News

AMA Scholars Receive NSFC/RGC Joint Research Scheme Award for 2024/25

We are delighted to announce that Professor Qiao Zhonghua and Dr. Cui Jianbo have received funding support from the NSFC/RGC Joint Research Scheme for the 2024/25 exercise. Their proposals are among the 7 awarded submissions from PolyU. The Research Grants Council (RGC) recently released the results for the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) and RGC Joint Research Scheme for the 2024/25 exercise. This year, the NSFC and RGC have agreed to support a total of 50 research projects out of 616 eligible applications, with a total funding amount of HK$59.666 million (excluding on-costs). For the 2024/25 exercise, PolyU submitted 148 eligible preliminary proposals and 25 full proposals for consideration by the NSFC and RGC. We are proud to share that 7 full proposals from PolyU have been awarded funding, totaling HK$8.217 million, which represents 13.77% of the total awarded funding. Congratulations to all involved!

Congratulations to Dr Zhang Zaikun and His Team for Receiving the Award for Applications of Operations Research from the Operations Research Society of China

We are delighted to announce that our Assistant Professor Dr Zhang Zaikun and his team have been honored with the Award for Applications of Operations Research by the Operations Research Society of China (ORSC), recognizing their significant contributions to industry through the development of numerical optimization solvers. These solvers are designed to solve nonlinear optimization problems without using derivatives (more generally, first-order information), known as derivative-free optimization (DFO) solvers. Dr Zhang and his team (Tom M. Ragonneau, Haitian Li, and Cunxin Huang) have devoted many years to the development DFO packages, including NEWUOAs, PRIMA, COBYQA, and PDFO. These packages have made significant impacts in industry. NEWUOAs was applied by Intel to the design of the 5G base chip Atom P5900, which is now a flagship product of Intel. It drastically reduced the optimization time of a memory design problem from weeks to hours, which massively simplified the workflow of the design. Meanwhile, the State Key Laboratory of ASIC and Systems (Fudan University) applied  NEWUOAs to large-scale circuit design, tackling bottleneck problems that were previously unsolvable or even unimaginable. PRIMA and PDFO play pivotal roles at IRT Saint Exupéry,  a French industrial research lab co-founded by major industry players including Airbus. They are essential for optimizing critical aerospace and automotive systems, aiding IRT in making crucial decisions in areas such as aircraft component design and electrical systems for electric vehicles. Notably, the COBYQA solver has been integrated into SciPy as a Release Highlight of SciPy 1.14.0. It is hence downloaded millions of times every day along with SciPy, which is at the core of Python’s scientific computing capabilities. The SciPy community is now actively working on the inclusion of PRIMA solvers into SciPy. In addition, PDFO is a major optimization engine in GEMSEO, which is an industrial software package developed by IRT Saint Exupéry. NEWUOAs is incorporated into the toolkit for large-scale analog circuit optimization by Fudan University. For more information about Dr Zhang’s solvers, see www.libprima.net, www.cobyqa.com, and www.pdfo.net. Dr. Zhang’s team is supported by Hong Kong Research Grant Council projects PolyU15305420, PolyU15306621, and PolyU15308623. About the Award The Operations Research Society of China established the Award for Applications of Operations Research in 2002 to encourage the application and practice of operations research in China, thereby benefiting the nation’s economic and social development. This goal is achieved by reviewing and recognizing outstanding projects in the field. The award is presented every two years during the society's academic annual meeting. Winners are selected through anonymous voting by the judges, with up to three projects being honored. AMA Chair Professor Sun Defeng and collaborators received this award in 2022.  For details, please visit https://www.orsc.org.cn/article/detail?id=926 (Chinese only).   - END - 

Congratulations to Chair Professor Sun Defeng on Receiving Fellowship from the Operations Research Society of China

