations to organise volunteer visits to 12 rehousing sites, including transitional housing and residential units managed by the Hong Kong Housing Society, providing support to over 1,200 residents. Over the past three months, the volunteer team has addressed residents’ needs through community outreach. Occupational therapists offered advice on lifestyle adjustment and routine reconstruction by, for example, enhancing fall-prevention awareness among older adults in response to changes in their home and living environments. Social workers advised residents on essential coping skills to help them manage the challenges brought about by life changes while maintaining mental well-being as they integrate into new communities. Psychiatric nurses identified residents experiencing negative emotions, insomnia or related difficulties, and provided counselling and follow-up support. In view of the significant impact of the first Community Mental Health Support Programme, the Programme will continue in 2026-2027. This new phase will focus on monitoring and provide transitional mental health support for residents through a tiered-service model, while also formulating long-term mental health support strategies through data analysis. The aim is to strengthen society’s resilience in navigating major incidents in the future. To date, around 300 residents have completed comprehensive mental health screenings. The team has also organised 10 workshops on topics such as insomnia and psychological resilience, and has referred more than 10 cases to clinical psychologists, psychiatrists and Integrated Community Centres for Mental Wellness for follow-up. Three volunteers representing psychiatric nurses, occupational therapists and social workers, respectively, together with a housing operator from the Hong Kong Housing Society, shared their service experiences. The PolyU multidisciplinary volunteer team posed for a group photo. ***END***  

PolyU hosts Hong Kong New Energy Development Symposium, uniting academia, industry and researchers to chart a future development blueprint

