Professor Jin-Guang Teng, BBS, JP
President of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
President's Address
Council Chairman, honoured guests, graduates, colleagues, ladies and gentlemen,
Good afternoon. It is my immense privilege to address you all on this meaningful occasion of the 30th Congregation of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University.
On behalf of the University, I’d like to begin by expressing my sincerest congratulations to our two distinguished honorary degree recipients, namely Professor Bernard Feringa, a Noble Laureate in Chemistry, and Dr Lawrence Li, a renowned ear, nose and throat specialist and PolyU’s Deputy Council Chairman. Their groundbreaking achievements, remarkable contributions to society, and dedication to improving lives are a profound source of inspiration for us all.
Today, we also celebrate our Doctor of Philosophy degree recipients. At this November Congregation, we are proud to award PhD degrees to 237 graduates. Congratulations, graduates! This milestone is a testament to your years of hard work, perseverance, and commitment to pushing the boundaries of knowledge in your respective fields. Through your doctoral research, you have developed an invaluable set of skills, including the ability to critically examine complex problems, devise innovative solutions, and articulate your findings with precision and clarity. By applying these skills in your future endeavours, you will be empowered to drive meaningful change and shape the world for the better, living up to PolyU’s motto: “To learn and to apply, for the benefit of mankind”.
You are also graduating at a very special time for our University. Thirty years ago, in this very month of November, PolyU attained university status. Our 30 year anniversary comes at a time when our University is reaching new heights of academic excellence. For example, PolyU was recently ranked 57th worldwide in the QS rankings and 84th worldwide in the Times Higher Education rankings. Equally impressive is the fact that 232 PolyU scholars were recognised as being among the top 2% most-cited scientists globally in an index by Stanford University based on career-long citation impact. These outstanding accolades are a testament to our unwavering commitment to world-class education and research, and should make you proud to be graduates of PolyU.
Nevertheless, these achievements do not make us complacent. To maintain our position as a world-class university, we acknowledge the need to continually evolve our initiatives and strategic directions in response to the changing needs of society. With this in mind, we recently formulated a new six-year Strategic Plan, themed "Unite to Meet Challenges, Innovate to Benefit Society". This plan enabled us to enhance our Vision and Mission statements, ensuring they align with our latest aspirations and accomplishments. I am pleased to share with you that PolyU's enhanced Vision is "to be an innovative world-class university that pursues excellence in education, research, and knowledge transfer for the benefit of Hong Kong, the Nation, and the world".
Innovation has a three-dimensional meaning for us. Firstly, our graduates should be leaders and drivers of innovation. Secondly, our research should lead to innovations with direct societal benefits. Thirdly, the spirit of innovation should be embedded in all our endeavours.
Let me now briefly share some of the exciting initiatives we have planned that will enable us to thrive as an innovative world-class university in the years to come.
To provide our students with a broader educational base and greater flexibility in forging their future career paths to meet societal needs, we will transition towards a Faculty-based admission system from the next academic year. Under this system, all students within the same Faculty will follow a common year–one curriculum. After the first year, students can decide whether to continue with their initial programme choice or switch to another choice within the same Faculty based on their aspirations and year-one performance. In parallel to the introduction of Faculty-based admission, a Bachelor’s Degree Scheme in Interdisciplinary Studies will also be launched. Students enrolled into this University-level Scheme will have an opportunity to be considered for entry into any of PolyU’s programmes after year one.
As you are all aware, our society is being rapidly transformed by the rise of emerging technologies, especially artificial intelligence. To address the growing demand for talent and technological expertise in the era of artificial intelligence, a new Faculty called the Faculty of Computer and Mathematical Sciences will be established in January next year. This Faculty will initially comprise three departments, namely the Department of Applied Mathematics, the Department of Computing, and the Department of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence that was newly introduced in July this year.
In the realm of research, we have been enhancing our strategy to amplify the impact of our work. In the past, research was often driven by individual efforts, but we now recognise that tackling complex societal challenges requires a collaborative and interdisciplinary approach. Our PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research, also known as PAIR, embodies this philosophy, bringing together 19 research institutes and centres to conduct mission-driven research in key areas of socio-economic importance. As the largest research platform of its kind in the Greater Bay Area, PAIR is a shining example of our commitment to interdisciplinary research.
To further expand the reach and impact of our research, we have launched a major initiative to establish translational research institutes in various Mainland cities. These institutes will focus on high-impact translational research and development work, addressing the industrial and societal needs of each city. They will thus integrate PolyU into the national innovation ecosystem and contribute to the country's scientific and technological advancement. I'm delighted to announce that we've secured agreements for 14 translational research institutes, with several of them already launched.
Last but not least, the Chief Executive’s recent Policy Address highlighted the Hong Kong Government’s support for the establishment of a third medical school in the Northern Metropolis, which will further position our city as an international health and medical innovation hub. In line with this, PolyU aspires to set up a second campus in the Northern Metropolis, which will include a medical school that leverages our strong background in health science education and research to foster a new generation of medical professionals and innovators to meet the future medical needs of the Northern Metropolis and the Greater Bay Area.
In closing, I would like to extend my congratulations once again to all of our graduates. Your academic studies at PolyU may have come to a close, but the bonds you've formed and the experiences you've had will remain with you for a lifetime. You are now also part of a vibrant, global community of nearly half a million alumni who are driving positive change and innovation in their respective fields. Stay engaged with your alma mater, support one another, and continue to embody the spirit of innovation for excellence that defines PolyU.
