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PolyU hosts 2025 International Conference on Primary Health Care to explore interdisciplinary collaboration

The Joint Research Centre for Primary Health Care of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) recently co-hosted the “2025 International Conference on Primary Health Care” with the Schools of Nursing of Fudan University, Sun Yat-sen University, and Tianjin Medical University. The Conference explored trends, issues and strategies in interdisciplinary collaboration in primary health care. Over 500 experts from 14 countries and regions participated in the Conference. Dr PANG Fei Chau, Commissioner for Primary Healthcare of the Health Bureau of the HKSAR Government, said the Conference facilitated exchanges and interdisciplinary collaboration among researchers, educators, healthcare professionals and other stakeholders.  He emphasised that “The Primary Health Commission (PHC Commission) of the Health Bureau is committed to enhancing district-based primary healthcare services, with the aim of shifting the emphasis of the present healthcare system and people’s mindset from treatment-oriented to prevention-oriented and family-centric primary health care. The PHC Commission is dedicated to enhancing co-ordination among various sectors and across different levels of care, and to strengthening district-level PHC services in the community.” Prof. Christopher CHAO, Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU, highlighted the important role research was playing in the paradigm shift of health care. He stated, “The findings of healthcare researchers are leading to a better understanding of the gap between the current state of primary health care and a possible future of interdisciplinary collaboration. In this regard, PolyU’s key research strategy for building interdisciplinary research has been very successful.  We create synergy in life sciences, healthcare and technology to bring about higher impact in society and support governments in promoting better health and well-being.” Prof. Frances WONG, Director of the Joint Research Centre for Primary Health Care, Chair Professor of Advanced Nursing Practice and Associate Dean of the Faculty of Health and Social Sciences of PolyU, outlined the development and work of the Joint Research Centre for Primary Health Care. She emphasised the Centre’s focus on research, knowledge translation, nurturing the next generation of scientists and healthcare professionals, and collaborating with stakeholders to provide research data and scientific evidence to improve patient health and to promote policy and social change. Several distinguished guests delivered keynote speeches at the Conference, including (in alphabetical order by surname): Prof. Rebecca IVERS, Head of the School of Population Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales; Dr Rob LAWSON, Chairman of the British Society of Lifestyle Medicine, and President of the European Lifestyle Medicine Council; Dr Pang Fei Chau, Commissioner for Primary Healthcare of the Health Bureau of the HKSAR Government; Prof. Leiyu SHI, Director and Co-founder of the Johns Hopkins Primary Care Policy Centre; Professor of Health Policy and Health Services Research, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health;   Prof. Sabrina WONG, Science Lead, Strategy for Patient-Oriented Research Primary and Integrated Health Care Innovation Network, The University of British Columbia; Prof. Xifeng WU, Dean, School of Public Health; Vice President, Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine; Director, National Institute for Data Science in Health and Medicine, Zhejiang University; Prof. Paul YIP, Chair Professor of Population Health, Department of Social Work and Social Administration; Associate Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, The University of Hong Kong The Joint Research Centre for Primary Health Care was jointly established by PolyU’s School of Nursing and the Schools of Nursing of Fudan University, Sun Yat-sen University, and Tianjin Medical University last year. The Centre aims to promote disease prevention through innovative interventions and service models, apply advanced technology to provide continuous and integrated care. ***END***

25 Mar, 2025

Events School of Nursing

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理大與港專合辦 2025 全國兩會見聞分享會 八高校全國政協委員籲攜手助力教育強國建設 (Chinese version only)

Chinese version only

24 Mar, 2025

Events Communications and Public Affairs Office

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PolyU hosts AI & Medicine: Shaping the Future of Health Forum, featuring a Nobel Laureate and an expert to explore the future of AI-driven medicine