Amid global efforts to combat climate change, Hong Kong is positioning itself within the Nation’s “Carbon Peaking and Carbon Neutrality” strategy and the green development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA). To support Hong Kong’s goal of achieving carbon neutrality before 2050, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU)’s Policy Research Centre for Innovation and Technology (PReCIT), together with its Research Centre for Electric Vehicles (RCEV), today hosted the Hong Kong New Energy Development Symposium. The event brought together leading experts, academics and industry representatives to discuss a systematic development blueprint for key areas including electric vehicle (EV) adoption, smart charging, hydrogen infrastructure, and the low-altitude economy. Experts emphasised that Hong Kong must progress from the pilot phase to scaled delivery as it aims to become a key hub for green transformation in the GBA through grid upgrades, collaborative standard-setting, and industry chain cooperation. In his opening address, Prof. Christopher CHAO, Senior Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU and Director of PReCIT, stated that Hong Kong’s new energy transition must be centred on the carrying capacity of the power system to enable a comprehensive rollout. Prof. Chao highlighted that the widespread adoption of EVs is the most visible aspect of the energy transition, yet it faces bottlenecks such as uneven charging experiences and grid load pressure. He proposed three key strategies: first, adopting a demand-driven approach to “address regional gaps”, setting clear targets and timelines for areas with charging shortages or rapid growth, and ensuring fairness between fast and residential charging; second, promoting “smart charging and demand-side management” to alleviate peak loads through off-peak charging and grid coordination; and third, accelerating the “coordinated deployment of green power and energy storage” to increase the proportion of local zero-carbon electricity and ensure verifiable emission reduction benefits. During the keynote session, Prof. CHAU Kwok-tong, Co-Director of RCEV of PolyU and Chair Professor of Electrical Energy Engineering, analysed the competition among global charging standards and the trend towards wireless charging. He emphasised that infrastructure and interoperability would be key to EV adoption. Prof. Chau noted that global EV penetration was accelerating rapidly, yet charging infrastructure lags and remained uneven. Competition among standards reflects fragmented global approaches. Meanwhile, wireless charging, though less mature, promises convenience and autonomy compared with wired systems. Dr Oscar CHAN Ka-chung, Research Assistant Professor of the PolyU Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering and PReCIT, further pointed out that transitioning to new energy vehicles was not only about vehicle replacement—it is a transformation of infrastructure and systems engineering. Battery EVs are well-suited for light‑duty use, but for heavy‑duty, high‑intensity operations, Hong Kong should balance battery and hydrogen options based on real-world duty cycles. Smarter planning of charging locations and capacity is needed—leveraging GIS, demand data and dynamic load management—while accelerating the provision of cleaner electricity and grid upgrades. Through coordinated policy and engineering efforts, emissions can be cut and transport efficiency improved together. Prof. LIU Chunhua, Chair Professor in Electrical Energy Engineering of School of Energy and Environment at City University of Hong Kong, showcased Hong Kong’s Research and Development strengths in electric motor systems for low-altitude aircraft. He believes that with innovation, technology, and policy support, the low-altitude economy and robotics industry can be advanced within the GBA. Prof. Liu conducted in-depth analysis of the topologies and application characteristics of various novel motor systems, and further explored their application prospects in propulsion systems for low-altitude aircraft, as well as the opportunities and development trends in robotic joint actuation. Mr David SO, Executive Director of CCIAM E&E Engineering Limited, expressed his view that EVs are a key pathway for Hong Kong’s transition towards low-carbon mobility. Their development depends not only on wider vehicle adoption, but also on the maturity of charging infrastructure, energy management, policy support and user behaviour. In the face of both opportunities and challenges, a more practical and innovative approach should be taken to build a more efficient, convenient, and sustainable EV ecosystem. A panel discussion, moderated by Prof. Alfred SIT Wing-hang, Professor of Practice (Electrical Engineering) of the PolyU Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering and Advisory Committee Member of PReCIT, focused on “Technology Commercialisation and Industrialisation”. Participants agreed on the need to refine its policies and infrastructure, and build a new energy supply chain encompassing upstream production and downstream application to enhance energy security and industrial competitiveness. In his closing remarks, the Hon. Duncan CHIU, Member of the Legislative Council (Technology and Innovation Constituency) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, referred to the ongoing tensions in the Middle East, which highlight the pressing challenges facing Hong Kong's energy security and green transition. He argued that, whilst the Government must refine its policies and infrastructure, industry had to establish an extensive supply chain, spanning from upstream production, midstream distribution and storage, to downstream applications; only through coordinated efforts could the widespread adoption of new energy be achieved. The Symposium underscored that Hong Kong’s energy transition is not merely a matter of technological upgrade, but a systematic evolution in development philosophy and urban governance. From grid-coordinated charging layouts and green power-storage integration to regional supply chain collaboration, participants outlined a scalable pathway for Hong Kong that is rooted locally and synergistic with the GBA. PolyU remains committed to fostering cross-sector collaboration to support Hong Kong’s development into a green, smart and resilient international exemplar city. ***END***

PolyU implements innovative, personalised healthcare pedagogies with AI and frontier technologies to advance the PolyU Education 4.0 initiative

