Media Releases

PolyU cross-cultural psychology research on COVID-19 receives Higher Education Outstanding Scientific Research Output Award from the Ministry of Education

A psychology research project led by Prof. Sylvia CHEN, Limin Professor in Social and Cultural Psychology, Chair Professor of Social and Cultural Psychology of the Department of Applied Social Sciences at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), and Director of Yan Oi Tong Au Suet Ming Child Development Centre, has received the Second-class Award (Books and Research Papers category) of the 10th Higher Education Outstanding Scientific Research Output Awards (Humanities and Social Sciences) conferred by the Ministry of Education. The award recognises the PolyU scholar’s outstanding academic contribution to understanding human psychological and behavioural responses during the COVID-19 pandemic. The award-winning project, “Global Consciousness Predicts Behavioral Responses to the COVID-19 Pandemic: Empirical Evidence From 35 Cultures”, focused on the scientific question of “how individual psychological consciousness influences cross-cultural behavioural responses” in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic as a global public health crisis. Based on the psychological construct “Global Orientation” developed by Prof. Chen and her team, a two-dimensional framework of “Global Consciousness - National Consciousness” was proposed, revealing the dual psychological mechanisms of cooperation and defensiveness that co-exist in humans during crises. Through large-scale empirical research across 35 countries and regions, this project examined the predictive role of the psychological mechanisms of globalisation in behavioural responses to the pandemic and found the moderating effect of the degree of globalisation, providing evidence for understanding differential social behaviour during the pandemic. The results showed that both global consciousness and national consciousness positively predicted perceived risk of coronavirus and concern about coronavirus. While global consciousness positively predicted prosocial behaviours that benefit others and society as a whole, national consciousness was more likely to drive defensive behaviours, such as cultural exclusion. Prof. Chen said, “I am honoured to receive this national-level award, which recognises the cross-cultural impacts of our research on human behavioural responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. This recognition affirms our commitment to advancing social psychology and deepening our understanding of cooperative and exclusionary behaviours, offering empirical implications for building more cohesive and resilient societies.” Prof. Chen expressed special thanks to her collaborators from PolyU and other institutions, including Prof. Jacky NG, Prof. Bryant HUI, Dr Algae AU, Dr Ben LAM, Dr Wesley WU, Prof. Ngai PUN, Prof. Peter BEATTIE, Prof. Christian WELZEL, and the late Prof. James LIU. The Higher Education Outstanding Scientific Research Output Awards (Humanities and Social Sciences) is the most reputable and influential award in the field of philosophy and social sciences across China. Established in 1995, the Award is conferred every three years, targeting higher education institutions nationwide. It aims to motivate researchers in these institutions who have made significant contributions to research in humanities and social sciences, to encourage active exploration into the unknown and innovation, and to promote the development of humanities and social sciences in higher education. Prof. Chen was also elected as a Fellow of The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) in 2024. TWAS is a global science academy based in Trieste, Italy, dedicated to promoting scientific capacity and excellence for sustainable development in developing countries. ***END***

PolyU study reveals tropical cyclone rainfall extending further inland and warming nearshore waters increasing inland flood risks

A research team at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has found that the area affected by tropical cyclone (TC) rainfall is extending inland along Northern Hemisphere coasts at an average rate of approximately 3.8 kilometres per decade. Driven by rising nearshore sea-surface temperature (SST), this shift is increasing disaster risks for inland regions. While extensive research has examined TC rainfall intensity, accumulation and frequency under a warming climate, comprehensive global-scale quantitative analysis of whether the area affected by TC rainfall is extending inland and the role of nearshore SST warming in this shift has remained limited. To address this gap, Prof. Yi-Qing NI, Yim, Mak, Kwok & Chung Professor in Smart Structures and Chair Professor of Smart Structures and Rail Transit of the PolyU Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, together with Research Fellow Dr E DENG and their research team, analysed global TC and rainfall data from 1980 to 2023. Combining these data with numerical simulations and climate model analyses, the team assessed trends in the inland extension of TC rainfall. Prof. Ni said, “Our research shows that heavy TC rainfall, defined as at least 30 millimetres within three hours, is extending further inland along Northern Hemisphere coasts at a rate of approximately 3.8 ± 1.8 kilometres per decade, affecting areas more than 100 kilometres from the coastline. These areas have historically been less affected by such disasters and often lack adequate flood protection infrastructure and emergency preparedness. Comprehensive measures to strengthen disaster preparedness and infrastructure planning should therefore be taken at an early opportunity.” The team found a close relationship between the inland extension of heavy TC rainfall and rising nearshore SST. Experiments using the Weather Research and Forecasting model showed that warmer nearshore waters increase moisture in the lower atmosphere while strengthening differences in airflow between land and sea. These changes alter atmospheric conditions from coastal to inland areas after TC landfall, making it easier for heavy rainfall to persist and develop further inland. The study also found that when the influence of nearshore SST warming was statistically removed from the data analysis, the trend towards inland extension of heavy TC rainfall almost entirely disappeared, highlighting the critical role of ocean warming. Analysis of global climate simulations from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6), coordinated by the World Climate Research Programme, indicated that the warming trend in nearshore SST is primarily associated with human-induced greenhouse gas emissions. The inland extension of heavy TC rainfall is particularly evident in the western North Atlantic, the Bay of Bengal and the western North Pacific. Stronger signals were also identified in the southeastern United States, southeastern Mexico, eastern and southeastern India, Bangladesh, eastern and southeastern China, and the Indochina Peninsula. These findings highlight the need to monitor more closely changes in TC-related flood risks affecting inland communities and infrastructure in these regions. Dr Deng said, “By establishing a clear link between the inland extension of TC rainfall and rising nearshore SST, this research provides a physical basis for predicting changes in TC rainfall patterns under a warming climate. The team will next investigate how factors such as human-induced heat emissions and aerosols interact with ocean warming to influence TC rainfall and flood risks across different regions.” The findings have direct implications for climate adaptation, urban planning and disaster management. As flood risks associated with TC extend inland, relevant authorities should review flood hazard zoning, drainage and flood protection design standards, land-use planning, and early warning and emergency response arrangements. The team emphasised that future disaster preparedness planning should account for the combined effects of climate warming and urban expansion to strengthen the resilience of cities and other communities to extreme weather. The study has been published in the international journal Nature Communications and is supported by the Research Grants Council’s Theme-based Research Scheme 2023/24, with the aim of fostering sustainable urban development. ***END***