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) Faculty of Computer and Mathematical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, and Faculty of Science today co-hosted the “AI & Medicine: Shaping the Future of Health” Forum. The event featured a keynote speech by Prof. Barry MARSHALL, 2005 Nobel Laureate in Physiology or Medicine, who shared his research journey and provided insights into the future of medicine. Prof. Ya-Qin ZHANG, Chair Professor of AI Science and Dean of the Institute for AI Industry Research (AIR) of Tsinghua University also participated in the panel discussion. The event attracted about 500 faculty members, students, alumni, leaders from the innovation and technology sectors, academia, and members of the public, fostering academic exchange and inspiring the pursuit of innovation. Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, PolyU President expressed his gratitude to Prof. Marshall and Prof. Zhang for sharing their insights, which greatly benefited both faculty members and students. He remarked, “Artificial intelligence (AI) is pivotal in shaping the future of medicine. This Forum has provided a valuable platform for all to explore the evolving trends of AI in medicine and to collaborate for a healthier future. PolyU is making significant strides in leveraging the integration of AI into medical science by developing innovative healthcare solutions and collaborating with industry to translate research outcomes into real-world solutions that benefit society. Earlier this year, PolyU established the Faculty of Computer and Mathematical Sciences to strengthen interdisciplinary research and education in the areas of AI, data science and computing. These efforts lay a solid foundation for the University to realise its  commitment to establishing Hong Kong’s proposed third medical school.” Prof. Marshall is currently Professor and Senior Honorary Research Fellow of the School of Biomedical Sciences, and Director of the Marshall Centre for Infectious Diseases Research and Training at The University of Western Australia; PolyU Distinguished Honorary Professor; and Chair Professor of Shenzhen University. In the early 1980s, Prof. Marshall and Australian pathologist Dr J. Robin WARREN discovered that gastritis and peptic ulcers were due to Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). This groundbreaking research earned them the 2005 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine and is widely regarded as the most significant discovery in the history of gastroenterology. During his keynote speech, titled “Theory and Practice: Innovation and Curiosity Driven Research”, Prof. Marshall shared his pioneering work on H. pylori. He discussed the infection pathways and treatment methods of the bacterium, as well as his personal experience of drinking a culture of H. pylori to validate his research. His contributions continue to advance global healthcare, particularly in the field of gastrointestinal disease research. In recent years, AI has emerged as a powerful tool in medicine, offering unprecedented opportunities to enhance patient care, streamline clinical processes and drive innovative research. During the panel discussion hosted by Prof. Hongxia YANG, Associate Dean (Global Engagement) of the PolyU Faculty of Computer and Mathematical Sciences, and Professor of the Department of Computing, Prof. Marshall and Prof. Ya-Qin Zhang discussed the future development of AI technology in medicine and education. Prof. Marshall said, “AI is revolutionising our ability to diagnose diseases, personalise treatments and predict patient outcomes with unprecedented accuracy. By harnessing vast amounts of data, AI enables us to uncover insights that were previously beyond our reach, ultimately improving patient care and advancing medical research.” Prof. Zhang said, “The field of life sciences and biomedicine has entered the era of Digitalisation 3.0, where AI plays a pivotal role, driving advancements toward greater speed, precision, safety, cost-effectiveness, and accessibility. Notable achievements have been made in areas such as protein structure prediction, gene editing, and drug discovery. However, challenges remain in terms of algorithm transparency, interpretability, security, privacy, and ethics. The AIR of Tsinghua University has pioneered the launch of an AI hospital and open-sourcing an AI-powered drug discovery platform, paving the way for biological research to enter the Autopilot era. Moving forward, we hope that academia and industry will further strengthen collaboration, driving the development of a closed-loop ecosystem and uncovering more opportunities for scientific and industrial innovation.” During the Forum, the opening ceremony of the PolyU Marshall Research Centre for Medical Microbial Biotechnology was also performed. Prof. MA Cong, Associate Professor of the PolyU Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, will serve as the Centre Director, with Prof. Marshall as a member of its Management Committee. The Centre aspires to advance the diagnosis and treatment of bacterial infections, such as H. pylori, the most common chronic bacterial infection globally, while leveraging Prof. Marshall’s groundbreaking research to establish AI-driven e-biobanks. These efforts will enhance research capabilities and enable more precise diagnostics. The Centre will also address the urgent need for novel antibiotics, due to rising drug resistance, by developing unique antimicrobial therapies with distinct mechanisms. Prof. Marshall stated that the establishment of the Centre will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in pioneering innovative solutions and fostering collaboration in this dynamic field. ***END***