In response to rapid advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and a changing educational landscape, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has launched its PolyU Education 4.0 initiative, aiming to transform learning and teaching by integrating frontier technologies including AI, the metaverse and immersive experiences into a student-centred approach that fosters innovation and promotes the widespread use of AI and cutting-edge educational technologies in learning and teaching.   In the field of healthcare education, there is a growing global shift towards competency-based and interprofessional education, creating a pressing need for more effective and innovative educational models. The PolyU Department of Health Technology and Informatics (HTI) is proactively leveraging AI and various frontier technologies to reshape healthcare technology education and implement the PolyU Education 4.0 initiative. Prof. CAI Jing, Head and Chair Professor of Medical Physics and Intelligent Oncology of HTI, said, “The PolyU Education 4.0 initiative represents a major shift in how we approach education, emphasising personalised, interactive and flexible teaching that enables students to achieve autonomous learning. Transformative technologies like AI are fundamentally reshaping healthcare education and clinical training. We are committed to integrating these cutting-edge technologies into learning and teaching to overcome the limitations of traditional clinical education and to elevate both the effectiveness and quality of healthcare technology training. Our goal is to nurture a new generation of healthcare technology professionals who combine technical expertise with innovative thinking and practical capabilities — graduates who will drive sustainable advancement in the healthcare technology sector across Hong Kong, the Nation and the world.” Among the Department’s initiatives is the AI-powered Learning Activity Management System (LAMS), led by Prof. WONG Chi-ming, Associate Professor of HTI. LAMS transforms the traditional approach of providing identical materials to all students by offering personalised, syllabus-aligned learning pathways for each student. The system maintains full instructor control throughout the entire teaching process, from defining learning outcomes to approving materials, while leveraging AI to generate personalised content, provide real-time performance analytics, and offer automated feedback and progress tracking. This enables students to study independently, collaborate with peers or receive AI-guided tutoring while enabling teachers to maintain comprehensive oversight of the learning process. Early evaluation indicates that LAMS effectively enhances student engagement and learning outcomes. In the realm of immersive pedagogy, the Metaverse Imaging Anatomy Gallery, created by Prof. Helen LAW Ka-wai, Associate Head of HTI, is reimagining anatomical education. The platform harnesses the metaverse, dialogue and gamification to transform passive study into an active, three-dimensional virtual reality experience that facilitates authentic collaborative learning, breaking through the limitations of traditional two-dimensional online learning. Students can explore an interactive digital learning environment at their own pace, moving beyond static diagrams to engage with educational content in innovative ways. For instance, they can navigate through the medical imaging anatomy module, visualising the human body layer by layer in ways impossible with textbooks. The platform features an integrated AI chatbot that serves as a 24-hour guide, answering questions and providing instant feedback. This innovative approach is enhancing student engagement and deepening their understanding of complex anatomical concepts. The Metaverse Imaging Anatomy Gallery, developed by Prof. Helen Law Ka-wai The Hybrid Immersive Virtual Environment Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (HiVE CPR) Drill, jointly developed by Prof. Shara LEE Wee-yee, Associate Professor of HTI, and a research team of the PolyU Industrial Centre, challenges the common misconception that immersive environments are unsuitable for large-scale practical skills training. This immersive skills training system provides a highly realistic simulation of a mass casualty traffic accident on Nathan Road, complete with ambient street noise and up to eight wireless manikins, each with individually configurable physiological conditions. This innovative approach enables a cohort of 120 students to complete high-quality, hands-on CPR practice within a single two-hour session by rotating through multiple training stations in small groups, achieving a scale of clinical training that conventional approaches simply cannot match. Students must complete multiple tasks in simulated emergency and high-pressure scenarios, including calling for emergency assistance, performing CPR and using an automated external defibrillator. Upon completion, the system displays real-time performance data immediately and provides each student with individualised feedback on their compression depth, rate and interruptions. Participating students report that the simulation effectively enhances their confidence in performing CPR and significantly increases their willingness to voluntarily assist casualties in future emergencies. This attitudinal shift holds great significance for safeguarding public health and safety. The Hybrid Immersive Virtual Environment CPR (HiVE CPR) Drill, jointly developed by Prof. Shara Lee Wee-yee and a research team of the PolyU Industrial Centre HTI focuses on academic excellence in its “4M” core educational areas: medical laboratory science, medical imaging and radiation science, medical physics and medical data science. With state-of-the-art teaching facilities and advanced technologies, the Department is fully committed to enhancing teaching quality and strengthening clinical education, providing solid support for the transformation of healthcare education and continuing to implement the PolyU Education 4.0 initiative through multiple innovative pedagogical approaches. Prof. Cai added that all innovative teaching initiatives implemented by the Department were driven by clear educational objectives, aimed at extensively applying emerging technologies to improve the quality and effectiveness of learning and teaching. The Department will continue to deepen the practical application of the PolyU Education 4.0 initiative, further refine its teaching facilities, platforms and pedagogical approaches, provide exemplary practices for the future development of healthcare and clinical education, and make greater contributions to nurturing the next generation of healthcare technology professionals.   ***END***

PolyU honours Harbin Institute of Technology President and Member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences Prof. Han Jiecai at its 32nd Congregation