481 PolyU scholars ranked among World’s Top 2% Most-cited Scientists 2026

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has achieved outstanding results in the latest list of the World’s Top 2% Most-cited Scientists 2026, compiled by Stanford University. Notably, 274 scholars were included based on their career-long citation impact. Together with the scholars named for their single-year citation impact, a total of 481 PolyU scholars have been recognised this year. This places PolyU second among Hong Kong’s universities in terms of the number of scholars listed, underscoring the international recognition of the University’s research excellence. The career-long citation impact is calculated based on citations to scholars’ publications from 1960 to 2025. PolyU has the highest number of top 2% most-cited scientists worldwide in the sub-fields of Building and Construction, Operations Research, and Sport, Leisure and Tourism. The University leads in Hong Kong with the most top 2% most-cited scientists across 27 sub-fields^, including Building and Construction; Materials; Energy; Civil Engineering; Electrical and Electronic Engineering; Operations Research; Nursing; Optoelectronics and Photonics; Languages and Linguistics; Sport, Leisure and Tourism; Mechanical Engineering and Transports; Logistics and Transportation; and Ophthalmology and Optometry. Six PolyU scholars rank among the global top 10 in their respective fields, including: Scholar Subfield Rank in Subfield (Global) Ir Prof. C.S. POON Michael Anson Professor in Civil Engineering Distinguished Research Professor Building and Construction 6 Prof. Jin-Guang TENG PolyU President Chair Professor of Structural Engineering Civil Engineering 7 Ir Prof. T.C. Edwin CHENG Dean, Faculty of Business Fung Yiu King – Wing Hang Bank Professor in Business Administration Chair Professor of Management Operations Research 7 Prof. ZHU Zi-Qiang Chair Professor of Electrical Machines and Control Systems Electrical and Electronic Engineering 7 Prof. Qihao WENG Chair Professor of Geomatics and Artificial Intelligence Geological and Geomatics Engineering 7 Prof. Jean Claude Georges BÜNZLI Adjunct Professor of Department of Chemistry Inorganic and Nuclear Chemistry 9 In addition, 21 PolyU scholars are ranked among the global top 50, with PolyU having the highest number of scholars ranked in the global top 10 and top 20 among local institutions. The World’s Top 2% Most-cited Scientists is compiled by Stanford University, covering 20 subject fields and 174 sub-fields, and is divided into two lists in relation to scholars’ career-long citation and single-year citation impact, recognising their long-term and recent research impact. Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, President of PolyU, said, “The number of PolyU scholars included in the list once again ranks second among Hong Kong institutions, providing strong recognition of their outstanding achievements in advancing knowledge creation and generating significant academic impact. As an innovative world-class university, PolyU is committed to attracting and nurturing top research talent while driving impactful frontier research. As PolyU approaches its 90th anniversary next year, it has launched ‘90 Scholars for PolyU’s 90th Anniversary’ recruitment initiative and targets to attract 90 world-leading scholars to join PolyU over the next three years, laying a solid talent foundation for the University’s future research breakthroughs. PolyU will continue to leverage its strengths in interdisciplinary research, actively promote the translation of research outcomes, and strongly support Hong Kong’s development as an international innovation and technology hub. We will address national development needs and global challenges through innovation and technology, benefitting Hong Kong, our Nation, and the world.” ^ Including sub-fields in which PolyU is tied with other local institutions ***END***

PolyU Info Day for Undergraduate Admissions features over 250 activities and attracts over 49,000 visitors

