News and Kudos

Honourable Mention for Best Paper Award at BlackboxNLP 2024

Dr. Emmanuele Chersoni, Assistant Professor in the Department of Chinese and Bilingual Studies (CBS), collaborated with fellow scholars to receive the "Best Paper Award" at the prestigious BlackboxNLP Conference in Miami. This recognition is for their exceptional paper titled "Log Probabilities Are a Reliable Estimate of Semantic Plausibility in Base and Instruction-Tuned Language Models."

One of the CBS Undergraduate Students Honored Among Top 10 Outstanding Tertiary Students

We are delighted to share the exciting news that our CBS undergraduate student, Ms Lui Ho Ching Josette, has been honored among the Top 10 Outstanding Tertiary Students this year. This prestigious award, organised by the Hong Kong Youth & Tertiary Students Association, aims to commend promising students dedicated to the future development of the Greater Bay Area. Beyond honoring academic excellence, this award promotes holistic growth, encouraging students to serve as role models for their peers and actively contribute to the community. Congratulations also go to her academic advisor, Dr. Hsu Yu Yin, for her unwavering support and guidance throughout Josette's journey. Josette stood out among over a hundred applicants and was recognised on 26 October for her impressive achievements. With a strong commitment to leadership and social service, she aspires to continue her contributions to society and further refine her leadership skills in the year ahead. Through engaging coursework and diverse practical projects, Josette has gained valuable insights across multiple disciplines, shaping her path towards a career in social service. Her active participation in case competitions, internships, and diverse leadership initiatives has not only enriched her educational journey but also enabled her to translate project planning and execution skills into impactful social service endeavors. Josette's dynamism and unwavering dedication have truly set her apart. Upon learning of her award, Josette expressed heartfelt gratitude to the teachers and friends in our Department who supported her throughout her journey. We are immensely proud of Jojo's accomplishments and eagerly anticipate continuing to support her as she progresses towards becoming a well-rounded leader capable of making a positive impact on society.

Chinese Debate Team Secured First Runner-up in Inter-Collegiate Debate Competition

Congratulations to our Chinese Debate Team for achieving the first runner-up position at the Inter-Collegiate Debate Competition, held on 29 September 2024. This commendable result is a testament to the dedication, teamwork, and exceptional debating skills demonstrated by the team members. We congratulate them on their outstanding performance and look forward to their continued success in future competitions.

Multidisciplinary research in neuroscience featured in Nature with CBS research fellows’ contribution

Dr. CaiCai Zhang, Associate Professor from CBS, collaborated with fellow researchers from PolyU to contribute their expertise to the latest Nature Index Neuroscience. They highlighted how UBSN facilitates their cutting-edge research and significant findings. Dr. Zhang's team shared insights into the application of neural imaging technology and machine learning in studying child language development. Utilizing neural imaging, behavioral studies, and machine learning, they analyzed memory test results in children aged five to twelve, aiming to detect language issues early. Additionally, they explored how early memory skills forecast language abilities in four-year-olds, with the goal of identifying potential problems and implementing interventions at the earliest stage possible.

CBS MABCC Students met with Mayor of Yonago City, Japan to enhance tourism and branding

A team of seven CBS MABCC students met with Mayor, Igi Takashi, of Yonago City in Japan to discuss their proposed strategies for enhancing tourism and branding. The meeting was a success, with the mayor showing strong interest and support. Their collaboration attracted local media attention and was reported by Japanese newspapers, boosting the university's international engagement profile. The students were motivated and actively involved in research and strategy development, confident that their work will benefit Yonago's tourism and branding in the future. They emphasized the importance of city branding and communication in their presentation to stakeholders, and the mayor expressed gratitude and interest in implementing their strategies. This project allowed students to apply their knowledge to a real-world international branding challenge, gaining valuable insights and practical skills.

CBS PhD student won the championship in the 49th Hong Kong Youth Translation Competition

Congratulations to Ms. HUI Ka-yee, a CBS PhD student, for winning the championship in both English - Chinese translation and Chinese - English translation in the Open Category of the 49th Hong Kong Youth Translation Competition. This annual event is considered the most prestigious translation competition in Hong Kong. Additionally, Hong Kong Polytechnic University was awarded the Best Performance School Award. The competition, held in April 2024, was jointly organized by the Hong Kong Youth Cultural and Arts Competitions and the Hong Kong Translation Society, and sponsored by the HKSAR Home Affairs Department. It included sections for open, senior secondary, and junior secondary categories, with the Open Section attracting over 50 participants, making it highly competitive. Let's give Ms HUI a round of applause for her excellent achievements.

Korean Minor Students Won the Grand and Second Prizes in the 8th Korean Consul General Cup Korean Speech Contest

CBS graduate has achieved recognition in Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia 2024

Our alumna has achieved recognition in Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia 2024! Congratulations to Ms. Emma Yu Sin-wan, our MA in Bilingual Corporate Communication graduate, who co-founded the inspiring social enterprise Dress Green in 2021. Within an impressive timeframe of just three years, the start-up has successfully rescued approximately 3,000 old uniforms and upcycled them into a diverse range of over 4,000 products, including accessories, bags, and hats. Notably, it has made a substantial impact by providing more than 3,500 working hours to support local women and disadvantaged groups, actively contributing to the creation of a sustainable future for our society! Click HERE to learn more about the full list.   恭喜本系校友打入2024年《福布斯》「30位30歲以下亞洲精英榜」！ 余倩韻女士在理大修畢中英企業傳訊文學碩士，2021年創辦社會企業Dress Green，致力將舊校服升級再造成畢業公仔、筆袋、帽、雨傘等，短短三年已讓3,000件二手衣物大變身為4,000多件產品，更為本地婦女和弱勢社群提供超過3,500個工作小時，積極為社會建構可持續未來！

