News

Prof. LI Wenjie, Prof. LUO Xiapu, and Dr GAO Shang Awarded the Faculty of Engineering Research Grant Achievement Award 2023

We are proud to announce that Prof. LI Wenjie Maggie, Prof. LUO Xiapu Daniel and Dr Gao Shang Jason have been awarded the Faculty of Engineering Research Grant Achievement Award 2023.   Prof. LI Wenjie Maggie, our Professor, specialises in natural language processing, text mining, social media analysis, information retrieval, extraction and summarisation. She has led and contributed to numerous research projects, securing a number of fully funded grants from the Hong Kong Research Grant Council, along with a grant from the National Natural Science Foundation of China.   Prof. LUO Xiapu Daniel, our Professor, is recognised for his groundbreaking research in Mobile/IoT/System Security and Privacy, Blockchain/Smart Contracts, Software Engineering, Network Security, and Internet Measurement. His exceptional contributions were further acknowledged when he received the prestigious BOCHK Science and Technology Innovation Prize 2023 in FinTech last year, as well as the Outstanding Award in the Faculty Awards for Outstanding Achievement 2024.   Dr Gao Shang Jason, our Research Assistant Professor, has a wide-ranging interest in security-related areas, including information security, network security, data privacy, blockchain security, and applied cryptography.   The Faculty Research Committee established the FENG Research Grant Achievement Award in 2003 to acknowledge the outstanding performance of FENG academic staff members in securing external competitive research grants. To qualify for this recognition, a staff member must successfully secure three external competitive research grants within 36 months or four external competitive research grants within 60 months, serving as Principal Investigator or Co-principal Investigator.

COMP Successfully Hosted 2024 ICPC Asia East Continent Hong Kong Regional Contest

The Department of Computing (COMP) successfully hosted the 2024 ICPC Asia East Continent Hong Kong Regional Contest on 21-22 December 2024. The International Collegiate Programming Contest (ICPC), formerly known as ACM-ICPC, is a prestigious global competition designed to enhance computer science students' problem-solving and teamwork skills.   This year’s contest marked a significant milestone for ICPC in Hong Kong, attracting a record-breaking 174 teams and over 600 participants from 118 universities across Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, Mongolia, Malaysia, and Switzerland. Additionally, seven high schools from Hong Kong and Macau participated. This turnout, doubling that of the previous years, made it the largest regional contest ever held in Hong Kong and Macau. This event underscores COMP's remarkable growth since it first hosted the regional ICPC in 2017 with only 45 teams.   Co-organised by the City University of Hong Kong and supported by the Hong Kong Association for Computer Education (HKOI) and Lenovo, the event was made possible through generous sponsorships from Jane Street, Huawei, and JetBrains.   The opening ceremony included remarks from key figures such as Prof. Ken YIU, the contest director, our professor and associate head (Teaching and Learning), who expressed gratitude to the co-organisers and sponsors. Prof. Allen AU, our professor and associate head (Research and Development), welcomed the participants and introduced PolyU's graduate scholarships to encourage further studies. COMP alumna Prof. Wenxin LI, director of ICPC Asia East Continent and professor at Peking University, expressed pride in PolyU's capabilities and the contest's role in nurturing computer science talent.   The contest presented 13 problems of varying difficulty that tested participants' programming skills and algorithmic knowledge. Teams were ranked by the number of problems solved, with tiebreakers based on total time taken and penalties for incorrect submissions. In the end, teams from Peking University, Beihang University, and Harbin Institute of Technology secured the top three positions.   Participants provided positive feedback on the event, highlighting the high quality of the preparations and organisation. Many praised the exceptional competition experience and expressed appreciation for the enjoyable atmosphere.

COMP Undergraduate Students Win the Second Prize in the National Finals of the 4th China Mobile “Wutong Cup” Big Data Innovation Competition

We are excited to announce that two talented COMP undergraduate students, CHEN Rubing (Year 4, BSc in Computing) and FU Guanhe (Year 2, BSc in Computer Science), have achieved exceptional success by securing second prize in the national finals of the 4th China Mobile “Wutong Cup” Big Data Innovation Competition on 12 December. Their team has already earned the second prize in the “Data Application Track” of the Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan Division on 25 November.   The team members included: CHEN Rubing (Department of Computing) FU Guanhe (Department of Computing) HE Linxi (Department of Applied Mathematics) ZHAO Qingsen (Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology) The supervisor of the awarded PolyU team was Dr LI Bo, our Assistant Professor.   Their innovative project leverages big data technology to analyse the behaviours, characteristics, and preferences of Hong Kong travellers visiting the mainland. This analysis empowers businesses to accurately target their customers and deliver personalised services.   This year, the "Data Application Track" of the competition attracted 949 teams from 371 universities. After participating in the preliminary and final rounds at provincial competitions, 18 of the most outstanding teams were selected to advance to the national finals. The competition aims to discover university students’ research and innovative practices in various fields, including data application, artificial intelligence, and data security, while promoting the integration of big data applications across different industries.

