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PolyU research reveals significant effects of instructors onscreen during video classes in aiding student learning

Online learning has become “the new normal” of education since COVID-19 severely disrupted face-to-face teaching activities. Researchers from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) have conducted a study to analyse whether and how the instructor’s presence in online video lectures affected student learning and learning outcomes. The results reveal that students are more motivated to perform socio-emotional and cognitive processing when an instructor, human or animated, is present onscreen, hence facilitating more effective learning. The study findings have been published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Previous studies have indicated that socio-emotional cues, such as human facial expressions and gestures, help students understand and stay focused on learning content. Led by Prof. Ping LI, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Sin Wai Kin Foundation Professor in Humanities and Technology at PolyU, the research team studied how learners respond to virtual learning with different types and levels of interaction by examining multimodal data of students’ learning performance, brain activity and eye movement, as well as the correlation between these measurements. Eighty-one PolyU students participated in the experiment where some of them watched video lectures with a human instructor accompanying the lecture slides, some watched the same video lectures with an animated instructor, and still some watched the lectures with no onscreen instructor and only the lecture slides. This was followed by a set of assessments of how effectively they had learned. Compared with the no-instructor group, students with an onscreen instructor performed significantly better in the post-course assessments, while the exact embodiment of the instructor—real vs animated—did not affect the overall scores. The results provide strong and important evidence that the instructor’s image, human or animated, improves educational outcomes in the virtual setting. The researchers examined the impact of instructor’s image on learning through a combination of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and eye-movement tracking of the students as they watched the lectures. While students with an instructor performed better, the eye-tracking results, surprisingly, showed that the human instructor may actually distract the students from the slides, as more time was spent by students looking at the slides when the instructor was absent or was an animation. A deeper analysis of the eye-tracking data resolved this contradiction. Crucially, the correlation of eye movements—the extent to which the students shifted their gaze in unison—was higher in instructor-present groups than in the no-instructor group, and better-performing students also displayed more correlated eye movements than the lower performers. This suggests that although an instructor’s image may distract students from the slides, it is also more likely in guiding them to pay attention to the appropriate parts of the onscreen content. In other words, students with an instructor tend to focus on the same places, while those without an instructor are more random in their focus. The fMRI results, which identified the specific brain regions students used most, aligned with the eye-tracking data. Just as their eye movements were synchronised, so did the students with an instructor show greater synchrony in the activity of brain regions crucial for learning, including regions involved in working memory and mentalising. This alignment can be attributed to the higher level of cognitive and socio-emotional processing motivated by the onscreen instructor that served as a social cue. Under this condition, learners follow the visual content in the video more closely, allocate attention more proactively and ultimately learn better. As the data suggest that an onscreen instructor’s image entails both socio-emotional benefits and attentional distraction unrelated to learning, the researchers further propose a trade-off hypothesis suggesting learning outcome depends on whether the benefits can outweigh the costs brought by the distraction. While the trade-off also relies on a learner’s ability to leverage socio-emotional processing and attention control for learning, it explains the individual difference in student learning under the same virtual setting. Prof. Li remarked, “Although the pandemic has subsided, online learning through the use of multimedia instructional videos continues to shape education. Our findings suggest that an onscreen instructor—even an animated one—can make up for some deficits of the online learning setting, where socio-emotional cues are less salient and cognitive engagement is harder to sustain. This contributes to the development of an evidence-based instructional design for multimedia learning, thereby enhancing student’s learning experience and outcome.”

Visit by Delegation of Quanzhou government

A delegation led by Mr. ZHANG Yigong, the Communist Party Secretary of Quanzhou City, Secretary of Quanzhou Municipal Party Committee; Mr ZHOU Xiaohua, Secretary General of Quanzhou Municipal Party Committee; Mr ZHANG Wenxian, Member of the Standing Committee of Quanzhou Communist Party Committee and Communist Party Secretary of Jinjiang City visited PolyU on 23 March. The delegation was welcomed by Dr LAM Tai-fai, Council Chairman of PolyU; Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, President of PolyU and Prof. Wing-tak WONG, Deputy President and Provost of PolyU.  The PolyU-Jinjiang Technology and Innovation Research Institute (Research Institute) made a successful establishment in Jinjiang in early September last year. Being the first research institute established by PolyU beyond the Greater Bay Area, it has gained significant attention. Thanks to the strong support from various sectors of society, the Research Institute has experienced rapid development. PolyU hopes to leverage the strengths of both parties and to enhance technological collaboration with government entities and businesses. The goal is to foster technological innovation, facilitate the practical application of research findings, and strive for breakthroughs in research achievements. PolyU seeks to make substantial contributions to the economic prosperity of both regions, ultimately supporting the nation in attaining high-quality development.  