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) today held its Information Day for Undergraduate Admissions (Info Day), attracting over 49,000 secondary school students, parents and individuals interested in pursuing further studies who came to learn more about the University’s latest undergraduate programmes and admissions information. PolyU Deputy President and Provost Prof. Wing-tak WONG; Senior Vice President (Research and Innovation) Prof. Christopher CHAO; Vice President (Education) Prof. CAO Jiannong; Vice President (Research) Prof. Xiang-dong LI; Vice President (Knowledge Transfer) Prof. Zijian ZHENG; and Interim Vice President (Campus and Facilities) Dr Ben LAU attended the opening ceremony alongside other senior management team members, deans and representatives from faculties and schools, before visiting booths set up by faculties, schools and departments. This year’s Info Day featured more than 250 activities across the campus, including a series of admissions talks hosted by the Student Admissions and Scholarships Office, covering admissions information for candidates applying via JUPAS, non-JUPAS (non-local qualifications), Senior Year admission (Associate Degree or Higher Diploma qualifications) and National College Entrance Examination (Gaokao). Meanwhile, faculties, schools and departments organised programme seminars and consultation sessions, alumni and student sharing sessions, workshops, exhibitions and guided tours of PolyU’s teaching facilities and laboratories. These activities enabled participants to explore the University campus and gain a deeper insight into the curriculum, modes of study and career prospects across different disciplines. Prof. Wing-tak Wong said, “We are delighted by the enthusiastic response to today’s Info Day from prospective students, parents and the wider community. PolyU is committed to nurturing future leaders with strong professional skills and an understanding of the latest technologies. Through diverse study pathways and flexible programme choices, we help students develop the ability to think across disciplines and continue learning throughout their lives. This will enable them to seize opportunities in the era of artificial intelligence and the digital economy, and use their knowledge and innovative ideas to contribute to society’s sustainable development.” To meet the evolving needs of society and industry, the Faculty of Science will restructure its existing BSc (Hons) Scheme in Biotechnology and Chemical Technology into two separate programmes in the 2027/28 academic year: BSc (Hons) in Applied Biology with Biotechnology and BSc (Hons) in Chemical Technology. Students will be able to make more focused study choices based on their interests and career aspirations, while developing professional skills to meet future needs. Beyond academic development, PolyU also strives to foster students’ global perspectives. The University will continue to offer undergraduate students who receive an academic Entry Scholarship an additional HK$30,000 overseas exchange funding to support their participation in student exchange programmes. PolyU has also set a target that all undergraduates graduating in or after the 2027/28 academic year undertake at least one non-local learning experience during their studies. Video recordings of the admissions talks and individual programme seminars will be uploaded to the Info Day website in due course for public viewing. For details, please visit: https://www.polyu.edu.hk/infoday For PolyU undergraduate programme details and application procedures, please visit: https://www.polyu.edu.hk/study ***END***

PolyU and DSSSC sign Memorandum of Understanding to launch new Non-JUPAS School Nominations Direct Admission Scheme

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) actively supports the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region’s initiative to extend the “Study in Hong Kong” brand to basic education. Through expansion of the Direct Subsidy Scheme and its related relaxation of the cap on local students enrolled in non-local curricula to 49%, more secondary schools will be encouraged to offer a diverse range of international curricula, contributing to Hong Kong’s development as an international hub for post-secondary education. PolyU and the Hong Kong Direct Subsidy Scheme Schools Council (DSSSC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) yesterday (5 October) to jointly launch the new “Non-JUPAS School Nominations Direct Admission Scheme” (the Scheme). The Scheme will provide outstanding local students pursuing international curricula with more diverse pathways to higher education. Under the new Scheme, invited Direct Subsidy Scheme schools may nominate outstanding final-year students studying the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) or International Advanced Level (IAL) qualifications to PolyU. The University will holistically assess applicants based on their academic performance, predicted grades, individual potential and the requirements of relevant programmes. Direct admission offers will be made to eligible students before the release of public examination results. The Scheme will enable students to plan their future development at an earlier stage, while allowing PolyU to identify and attract outstanding talent early and encouraging more promising young people to pursue further studies in Hong Kong. Prof Wing-tak WONG, Deputy President and Provost of PolyU, said, “PolyU is delighted to be the first local university to partner with DSSSC in launching the ‘Non-JUPAS School Nominations Direct Admission Scheme’. We see this collaboration as an important starting point and look forward to deepening our partnership with DSSSC in other areas, so that local students with different talents and potential can find pathways to higher education that best suit them.” Sister Margaret WONG, Chairman of DSSSC, said, “The DSSSC warmly welcomes PolyU’s launch of this new Scheme. We believe that DSS schools will nominate students with a strong academic foundation and outstanding achievements. We are confident that this new initiative will serve as a strong impetus for students to excel and pursue their aspirations.” The PolyU Student Admissions and Scholarships Office (SASO) will coordinate implementation of the Scheme and maintain close communication with participating schools to ensure its smooth rollout. As an innovative world-class university, PolyU will continue to leverage its strengths in education, research and knowledge transfer. The University will proactively attract outstanding students from around the world to study in Hong Kong and, through providing diverse learning experiences and comprehensive student support, nurture socially responsible professionals and leaders with a strong sense of national pride and a global perspective. ***END***

PolyU proposes a technical blueprint for “wireless energy internet”, driving a shift from wireless power transfer towards direct wireless energy conversion