We are pleased to announce that Chair Professor Sun Defeng has been awarded the prestigious life-long Fellowship 2024 from the Operations Research Society of China (ORSC), recognizing his significant contributions to the field of optimization research. The award presentation ceremony took place on October 10, 2024, during the 17th ORSC Annual General Meeting at Guizhou University. Professor Sun is one of only four scholars to receive this Fellowship, which is regarded as the highest honor awarded by ORSC. About ORSC The Operations Research Society of China (ORSC) has been a national member of the International Federation of Operational Research Societies (IFORS) since 1982. It is also a founding member of the Association of Asian Pacific Operational Research Societies (APORS), having hosted two APORS triennial conferences in 1991 in Beijing and in 2012 in Xi'an. The ORSC office is located in Beijing, the capital of China, and it boasts over 2,000 registered members across 16 special interest groups, including mathematical programming, graph and combinatorial optimization, game theory and applications, corporate operations research, reliability, industrial data-oriented optimization, operational management, and behavioral operations research, among others. ORSC convenes a national congress every two years, typically in October, attracting around a thousand participants who present their latest research findings. For details, please visit www.orsc.org.cn/article/detail?id=924 (Chinese only).

11 AMA Scholars Ranked Among the World’s Top 2% Most-Cited Scientists 2024

We are proud to announce that eleven scholars from the Department of Applied Mathematics have been recognized in the World’s Top 2% Most-Cited Scientists for 2024, as compiled by Stanford University. Notably, eight of these scholars were acknowledged for their career-long citation impact. The World’s Top 2% Most-Cited Scientists list is divided into two categories: one highlights scholars' career-long contributions (1960-2023), while the other focuses on their single-year impact for 2023. This recognition celebrates both lifetime achievement and recent research influence. Over 100,000 top scientists globally were categorized into 22 scientific fields and 174 sub-fields according to the standard Science-Metrix classification. The rankings are based on key indicators, including total citations, scientific research output, and a composite citation impact score, up to the end of 2023. For more details, please visit:For details, please visit https://elsevier.digitalcommonsdata.com/datasets/btchxktzyw/7

AMA Young Scholar Receives Prestigious Research Grants from National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC)

The Department of Applied Mathematics is proud to announce that its young scholars have been awarded prestigious research grants from National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC), including the Youth Science Foundation (青年科学基金項目), the Outstanding Youth Science Fund Project (杰青), and the General Foundation (面上項目). This recognition marks a significant achievement in the scholars' academic careers and highlights the exceptional quality of research being conducted at the AMA. This year marks the first time that the NSFC has opened the Outstanding Youth Science Fund Project (杰青) to institutions in the Hong Kong and Macau regions. One of AMA young scholars are among the awardees, a testament to their outstanding research capabilities and the high regard in which their work is held. AMA remains committed to supporting its scholars in their pursuit of excellence and innovation. These awards from the China Funding Council are significant milestones in the scholars' careers and promising steps towards further advancements in their fields of research. We would like to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of our faculty members and colleagues who have made this achievement possible. Our heartfelt congratulations go to the following colleagues whose projects are funded in this exercise: Dr Fu Guanxing, Assistant Professor Dr Jiang Zhaoli, Assistant Professor Dr Zhou Zhi, Associate Professor Dr Yang Zongze, Research Fellow ---- End ----

Inauguration Ceremony of the Research Centre for Intelligent Operations Research (IOR)

The Department of Applied Mathematics (AMA) proudly inaugurated its Research Centre for Intelligent Operations Research (IOR) on 16 August 2024. The ceremony was officiated by President Teng Jin-Guang; Professor Chai Yang, Associate Dean of the Faculty of Sciences; Professor Sun Defeng, Head of AMA and Director of IOR, distinguished guests and senior faculty members of AMA. We had the honor of having renowned scholars such as Professor Yuan Yaxiang, Professor Teo Chung Piaw, Professor Michael Saunders, and Professor Yang Xinmin join the ceremony. The event saw an impressive turnout, with over 100 participants in attendance. The establishment of the Research Centre for Intelligent Operations Research marks a significant milestone in our ongoing pursuit of research excellence. This Centre embodies our unwavering commitment to addressing the multifaceted challenges of the contemporary world through the lens of intelligent operations research. By bringing together a diverse team of world-leading experts in applied mathematics, computer science, industrial and systems engineering, logistics, and maritime studies, the Centre is poised to tackle complex optimization problems, drive groundbreaking research advancements, and develop state-of-the-art technologies that will shape the future. The IOR aims to be a beacon of innovation, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and pioneering research that will have a profound impact on both academia and industry. Through its cutting-edge research initiatives, the Centre will contribute to the development of intelligent systems and solutions that enhance efficiency, sustainability, and resilience across various sectors. For more information about the Research Centre for Intelligent Operations Research, please visit our website at www.polyu.edu.hk/ama/ior.