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) held its 32nd Congregation (May Session) today, presided over by PolyU Council Chairman Dr LAM Tai-fai. At the ceremony held in the Jockey Club Auditorium on campus, the degree of Doctor of Engineering honoris causa was conferred upon Prof. HAN Jiecai, President of the Harbin Institute of Technology and Member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (please refer to the Appendix for the recipient’s biography), while 301 graduates were awarded the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). PolyU President Prof. Jin-Guang Teng extended his warmest congratulations to Prof. Han and all the PhD graduates. In a time when artificial intelligence (AI) and new technologies are reshaping the world at an extraordinary pace, he encouraged the graduates not merely to keep pace with change, but also to help shape it in ways that bring meaningful benefits to humanity, carrying forward the PolyU spirit of innovation and excellence, and making a positive difference in the world. He added, “As an innovative world-class university, PolyU not only pursues world-leading basic research but also aims to be a world leader in translating its research into impactful solutions and innovations that address pressing societal challenges. To fulfil this goal, the University has established the PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research (PAIR) and the PolyU Academy for Artificial Intelligence (PAAI). At the same time, the University has also established a network of 12 Mainland Translational Research Institutes (MTRIs) in key cities across the Chinese Mainland to translate PolyU research outcomes into high-impact solutions that meet local industrial and societal needs. Looking ahead, the PolyU Aerospace Research Academy (PARA) will be established this year, strengthening PolyU’s role as a pioneer in cutting-edge aerospace solutions and reinforcing Hong Kong’s standing as a leading international aviation hub.” Prof. Teng stated that the University was determined to lead and to innovate in the realm of education and had launched the PolyU Education 4.0 initiative, which transforms learning and teaching by integrating AI and smart technologies into a student-centred educational model that fosters innovation, enables personalised learning, and empowers students to succeed in an AI-driven world. Prof. Teng noted that PolyU will soon celebrate its 90th anniversary. To mark this historic milestone, the University has launched a major recruitment drive to attract 90 world-class scholars who lead in frontier fields to join PolyU over the next three years. This is a bold investment that will further strengthen the University’s talent base and reinforce PolyU’s standing as an academic institution that is home to some of the world’s leading minds. This Congregation Session (May Session) was held for the presentation of awards to PhD students who graduated between October 2025 and March 2026. The Congregation Sessions for PhD students who graduated between April and September 2026, as well as for graduates of all other award levels, including professional doctoral degrees, Master of Philosophy degrees, taught master’s degrees, bachelor’s degrees and postgraduate diplomas will be conducted from late October this year. ***END***

PolyU and Linkerbot collaborate to advance embodied AI research, pioneering innovation in smart manufacturing and robotics technologies