21 Mar, 2025

Events Others

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PolyU and China Tower sign strategic cooperation agreement to advance the innovation in low-altitude economy and next-generation networks

Chinese version only

20 Mar, 2025

Events Research and Innovation Office

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PolyU plans to establish Hong Kong’s third medical school, fostering the development of Hong Kong into an international medical training, research and innovation hub

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) submitted a proposal to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government for the establishment of Hong Kong’s third medical school, aiming to train more outstanding doctors to meet the healthcare needs of Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area (GBA). With strong research capabilities, a solid foundation, and extensive experience in healthcare education and training allied health professionals, PolyU is confident and well-positioned to support the initiative proposed in last year’s Policy Address to foster the development of Hong Kong into an international medical training, research and innovation hub. Dr LAM Tai-fai, PolyU Council Chairman and Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, President, along with Prof. Wing-tak WONG, Deputy President and Provost; Prof. David SHUM, Dean of the Faculty of Health and Social Sciences; and Prof. HE Mingguang, Chair Professor of Experimental Ophthalmology and Global STEM Scholar, held a press conference today to share the latest developments regarding the University’s efforts to establish Hong Kong’s third medical school. The proposal was prepared based on the 10 key parameters set out by the HKSAR Government’s Task Group on New Medical School, covering innovative strategic positioning, staffing, campus and teaching facilities, clinical exposure and learning resources, curriculum structure and assessment methodologies, student admission arrangements, funding arrangements, implementation plan, teaching and learning quality as well as research excellence. PolyU expressed its heartfelt gratitude to its Expert Advisory Committee members for their significant contributions to the proposal, including: Prof. ZHONG Nanshan, Recipient of the Medal of the Republic; Member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering; Director of the Guangzhou National Laboratory Prof. Barry MARSHALL, Nobel Laureate in Physiology or Medicine; Professor, Senior Honorary Research Fellow of the School of Biomedical Sciences, Marshall Centre, The University of Western Australia Dr York CHOW Yat Ngok, Former Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food / Secretary for Food and Health of the HKSAR Government; Former Hospital Chief Executive of Queen Mary Hospital Dr Lam Tai-fai stated, “PolyU is committed to supporting the Government by contributing both financially and through dedicated efforts to develop the third medical school. We stand with the Government during challenging times and pledge to cover all financial expenses if needed before the medical school relocates to the UniTown in Ngau Tam Mei. Over the past half-century, PolyU has trained over 50,000 healthcare professionals, including nurses, physiotherapists, optometrists, radiologists and more, playing a pivotal role in the development of Hong Kong’s medical system. This has earned us the recognition and trust of both the public and the Government, who have full confidence in the University’s healthcare education. PolyU has a strong foundation in healthcare education, along with extensive experience and achievements in nurturing healthcare professionals. These outstanding accomplishments and advantages have been accumulated over many years, and there are no shortcuts to attaining them.” Prof. Jin-Guang Teng stated, “PolyU has achieved remarkable success in medicine-engineering integration and AI-powered medical advancements. Among its recent technological breakthroughs are myopia control lenses, a prime example of successfully translating research outcomes into practical applications. With over 35 million units of lenses sold globally, the innovation has significantly improved the vision health of countless children worldwide. Another advancement is an AI-enabled self-testing retinal fundus camera, which can assess cardiovascular disease risk and screen for three common eye diseases. Other innovations include a 3D ultrasound imaging device for radiation-free assessment of scoliosis and portable equipment for the quantitative assessment of chronic liver diseases, such as fatty liver and liver fibrosis.” PolyU plans to offer a four-year bachelor’s degree programme in medicine, targeting undergraduate degree holders. The first intake will admit 50 local and non-local students and will gradually increase the admission quota based on demand. Supported by a robust team of over 1,300 healthcare-related teaching and research staff and equipped with more than 90 specialised laboratories and research facilities, the University intends to invest more resources to enhance its existing health science education and research facilities and strengthen collaboration with the current network of hospitals in Hong Kong that provide clinical teaching, laying a solid foundation for establishing the medical school. PolyU will also establish an “AI+ Academy”, with a focus on pioneering research in AI-assisted diagnosis and treatment. PolyU is thus well-equipped to establish a medical school, leveraging its advantages in medicine-engineering integration to advance healthcare technology and meet the medical needs of Hong Kong and the GBA. ***END***