Welcome Our New Team Members to the AMA Family

We are delighted to share that we have recently welcomed two new team members. Their varied skills and experiences are sure to enhance our ongoing success and innovation. Dr Zhang Shijun, Assistant Professor Dr Zhang joined AMA in July 2024. He obtained Doctor of Philosophy degree from National University of Singapore in 2021 and Bachelor degree from Wuhan University in 2016. Before joining AMA, Dr Zhang was a Phillip Griffiths Assistant Research Professor at Duke University. His research interests are Approximation theory and Neural networks.  Dr Leung Ngai Hang Zachary, Lecturer Dr Leung joined AMA in July 2024. He obtained Doctor of Philosophy degree from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Master of Science and Bachelor of Science degrees in Mathematics from National University of Singapore.  

Online Booking for Exam Paper Review, 23- 24 July 2024

The online registration for exam paper review would be scheduled between 23 July and 24 July 2024. Make appointment here

AMA ranked the world 30th for the Best Global Universities for Mathematics in 2025 by US News & World Report's Ranking

AMA is proud to share that it has achieved a new high ranking in the field of mathematics, as recognized by The US News & World Report 2025. PolyU has been ranked 30th in the "Best Global Universities for Mathematics" category, making it the top-ranked institution in Hong Kong for this discipline. This prestigious ranking reflects our commitment to excellence in mathematical research and education. AMA has been at the forefront of groundbreaking research, innovative teaching, and impactful community engagement. This new ranking is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our faculty, researchers, and students. In addition to this new high ranking, PolyU has also maintained its position among the World Top 100 in the QS World University Ranking for "Statistics and Operational Research" for the seventh consecutive year. Furthermore, PolyU has achieved a new ranking of 32nd in the "Data Science & AI" subject, further solidifying its reputation as a leader in these critical fields. PolyU's excellence in mathematics has also been recognized by Research.com, which ranked the university as the 5th Best Mathematics University in China. For more information about AMA’s achievement, please visit https://www.polyu.edu.hk/ama/about-ama/ama-at-a-glance/awards-and-achievements/