Prof. Zhang Lei Recognised in “Highly Cited Researchers 2024” List by Clarivate Analytics

We are proud to announce that Prof. ZHANG Lei, our Chair Professor of Computer Vision and Image Analysis, has been recognised in the prestigious “Highly Cited Researchers 2024” list by Clarivate Analytics. This accolade highlights his significant contributions to the field of engineering.   Since 2015, Prof. ZHANG has been named a Highly Cited Researcher (HCR) in Engineering nine times, underscoring his lasting impact and influence in the discipline. His research has been cited over 57,000 times in the Web of Science, with an impressive H-index of 110. Prof. Zhang’s research interests encompass image and video processing, computer vision, pattern recognition, and biometrics.   In addition to his research achievements, Prof. ZHANG is an IEEE Fellow and serves as the Director of the Joint Innovation Research Centre, further solidifying his role as a leader in the field.   This annual list recognises researchers for significant impact in their respective research fields. Each researcher selected has authored multiple highly-cited papers that have ranked in the top 1% by citations for their fields and publication year in the Web of Science over the past 11 years. This year, a total of 6,636 researchers from 59 countries and regions from a diverse range of fields have been named as Highly Cited Researchers.

HKXRA x PolyU MSc in Metaverse Technology Best Project Award Ceremony 2024

We are proud to announce the successful conclusion of the Master of Science in Metaverse Technology (MScMT) Best Project Award Competition, sponsored by the Hong Kong Extended Reality Association (HKXRA). An award presentation ceremony was held on 16 Nov to recognise the outstanding metaverse projects created by the students of this Master’s programme.   During the award presentation ceremony, Dr Peter NG, our assistant professor and programme leader of the MScMT programme, welcomed attendees and expressed appreciation for their hard work over the past year. This was followed by inspiring speeches from Mr Terry DAO, President of HKXRA, and Mr Terence LEUNG, Board Member of HKXRA.   Each metaverse project was developed by teams of 2-4 members over an intensive eight-month period, leveraged advanced technologies such as virtual reality (VR), artificial intelligence (AI), and blockchain. The top three projects, which demonstrated the most creativity and feasibility, were selected as the winners of this competition.   Champion (HK$ 50,000): Project: Metaverse Tourism (Hong Kong in a Click) Team Members: MA Jingran, MAO Haoran, ZHOU Yukai, ZHU Jun Supervisor: Dr Zackary SIN For the project video, please watch it here.   1st Runner-up (HK$ 30,000): Project: Virtual Horizons: Bridging Cultures through Realistic 3D Exploration Team Members: LI Zhuang, SANG Mingjian, WANG Hantao, WEN Yuxuan Supervisor: Dr Peter NG For the project video, please watch it here.   2nd Runner-up: Project: China’s Past and Present AR Team Members: CHEN Chen, JIANG Jinqiao, KOK Ray Yeung, LIN Jingxiang Supervisor: Dr Richard LI For the project video, please watch it here.   We congratulate all participants and eagerly anticipate their future contributions to the field of metaverse technology! For more projects from MScMT students, please watch here.

PolyU COMP 50th Anniversary Gala Dinner cum Distinguished Alumni Award Presentation Ceremony Concludes Year-long Programme of Celebration

