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PolyU and Peking University Third Hospital join forces to establish Medicine-Engineering Collaborative Innovation Research Laboratory

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Cyberport and PolyU sign MoU to foster collaboration among industry, academia, research, investment and applications, accelerate technology commercialisation and maximise effectiveness of start-up incubation

Cyberport and The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) today (24 Jan) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a strategic partnership. Both parties intend to co-develop acceleration programmes, establish a joint lab, invest in PolyU-nurtured start-ups and augment I&T talent training, aiming at nurturing start-ups, facilitating commercialisation of research outcomes, and enlarging the innovation and technology (I&T) talent pool. The partnership signifies a shared goal of advancing Hong Kong’s I&T ecosystem by promoting collaboration among industry, academia, research, investment, and applications, thereby contributing to the development of Hong Kong as an international I&T hub. Witnessed by Simon Chan, Chairman of Cyberport, Prof. Jin-Guang Teng, PolyU President, Ir Arthur Lee, PolyU Council Member and Chairman of PolyU Knowledge Transfer Committee and Hendrick Sin, Chairman of the Cyberport Investors Network Steering Group, the MoU was signed by Dr Rocky Cheng, CEO of Cyberport and Prof. Christopher Chao, PolyU Vice President (Research and Innovation). Simon Chan, Chairman of Cyberport, said, “The HKSAR Government has been promoting a closer collaboration among the Government and the industry, academia, research and investment sectors to create a favourable environment for I&T development in the city. As Hong Kong’s digital technology flagship and incubator for entrepreneurship, Cyberport not only houses over 2,100 start-ups but also has a vast network of investors and enterprises. We have been nurturing start-ups by connecting them with the industry and facilitating their commercialisation of R&D outcomes. The partnership between Cyberport and PolyU perfectly combines our strengths. It aligns with government policies to support start-ups, empower their R&D transformation, cultivate I&T talent, and advance the collaboration among the Government and the industry, academia, research and investment sectors. Together, we enhance the city’s I&T ecosystem and accelerate the development of new quality productive forces.” Prof. Jin-Guang Teng, PolyU President, remarked, “PolyU’s unwavering commitment to innovation, entrepreneurship and knowledge transfer is exemplified by our successful track record of promoting entrepreneurship through PolyVentures, our flag-ship start-up ecosystem. Over the years, we have successfully nurtured over 500 start-ups, including four unicorns, and trained over 7,600 entrepreneurs. Our comprehensive support encompasses every stage of the entrepreneurial journey -- from education and ideation to incubation, acceleration, and fundraising. By integrating Cyberport’s extensive networks and PolyU’s expertise in innovation and research, we aim to cultivate a vibrant ecosystem that fosters industry-academia-research collaboration. Together, we will further nurture entrepreneurs and start-ups, contributing to Hong Kong’s development into a global I&T hub.” Under the MoU, Cyberport and PolyU will partner with leading accelerators to co-develop acceleration programmes that support PolyU-nurtured start-ups in fundraising and product development. The inaugural programme will focus on cutting edge technologies. Both parties will also proactively promote a close collaboration among various stakeholders, including those of the Cyberport Enterprise Network and PolyVentures, to drive technology adoption and commercialisation in key sectors such as AI and Big Data, Smart City solutions, Digital Entertainment, FinTech, Blockchain, and Cybersecurity. Moreover, they will support the entry of I&T projects into various funding and supporting schemes in the two ecosystems. They will also explore co-investment opportunities among Cyberport Macro Fund, Cyberport Investors’ Network, and PolyU Entrepreneurship Investment Fund, with a particular focus on PolyU-nurtured start-ups and those utilising PolyU’s intellectual property at Cyberport. Talent is the cornerstone of I&T development. Both parties will collaborate to provide tailor-made training and internship opportunities for PolyU students, enriching their practical experience and empowering them to apply their learning in the workplace. This initiative will also enhance the alignment between industry-required skillset and the content of teaching and learning. Furthermore, PolyU and Cyberport Academy will join hands to offer related courses to fortify students’ and PolyU start-ups’ capabilities and development in I&T and entrepreneurship. In addition, both parties will leverage Cyberport’s extensive industry network and PolyU’s outstanding research capabilities and venture capital experience to accelerate relevant research and its application. A joint lab will be established by Cyberport, PolyU, and their venture capital partner, Two Square Capital, to support start-ups in Web3.0 and AI areas. This initiative includes a donation from Two Square Capital to PolyU with the aim of advancing its research, development, and commercialisation efforts. Cyberport will also provide industry network, physical collaborative space and opportunities for industry engagement to foster the growth of young entrepreneurs. The joint lab aspires to drive innovation through advanced research on Blockchain-AI integration, explore scalable and energy-efficient infrastructure, develop specific AI models, and deploy decentralised applications (dApps) to showcase practical blockchain solutions. ***END***