Outstanding Alumni Award of PolyU Department of Applied Mathematics 2024

We are pleased to announce the 2024 awardees of the Outstanding Alumni Award (OPAA) for the PolyU Department of Applied Mathematics, who were nominated and selected in May. OPAA recognizes successful graduates of PolyU who have excelled in their chosen fields, supported their alma mater, and contributed to the wider community. Since 2022, achievement categories have been established to celebrate considerable accomplishments of our alumni in specific areas, including professional achievement, entrepreneurial achievement, scholarly achievement, and community service achievement. The Award is organized at three levels to engage alumni at the departmental, faculty/school, and university levels. Congratulations to the following awardees on their well-deserved recognition for their outstanding achievements: Scholarly Achievement (Young Alumni) Professor HU Shenglong Doctor of Philosophy, Department of Applied Mathematics, PolyU (2013) Professor HU Shenglong is a Professor at National University of Defense Technology. He earned his Doctoral Degree from PolyU in 2013, and both his Master’s and Bachelor’s Degrees from Tianjin University in 2010 and 2008, respectively.  Prof. Hu is a leading expert in tensor computation in China and globally. He has authored over 60 papers in prestigious journals, including Mathematical Programming and Numerische Mathematik. His research has resolved significant open problems, such as those proposed by SIAM Fellow Yousef Saad and Gene Golub, and has addressed the linear convergence of the higher-order power method (HOPM) for best rank-one approximations of tensors. He was invited speaker at major conferences like ICIAM 2019 and 2023 and has served as a plenary speaker at various academic meetings. Prof. Hu has also organized minisymposia at international conferences, including SIAM ALA. In collaboration with Prof. Liqun Qi, he pioneered spectral hypergraph theory via tensors, establishing the symmetric spectra theorem of uniform hypergraphs and publishing the first monograph on the subject. His work has led to annual workshops and summer schools, promoting over twenty students to professorships. Prof. Hu's research has received over 1300 SCI citations. Scholarly Achievement Professor KONG Kwok Hing Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Applied Mathematics, Department of Applied Mathematics, PolyU (1995) Higher Diploma in Mathematics, Statistics and Computing, Department of Applied Mathematics, PolyU (1993) Professor Albert Kong Kwok Hing is a Distinguished Professor at the Institute of Astronomy, National Tsing Hua University, and President of the Astronomical Society of Taiwan. He earned his PhD in Astrophysics from the University of Oxford in 2000, an MPhil in Physics from The University of Hong Kong in 1997, and a BSc and HD from PolyU in 1995 and 1993, respectively. Prof. Kong is internationally renowned for his multi-wavelength research on compact astrophysical objects like black holes and neutron stars. Over the past 15 years, many of his discoveries have been world-firsts. He has published over 265 refereed papers in leading journals such as Nature, Nature Astronomy, Physical Review Letters, and the Astrophysical Journal, accumulating more than 12,600 citations and an h-index of 54 in the Astrophysics Data System (ADS).Recognized as a dynamic leader in high-energy astrophysics and gravitational wave astronomy, Prof. Kong discovered gamma-ray emission from a globular cluster using data from the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope. His contributions have earned him prestigious awards, including the Academia Sinica Research Award for Junior Research Investigators (2013) and the Outstanding Research Award from the Ministry of Science and Technology (2015). Prof. Kong is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy in the UK and an elected Fellow of The Physical Society of Taiwan (2018). He received the Outstanding Scholar Award in 2022 and the University Industry Collaboration Excellence Award from NTHU in 2023. Entrepreneurial Achievement Mr. TSE Pak Kin Tammy Higher Diploma in Mathematics, Statistics and Computing, Department of Applied Mathematics, PolyU (1981) Mr. Tse Pak Kin Tammy is the Senior Vice President and Head of the Information Technology Group at Fubon Bank (Hong Kong) Limited. He earned his MBA from The University of Western Sydney, Australia, in 2001 and a Higher Diploma in Mathematics, Statistics, and Computing from PolyU in 1981. Mr. Tse is a prominent leader in Hong Kong's Fintech industry, specializing in Portfolio and Program Management, Merger and Acquisitions Initiatives, and Core Banking System Migration. With 25 years of experience in the financial services sector, he has managed numerous initiatives from international mergers and acquisitions, global market and treasury businesses, and regulatory mandates across Asia. He has extensive product knowledge in securities, foreign exchange, and money market activities, as well as global treasury products from a major US corporate and investment bank.Mr. Tse is adept in project and program management, utilizing Six Sigma methodologies and iterative processes to deliver and manage organizational change effectively. His contributions have been recognized with several awards, including the Fintech Talent Development Award (Bank) from Cyberport in 2022 and the Product Innovation Award from Infosys in 2023. In 2024, he served as a Bank Coordinator for Fubon Bank HK, supervising and supporting four project teams in the PolyU x Hong Kong Monetary Authority Industry Project Masters Network (IPMN) Programme. Professional Achievement Professor ZHANG Kai Doctor of Philosophy, Department of Applied Mathematics, PolyU (2006)   Professor ZHANG Kai is a Vice President of The Guangdong University of Finance and Economics. He received a PhD from The Department of Applied Mathematics from PolyU in 2006. Currently, Prof. Zhang is a member of the Financial Business Expert Advisory Committee of the Shenzhen Intermediate People's Court and the Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Macao Financial Technology Engineer Qualification Examination Proposition Committee. Prof. Zhang is a renowned expert in financial economics, financial derivatives, and financial technology. He has published over 50 academic papers and two monographs, and serves as an associate editor for the international journal NACO. His research has been supported by numerous prestigious projects, including those funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, the Ministry of Education, and the State Administration of Taxation. He has also led significant projects for financial institutions such as Bank of China, WeBank, and Guosen Securities.During his postdoctoral research period in Australia, Prof. Zhang participated in two national scientific research projects. Upon returning to China, he continued to lead and contribute to various national, provincial, and municipal research initiatives. Notable projects include research on option pricing, tax revenue analysis, and financial support for innovation-driven development in special economic zones. Prof. Zhang is highly regarded for fostering collaboration between education and industry in financial technology. He founded the Shenzhen Audencia Financial School, a joint venture between Audencia Business School and Shenzhen University, and established the WeBank Institute of Fintech, a collaboration between WeBank, Ping An Bank, and Shenzhen University. He also founded the Global Institute of Fintech (Xiangmihu). To learn more about our previous awardees, please visit our Alumni Corner. *** END***