Wireless charging has already transformed how people power phones, wearables and even electric vehicles. The next leap is advancing wireless technologies to not merely deliver electrical energy, but to enable direct non-electrical outputs, such as optical, thermal and mechanical energy, directly according to actual needs, building an energy delivery network as flexible and efficient as the internet. To drive this transformation, researchers at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) have conducted a groundbreaking study that sets out a technical roadmap for “wireless energy internet”, guiding the industry from “wireless power transfer” toward direct “wireless energy conversion”. Conventional wireless power transfer systems typically receive electrical energy and store it in a battery or supercapacitor before producing light, heat or motion. By contrast, direct wireless energy conversion transforms transmitted electric power directly into chemical, optical, thermal, or mechanical energy. In other words, the energy sent from the transmitter can become light for illumination, heat for warming, or force for driving motion — without first charging a battery — thereby eliminating intermediate storage and conversion stages, reducing energy losses, improving overall efficiency and simplifying receiver-side hardware. The study also establishes a unified framework that integrates near-field and far-field transmission with different applications such as wireless charging, lighting, heating, and motoring (mechanical energy), and summarises the common design principles and future directions of the underlying technologies. The research was led by Prof. CHAU Kwok Tong, Chair Professor of Electrical Energy Engineering of the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering and Co-Director of the Research Centre for Electric Vehicles (RCEV), together with Prof. LIU Wei, Assistant Professor of the same department and Manager of RCEV at PolyU. The research team has identified the common technical principles and key engineering bottlenecks of wireless energy conversion systems, and proposed development directions in areas including standardisation, cybersecurity, energy harvesting and emerging applications, while outlining the challenges that must be overcome to provide an important reference for future large-scale deployment. Their study has been published in Nature Reviews Electrical Engineering and received Gold Medal with Congratulations of the Jury at the 50th International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva in Switzerland and a Grand Prize and a Gold Medal at the 4th Asia Exhibition of Innovations and Inventions Hong Kong. Prof. Chau said, “Our review delivers impacts on two levels: first, establish practical design routes to cover core technologies such as primary-side control, multi-frequency compensation networks, secure transmission and field-directed transmission; and second, provide strategic guidance on future industry standards, security and application priorities. This will help industry select viable product architectures, while enabling policymakers and investors to identify the infrastructure required to drive commercialisation and mass adoption.” At present, transferring electricity to batteries is the most mature and widely adopted energy transmission and storage technology, already seen in portable electronics and biomedical implants, and developing rapidly in electric vehicles and rail transit. By comparison, wireless lighting, heating, and motoring demonstrate unique value in special application scenarios, such as sealed motors for harsh environments, mobile robots that require less onboard storage, and capacitive ultrasonic motors for magnetic-resonance-compatible robots. In these scenarios, conventional cables, batteries, or receiver electronics are hard to maintain or undesirable. These systems can also offer lightweight designs, convenience, high efficiency, flexibility, and improved safety. At the consumer level, batteries can fail due to cell defects, internal short circuits, overcharging or poor thermal management, posing safety risks. In contrast, wireless power operates more flexibly and sustainably, and holds the potential to reduce battery-pack sizes or eliminate the need for onboard storage in vehicles. The smaller the battery and the less chemical energy stored, the lower the associated energy-storage risks — the most direct significance of wireless energy conversion for everyday life. However, while direct conversion can ease energy-storage risks, it introduces a different safety consideration. Wireless energy networks still face a number of challenges, foremost among them the safety of energy transmission itself. The potential effects of prolonged human exposure to electromagnetic fields, and electromagnetic interference with nearby electronic devices, are of particular concern in environments such as public spaces and medical facilities. The study also notes that system complexity and performance limitations, especially in high-power wireless charging and wireless motoring, constitute barriers to application. Prof. Liu added, “Our study highlights a key commercialisation challenge: most existing standards cover only specific applications, particularly wireless electric-vehicle charging. Comprehensive safety, emission and interoperability frameworks across broader wireless energy conversion remain incomplete. We therefore advocate designing wireless energy systems in a systematic and holistic manner, rather than optimising individual energy conversion stages in isolation.” The research team classifies wireless energy conversion into four categories: chemical for charging, optical for lighting, thermal for heating and mechanical for motoring. Together, these four categories encompass most application scenarios spanning domestic homes, industry and biomedical use, as well as extreme environments such as deep-sea and deep-space exploration. Looking ahead, a wireless energy network could automatically recognise the specific energy needs of different devices – whether chemical, optical, thermal or mechanical, and dynamically adjust transmission frequency, field distribution and power level accordingly. The study also identifies four major engineering challenges: safety, scalability, complexity and performance, and, in response, outlines four priority directions for development. First, standard interfaces should be developed to enable devices to negotiate power, identify receivers, exchange data, control systems, handle faults, and interoperate. Second, energy encryption should progress towards integrated physical-layer security. Third, for aerospace applications, lightweight, sealed and radiation-tolerant couplers, converters and relay transmitters should be developed to connect satellites, stations, rovers and planetary bases. Fourth, electromagnetic harvesting should be strengthened, focusing on sensitive receivers, ultra-low-power rectification and hybrid architectures combining ambient energy harvesting with dedicated wireless power. ***END***