PolyU supports HKMA launching ‘Project Ensemble’: a new wholesale central bank digital currency project

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) has announced the commencement of Project Ensemble, a new wholesale Central Bank Digital Currency (wCBDC) project to support the development of the tokenisation market in Hong Kong. Since the establishment of the CBDC Expert Group, along with other members, two PolyU professors of the Department of Computing have been closely collaborating with HKMA to examine various aspects of CBDCs and related digital currencies, such as interoperability, security, and privacy. The new project will seek to explore innovative financial market infrastructure (FMI) that will facilitate seamless interbank settlement of tokenised money through wCBDC. The Project will initially focus on tokenised deposits, which are a digital representation of commercial bank deposits, issued and made available by commercial banks. At the core of Project Ensemble is a wCBDC Sandbox that the HKMA will launch this year to further research and test tokenisation use cases including settlement of tokenised real-world assets (e.g. green bonds, carbon credits, aircraft, electric vehicle charging stations, electronic bills of lading and treasury management). This could potentially forge a new FMI that bridges the existing gap between tokenised real-world assets and money in transactions. To help set industry standards and a future-proof strategy, the HKMA will form a wCBDC Architecture Community comprising local and multinational banks, key players in the digital asset industry, technology companies and the CBDC Expert Group. Prof. Allen Man Ho AU and Prof. Daniel Xiapu LUO, Professors of the Department of Computing and founding members of the CBDC Expert Group, have been working in collaboration with HKMA on ongoing projects to advance the development of CBDC in Hong Kong. Their aim is to integrate advanced privacy designs that protect consumers’ personal identifiable information, while maintaining a balance between privacy and traceability. They will maintain close collaboration with HKMA and fellow expert group members, aiming to foster the tokenisation market and draw talents to Hong Kong. Prof. H.C. MAN, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, said, “This partnership with HKMA is a testament to our commitment to fostering innovation and technological progression, advancing the digital finance landscape in Hong Kong. We are leveraging our expertise to support the launch of this Project Ensemble and look forward to the potential breakthroughs that will, with the introduction of the wCBDC sandbox, shape the digital asset market.” Prof. Qing Li, Head of the Department of Computing, stated, “The exploration of wCBDC and tokenisation of assets is a critical step towards a future-proof financial infrastructure. Our department is pleased to contribute our expertise to this pioneering initiative.” Prof. Allen Au and Prof. Daniel Luo said, “wCBDC and digital assets are a significant step towards the future of finance and FinTech innovation, while the tokenisation of currency and assets is a global trend that we cannot ignore. Through this initiative, we are dedicated to playing a role in fostering the development of a robust digital asset ecosystem in Hong Kong.”

Media Interview: PolyU scholar on developing new energy vehicles in Hong Kong

Prof. C. C. Chan, who is widely recognised as the “Father of Asian Electric Vehicles”, an Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and Distinguished Chair Professor of the PolyU Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, shared his insights into the keys to developing new energy vehicles in Hong Kong and how to unleash the city’s advantages to develop into an international I&T hub in a media interview.   Prof. Chan has identified three major challenges for the energy revolution: sustainability, affordability and reliability. The corresponding solutions are low carbonization, intelligence, electrification, and hydrogen energy.   The Research Centre for Electric Vehicles (RCEV) at PolyU was officially launched in February 2024 under the leadership of its Director Prof. CHAN. The Research Centre aims to develop a cutting-edge research platform to address energy and technical challenges presented by modern electric vehicles.   Full interview: https://bit.ly/43v04NF https://bit.ly/43B9ZBh For more: https://polyu.hk/HXlLB

15 scholars recognised amongst world’s most highly cited researchers 2023, PolyU ranked third in Hong Kong