19 Mar, 2025

Others Communications and Public Affairs Office

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PolyU project develops a Vision-Language Models for driving assistant, supported by Smart Traffic Fund

In complex driving scenarios, information overload can lead to distractions and delayed reactions. The introduction of Vision-Language models (VLMs) presents new possibilities for advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). Led by Prof. Pai ZHENG, Associate Professor of the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), the project titled “Develop a Vision-Language Model-based Smart Driving Assistant for Enhancing Safety and Convenience of Motorists” has successfully secured over HK$5 million for a duration of 24 months from the Smart Traffic Fund.            This project aims to develop a smart driving assistant for vehicle cockpits leveraging vision-language models. The objective is to improve driver safety and convenience by analyzing the environment in real time and drivers’ needs to offer appropriate interactive strategy. Prof. ZHENG said, “Besides existing ADAS, our approach offers personalised driving tips to enhance the user experience. The system will collect and analyse personalised interaction data from users, including interactive language descriptions and visual environment information acquired during user participation experiments. This system will dynamically retrieve and generate customised driving strategies based on historical and real-time data, catering to the habits and preferences of individual drivers.” PolyU has long been committed to the research and application of vehicle-related innovation and technology, with a total of 23 projects receiving grants from the Smart Traffic Fund to date. The Smart Traffic Fund provides funding support to local organisations and enterprises for conducting research and applying innovation and technology to enhance commuting convenience, enhance the efficiency of the road network or road space, and improve driving safety. ***END***

18 Mar, 2025

Achievements Research and Innovation Office

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Seven PolyU subjects rank in the global top 30 in QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025; Nursing climbs to highest place in a decade

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has excelled in the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings by Subject 2025, with seven subjects, across the disciplines of business, construction and environment, design, health, and hotel and tourism management, being placed in the global top 30. This reflects the international recognition PolyU has received for its academic and research achievements in multiple fields. PolyU ranked in the global top 30 for its subjects in Hospitality & Leisure Management (11th), Nursing (16th), Architecture & Built Environment (17th), Civil & Structural Engineering (17th), Art & Design (22nd), Marketing (22nd) and Environmental Sciences (27th). Among them, most notably, Nursing has climbed to its highest ranking in a decade, while Environmental Sciences came first in Hong Kong for the first time. Meanwhile, Hospitality & Leisure Management and Art & Design held onto first place among local universities. This year, the University has a total of 26 subjects breaking into the world’s top 100, including Data Science & Artificial Intelligence, which ranked 40th globally. Having identified artificial intelligence (AI) as one of its strategic research areas, earlier this year the University established the Faculty of Computer and Mathematical Sciences, while actively recruiting accomplished AI scholars from around the globe. It is also launching the new BSc (Hons) Scheme in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence in the coming academic year, and plans to establish the “AI+ Academy,” to fully leverage the University’s academic and research strengths in this emerging field. With its excellence in the disciplines of construction and environment, PolyU shines in several related subjects, among which are Architecture & Built Environment, Civil & Structural Engineering, and Environmental Sciences. Further harnessing its strength in these disciplines, PolyU will introduce the new BSc (Hons) in Architectural Studies in the coming academic year to cultivate more promising talent for the construction industry. Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, President of PolyU, said, “We are pleased with PolyU’s encouraging results in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025, which reaffirm the University’s world-leading position across various disciplines. PolyU aspires to be an innovative world-class university that pursues excellence in education, research and knowledge transfer. Moving forward, we will continue to strengthen our ties and cooperation with partners around the world, with the aim of playing an increasingly important role on the global higher education stage.” Covering over 1,700 universities from around the world, the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025 evaluates universities across 55 academic subjects and five broad subject areas, based on their academic reputation, employer reputation, citations per paper, the H-index and international research network.   ***END***