PolyU “Hakka Heritage in the Bay Area: Shaping a Shared Future” — Greater Bay Area Hakka Cultural Joint Showcase launch ceremony cum Flag-raising ceremony to celebrate 77th anniversary of founding of the People’s Republic of China

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is committed to promoting Chinese culture. Today, it held the launch ceremony of “Hakka Heritage in the Bay Area: Shaping a Shared Future” — Greater Bay Area Hakka Cultural Joint Showcase (the Showcase), marking the official commencement of the two-week event. On the same day, a flag-raising ceremony was also held to celebrate the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. As a highlight event of the third PolyU Chinese Culture Festival, the Showcase is generously supported and co-organised by the Overseas Friendship Associations of Huizhou, Heyuan, Meizhou and Shaoguan. The Showcase presents the deep-rooted connections between Hakka culture and Hong Kong, while promoting cultural exchange, appreciation of heritage and innovation across the Greater Bay Area. Its launch ceremony was officiated by Dr LAM Tai-fai, PolyU Council Chairman; Mr LAI Jianhua, Member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Huizhou Municipal Committee, Chairman of Huizhou Overseas Friendship Association; Mr HUANG Jingrui, Spokesperson of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the HKSAR and Director-General of the Department of Media and Public Relations; Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, PolyU President; Dr Daniel YIP, PolyU Deputy Council Chairman; Ms CHEN Xueting, Executive Director of Guangdong Overseas Friendship Association; Mrs LIU FU Yongqin, Deputy Director of the Social Development Division, Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the People’s Government of Guangdong Province; Dr Katherine NGAN, University Court Chairman; Prof. Wing-tak WONG, PolyU Deputy President and Provost; Prof. Christopher CHAO, PolyU Senior Vice President (Research and Innovation); Ms YANG Shuoying, Vice Chairman of Huizhou Overseas Friendship Association; Mr ZENG Haisheng, Vice Chairman of Heyuan Overseas Friendship Association; Prof. Ben YOUNG, PolyU Vice President (Student and Global Affairs) and Chairman of PolyU Chinese Culture Festival; Mr OU Huikuan, Deputy Director of the Administrative Committee of Daya Bay Economic Development Zone; and Prof. ZHOU Xiantai, President of Sun Yat-sen University Huizhou Research Institute. Speaking at the launching ceremony, Dr Lam Tai-fai said: “As the ‘PolyU Chinese Culture Festival’ enters its third year, this event takes Hakka culture as its theme, showcasing to our staff, students and the wider community this precious cultural treasure with a long and rich heritage. The Nation’s ‘15th Five-Year Plan’ sets out the goals of enhancing the country’s cultural soft power and promoting Chinese culture. They are not only national strategies, but also the mission for Hong Kong and PolyU. Next year, PolyU will celebrate its 90th anniversary. Over these nine decades, PolyU has always walked alongside Hong Kong and stood in unity with our Nation. We will strive our best in nurturing a sense of national identity and belonging among our young people, supporting Hong Kong in developing into an ‘East-meets-West Centre for International Cultural Exchange’, cultivating diverse talent, and contributing to our Nation.” Mr Lai Jianhua said: “The launch of the Showcase at PolyU stems not only from the appeal of Hakka culture, but also from the solid foundation of cooperation between the University and our local community. PolyU-Daya Bay Technology and Innovation Research Institute was officially established in Huizhou in 2024. Through jointly building laboratories, incubating technology enterprises, and nurturing high-calibre talent, it has become an exemplary platform for Huizhou–Hong Kong cooperation. Building on this established platform, we look forward to further expanding practical cooperation with PolyU in areas including Hakka culture research, the digital preservation of intangible cultural heritage, and youth exchange, encouraging more Hong Kong young people to visit Huizhou, gain a deeper understanding of Hakka culture, and participate in the development of the Greater Bay Area.” First event to take the stage is the “Exhibition on the History, Culture, and Prominent Figures of Hakka in the Greater Bay Area”, which will run from today to 16 October. The exhibition introduces Hakka culture in the Greater Bay Area, showcasing the profound shared cultural heritage of the four cities of Huizhou, Heyuan, Meizhou and Shaoguan, highlighting the “common origin of the four prefectures”, with a special focus on “Guangdong-Hong Kong solidarity” and “connecting overseas Chinese worldwide”. It also features reproductions of a number of precious overseas remittance letters and other historical materials relating to Hakka communities across the Strait and overseas, bearing witness to the deep affection of the Hakka people for their homeland. After the launch ceremony, the original dance drama “1942 Through the Blockade Line” was performed by the Huizhou Song and Dance Theatre, presenting on stage the rescue operation undertaken during the period of the Japanese occupation that renowned literary figure Mao Dun hailed as the greatest endeavour in the War of Resistance, rescuing hundreds of cultural figures and patriots from Hong Kong. The PolyU Chinese Culture Festival is a major annual event of the University, promoting Chinese culture through a rich and diverse array of activities. It aims to cultivate a sense of national sentiment and cultural confidence among PolyU staff, students and the public, and to strengthen a sense of national identity, pride and belonging. In addition, intangible cultural heritage workshops will be held on 6, 7, 14 and 15 October, covering “Dragon Style Martial Arts”, “String Puppetry”, “Traditional Zhongxin Lantern Craft” and “Yao Embroidery”, allowing participants to experience the unique charm of Hakka intangible cultural heritage. All activities are free of charge. PolyU students, staff, alumni and members of the public are welcome. For details: https://polyu.me/4rnRwUz. National Day flag-raising ceremony fosters a sense of national identity and belonging PolyU also held a flag-raising ceremony on campus today to celebrate the 77th anniversary of the establishment of the People’s Republic of China. The ceremony was officiated by Dr Lam Tai-fai, Prof. Jin-Guang Teng, Mr Huang Jingrui, and Mr CAO Qifeng, Director of the Office for Safeguarding National Security of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR. They were joined by representatives of the co-organisers and supporting organisations of the Showcase, members of the Council and Court, other University senior management, University Fellows, Outstanding Alumni, members of the PolyU Foundation, as well as over 700 guests, staff, students and alumni. Together, they extended their best wishes for the prosperity of the Nation and the steady, long-term success of Hong Kong. The ceremony was jointly conducted by the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Hong Kong Garrison and the PolyU Student Flag-Raising Team. PolyU held a flag-raising ceremony to celebrate the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. The ceremony was jointly conducted by the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Hong Kong Garrison and the PolyU Student Flag-Raising Team. The flag-raising ceremony was officiated by PolyU Council Chairman Dr Lam Tai-fai (12th from left); President Prof. Jin-Guang Teng (10th from left); Mr Huang Jingrui, Spokesperson of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the HKSAR and Director-General of the Department of Media and Public Relations (11th from left); and Mr Cao Qifeng, Director of the Office for Safeguarding National Security of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR (9th from left). They were joined by representatives of the co-organisers and supporting organisations of “Hakka Heritage in the Bay Area: Shaping a Shared Future” — Greater Bay Area Hakka Cultural Joint Showcase under the PolyU Chinese Culture Festival, members of the Council and Court, other University senior management, University Fellows, Outstanding Alumni, members of the PolyU Foundation, as well as over 700 guests, staff, students and alumni. ***END***