PolyU and NetDragon collaborate to drive innovation in educational technology enriching students’ learning experiences

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and NetDragon Websoft Holdings Limited (NetDragon) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) today on campus, marking the establishment of a strategic partnership. This close collaboration aims to  promote the applications of educational technology (EdTech) in higher education globally and foster the development of tech talent through the development of artificial intelligence (AI) learning platforms, joint research, and exchange programmes. Witnessed by Prof. Kwok-yin WONG, PolyU Vice President (Education); Prof. H.C. MAN, PolyU Dean of the Faculty of Engineering; Mr Ben YAM, Chief Financial Officer of NetDragon; and Mr Wood LAU, Head of Compliance and Corporate Affairs and Company Secretary of NetDragon,  the MoU was signed by Prof. CHUNG Chi-yung, Head of the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering and Chair Professor of Power Systems Engineering of PolyU, and Ms Doris ZHAO, General Manager of Regional Business Development of NetDragon. Under the MoU, PolyU and NetDragon will closely collaborate in three key areas. This includes the joint development of an AI learning platform aimed at enriching the learning experiences of students in Hong Kong and around the world. Both parties will also leverage their exceptional research and academic strengths, along with extensive industry experience, to engage in collaborative research focused on best practices and innovations in EdTech. In addition, they will facilitate academic and cultural exchange programmes among tertiary institutions in Hong Kong, Mainland China, and other countries and regions, fostering a global exchange of knowledge and ideas. Prof. CHUNG Chi-yung, Head of the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering and Chair Professor of Power Systems Engineering of PolyU said, “Our Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering aspires to be a leader in engineering education and EdTech locally and globally. By integrating the latest AI technologies into our pedagogy, we strive to enhance students’ learning experience. This collaboration will not only accelerate PolyU’s innovation and application in EdTech but also cultivate talents with innovative thinking and knowledge in engineering and EdTech, contributing to boosting the competitiveness of EdTech in Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area.” Mr Ben YAM, Chief Financial Officer of NetDragon said, “We are excited to partner with PolyU. NetDragon will leverage its expertise in AI and its applications in EdTech, combining with PolyU’s renowned academic resources to explore the joint development of cutting-edge AI learning platforms and innovative educational solutions. This collaboration marks a new milestone in advancing global higher education. Through this collaboration, we look forward to exploring the vast potential of AI in education and, by integrating the resources of both parties, expanding market opportunities and driving innovation in EdTech.” ***END***

PolyU achieves impressive results in Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2025, with five subjects ranking in global top 100

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has demonstrated encouraging performance in the newly released Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings by Subject 2025. The University has five subjects ranked among the top 100 globally, with Business & Economics and Engineering being placed in the top 50, highlighting its excellence in teaching and research, as well as its competitiveness in the global higher education landscape. Among the highest ranked PolyU subjects are Business & Economics (37th), Engineering (41st), Social Sciences (68th), Computer Science (74th) and, entering the global top 100 for the first time, Physical Sciences (97th). Other PolyU disciplines, including Arts & Humanities, Medical & Health and Life Sciences, were also listed in the Rankings, reaffirming the University’s endeavour to continue making breakthroughs in various academic fields. PolyU aspires to be an innovative world-class university that pursues excellence in education, research and knowledge transfer. Moving forward, the University will further strengthen its ties and collaborations with partners around the globe, promote world-leading research and innovation, and nurture more socially responsible professionals and leaders for the benefit of Hong Kong, the Nation and the world. The THE World University Rankings by Subject assess universities across 11 disciplines based on five core pillar criteria: Teaching, Research Environment, Research Quality, International Outlook and Industry. For more information on the THE World University Rankings by Subject 2025, please visit: https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/by-subject. ***END***

PolyU Department of Rehabilitation Sciences launches “Better Ageing in Community Campaign”, applying AI technology to assess the fall risk of 2,500 elderly in the community