Thank you!
Good afternoon. It is my immense privilege to address you all on this meaningful occasion of the 30th Congregation of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University.
On behalf of the University, I’d like to begin by expressing my sincerest congratulations to our two distinguished honorary degree recipients, namely Professor Bernard Feringa, a Noble Laureate in Chemistry, and Dr Lawrence Li, a renowned ear, nose and throat specialist and PolyU’s Deputy Council Chairman. Their groundbreaking achievements, remarkable contributions to society, and dedication to improving lives are a profound source of inspiration for us all.
Today, we also celebrate our Doctor of Philosophy degree recipients. At this November Congregation, we are proud to award PhD degrees to 237 graduates. Congratulations, graduates! This milestone is a testament to your years of hard work, perseverance, and commitment to pushing the boundaries of knowledge in your respective fields. Through your doctoral research, you have developed an invaluable set of skills, including the ability to critically examine complex problems, devise innovative solutions, and articulate your findings with precision and clarity. By applying these skills in your future endeavours, you will be empowered to drive meaningful change and shape the world for the better, living up to PolyU’s motto: “To learn and to apply, for the benefit of mankind”.
You are also graduating at a very special time for our University. Thirty years ago, in this very month of November, PolyU attained university status. Our 30 year anniversary comes at a time when our University is reaching new heights of academic excellence. For example, PolyU was recently ranked 57th worldwide in the QS rankings and 84th worldwide in the Times Higher Education rankings. Equally impressive is the fact that 232 PolyU scholars were recognised as being among the top 2% most-cited scientists globally in an index by Stanford University based on career-long citation impact. These outstanding accolades are a testament to our unwavering commitment to world-class education and research, and should make you proud to be graduates of PolyU.
Nevertheless, these achievements do not make us complacent. To maintain our position as a world-class university, we acknowledge the need to continually evolve our initiatives and strategic directions in response to the changing needs of society. With this in mind, we recently formulated a new six-year Strategic Plan, themed "Unite to Meet Challenges, Innovate to Benefit Society". This plan enabled us to enhance our Vision and Mission statements, ensuring they align with our latest aspirations and accomplishments. I am pleased to share with you that PolyU's enhanced Vision is "to be an innovative world-class university that pursues excellence in education, research, and knowledge transfer for the benefit of Hong Kong, the Nation, and the world".
Innovation has a three-dimensional meaning for us. Firstly, our graduates should be leaders and drivers of innovation. Secondly, our research should lead to innovations with direct societal benefits. Thirdly, the spirit of innovation should be embedded in all our endeavours.
Let me now briefly share some of the exciting initiatives we have planned that will enable us to thrive as an innovative world-class university in the years to come.
To provide our students with a broader educational base and greater flexibility in forging their future career paths to meet societal needs, we will transition towards a Faculty-based admission system from the next academic year. Under this system, all students within the same Faculty will follow a common year–one curriculum. After the first year, students can decide whether to continue with their initial programme choice or switch to another choice within the same Faculty based on their aspirations and year-one performance. In parallel to the introduction of Faculty-based admission, a Bachelor’s Degree Scheme in Interdisciplinary Studies will also be launched. Students enrolled into this University-level Scheme will have an opportunity to be considered for entry into any of PolyU’s programmes after year one.
As you are all aware, our society is being rapidly transformed by the rise of emerging technologies, especially artificial intelligence. To address the growing demand for talent and technological expertise in the era of artificial intelligence, a new Faculty called the Faculty of Computer and Mathematical Sciences will be established in January next year. This Faculty will initially comprise three departments, namely the Department of Applied Mathematics, the Department of Computing, and the Department of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence that was newly introduced in July this year.
In the realm of research, we have been enhancing our strategy to amplify the impact of our work. In the past, research was often driven by individual efforts, but we now recognise that tackling complex societal challenges requires a collaborative and interdisciplinary approach. Our PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research, also known as PAIR, embodies this philosophy, bringing together 19 research institutes and centres to conduct mission-driven research in key areas of socio-economic importance. As the largest research platform of its kind in the Greater Bay Area, PAIR is a shining example of our commitment to interdisciplinary research.
To further expand the reach and impact of our research, we have launched a major initiative to establish translational research institutes in various Mainland cities. These institutes will focus on high-impact translational research and development work, addressing the industrial and societal needs of each city. They will thus integrate PolyU into the national innovation ecosystem and contribute to the country's scientific and technological advancement. I'm delighted to announce that we've secured agreements for 14 translational research institutes, with several of them already launched.
Last but not least, the Chief Executive’s recent Policy Address highlighted the Hong Kong Government’s support for the establishment of a third medical school in the Northern Metropolis, which will further position our city as an international health and medical innovation hub. In line with this, PolyU aspires to set up a second campus in the Northern Metropolis, which will include a medical school that leverages our strong background in health science education and research to foster a new generation of medical professionals and innovators to meet the future medical needs of the Northern Metropolis and the Greater Bay Area.
In closing, I would like to extend my congratulations once again to all of our graduates. Your academic studies at PolyU may have come to a close, but the bonds you've formed and the experiences you've had will remain with you for a lifetime. You are now also part of a vibrant, global community of nearly half a million alumni who are driving positive change and innovation in their respective fields. Stay engaged with your alma mater, support one another, and continue to embody the spirit of innovation for excellence that defines PolyU.
Thank you!