PolyU once again invited by HKSAR Government to create bespoke Neo-Chinese attire for Chief Executive’s wife and female principal officials in celebration of National Day

The School of Fashion and Textiles (SFT) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) was once again invited by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) of the People’s Republic of China to design and produce ten distinctive sets of Neo-Chinese attire for the Chief Executive’s wife, eight female bureau secretaries and the Director of the Chief Executive’s Office. Dressed in outfits meticulously created by the PolyU team, they attended the flag-raising ceremony and the National Day reception celebrating the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, as well as other National Day celebrations. The collection showcased the contemporary aesthetics of Chinese culture while highlighting the successful integration of Hong Kong’s creative design excellence and technological innovation. Led by Prof. Jin LAM, Associate Professor of SFT, a team of students and alumni innovatively incorporated artificial intelligence (AI) into the design process. By analysing and referencing the dressing styles, colour preferences and styling characteristics of the Chief Executive’s wife, the female bureau secretaries and the Director of the Chief Executive’s Office, the team explored design inspirations and created unique, tailor-made garments for each individual wearer. Combining AI-generated insights with professional expertise and judgement, the team further refined and optimised the designs, enhancing efficiency while exemplifying an educational philosophy that values both technological empowerment and human-centred creativity. The ten sets of Neo-Chinese attire blend the aesthetics of traditional Chinese garments with contemporary fashion design. Classic elements such as diagonal-front closures, Mandarin collars and traditional Chinese frog fastenings have been thoughtfully integrated into modern silhouettes and tailoring. Through meticulous craftsmanship and precise cutting techniques, the design team preserved the elegance and cultural essence of Chinese attire while highlighting the individuality and contemporary style of each individual. The collection reflects an innovative fusion of traditional culture and modern design, while underscoring Hong Kong’s distinctive strengths as an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange. The project also demonstrates PolyU’s success in integrating design education, technological innovation and industry practice. Ms TSANG On-ting, a distinguished alumna of SFT and founder of Gnastiy.com, created Bauhinia brooches using three-dimensional printing technology. By combining advanced manufacturing techniques with a symbol of Chinese culture, the accessories added a unique fashion-tech element to the National Day outfits and showcased the entrepreneurial spirit and innovative capabilities of PolyU alumni in the field of fashion technology. PolyU is committed to promoting Chinese culture through education, research and interdisciplinary collaboration, advancing the preservation and innovative development of Chinese cultural heritage. The University strives to deepen young people’s understanding of Chinese culture and strengthen their cultural confidence. By once again participating in this National Day attire design project, PolyU has further demonstrated its strengths in fashion design, textile technology and creative education, while supporting national and HKSAR Government initiatives to promote Chinese culture and nurture a new generation of talent with global perspectives, innovative thinking and a strong sense of national identity. Dr LAM Tai-fai, Council Chairman of PolyU, said, “PolyU is deeply honoured to once again have been invited by the HKSAR Government to design Neo-Chinese attire for the Chief Executive’s wife and female government officials in celebration of National Day. This invitation not only recognises the University’s educational achievements and professional expertise, but also represents a meaningful contribution to the preservation and promotion of Chinese culture. Our students, alumni and faculty members of SFT have successfully integrated elements of Chinese culture, fashion creativity and AI to bring Chinese aesthetics to life in innovative new ways. Their work demonstrates Hong Kong young people’s deep understanding and appreciation of Chinese culture. Next year marks two important milestones for PolyU: the University’s 90th anniversary and the 70th anniversary of the School of Fashion and Textiles. PolyU will continue to leverage the power of higher education to nurture fashion design talents with professional excellence, innovative thinking and a strong sense of responsibility, enabling them to tell the stories of China and Hong Kong, while contributing to national development and Hong Kong’s prosperity and stability.” Prof. Jin Lam said, “This project has provided a valuable experiential platform that brings together cultural heritage, technological innovation and fashion creativity. By combining AI-assisted analysis with professional judgement, students were able to test, validate and refine design decisions throughout a real-world design process, thereby enhancing their professional competencies. We hope that through participating in this culturally significant project, students can deepen their understanding of national development and Chinese culture, strengthen their cultural confidence, and demonstrate the creativity and sense of cultural responsibility of the younger generation.” As a leading hub for nurturing creative talent, PolyU SFT has long been committed to advancing fashion design, textile technology and the cultural and creative industries. This project also serves as a practical example of the School’s integration of digital technology into design education. Through exploring a Digital Co-design Education framework, the initiative aligns with the HKSAR Government’s policy direction on digital education development and offers a sustainable and innovative teaching model for nurturing future fashion design professionals. The School will continue to advance the integration of culture, design and technology through interdisciplinary collaboration and innovative design, while promoting the innovative inheritance of outstanding traditional Chinese culture. It will also contribute to Hong Kong’s development as an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange and help reinforce its position as Asia’s fashion capital. ***END***