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and Linkerbot Beijing Technology Co., Ltd. (Linkerbot) yesterday (29 April) signed a framework cooperation agreement to promote cutting-edge research and technological innovation in embodied artificial intelligence (AI). The two parties will explore conducting joint research on frontier technologies in this field, including AI-driven dexterous hands, vision-language-action (VLA) models, and integrated flexible sensing and actuation systems, with a view to accelerating technology iteration and translation, and injecting fresh impetus into the development of smart manufacturing, robotics and other related industries. At the signing ceremony held on the PolyU campus, the cooperation agreement was signed by Prof. ZHENG Zijian, Vice President (Knowledge Transfer) of PolyU, and Ms ZUO Jiaping, Co-founder and Vice President of Linkerbot. Prof. Xiaowen FU, Chair Professor of Logistics Engineering and Head of the PolyU Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, PolyU scholars who will participate in the collaborative projects, and representatives from the Linkerbot research outreach division, also attended the ceremony to celebrate the collaboration. Embodied AI has been incorporated into the country’s future industry plan and was identified as a new economic growth driver in the Outline of the National “15th Five-Year Plan,” demonstrating immense potential for industrialising related technologies. Prof. Zheng Zijian said, “PolyU is committed to advancing pioneering scientific research and fostering deep industry-university-research collaboration. Building on this partnership, the University will capitalise on its robust research strengths in AI, materials science and sensing technologies, and synergise with Linkerbot’s specialised expertise in dexterous robotic hardware and real-world commercial deployment, overcoming critical technical bottlenecks in embodied intelligence.” Ms Zuo Jiaping said, “Linkerbot is driven by ‘Clever Hands Create Everything’ and the philosophy of ‘One Million Hands, One Million Skills’, empowering robots with true dexterous manipulation. Harnessing PolyU’s world-class strengths in AI, materials science and flexible sensing, this collaboration will focus on skill learning and generalisation, end-to-end multimodal synergy, and flexible sensing and exoskeleton technologies. Leveraging the advantages of the Greater Bay Area, we will accelerate the transition of embodied AI from the laboratory to real-world scenarios, injecting new momentum into Hong Kong’s development as an international innovation and technology hub, and the upgrading of the Nation’s intelligent manufacturing sector.” PolyU possesses solid fundamental research capabilities and high-calibre talent in the field of embodied AI, while Linkerbot boasts rich expertise in its technology development, adoption and marketisation. The two parties will foster comprehensive collaboration across research, knowledge transfer and industrial applications, creating an innovation ecosystem that integrates industry, academia, research and application. The first phase of the joint projects will cover areas such as human-robot collaboration based on AI and dexterous hands, synergy of skill primitive learning and vision-language-tactile models, VLA foundation models, and integrated flexible sensing and actuation systems for intelligent assistive exoskeletons. Building on this collaboration, PolyU and Linkerbot will actively respond to the national strategy of empowering all sectors with AI and of promoting the deep integration of the real and digital economies. The partnership advances efforts to fuel the development of embodied AI and smart manufacturing, and to drive technology breakthroughs and translation in key areas such as dexterous manipulation and human-robot collaboration, contributing to the Nation’s technological innovation.   ***END***

PolyU research reveals hidden health risks from urban airborne microbes: low concentration of bacterial toxins may trigger nearly 20% of inflammatory responses, while drug-resistant fungi may spread with the wind

Public concern about air pollution has traditionally centred on chemical pollutants such as vehicle exhaust and industrial emissions found in fine particulate matter (PM2.5). However, researchers at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) have discovered that seemingly insignificant microbial components in the air, including bacteria, fungi, viruses and cellular debris, pose a long-overlooked health hazard. The research revealed that, although accounting for less than one-millionth of the total mass of PM2.5, bacterial endotoxins can trigger inflammatory responses in the human respiratory system in nearly 20% of cases. The research team also detected drug-resistant fungi in urban air, raising further public health concerns. A PolyU research team comprising Prof. JIN Ling, Assistant Professor of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and the Department of Health Technology and Informatics, Prof. Polly LEUNG, Professor of the Department of Health Technology and Informatics, and their jointly supervised PhD student, Ms Jinyan YU, conducted a systematic analysis of the microbial components in PM2.5. The study showed that the microbial constituents of PM2.5 are predominantly bacteria. Among them, a structural component of bacterial cell walls known as endotoxin accounts for less than 0.0001% of the total mass of PM2.5, yet triggers up to 17% of inflammatory response. Its toxicity-to-mass contribution ratio is the highest of all known PM2.5 components. In other words, to effectively reduce the health risks posed by air pollution, the key may not lie in lowering the overall PM2.5 mass, but in precisely targeting and controlling these highly toxic trace components. The findings have been published in the academic journal Environmental Science & Technology. Prof. Jin Ling noted, “Traditional air quality management has largely focused on reducing the overall PM2.5 level. However, as major pollution sources such as industrial and vehicular emissions decline due to global clean-air initiatives, previously overlooked microbial pollutants will play an increasingly important role in future public health risk management. Accurately identifying these toxic components and their sources will help safeguard public health.” In addition to the health risks posed by bacteria, Prof. Jin Ling is also concerned about the threat posed by airborne fungi. In another study published in Environmental Science & Technology Letters, Prof. Jin, Dr Franklin CHOW, Research Assistant Professor of the Department of Health Technology and Informatics, and their jointly supervised Postdoctoral Fellow Dr Chunlan FAN and PhD student Mr Tian CHEN, analysed Candida species commonly found in respirable suspended particulates (PM10) in urban areas, exploring how they are carried and transmitted and then cause infections in the community. Candida species are classified by the World Health Organization as priority pathogens and their potential health risks have drawn global attention. The research team identified multidrug-resistant Candida parapsilosis in urban air and revealed its close genetic links to clinical strains from infected individuals. This suggests that the general public may be exposed to drug-resistant fungi through everyday breathing or skin contact with the air. The research also revealed that Candida species are seasonally prevalent in urban ambient air and widely distributed in anthropogenic settings such as wastewater treatment facilities, healthcare environments and ventilation systems in residential buildings. Notably, Candida parapsilosis showed exceptionally strong environmental resilience and drug resistance, making it a major pathogenic fungal threat in urban air. Prof. Jin said, “The spread of drug-resistant fungi in both environmental and clinical settings, alongside a growing at-risk population worldwide, highlights antifungal resistance as a critical global environmental health issue. Moving forward, the team will identify urban-specific fungal reservoirs and investigate conditions that promote drug resistance and model airborne transmission pathways, providing a scientific basis for developing more effective public health strategies.” ***END***