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and Clarivate Plc (Clarivate) jointly hosted the “2023 Highly Cited Researchers Awards Ceremony” on 15 March 2024. Officiated by PolyU Vice President (Research and Innovation), Prof. Christopher CHAO, and Clarivate™ Vice President for Asia Pacific (Academia and Government), Mr Osher GILINSKY, the Ceremony recognised PolyU academics who have been named as Highly Cited Researchers™ in 2023, the significant impact of their research and the positive contributions they have made in their field. A total of 6,849 researchers from 67 countries and regions from a diverse range of research fields were named as Highly Cited Researchers 2023. The most influential scholars from around the world have been identified, determined by the production of multiple highly cited papers that rank in the top 1% by citations for field and year in the Web of Science™ over the last 11 years. The inclusion of PolyU academics in this list is testament to the University’s pursuit of research excellence and its commitment to positive societal impact on various fronts. Prof. Chao delivered an opening address, saying, “PolyU is known for its commitment to impactful interdisciplinary research and innovation through various strategic initiatives, and the University has been consistently ranked in the list of top 100 universities globally. In the last year, we are proud to have had the third highest number of the world’s most Highly Cited Researchers in Hong Kong, including ten awardees in cross-field research, two from engineering disciplines, and one from chemistry, computer science and the social sciences respectively. These achievements reaffirm PolyU’s dedication to research excellence, and the devotion of our scholars to pursuing groundbreaking research that positively impacts society.” Clarivate Vice President for Greater China (Academia and Government) Mr Steven WANG, Clarivate Director Mr Alcome CHU, PolyU faculty deans, department heads and their delegates also joined the event to celebrate the achievements of the PolyU scholars. A webinar, “Highly Cited Researcher (HCR) Methodology Presentation and Experience Sharing”, was broadcast on the same day for PolyU faculty members. The webinar started with a presentation on HCR methodology by Clarivate Senior Consultant Dr Weiping YUE, followed by valuable insights shared by two HCRs from PolyU, namely Prof. Daniel LAU Shu-ping, Chair Professor of Nanomaterials and Prof. YAN Jinyue Jerry, Chair Professor of Energy and Buildings. PolyU researchers featured in the list are as follows (in alphabetical order):   Category Name Title and Department Cross-Field Prof. Daniel LAU Shu-ping Head and Chair Professor of Nanomaterials, Department of Applied Physics Prof. LI Gang Chair Professor of Energy Conversion Technology, Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering Prof. Kian Ping LOH Chair Professor of Materials Physics and Chemistry, Department of Applied Physics Dr MA Ruijie Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering Prof. Geoffrey Q. P. SHEN Associate Vice President (Global Partnerships) and Chair Professor of Construction Management, Department of Building and Real Estate Prof. WANG Zuankai Associate Vice President (Research and Innovation) and Chair Professor of Nature-Inspired Engineering, Department of Mechanical Engineering Prof. Tom Tao WU Chair Professor of Frontier Materials, the Department of Applied Physics Prof. YAN Feng Chair Professor of Organic Electronics, Department of Applied Physics Dr Iris YU Ka-ming Former Research Assistant Professor, Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology Dr ZHANG Xiao Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering Engineering Prof.YANJinyueJerry Chair Professor of Energy and Buildings, Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering Prof. John Lei ZHANG Chair Professor of Computer Vision and Image Analysis, Department of Computing Chemistry Dr HUANG Bolong Associate Professor, Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology Computer Science Prof. GUO Song Former Professor, Department of Computing Social Sciences Prof. Rob LAW Honorary Professor, School of Hotel and Tourism Management  

Visit by Delegation of Wenzhou government

On 15 March 2024, a delegation led by Mr. Lu Bojun, Member of the Standing Committee of Wenzhou Communist Party Committee, Head of the Organization Department, and the Director of the Talent Office, visited The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU). The delegation was welcomed by the Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, President of PolyU; Dr Miranda LOU, Executive Vice President of PolyU; Prof. Christopher CHAO, Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU.  The visit aimed at strengthening the communication and cooperation between Wenzhou and PolyU in the recruitment of high-level science, technology and innovation talents, establishing a strategic partnership in talent resource sharing and information exchange, and attracting more PolyU graduates to Wenzhou for employment and starting up business. Wenzhou signed an agreement with PolyU to establish a university talent workstation in PolyU. The two sides had a friendly communication. Prof. CHAO introduced the development of PolyU, the programme setting and the employment situation of graduates. Prof. Benny C. F. CHEUNG, Director of PolyU-Wenzhou Technology and Innovation Research Institute (Research Institute), introduced the technical direction, discipline leaders and preparations of the Research Institute to the delegation. Leaders of Wenzhou introduced the situation of Wenzhou city, industry, and talent scheme. In addition, Prof. CHAO and Mr. ZHANG Lei, Director of Wenzhou Human Resources and Social Security Bureau, signed the agreement of the university talent workstation. Mr. Lu conferred the plaque to PolyU. After the meeting, the delegation visited the exhibition showcasing the achievements of the PolyU-Wenzhou Technology and Innovation Research Institute in various directions, as well as the Ou embroidery exhibition.   