PolyU and Harbin Institute of Technology Launch Shenzhen International School of Design and Future Design Joint Research Centre

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT) inaugurated the Harbin Institute of Technology–The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Shenzhen International School of Design (SISD) and launched the Future Design Joint Research Centre (the Centre) on 24 September, marking a new milestone in the two universities’ collaboration in education, research and innovation. The ceremony was held at HIT’s Shenzhen campus and officiated by Academician Jin-Guang TENG, PolyU President, and Academician Jiecai HAN, President of the Harbin Institute of Technology. Bringing together PolyU’s internationally recognised expertise in design education and research and HIT’s strengths in engineering and technology, SISD has been established with the approval of the Ministry of Education and aims to cultivate future talent equipped with innovative thinking, technological literacy and a broad cross-disciplinary outlook. Academician Jin-Guang Teng stated, “This collaboration is built upon the highly compatible educational philosophies and development visions of our two institutions. It embodies our shared mission to serve national development, drive educational innovation and nurture future talent. These two major platforms will not only serve as important vehicles for deepening collaborative innovation and fostering the integration of education, research and industry between our institutions, but also play an exemplary and leading role in strengthening educational and research collaboration within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and supporting the development of the Greater Bay Area.” Academician Jiecai Han said, “The two universities have already built a solid foundation for cooperation in joint educational initiatives, laboratory development and doctoral training. By drawing on their respective strengths, both institutions will work together to advance SISD’s development, promote the integration of engineering excellence and design innovation, and nurture interdisciplinary talent with strong design thinking capabilities, thereby providing new momentum for the University’s progress towards becoming a world-leading university.” SISD will offer master’s degree programmes covering Design, Intelligent Science and Technology, and Urban and Rural Planning in academic year 2027/28 on the HIT Shenzhen campus. The three-year programmes plan to admit an inaugural intake of 150 full-time master’s students. The programmes are jointly coordinated and taught by teachers from both universities. Students who complete the programme and fulfil the graduation requirements will be awarded a separate degree certificate by each of the two universities. The newly established Future Design Joint Research Centre was launched the same day. It will focus on interdisciplinary research at the intersection of design, technology and society, with three key research areas: Future Living and Smart Cities; Systems Integration Design; and Culture, Arts and Digital Media Technologies. The Centre will promote pioneering research, knowledge transfer and the translation of research outcomes into real-world impact, injecting further momentum into the Nation’s innovation-driven development and the development of the GBA. Following the plaque unveiling ceremony, representatives from both universities convened the inaugural meeting of the SISD Joint Management Committee to review key matters including the School’s governance structure, academic committee membership and postgraduate admissions arrangements, laying a solid foundation for its future development. ***END***

PolyU launches Hong Kong’s first “safe landing” fall-preparedness programme to empower 17,000 older adults with fall management skills