PolyU JUPAS Admissions Q&A 2026 to be held in early May, featuring on-campus and online activities to provide up-to-date programme information

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) will hold the PolyU JUPAS Admissions Q&A 2026 in early May. Designed specifically for current JUPAS applicants, the event will provide latest programme information and hands-on advice, in person and online, enabling students to re-evaluate and refine their programme choices before the mid-to-late July modification deadline. The event will feature a rich array of on-campus and online activities, as well as the Whiz Team—a dynamic group comprising staff from the PolyU Academic Registry, professors, programme representatives and student representatives—who will provide participants with practical, wide-ranging advice. On 9 May (Saturday), the PolyU campus will come alive with nearly 40 diverse sessions, including an admission talk organised by the Academic Registry which will cover the latest admission updates, flexible admissions arrangements and JUPAS strategies, as well as programme seminars and consultations hosted by various faculties and departments, during which prospective applicants can seek advice directly from professors and programme representatives. In addition, a group of student representatives will be on hand to share interview tips and first-hand experience of campus life, while guided tours will be arranged so that applicants can get a taste of the PolyU learning environment. From 11 to 13 May, individual faculties and departments will further offer online talks and consultation sessions, allowing applicants to access programme information conveniently. PolyU has adopted a flexible undergraduate admissions strategy to offer students a greater variety of programme options, while launching programmes across various emerging fields to better meet society’s talent needs. The University allows students to 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 or school before making their choice of study path. For 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 offer the BSc (Hons) in Language Science and Technology. Meanwhile, the University will continue to offer the Bachelor’s Degree Scheme in Interdisciplinary Studies. Students admitted to this scheme will be able to explore programmes from different faculties and schools before deciding on their majors, allowing for more self-directed and flexible learning. To foster students’ global perspectives, PolyU will continue to offer an additional HK$30,000 overseas exchange funding to all undergraduate students who receive an academic Entry Scholarship, supporting their participation in student exchange programmes. The University’s goal is for all undergraduates graduating in the 2027/28 academic year and thereafter to engage in at least one non-local learning experience before graduation. For more information on the PolyU JUPAS Admissions Q&A 2026 and to register, please visit: www.polyu.edu.hk/conday   ***END***

PolyU SHTM and THINK CHINA joint study offers strategic insights into capturing value of Chinese Mainland tourists in Hong Kong and Macao