According to the Department of Health, in Hong Kong approximately one in five community-dwelling elderly individuals aged 65 or above fall every year, posing significant health risks to themselves and placing a potential burden on public health resources. To alleviate the pressure on the public healthcare system, the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has partnered with several local community organisations to launch the “Better Ageing in Community Campaign”. The Campaign aims to conduct fall risk screenings for 2,500 elderly individuals to identify those at higher risk of falling, using artificial intelligence (AI) technology developed by the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, and provide them with fall prevention training, translating PolyU research achievements into practical benefits for the community. Mr Fletch CHAN, Commissioner for Rehabilitation of the Labour and Welfare Bureau of the HKSAR Government; Mr Tommy CHEUNG, Executive Council Member and Legislative Council Member; Mr LEE Chun-keung, Legislative Council Member; Dr Roy CHUNG, Honorary Chairman of the PolyU Court; Prof. Ben YOUNG, Vice President (Student and Global Affairs) ; and Prof. Marco PANG, Head of the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, together with district officers and representatives from PolyU, jointly officiated the Campaign commencement ceremony. During the event, the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the co-organising local community partners to establish a framework for future community work. Mr Fletch Chan said, “To promote the use of technology in the social welfare sector, the Government allocated $1 billion in 2018 to set up the Innovation and Technology Fund for Application in Elderly and Rehabilitation Care to subsidise eligible elderly and rehabilitation service units to introduce technology products such as fall prevention equipment.  So far, about $750 million has been approved.  In 2024-25, the Government injected additional $1 billion into the Fund and will expand its scope to cover gerontechnology products suitable for household use, with a view to benefitting more elderly persons.” Prof. Ben Young stated, “For more than 80 years, PolyU has been committed to innovating and providing quality higher education, bringing positive and powerful impact to the community. We have cultivated generations of students who have made outstanding contributions in the society. We aspire to be a leading university in pioneering knowledge transfer and in providing quality whole-person education, contributing to Hong Kong, the Nation and the world. It is our aspiration to bring meaningful changes to the lives of individuals and communities. This campaign reflects our mission.” The Better Ageing in Community Campaign aims to promote healthier ageing, with a particular emphasis on the importance of fall prevention among the elderly. Utilising AI technology developed by the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences and other tools, the experienced research and teaching team will supervise physiotherapy and occupational therapy students who volunteer to conduct comprehensive assessments for 2,500 elderly individuals aged 60 or above. The assessments will focus on fall risk. Based on the results, the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences will invite those identified as being at moderate risk to participate in rehabilitation training, while those identified as being at high risk will be referred to District Health Centres for follow-up interventions. During the initial phase of the campaign, eligible elderly individuals will be recruited through the co-organising local community partners, with plans being made to expand the initiative to other districts in Hong Kong. The Department of Rehabilitation Sciences will analyse and compile the collected data, with the aim of assisting the government in optimising primary healthcare policies in Hong Kong. ***END***

16 PolyU projects receive support from Health and Medical Research Fund, recognising the University’s interdisciplinary research achievements

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is committed to promoting interdisciplinary research and transforming scientific achievements into impactful inventions to meet the rapidly changing demands in areas such as healthcare. 16 PolyU projects have received support from the Health and Medical Research Fund (HMRF) in its latest funding exercise, with a total funding amount of HK$14.3 million. These projects cover various research areas related to health technology and biomedical engineering, showcasing PolyU’s interdisciplinary proficiency in medical and healthcare research. The funded projects span multiple disciplines, including nursing care, rehabilitation sciences, health technology and informatics, optometry, biomedical engineering, and biology and chemical technology. They have developed innovative solutions to address the ever-evolving global healthcare challenges, aiming not only to benefit individuals’ physical health but also to take into account the overall well-being of patients, medical professionals and caregivers. In the field of nursing, PolyU’s funded projects are diverse. Research topics include music-with-movement training for people with cognitive frailty, mountain craft training to improve the psychological well-being of children with cancer, mindfulness-based intervention for caregivers of people with dementia, as well as robot-mediated interactive intervention for the elderly living alone. Health technology and informatics research focuses on improving disease diagnosis and management by integrating advanced technology and artificial intelligence (AI). The projects cover various areas, including thyroid dysfunctions, the transmission of foodborne antimicrobial resistance in Hong Kong, type 2 diabetes, early-pregnancy prediction of preeclampsia and an AI-empowered pulmonary perfusion imaging technique for lung cancer. In rehabilitation sciences, the funded projects explore topics including diabetic management, online exercise programmes for older people with chronic low back pain, addressing insomnia in the older population, and specific dance intervention to reduce the risk of falls in older adults. The research outcomes intend to help overcome the pressing healthcare challenges brought on by a rapidly ageing population. Projects in other health science and engineering areas also encompass a wide range of pioneering research and invention, involving drug development for biofilm infections, biosensors for dysphagia screening, myopia control for school children and more. For more details about the 16 PolyU projects funded by HMRF, please refer to the Appendix. Established by the Health Bureau in 2011, the HMRF aims to build research capacity and to encourage, facilitate and support health and medical research to inform health policies, improve population health, strengthen the health system, enhance healthcare practices, advance the standard and quality of care, and promote clinical excellence, through the generation and application of evidence-based scientific knowledge in health and medicine. In addition to health and medical research, the HMRF also provides support for health promotion projects, research infrastructure and research capacity building initiatives.   ***END***  