The 50th-anniversary programme of the Department of Computing (COMP) kicked off in January this year, with a series of events to celebrate this remarkable milestone. It has included a distinguished talk series, digital time capsule campaign, alumni homecoming dinner, research student conference, programming contest for secondary school students and other celebratory activities. On 8 November, COMP celebrated the successful conclusion of its 50th-anniversary programme—by hosting the Anniversary Gala Dinner and Distinguished Alumni Award Presentation Ceremony. This event brought together over 250 distinguished guests from government, the public sector, academia and industry, along with current and former faculty, alumni and students, marking the culmination of a year filled with festivities. The evening began with an opening ceremony symbolising the collective strength of PolyU and its collaborators which has fueled the Department’s excellence over the past five decades. The Ceremony was officiated by esteemed guests including Prof. Christopher CHAO, PolyU Vice President (Research and Innovation); Dr Xuedong HUANG, Chief Technology Officer of Zoom and Chairman of the COMP Departmental Advisory Committee; Prof. Qing LI, Chair Professor and Head of COMP; Mr Kar-Kan LING, PolyU Interim Vice President (Campus Development and Facilities); Dr Miranda LOU, PolyU Executive Vice President; Prof. H.C. MAN, Dean of the PolyU Faculty of Engineering; Ir WONG Chi Kwong, Tony, JP, Commissioner for Digital Policy of the HKSAR Government; and Prof. Hon. Kam-fai William WONG, MH, Hong Kong Legislative Council Member (listed in alphabetical order). In her opening address, Dr Miranda LOU, Executive Vice President of PolyU, reflected on the Department’s journey over the last 50 years and its significant contributions to computing technology and talent development. She expressed confidence that the Department of Computing was well-equipped moving forward to maintain its leadership in education and interdisciplinary research. Opening address by Dr Miranda LOU, Executive Vice President of PolyU.   Ir Tony WONG, JP, Commissioner for Digital Policy and a proud alumnus, shared insights on the vital roles of government, universities and industry in promoting innovation. He underscored the importance of ongoing collaboration and expressed heartfelt gratitude to his alma mater, reminiscing about his own student experiences at the University. Ir Tony WONG, JP, the Commissioner for Digital Policy and a proud alumnus, shared insights on the vital roles of government, universities and industry in promoting innovation. Prof. LI Qing, Chair Professor of Data Science and Head of COMP, spoke passionately about the Department’s emphasis on the future. He reaffirmed a solid commitment to innovation and excellence, outlining initiatives aimed at enhancing educational programmes, encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration and advancing research efforts that promote social progress, thus positioning COMP as a leader in the field. Prof. LI Qing, Chair Professor of Data Science and Head of COMP, spoke about the Department’s emphasis on the future. Following the opening speeches, the recipient of the Departmental Outstanding Alumni Award, Mr Vincent MA, CEO of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park Limited, and Miss Bianca HO, Director of Information Technology (Global) of Swire Hotels Group, were honoured by Dr Lou. The event also recognised past awardees who joined this year’s honorees to receive an anniversary pin in acknowledgement of their unwavering support and outstanding accomplishments. Additionally, retired faculty and long-serving staff were presented with plaques to celebrate their invaluable contributions to the Department.   The evening continued with a joyful cake-cutting and toasting ceremony, where representatives from PolyU and the Anniversary organising committee joined in sharing good fortune with all attendees. The Gala Dinner was enlivened by an array of entertainment activities. A talented ensemble of staff, alumni and students performed a heartfelt original song titled “Hand in Hand,” composed in honour of the Department’s anniversary. A dazzling tron dance performance and engaging lucky draw sessions added to the festive spirit of the night. Additionally, four alumni from the Department’s very first cohort, including Dr Louis MA, former Director of CityU SCOPE, shared inspiring stories from their time at PolyU.