PolyU researchers invent non-invasive diagnostic device Smart-CKD for advancing clinical management of chronic kidney disease

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects 10% of the global population, among which renal fibrosis is a progressive process that can lead to end-stage renal failure. Early diagnosis and active monitoring are particularly important. Researchers from the Department of Health Technology and Informatics of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) have developed Smart-CKD (S-CKD), a non-invasive computer-aided diagnostic tool. It integrates ultrasound data and selected clinical variables to provide clinical insights and assesses the risk of moderate-to-severe renal fibrosis progression in CKD patients with a promising diagnostic efficiency of 80%. The research findings have been published in the journal Academic Radiology. Early diagnosis and accurate staging of renal fibrosis significantly guide treatment strategies and prognostic assessment, enabling timely preventive measures to avoid or delay disease exacerbations. However, identifying individuals at high risk of advanced renal fibrosis with precision continues to pose a challenge in clinical practice. To tackle this challenge, a team led by Prof. Michael Tin Cheung YING, Associate Head; and Dr Ziman CHEN, Postdoctoral Fellow of the Department of Health Technology and Informatics at PolyU have collaborated with Dr Zhongzhen SU, Vice President of The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University to invent S-CKD which aims to improve disease progress monitoring and clinical management of CKD using informatic technology. This device offers a cost-effective solution for guiding patient management, thereby contributing notable clinical advantages. Prof. Ying said, “While renal biopsy remains the gold standard for diagnosing and staging renal fibrosis, its invasive nature imposes limitations on conducting multiple observations and follow-ups, and has potential complications. Therefore, there is a pressing need to develop a non-invasive biomarker for precise monitoring and clinical management of renal fibrosis and its progression.” By leveraging machine learning, S-CKD integrates three pivotal clinical parameters - age, ultrasonic renal length and end-diastolic flow velocity of the interlobar renal artery, to assist medical practitioners in assessing renal fibrosis risk in CKD patients during routine clinical practices. It plays a crucial role in guiding treatment decisions and improving patient prognosis. S-CKD is accessible through an online web-based platform or in offline document-based format, making it a user-friendly auxiliary instrument for flexible clinical applications. Prof. Ying said, “We plan to conduct further prospective clinical research on S-CKD, utilising PolyU’s innovative medical technology and facilities in collaboration with medical institutions in the Greater Bay Area and our Hong Kong partners. Together, we will collaborate on research to enhance the impact of S-CKD on clinical management, ultimately improving CKD patients’ prognosis.” Prof. Ying hopes that the World Kidney Day on 14 March could raise public awareness about kidney disease and promote the importance of early prevention of chronic diseases. The research team will continue to make contribution to advancing healthcare development in Hong Kong and the world with their innovative technology. 【Watch the video for more】 PolyU Research Impact – Smart Clinical Device for Kidney Disease Management

PolyU and Hexagon established strategic partnership for advancing spatial measurement technologies

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and Hexagon Leica Geosystems (Qingdao) Co., Ltd. (Hexagon), a global leader in digital reality and industrial 4.0 solutions, have established strategic framework partnership to join forces in advancing cutting-edge technology and innovation. The partnership aims to foster R&D in surveying, geographic information mapping technology and equipment, as well as positioning and navigation systems. The two parties will explore the establishment of a joint lab focusing on research topics such as precise positioning, the use of AI and machine learning in surveying and other forwarding-looking technology issues. Furthermore, talent cultivation, technology transfer and commercialisation are also key collaboration area. Witnessed by Mr. Hongquan Li, President (Greater China Region) of Hexagon and other distinguished guests, the framework MoU was signed by Prof Chen Wu, Head of Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics at PolyU and Mr. Deyong Wang, Chief Financial Officer (China Region) of Hexagon and Executive Director of Hexagon Leica Geosystems. In addition to the signing ceremony, there were multidisciplinary technology forums and a tour of Qingdao Hexagon Smart Park. Experts and scholars from PolyU, Hexagon, and the Guangzhou Urban Planning and Design Survey Research Institute engaged in profound and enthusiastic discussions on future innovation trends. By leveraging Hexagon’s unique expertise in sensors, software and autonomous technologies, combined with PolyU’s outstanding research capabilities , the partnership aims to generate new disruptive productive forces empowered by digitalisation, data and technology innovation. PolyU has been working closely with industry partners to develop state-of-art technologies that benefit the society. Hexagon Leica Geosystems (Qingdao) Co., Ltd., part of the Hexagon Group, is an innovator in global spatial information technology and solutions. The company not only provides high-precision and efficient data collection equipment for smart cities, but also provides complete real-time situational awareness geospatial solutions.