PolyU develops low-carbon marine self-healing concrete to achieve carbon neutrality with supports from Green Tech Fund

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is committed to advancing green technology to help tackle the pressing need for global sustainability. A team of interdisciplinary experts from the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering has developed a low-carbon marine self-healing concrete, which holds promising potential for marine construction materials and coastal engineering applications. Contributing to carbon neutrality, this initiative has received approximately HK$6.03 million from the HKSAR Government’s Green Tech Fund for a duration of 24 months. The project “Marine self-healing concrete with biomineralisation-enhanced construction waste for long-term decarbonisation” is led by Prof. LI Xiangdong, Dean of the Faculty of Construction and Environment, Chair Professor of Environmental Science and Technology, and Ko Jan Ming Professor in Sustainable Urban Development at PolyU. The team members are Prof. Chi Sun POON, Head of Department, Chair Professor of Sustainable Construction Materials, and Michael Anson Professor in Civil Engineering, Prof. YU Tao and Prof. LENG Zhen, with Dr SUN Xiaohao, Research Assistant Professor as the co-principal investigator. Due to the scarcity of natural aggregate, scientists have been seeking effective alternatives. This project aims to design and develop low-carbon marine self-healing concrete by incorporating biomineralisation-enhanced recycled aggregates made from waste concrete. By employing biomineralisation technology, the marine carbon-capturing bacteria will utilise carbon dioxide (CO2) to accelerate carbonisation and improve the performance of recycled aggregates. This approach helps reduce CO2 emissions and facilitates the recycling of construction waste, offering a broad application in marine construction materials and coastal engineering. In addition, this microbial concrete structure possesses self-healing properties that enhance its durability, providing a significant advantage in achieving long-term decarbonisation and sustainability. Field testing and lifecycle assessments will be conducted to ensure that the new concrete meets the stringent standards of durability and marine ecosystem quality. Anticipated results include comprehensive design guidelines for marine self-healing concrete, optimised mixing techniques, and valuable insights into the influence and environmental performances of low-carbon marine self-healing concrete on marine ecology. Prof. Li said, “Through the innovative use of biomineralisation and recycled aggregates in marine concrete, this project drives progress in the production of marine construction materials and  pioneers new solutions in sustainable construction to accelerate the development of related industries. Our goal is also to address global environmental challenges such as reducing carbon emissions from construction waste, and promoting its recycling to alleviate landfill pressures. This approach conserves land resources and mitigates environmental hazards, making a contribution towards achieving carbon neutrality and the long-term sustainable development of Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area.” The Green Tech Fund was established in 2020 to provide better and more focused funding support to research and development projects which help Hong Kong decarbonise and enhance environmental protection.   ***END***

PolyU signs MoU with Pok Oi Hospital to provide internship opportunities for students in Nursing, Rehabilitation Sciences and Nutrition and to expand the healthcare talent pool