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), in collaboration with five non-governmental organisations (NGOs), launched the Jockey Club SafeMove Fall Management Programme today. Funded by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust for 45 months, the Programme is Hong Kong’s first fall-management initiative to combine judo-based safe landing techniques with the biomechanics of falling. It is expected to benefit around 17,000 older adults in the community aged 60 or above, helping those at moderate to high risk of falling to acquire safe landing and self-protection skills to reduce injuries. According to statistics from the Department of Health, some 16% of older adults in Hong Kong experience at least one fall per year, with approximately one in 10 resulting in fractures. Falls can significantly affect mobility and have a long-term impact on older adults’ physical and mental well-being and quality of life. By identifying those most at risk of falling and managing those risks effectively, the Programme seeks to shift Hong Kong’s public health approach from reactive care to proactive prevention – fostering healthy, independent and active ageing. A launch ceremony for the Programme was held on the PolyU campus today. Officiating guests were Mr HO Kai-ming, Under Secretary for Labour and Welfare of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China; Ms Pauline CHU, Chief Manager (Community Service Network) of the Primary Healthcare Commission under the Health Bureau; Dr Laura LO, Associate Vice President (Institutional Advancement) of PolyU; Ms Imelda CHAN, Head of Charities (Health & Older Adults Cluster) of The Hong Kong Jockey Club; Prof. Marco PANG, Head of the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences (RS) at PolyU; Prof. Amy FU, Associate Head of RS at PolyU; and Jockey Club SafeMove Fall Management Programme Ambassador Mr SHEK Sau. Participants in the Programme receive bone density screening and AI-driven fall-risk assessments developed by RS. Those found eligible are invited to join a 12-week fall-preparedness training scheme jointly designed by PolyU researchers and professional judo coaches. This teaches them safe landing and body protection techniques to help reduce the force of impact and minimise the risk of fractures caused by falls. Consultations with PolyU physiotherapists are also open to participants. Mr Ho Kai-ming said, “I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to The Hong Kong Jockey Club for its generous support, and to PolyU for translating advanced knowledge in rehabilitation sciences into tangible community benefits.  The Programme is named ‘SafeMove’, which signifies helping elderly persons enhance their physical flexibility and adaptability so that they can respond calmly to the risk of falling.  It marks a shift in the public health paradigm from reactive care to proactive prevention, and aligns closely with the Government’s policy of promoting prevention-oriented elderly care and carer support.  Through the Pilot Scheme on Intelligent Accident Detection Systems, the Government is providing high-risk households with real-time detection and support.  This complements the ‘safe landing’ training under the Programme, jointly weaving a more robust safety net for elderly persons at home.” Dr Laura Lo remarked, “As an institution committed to addressing societal needs and enhancing community well-being through world-leading research and innovative knowledge, PolyU is proud to see the Jockey Club SafeMove Fall Management Programme come to life today. This initiative exemplifies our dedication to translating research outcomes into meaningful social impact. I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust for its generous support of this Programme, and to extend my sincere thanks to our five partner NGOs and the research team from PolyU’s Department of Rehabilitation Sciences for their dedication and hard work. Together they have established a cross-sector collaboration platform that connects research, professional services and community networks for the benefit of older adults across Hong Kong.” Ms Imelda Chan added, “Promoting better health is one of the strategic priorities of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust.  Riding on our ongoing commitment to prevent falls and fractures among older adults, the Trust has approved a donation of over HK$119 million to support the Jockey Club SafeMove Fall Management Programme jointly implemented by PolyU and five NGOs. As Hong Kong’s first large-scale community programme to integrate judo-based landing techniques with the biomechanics of falling, the Programme translates research evidence into innovative primary health-care services and establishes a community-based, sustainable fall management model, demonstrating the Club’s commitment to advancing impactful philanthropy and the betterment of our society.” The PolyU research team anticipates that the Jockey Club SafeMove Fall Management Programme will help to reduce fall-related injuries and associated health-care expenditure among participants, improve their physical functioning and mobility and alleviate the psychological and social burdens that the fear of falling can create, enhancing overall health and quality of life. The “Jockey Club SafeMove Fall Management Programme” is expected to not only strengthen older adults’ fall prevention and self-protection capabilities, but also to enhance their physical resilience and adaptability. The PolyU research team anticipates that the initiative will help reduce fall-related injuries and associated healthcare expenditure, improve physical functioning and mobility, and alleviate the psychological and social burdens arising from the fear of falling, thereby enhancing overall health and quality of life. PolyU holds the launch ceremony of the “Jockey Club SafeMove Fall Management Programme”. ***END*** Jockey Club SafeMove Fall Management Programme The Jockey Club SafeMove Fall Management Programme integrates judo-based landing techniques with the biomechanics of falling and is implemented in partnership with five NGOs: Haven of Hope Christian Service, Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui Welfare Council Limited, Jockey Club Cadenza Hub, The Hong Kong Society for Rehabilitation and Yan Chai Hospital. The Programme centres on a fall-response training course that teaches safe landing techniques to community-dwelling older adults at moderate to high risk of failing, equipping them with self-protection skills when they lose balance and helping to reduce the risk of falling related injuries. Community-dwelling older adults aged 60 or above are welcome to participate. For enquiries or registration, please contact The Hong Kong Polytechnic University by phone or WhatsApp at 27665987, or by email at jc.safemove@polyu.edu.hk. For details, please visit: https://www.polyu.edu.hk/jc_safemove/