Establishment of the PolyU Embodied Artificial Intelligence Lab

We proudly announce the establishment of the PolyU Embodied Artificial Intelligence Lab at COMP, which was made possible through the generous support of Jinan Boyushenhang Information Technology Group Co., Ltd. and Jsmart Technologies Limited. This lab aims to be a pioneering platform in HKSAR and beyond, dedicated to advancing cutting-edge research in embodied artificial intelligence within complex real-world environments, ultimately fostering a world of harmonious human-machine coexistence.   The unveiling ceremony of the PolyU Embodied Artificial Intelligence Lab took place on 5 November 2024, as a significant part of the Shandong-HK College Talent Exchange and Connection Meeting. The event was graced by the presence of Ms WANG Yuyan, Deputy Secretary of the CPC Shandong Provincial Committee and Minister of the Organization Department of the CPC Shandong Provincial Committee; Dr CHOI Yuk-Lin, JP, Secretary for Education of the HKSAR; Mr WANG Weiming, Minister of the Education Department at the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government; and Prof. WONG Wing-Tak, Deputy President and Provost of PolyU. Prof. AU Man Ho Allen, our Professor and Associate Head (Research and Development), and Mr JIANG Jinzhe, Chairman of Boyushenhang, jointly officiated the unveiling ceremony.   Following the unveiling ceremony, the officers from the Organization Department of the CPC Jinan Municipal Committee visited PolyU for an in-depth communication. During their visit, the lab presented a preliminary demonstration featuring a robotic dog capable of following human instructions in three languages: Putonghua, Cantonese, and English. The Project Investigator of the lab is Dr LI Jing, our Assistant Professor, and the demonstration is based on the lab members' impactful research work, AnglE (https://huggingface.co/WhereIsAI/UAE-Large-V1), an embedding model based on large language models used for action matching. Remarkably, the model has been downloaded over 5.16 million times on the Hugging Face platform within a year. The team will further advance the related research in the AIR Lab at the PolyU Industrial Centre (IC), thanks to their generous support in resources and space.   The establishment of the PolyU Embodied Artificial Intelligence Lab marks an important milestone in advancing PolyU's research in embodied intelligence. It has also created a collaborative platform for industry sectors and PolyU, fostering the deep integration of technological innovation with industry-academia research cooperation.  

Au Bak Ling Charity Trust Supports COMP with Scholarships and Service Competition

The Au Bak Ling Charity Trust (ABLCT) has made a significant commitment to the Department of Computing by providing scholarships last year. In the current academic year, ABLCT will donate HK$200,000 to further support our students' capstone projects and enhance teaching initiatives.   A key focus of this year's contribution will be a service-related competition that investigates the use of Apple Vision Pro technology to assist disabled students and learners. This project will be executed in collaboration with Octopus InfoTech Ltd., an innovative education technology company founded by our alumnus Mr Hillman Tam, who is a leader in integrating cutting-edge technology into education.  

Prof. CHEN Changwen Honoured with SIGMM Outstanding Technical Achievement Award

We are excited to announce that Prof. Chen Changwen, Chair Professor of Visual Computing, has been awarded the prestigious SIGMM Outstanding Technical Achievement Award by the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM), the world’s largest computing society. This award honours researchers who have made significant and lasting contributions to the field of multimedia computing, communication, and applications, and is the highest award of SIGMM and one of the most important awards in the international computer community.   Prof. Chen's research encompasses a wide range of impactful areas, including contemporary visual computing, multimedia communication and networking, mobile video streaming, computer vision, and multimodal generative AI. His innovative work continues to push the boundaries of technology and enhance our understanding of multimedia systems.   Congratulations, Prof. Chen, on this well-deserved recognition!

COMP Graduates Earn Gold and Bronze Awards at the HKEIA Innovation & Technology Project Competition Award 2024

We are thrilled to announce that two of our graduates, JIANG Yiyang and MOK Ka Kiu, have achieved remarkable success in the HKEIA Innovation & Technology Project Competition Awards 2024. JIANG has been awarded the Gold Award, while MOK has secured the Bronze Award for their outstanding final-year projects.   Gold Award – JIANG Yiyang Project: Video Moment Retrieval Using Deep Learning Models Supervisor: Prof. CHEN Changwen, Chair Professor of Visual Computing JIANG's innovative project focuses on enhancing video moment retrieval (VMR) by integrating large language models (LLMs). This approach effectively addresses challenges in generating continuous outputs for inter-frame relations, such as salience scores and inter-frame embeddings. By refining inter-concept relations in multimodal embeddings, JIANG's method enables precise retrieval without the need for textual training, marking a significant advancement in the field.   Bronze Award – MOK Ka Kiu Project: AI-based Computing System/ApplicationWhatsThing Supervisor: Dr CHAN Chun Bun Henry, Associate Professor and Associate Head (Partnership & Collaboration) MOK's award-winning project is an AI-based mobile application designed to assist users in remembering important information effortlessly. A key feature of the application is its advanced receipt digitization solution, which supports multiple languages. By leveraging cutting-edge computer vision technology for image processing and fine-tuning large language models like GPT for key information extraction, MOK's solution has achieved over 90% accuracy in extracting essential details from receipts.   The HKEIA Innovation & Technology Project Competition Awards are jointly organized by the Hong Kong Electronic Industries Association (HKEIA) and the Hong Kong Electronic Industries Association Education Foundation (HKEIAEF). The awards aim to recognize and reward students for their outstanding final-year projects that exemplify excellence in technology and innovation.