12 Mar, 2025

Achievements Institutional Planning and Analytics Office

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PolyU scholars discuss the latest developments in AI, demonstrating the University’s leadership in AI education and research

The PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research (PAIR) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) today hosted its inaugural Public Forum for Research and Innovation. Titled “DeepSeek and Beyond,” the keynote speech was delivered by Prof. YANG Hongxia, Associate Dean (Global Engagement) of the PolyU Faculty of Computer and Mathematical Sciences and Professor of the Department of Computing, who highlighted the latest developments in artificial intelligence (AI). The event attracted over a thousand participants, including faculty members, students, alumni, and leaders from the innovation and technology sector, as well as academics and the public. Additionally, over 390,000 viewers tuned in through the live streaming platforms. The Forum began with a welcoming speech delivered by Prof. CHEN Qingyan, Director of PAIR and Chair Professor of Building Thermal Science of the PolyU Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering. This was followed by Prof. ZHANG Chenqi, Chair Professor of Artificial Intelligence of the PolyU Department of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, and Director of the PolyU Shenzhen Research Institute introducing the speaker. Prof. Zhang said, “The development of large models is at the core of competition in the AI wave. DeepSeek has demonstrated that high-performance AI models can be achieved using fewer and less advanced graphics processing units (GPUs), demonstrating that cutting-edge AI technology can be realised through the optimisation of algorithms.” The large AI model developed by the mainland Chinese startup DeepSeek has garnered wide acclaim around the world for its low-cost, high-performance, and open-source framework, disrupting the traditional “computing power-first” logic of AI model training. At the Forum, Prof. Yang highlighted the potential of generative AI (GenAI), adding that it presents abundant opportunities for various sectors, including healthcare, finance, manufacturing, retail, media and fashion, and for applications in medical imaging analysis, fraud detection, predictive maintenance, retail inventory management, content creation, and design and marketing. Prof. Yang also recounted the evolution of AI and shared her professional milestones with the audience, notably the development of the M6 large model, which trained a 10-trillion-parameters model using just 512 GPUs. Prof. Yang further elaborated on how her GenAI project, Co-GenAI, improves the accessibility of AI technology while minimising dependence on large-scale centralised computing resources, thereby transforming the trajectory of AI progress. This ground-breaking effort has positioned Hong Kong and the Mainland at the forefront of global advancement in GenAI. Moderated by Prof. Zhang Chenqi, a panel discussion was also held, featuring esteemed panellists Prof. Yang Hongxia and Prof. LI Qing, Head and Chair Professor of Data Science of the PolyU Department of Computing, and Co-Director of the Research Centre for Digital Transformation of Tourism. The scholars discussed the opportunities and challenges that advancements in AI present for higher education and research. They also engaged in fruitful discussion with participants during the question-and-answer session. The topics included the application of AI in industry, the regulation of information, its impact on the employment environment and economic development, and the integration of AI technologies. PolyU is committed to advancing AI education and research. In January 2025, the University established the Faculty of Computer and Mathematical Sciences with a vision to lead global advancements in digital transformation and AI through distinguished education, research, and knowledge transfer. ***END***