Hong Kong’s ageing population is a growing concern and there is an increasing demand for nursing and allied healthcare professionals in rehabilitation and nutritional science. In response to this challenge, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and Pok Oi Hospital Board of Directors (Pok Oi) signed two Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) today, with the aim of exploring placement opportunities for students of relevant disciplines at Pok Oi’s elderly care service units, jointly fostering the next generation of nursing and allied healthcare professionals for Hong Kong. Witnessed by Prof. Kwok-yin WONG, Vice President (Education) of PolyU; Prof. Raymond WONG, Dean of the Faculty of Science; and Mrs Winnie TAM KEUNG May-chu, Permanent Adviser to the Pok Oi Hospital Board of Directors, the MoU for the Department of Food Science and Nutrition was signed by Prof. Sheng CHEN, Head of the Department of Food Science and Nutrition of PolyU, and Mr Danny Chun-tat CHAU, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Pok Oi Hospital. This was followed by the signing of the MoU for the Faculty of Health and Social Sciences by Prof. David SHUM, Dean of the Faculty of Health and Social Sciences of PolyU, and Mr Simon TSO, Member of the Pok Oi Hospital Governing Committee and 3rd Vice Chairman of Pok Oi Hospital. Prof. Kwok-yin WONG stated, “PolyU is committed to providing quality and comprehensive education for our students. We offer a range of healthcare-related programmes aiming to cultivate healthcare professionals and inject new impetus into the healthcare system in Hong Kong. Pok Oi Hospital has a long history of development in elderly services, providing comprehensive care and support to the elderly in Hong Kong. This collaboration will create diverse clinical placement opportunities for PolyU students, allowing them to put their knowledge and skills into practice in the service units of Pok Oi. Through this partnership, we hope to advance PolyU’s efforts in nursing and allied healthcare education, enhance healthcare and social service standards, and jointly contribute to community health with Pok Oi.” Mr Danny Chun-tat CHOW remarked, “The signing of this MoU marks a significant milestone for both Pok Oi Hospital and PolyU. Students will have the opportunity to participate in clinical placements and frontline services of elderly care, rehabilitation and nutrition under professional guidance, which will help solidify their practical knowledge and professional skills. We hope students will also gain a deeper understanding of elderly care, so equipping them for a future career in nursing homes. Building and nurturing a talent pool for supporting long-term development in the industry is one important part of the overall talent strategy.” Through this collaboration, students from the PolyU Department of Food Science and Nutrition, School of Nursing and Department of Rehabilitation Sciences will have the opportunity to undertake clinical placements, project research and service planning at the Pok Oi service units. Moving forward, both parties will deepen their communication on industry needs and talent cultivation, and work together to exchange views on the planning and development of nursing and rehabilitation, as well as food and nutrition programmes, to formulate a holistic curriculum that better meets the needs of local professionals and contribute to the expansion of the talent pool of nursing and allied healthcare professionals in Hong Kong. ***END***

PolyU researchers develop breakthrough method for self-stimulated ejection of freezing droplets, unlocking cost-effective applications in de-icing

Water droplets under freezing conditions do not spontaneously detach from surfaces as they do at room temperature due to stronger droplet-surface interaction and lack of an energy transformation pathway. Since accumulated droplets or ice have to be removed manually or with mechanical equipment, which is costly and inefficient, preventing droplet accretion on surfaces is both scientifically intriguing and practically important. Researchers at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) have invented a ground-breaking self-powered mechanism of freezing droplet ejection that allows droplets to shoot themselves away, paving the way for cost-efficient and promising technological applications. Published in Nature Chemical Engineering as the cover feature for its last December issue, the research project “Freezing droplet ejection by spring-like elastic pillars” is led by Prof. Zuankai WANG, Associate Vice President (Research and Innovation), Kuok Group Professor in Nature-Inspired Engineering and Chair Professor of the PolyU Department of Mechanical Engineering, and Prof. Haimin YAO, Associate Professor of the PolyU Department of Mechanical Engineering. First co-authors include Postdoctoral Fellow Dr Huanhuan ZHANG, PhD student Mr Wei ZHANG, Research Assistant Professor Dr Yuankai JIN, and PhD student Mr Chenyang WU. The discovery of the self-ejection phenomenon in freezing droplets was inspired by a fungus capable of shooting its spores away through osmosis-induced volume expansion. Noting that a similar volume expansion occurs when water droplet is freezing, the research team has replicated the self-shooting mechanism found in the fungi and developed a structured elastic surface (SES) with spring-like pillars and wetting contrast that allows for the spontaneous ejection of freezing water droplets. The SES structure is designed to accelerate the ejection velocity and enlarge the kinetic energy transformation of freezing droplets. When the freezing droplet undergoes volume expansion, it compresses the pillar of SES. The volume expansion work is first converted to and stored as elastic energy in the pillar within tens of seconds, and then to be transformed into the droplet’s kinetic energy rapidly within milliseconds. This thousandfold reduction in timescales leads to sufficient kinetic energy to drive freezing droplet ejection. The simple SES structure, after parameter design, is effective in ejecting freezing droplets without external energy input and even against the forces of wind and gravity. It can be applied to aircraft, wind blades or cable lines to prevent hazards caused by ice accretion. Dr Huanhuan Zhang said, “It is exciting that we, for the first time, introduce a self-powered ice removal concept that will offer a wide range of innovative solutions. We will continuously improve the design of SES, allowing it to be manufactured at various scales and at a low cost to meet societal needs.” Furthermore, the theoretical model developed in the research elucidates the factors determining the successful onset of the freezing droplet ejection phenomenon, with scalable design exhibiting potential practicability in various fields. Prof. Wang envisions, “This nature-inspired research paved the way for numerous impactful applications. We believe that the freezing droplet ejection, as a prototype, could stimulate the development of self-powered concepts and methods for a wide range of purposes such as de-icing, energy harvesting and soft robotic applications.” Specifically, droplet ejection induced by volume expansion enhances understanding of multi-phase freezing dynamics for anti-icing applications. Prof. Yao remarked, “Our research demonstrates a strategy to efficiently harness and utilise the volume expansion work of freezing droplets to generate ballistic motion. This could subsequently expand the application of energy conversion phenomena, and inspire the development of droplet-based energy generators and soft robotic catapults.”   ***END***