As cross‑border travel between Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong and Macao continues to normalise, the challenge for both cities has moved beyond simply restoring visitor volumes to monetising evolving travel patterns characterised by shorter stays, increased price sensitivity and more deliberate spending behaviour. The School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), in collaboration with THINK CHINA, today released the findings of a joint research study examining the spending habits, mobility patterns and value created by Chinese Mainland tourists in Hong Kong and Macao. Led by Prof. Kam HUNG, Principal Investigator and SHTM Professor; Prof. Tony TSE, Co‑Investigator and SHTM Professor of Practice; and Mr Benjamin SUN, Co‑Investigator and Managing Director of THINK CHINA, the study addresses a critical shift in the post‑pandemic recovery tourism landscape and translates empirical findings into strategic, forward‑looking recommendations for destination managers, tourism operators and policymakers. The study draws on a rigorous mixed‑method research design, combining enhanced survey instrumentation with strict data‑quality controls. A total of 3,209 valid responses were analysed, from 1,928 Chinese Mainland visitors to Hong Kong and 1,281 to Macao, enabling a detailed, segmented analysis of the spending, shopping behaviour, mobility and decision‑making of Chinese Mainland tourists. Key findings from the study include the following. Chinese Mainland visitors should not be treated as a single demand pool Proximity drives visit frequency but not necessarily value. Same‑day visitors, predominantly from the Greater Bay Area, show significantly higher repeat visit rates, while overnight visitors remain the primary drivers of immediate per‑trip value due to their broader participation in shopping, dining, accommodation and experiential activities. The research advocates a shift from traffic‑based thinking to conversion‑based thinking: same-day visitors should be seen as a repeat-customer base with lifetime-value potential, whereas overnight visitors should be targeted for deeper cross-category spend. Accommodation choice emerges as a powerful commercial signal Travellers who combine star‑rated and non‑star‑rated stays show longer stays and stronger spending performance, indicating a trend of selective premiumisation rather than simple budget constraints. Luxury shoppers remain the clearest high‑value segment, though value creation differs across destinations In Hong Kong, luxury spending produces a step‑change in total expenditure, driven by fashion‑led baskets and large‑ticket purchases concentrated in established luxury districts such as Central, Tsim Sha Tsui and Causeway Bay. In Macao, premium demand is most evident on the Macao Peninsula and, in particular, the Cotai Strip, where integrated resort environments amplify luxury intensity. Beauty and family shoppers represent scalable value pools Beauty shoppers sit within an affordable‑premium band and are responsive to trust‑building, curated content and digital touchpoints. Family travellers, while not always the highest spenders on a per‑capita basis, generate economic impact through larger baskets and wider category participation across attractions, dining, accommodation and household‑related purchases. They offer a wider commercial reach than luxury shoppers while supporting conversion levers. The study underscores that shopping demand is not fixed, but can be shaped through better‑designed visitor journeys, improved information accessibility, reduced transaction friction and stronger ecosystem integration among tourism, retail, hospitality, attractions, events and transport. Crucially, Hong Kong and Macao should not follow identical strategic playbooks. Hong Kong’s strength lies in its citywide retail connectivity, long-standing brand trust and the efficient conversion of short, multi‑stop trips into shopping and dining spend. Macao’s competitive advantage lies in ecosystem integration, where gaming, entertainment, MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions), concerts, resort stays and retail can be orchestrated into unified total‑spend pathways. Prof. Kam Hung remarked, “Destinations that succeed in the next phase of competition will be those that shift away from treating visitors as mere footfall and instead manage them as distinct, monetisable customer segments.” Mr Benjamin Sun added, “It’s time to rethink Hong Kong and Macao beyond geographic borders. A decade ago, our consumer markets were clearly defined; today, seamless movement across the Greater Bay Area has blurred those lines. Locals remain the foundation, but GBA visitors should be seen as a natural extension of our core audience. The real opportunity lies in understanding the distinct segments within this expanded market—and activating them with precision and frequency. Those who act decisively will unlock the next wave of growth across tourism and retail.” Prof. Kaye CHON, SHTM Dean, Chair Professor and Walter and Wendy Kwok Family Foundation Professor in International Hospitality Management, said, “This research underscores the importance of moving beyond volume‑driven thinking towards value‑oriented destination management. By bridging academic research and industry practice, we aim to help the industry and policymakers navigate shifting visitor behaviours and strengthen long‑term competitiveness.” To view the full report, please download it here. ***END***