11 Mar, 2025

Events PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research

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PolyU unveils comprehensive zeolite structures, advancing development of catalysts for petrochemical and renewable energy

Zeolites, crystalline materials widely used in the petrochemical industry, serve as pivotal catalysts in the production of fine chemicals, with aluminium being the source of active sites within zeolite structures. A research team from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has revealed the precise location of aluminium atoms in the zeolite framework. This discovery could facilitate the design of more efficient and stable catalysts, aimed at increasing the yield of petrochemical products, achieving efficient renewable energy storage, and controlling air pollution. This advancement will further promote the application of zeolites in relevant fields. The findings have been published in the international journal Science. The research is led by Prof. Shik Chi Edman TSANG, Chair Professor of Catalysis and Materials of the PolyU Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology. He is joined by Prof. Tsz Woon Benedict LO, Associate Professor, along with first author Dr Guangchao LI, Research Assistant Professor, both from the same department. The team collaborated with researchers from the University of Oxford and the Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The unique properties of zeolites, characterised by their well-defined microporous structure, high surface area, and tuneable acidity and basicity, make them indispensable in petrochemical refining, environmental catalysis and fine chemical synthesis. The distribution of substitutional aluminium atoms within the zeolite framework influences the geometry of molecular adsorbates, catalytic activity, and shape and size selectivity. However, accurately locating these aluminium atoms and understanding their impact on the catalytic behaviour of zeolites has posed challenges for the scientific community for decades. In their research, the team focused on both lab-synthesised and commercial H-ZSM-5 zeolites to bridge the gap between fundamental research and practical application, optimising H-ZSM-5 for advanced catalytic processes. Notably, the team introduced an innovative approach that integrates synchrotron resonant soft X-ray diffraction — a powerful tool for studying atomic structure — with probe-assisted solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (SSNMR) and molecular adsorption methods. This integration revealed the interactions of molecules at the active sites of aluminium atoms. Ultimately, the team has achieved a breakthrough in locating single and pairs of aluminium atoms in a commercial H-ZSM-5 zeolite. The research findings will facilitate the development of more efficient and selective catalysts, which have wide-reaching implications beyond petrochemicals, offering potential benefits for industries such as renewable energy and pollution control. Reducing energy consumption, this can, in turn, promote sustainability and minimises environmental impact. With regard to petrochemical refining, these catalysts can improve fuel yield and quality, particularly for products like gasoline and olefins, simultaneously lowering energy usage. In the realm of environmental catalysis, they contribute to cleaner air and mitigating air pollution. For renewable energy and biofuels, these innovations advance hydrogen storage and utilisation processes, which are crucial for the development of a hydrogen economy. Prof. Edman Tsang said, “This discovery is a game-changer as it precisely identifies the location of aluminium atoms in the zeolite framework and how they are positioned, providing for the first time a structural elucidation of zeolite frameworks. This breakthrough allows scientists to design more efficient and targeted zeolite catalysts, making the chemical process faster, more energy-efficient and more environmentally friendly.” Prof. Benedict Lo said, “We explored and combined various techniques to achieve a multidimensional view of the distribution of aluminium atoms and their interaction with adsorbed molecules, leading to insights into crucial reaction mechanisms. This provides scientists with a deeper understanding of the structure of zeolites.” Dr Guangchao Li said, “We will develop further novel synthesis methods to precisely control the distribution and concentration of aluminium atoms, as well as their pore architectures in zeolites. This advancement will enable the design of catalysts with optimised activity, selectivity and stability for specific industrial applications.” Looking ahead, the team will work closely with industry partners to translate research outcomes into commercial applications. By leveraging the extensive networks and research strengths of the PolyU-Daya Bay Technology and Innovation Research Institute, which focuses on green chemistry and sustainable catalysis, the team will collaborate with domestic petrochemical companies to promote translational research and accelerate the commercialisation of advanced zeolite catalysts. This effort is bolstered by state-of-the-art PolyU facilities, including the only SSNMR facility in Hong Kong and the soon to be introduced first Dynamic Nuclear Polarisation SSNMR (DNP-SSNMR) spectrometer in the Greater Bay Area and southern China. These resources strengthen the team’s research capabilities and facilitate the advancement of their research efforts. ***END***