PolyU research reconstructs ancient Chinese geographic and ecological environment using AI technologies, awarded Top 10 Innovative Exploratory Projects in Tencent’s Tanyuan Scheme 2024

Innovative digital technology is opening up new possibilities for the preservation and dissemination of traditional knowledge and cultural heritage. Promoting the synergy between technologies and the humanities, a research team at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has leveraged artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to distil, represent and visualise geographic and ecological knowledge from ancient Chinese texts. Their approach has helped to overcome the limitations of traditional text studies, while fostering the digitisation of ancient texts to enable more innovative models of knowledge inheritance. The pioneering project - “Knowledge Integration of the Classic of Mountains and Seas: Reconstructing Ancient Ecological and Geographical Knowledge Heritage with Artificial Intelligence” - is led by Prof. HUANG Chu-ren, Chair Professor of Applied Chinese Language Studies of the PolyU Department of Chinese and Bilingual Studies. The only winning endeavour from a tertiary institution based in Hong Kong and Macao this year, the project was recognised as one of the “Top 10 Innovative Exploratory Projects” in the Tanyuan Scheme 2024, among 79 submissions from 48 universities and research institutes. The Scheme was initiated by Tencent and various cultural units in the Mainland and guided by the Department of Science, Technology and Education of the National Cultural Heritage Administration. As the first part of the pre-Qin classic text Classic of Mountains and Seas (Shanhaijing), the Classic of Mountains (Shanjing) comprises approximately 20,000 characters of geographic information relating to mountains and rivers, as well as the natural resources therein. It is regarded as China’s earliest attested compendium of geo-ecological information. Existing studies of the text remain within the classical humanities paradigm. This research project has however proposed a knowledge integration approach to present an innovative solution for modernising and transmitting the knowledge content of the Classic of Mountains, with the aim of arousing greater research interest in the field. The research team uses various AI technologies including information extraction, knowledge graphs, graph retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), and large language model (LLM), to analyse, organise, integrate, and present the geographical and ecological knowledge embedded in the text. Their goal is to establish a systematic knowledge platform that can serve as a blueprint for the development of diachronic geo-ecological knowledge systems of ancient China through future studies into other ancient texts and documentation from different dynasties. This will enable research into the geo-ecological changes and variations in China over the past two millennia and provide appropriate environmental information to better understand historical events. As a first step, the team is developing a Q&A platform that consolidates information about the landmarks in Classic of Mountains, together with a digital map that visually illustrates the geographical features described in the text. Rendered demonstration for the digital map of Shanjing Prof. Huang said, “A deep and systematic understanding of ancient geography and ecology provide us with longitudinal information about how our environment has changed. This is also crucial for contemporary ecological governance. The project represents an interdisciplinary effort to integrate digital technology in humanities studies to address the challenges of the fragmentation of ancient literature and the usability of traditional knowledge in today’s evidence-based studies, which will ultimately enhance the transmission, integration and application of historical knowledge in contemporary contexts.” Prof. Huang is the first Chinese permanent member of the International Committee for Computational Linguistics. He has also been recognised as one of the World’s Top 2% Most-cited Scientists 2024 by Stanford University in the field of AI with his long-standing expertise in computational linguistics and digital humanities. His team members include PhD student Ms Ke LIANG and postdoctoral researcher Dr Xuemei TANG from the Department of Chinese and Bilingual Studies. Dr Qi SU, Associate Professor from the Research Center for Digital Humanities at Peking University, and Dr Jinghang GU, Research Assistant Professor of the PolyU Department of Chinese and Bilingual Studies are co-principal investigators.   ***END***