History

85 Years of Impact for Societal Benefit

PolyU is fundamentally linked with the development of Hong Kong. It evolved from a government trade school in the late 1930s, turning into a technical college in the late 1940s and then a polytechnic in the 1970s, and gaining university status in 1994. In parallel, Hong Kong transformed itself from a small trading port into a manufacturing and industrial hub and then into today’s renowned international business and financial centre. PolyU has undoubtedly played an important role in the different stages of social and economic development of our community, helping to propel progress in Hong Kong, the Nation and the world.

PolyU Today

With 85 years of proud tradition and ranking among the world’s top 100 tertiary institutions, PolyU aspires to be a leading university with world-class education and research.

Our holistic professional education, which embraces new technologies, entrepreneurship, and Service-Learning, aims to nurture graduates who not only possess a competitive edge in their disciplinary knowledge, but also develop into socially responsible leaders.

As a university with a strong emphasis on societal impact, PolyU is devoted to providing interdisciplinary solutions for major social challenges through advanced research and knowledge transfer activities. Our innovations have opened up new horizons in space, improved health and well-being, boosted economic efficiency, and fostered sustainability for a better world. Our strong culture of knowledge transfer and entrepreneurship helps transform our research breakthroughs into real-world applications.

Looking to the future, PolyU will continue its pursuit of excellence, cultivating talent who serve society with passion, and contributing to the development of Hong Kong as an international innovation and technology hub in the Greater Bay Area. We will carry on manifesting the spirit of the University’s Motto: To learn and to apply, for the benefit of mankind.

Four Stages of Development

Government Trade School (1937)

Founding of the Government Trade School, the origin of the Institution. Situated in Wood Road, Wanchai, the School was the first publicly funded, post-secondary technical institution in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong Technical College (1947)

After World War II, the School became the Hong Kong Technical College. The year 1957 saw the opening of new premises in Hung Hom, signifying the beginning of a new chapter in industrial education in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong Polytechnic (1972)

Hong Kong Polytechnic was formally established, with a mandate to provide professional education to meet the community’s manpower needs.

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (25 November 1994)

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (25 November 1994)

Having gained approval from the University and Polytechnic Grants Committee for the self-accreditation of degree programmes, the Institution assumed full university status, with its name changed to The Hong Kong Polytechnic University.