10 Mar, 2025

Research & Innovation Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology

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PolyU “We Care We Share – Community Tele-Rehabilitation Programme in Mainland China” receives funding from the Keswick Foundation, expanding its service network nationwide

The Department of Rehabilitation Sciences at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) launched the “We Care We Share” team in 2014 to provide rehabilitation services to residents affected by the 813 earthquake in Ludian, Yunnan, China. With this year marking the 10th anniversary since the establishment of the team, PolyU has received a donation of HK$6.1 million from the Keswick Foundation to implement the “We Care We Share – Community Tele-Rehabilitation Programme in Mainland China” (the Programme), which seeks to replicate the successful experience in Yunnan across north-western and north-eastern China, thereby expanding its community rehabilitation service network nationwide. The expanded programme aims to provide rehabilitation service training for 5,000 local students and professional medical personnel, benefiting 500 families over the next three years. Dr David LAM, Legislative Council member (Medical and Health Services); Prof. Miranda LOU, PolyU Executive Vice President; Mrs Clara WEATHERALL, Chairman of the Keswick Foundation Board of Governors; Prof. Angelina YUEN-TSANG, Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Keswick Foundation; Dr Laura LO, PolyU Associate Vice President (Institutional Advancement); Prof. David SHUM, Dean of the Faculty of Health and Social Sciences; Prof. Marco PANG, Head of the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences; Prof. YAO Liqing, Vice Chairman of the Yunnan Disabled Persons’ Federation and Associate Dean of the School of Rehabilitation at Kunming Medical University; Prof. MA Ting, Dean of the Rehabilitation School at Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine; Ms DUAN Chen-yuan, a recipient of the Programme; and Ms Atta YU, a student member of the “We Care We Share” team, jointly officiated at the launching ceremony. Dr David Lam said, “Rehabilitation is an essential extension of medical care. Based in Hong Kong, the PolyU ‘We Care We Share’ community rehabilitation service network supports rehabilitation services and personnel training in Yunnan, which has further developed into a nationwide professional service and training system. With breakthroughs in rehabilitation brought by technological applications of artificial intelligence and robotics, I believe PolyU can contribute to the Nation by leveraging its strength in this discipline.” Prof. Miranda Lou remarked, “The We Care We Share Community Rehabilitation Programme has been running for over a decade, with the PolyU Department of Rehabilitation Sciences providing rehabilitation services and therapist training to the local and neighbouring communities in Yunnan. Through professional knowledge, skills, therapeutic services and care, the Programme has not only transformed the recipients’ lives, but also brought hope to their families and communities. Today’s launching ceremony marks a new milestone for the Programme. We would like to once again express our gratitude to our charity partner, the Keswick Foundation, for their continued support, which enables us to keep moving forward and contribute more to the society.” Mrs Clara Weatherall said, “It gives me great pleasure to join you in celebrating the further expansion of this remarkable programme. What makes ‘We Care, We Share’ particularly special is how it combines expert professional care with practical, innovative community solutions. Together, we are empowering local professionals, communities, and families to build sustainable, lasting change.” The Programme has gained extensive experience in community rehabilitation over the years. With the support of the Keswick Foundation and leveraging technology to achieve tele-rehabilitation and interregional and interdisciplinary collaboration, the expanded programme will build a community-based rehabilitation service network nationwide. Through a three-dimensional model of “technology empowerment, community linkage and talent cultivation”, the Programme will leverage innovative rehabilitation medical technologies to provide support to more groups in need, while also raising societal awareness of the development of the rehabilitation profession. ***END***

7 Mar, 2025

Events Department of Rehabilitation Sciences

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