Secretary for Labour and Welfare Visits Speech Therapy Unit and Speech and Language Sciences Laboratory

A delegation led by Mr. Chris Sun, Secretary for Labour and Welfare, paid a visit to PolyU yesterday. During the visit, PolyU President Prof. Jin-Guang Teng, Executive Vice President Dr. Miranda Lou, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities Prof. Li Ping, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences Prof. David Shum, and other faculty members from the Department of Chinese and Bilingual Studies, shared PolyU’s latest developments in education, research and innovation. The delegation toured our Speech Therapy Unit and the Speech and Language Sciences Laboratory, where they learned about PolyU's advanced facilities, research initiatives, and educational programmes in relation to Speech Therapy. They also gained insights into the University's efforts in nurturing future-ready multidisciplinary professionals who can effectively put theory into practice.  由勞工及福利局孫玉菡局長率領的代表團星期一到訪理大校園，理大校長滕錦光教授、行政及拓展副校長盧麗華博士、人文學院院長李平教授、社會科學院院長岑浩强教授及其他中文及雙語學系教職員向代表團介紹了大學在教育、科研和創新方面的最新發展。 代表團亦參觀了本系的言語治療所及語言科學實驗室，了解大學在言語治療方面的先進設施、研究和課程，以及大學在培養具實踐能力的跨學科專業人才方面所作的努力。  

Outstanding Alumni Award of PolyU CBS 2024 - Result Announcement

The Outstanding Alumni Award of PolyU CBS aims to give public recognition to outstanding CBS graduates for their professional achievements and significant contributions to the community and their alma mater. We are delighted to announce the following result of the CBS Outstanding Alumni Award 2024:Dr. Jing YU - Outstanding Alumni Award in Scholarly Achievement Doctor of Philosophy, The Department of Chinese and Bilingual Studies, 2017Read more about the story of Dr. Jing YU: Dr. Yu, a tenured Associate Professor at Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU), is celebrated for her pioneering research in translation studies. Her interdisciplinary approach has profoundly impacted the field of descriptive translation studies and the study of dialect translation, as evidenced by her publication of over 30 research papers in prestigious journals including Target, Perspectives, and Translation and Interpreting Studies, as well as notable Chinese journals such as Chinese Translators Journal and Foreign Languages. Her innovative work in constructing the mechanisms of change in translation norms has set new standards in the field. Her monograph, Dialect, Voice, and Identity in Chinese Translation, published by Routledge, has recived widespread acclaim. Dr. Yu has played a pivotal role in advancing translation studies through her effective leadership in securing multiple research grants, including four that were funded at both national and provincial levels. Her scholarly work is highly esteemed both in China and internationally, as highlighted by her role as a peer reviewer for premier journals such as Meta and Foreign Languages. Her academic excellence has been recognized with prestigious accolades, including the "Dean's Award for Research Excellence" in 2023 and the "Outstanding Young Teacher Award" in 2018. In her role as the program leader of the undergraduate dual-degree and the master’s degree collaborative initiatives between PolyU and SJTU, Dr. Yu has been instrumental in elevating the academic prestige and expanding the international scope of these institutions. Her ongoing collaborations with PolyU colleagues in various research and teaching projects at both universities, have significantly enhanced their research capabilities and educational quality.   Ms Yuk Mui YEUNG, Waverly - Outstanding Young Alumni Award in Community Service Achievement BA (Hons) Chinese and Bilingual Studies, 2008Read more about the story of Ms. Yuk Mui YEUNG, Waverly: Since graduating, Ms. Yeung has dedicated her career to embodying PolyU's values of academic excellence and societal impact. She has emerged as a pioneer in the realm of values-driven business and community development, playing a pivotal role in connecting socially conscious leaders across various sectors. Driven by the belief that sustainable progress can only be achieved by aligning business interests with positive social impact, Ms. Yeung has become a passionate advocate for good values and their integration into Hong Kong's business and education community. Through her involvement with organizations like the JCI City Lady and The Yelites Association, she has honed her skills in fundraising, member engagement, and innovative problem-solving. For instance, she spearheaded a campaign to raise funds for underprivileged families, securing donations from local businesses to provide food, clothing, and educational resources to those in need. Ms. Yeung's philanthropic work has touched the lives of countless individuals. She has organized toy drives for children in makeshift hospitals, bringing joy and comfort to those facing difficult circumstances. Additionally, she coordinated festive food and clothing donations to support underprivileged families during the holiday season, ensuring they could celebrate with dignity and warmth. Her efforts have even extended to hosting a wellness festival for overworked professionals in the heart of Hong Kong's Central district, demonstrating her commitment to holistic community wellbeing. Despite the accolades she has received, such as being featured in "Women in Work" magazine and winning the Extraordinary Branding Awards, Ms. Yeung's true measure of success lies in the lasting impact she has made on the lives of those she has touched through her unwavering dedication to good values and positive change. Her journey serves as an inspiration, reminding us that by aligning our professional pursuits with our deepest values, we can create a better world for generations to come. Congratulations to the outstanding CBS alumni who are accomplished in their respective fields and draw positive attention to their alma mater. We would also like to thank the panel of judges for their commitment to the selection process.