Leading Minds Driving Research and Innovation

PolyU is home to many world-renowned scholars and academicians, who are leading the way in a wide range of frontier scientific disciplines. By leveraging their multidisciplinary expertise, they produce highly-cited research and develop innovations that positively impact industries and communities in Hong Kong, the Nation and the world. Their outstanding accomplishments underscore PolyU’s unwavering dedication to research excellence. We take pride in our scholars’ knowledge, creativity and determination to use research and innovation to build a brighter future. Click here to meet our Academicians and Distinguished Scholars

PolyU and AVSECO forge strategic partnership to drive innovation in aviation security

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and Aviation Security Company Limited (AVSECO) are pleased to announce the establishment of a strategic partnership aimed at fostering innovation in the field of aviation security. This collaboration combines PolyU’s academic acumen and research expertise with AVSECO’s industry insights and business acumen, creating a powerful alliance to drive technological advancements and enhance cyber security resilience in the aviation sector. Renowned for its research capabilities and academic strength, PolyU will establish a platform for technical discussions between AVSECO and PolyU experts. This will facilitate the exchange of knowledge, ideas and best practices in aviation security, leading to the design and establishment of consultancy and collaborative research projects. By leveraging PolyU research expertise, AVSECO will gain access to cutting-edge technologies and innovative solutions to address their technical needs. Prof. Wing-tak WONG, Deputy President and Provost of PolyU, said in his welcoming speech, “Aviation security plays a pivotal role in ensuring the safety and well-being of everyone involved in air travel. PolyU has teamed up with AVSECO to address the evolving security challenges in the aviation industry. We will work together to develop new technology for aviation security and work on joint research projects to enhance aviation security worldwide. This partnership will provide our engineering students with valuable knowledge exchange, research collaboration, and hands-on internship opportunities, preparing them for successful careers in the field. We believe this partnership will be mutually beneficial to the next generation of aviation security professionals.” Mr Jacob CHEUNG, Executive Director of AVSECO supplemented, “Hong Kong International Airport, like many airports around the world, not only fully appreciates the importance of technology, but also seeks to embrace all new technological innovations that can improve the traveller experience, drive operational efficiency and bolster the integrity of aviation security systems. Collaboration, coordination and knowledge exchanges between AVSECO and PolyU will undoubtedly foster development and innovation within the airport security sector. This strategic partnership offers the potential for significant advancement in the development of cutting-edge aviation security-related solutions and, through our joint efforts, I am confident that we can greatly enhance airport security for all stakeholders.” The agreement is expected to drive new and more significant engagement initiatives in the near-future, enabling both parties to further explore the opportunities for academic and application research exchanges for students, faculty members and staff. It will help foster a collaborative environment that will benefit both parties and promote academic excellence and foster industry growth. About The Hong Kong Polytechnic University The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) aspires to be an innovative world-class university with a strong sense of social responsibility, driven by its motto, “To learn and to apply, for the benefit of mankind”. The University provides the best holistic education to nurture socially responsible “leaders of tomorrow” who possess a strong sense of national identity and a global perspective, and pursues impactful innovation and interdisciplinary research to address the world’s most pressing challenges. A robust culture of knowledge transfer and entrepreneurship is a cornerstone of the University, ensuring PolyU’s technologies are transformed into practical real-world applications. The University’s unwavering commitment to excellence has earned it international recognition, with PolyU consistently ranking among the top 100 universities worldwide. Based on this solid foundation, the University will continue to make positive contributions in collaboration with its strategic partners for the betterment of Hong Kong, the Nation and the world. About AVSECO Aviation Security Company Limited (AVSECO) has been a leading provider of aviation security services with a strong commitment to safeguarding the travelling public and civil aviation operations at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA), providing aviation security and related services since its inception. Based at HKIA, AVSECO employs around 4,500 highly trained personnel who work to ensure that the airport and its facilities are secure. The company’s vision is to deliver world-class aviation security services in Hong Kong and also with the mission to maintain the highest standards of aviation security at the HKIA.