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PolyU participates in University Alliance of the Silk Road Forum 2023

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) representatives participated in the University Alliance of the Silk Road (UASR) Forum 2023, held in Xi’an on 8 October 2023. Under the theme of “Development and Innovation of World Higher Education in the Context of the New Technology Revolution”, the Forum was hosted by Xi'an Jiaotong University (XJTU), the President Unit of UASR, and brought together more than 160 representatives from 58 universities in 23 countries and regions. Delegates included Mr WANG Xiao, Member of the Standing Committee of the Shaanxi Provincial Party Committee and Executive Vice Governor; Ms XI Ru, representative of the International Cooperation and Exchange Department of the Ministry of Education; Mr LU Jianjun, Secretary of the Party Committee of XJTU; Mr WANG Shuguo, President of XJTU; Dr Laura LO, Associate Vice President (Institutional Advancement) of PolyU; and Prof. LU Haitian, Director of the PolyU Mainland Development Office. The Forum initiated the mechanism of the China-Central Asia Higher Education Cooperation Forum and launched the Belt and Road Industry-Education Alliance Initiative, aiming to create a platform for higher education exchange and cooperation and promote the development of the USAR. PolyU was appointed by the UASR Executive Council to the next rotating Alliance presidency. Dr Lo received the Alliance flag from XJTU Vice President, Prof XI Guang, stating that “PolyU is honoured to assume the Presidency coinciding with the momentous 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative. PolyU and XJTU jointly established the UASR in 2015. Since then, the UASR has grown from comprising four members to including over 160 member institutions, facilitating diverse academic exchanges and research collaborations. Looking to the future, the Alliance will continue to provide a remarkable platform for cultural exchange and talent cultivation among the Belt and Road countries.” During the Forum, Dr Lo and Prof. Lu also attended a meeting to discuss the fostering of closer co-operation between higher education institutions in Hong Kong and Central Asia, hosted by Dr Choi Yuk-lin, Secretary for Education of the HKSAR. Dr Choi said that the Government is committed to developing Hong Kong as a regional education hub. Leveraging the distinctive advantages of enjoying the Mainland’s strong support and its global connectivity, the Government hopes to attract international academic talent to pursue further studies and develop a career in Hong Kong. Dr Lo also noted that PolyU has established partnerships with over 280 universities from 40 countries. As a leading higher education institution in Hong Kong pioneering in the development of the Belt and Road Initiative, PolyU has been actively supporting talent exchange and research cooperation among Belt and Road countries and looks forward to establishing and strengthening partnerships with higher education institutions in Central Asia in the future. Jointly established by XJTU and PolyU in 2015, the UASR is a non-government and non-profit alliance aimed at providing an open and international collaborative platform in higher education. PolyU holds the Vice Presidency of the Alliance and takes a leading role in fostering talent development, research on technologies and policies, cultural exchange and medical services among members institutions along the Belt and Road. In May 2023, President Xi Jinping stated in his keynote speech at the China-Central Asia Summit that China needed to strengthen dialogue between nations and also stressed that China would continue its support for universities in Central Asian countries in joining the UASR”

PolyU Junior Researcher Mentoring Programme 2023 held to nurture high school students as research talents

The Government is committed to developing Hong Kong into a smart city and promoting the development of innovation and technology. The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has always attached great importance to the holistic education of young people, aiming to nurture innovation and technology talents to cope with the rapid development of society. To stimulate senior secondary school students’ interest in research, PolyU has successfully organised the third “Junior Researcher Mentoring Programme” (JRMP). The number of students admitted and research projects completed both reached new records. A total of 136 high school students explored thematic research in different fields under the mentorship of approximately 80 scholars from different PolyU faculties/schools and departments. This year’s Programme presented 42 research topics covering a variety of subjects, including not only trending technology like artificial intelligence (AI) and the metaverse, but also rehabilitation sciences, biomedical engineering, hotel and tourism, nursing, languages, business, fashion and design, and various engineering specialisations. With mentorship from experienced PolyU academics, students gained hands-on experience in the process of research design, data collection and analysis, and results reporting over a period of four months. They also had the opportunity to visit PolyU's many laboratories and teaching facilities to deepen their understanding of research, as well as of the knowledge and skills required through closely interacting with the mentors of each project. Students were able to explore PolyU’s diverse undergraduate curriculum and broaden their academic horizons, thereby enabling them to better prepare for their future academic and career pursuits. PolyU Vice President (Student and Global Affairs) Prof. Ben Young said, “ PolyU has been enhancing its teaching pedagogy, aiming to stimulate young people to reach their potential and develop innovative thinking through various programmes, thus equipping themselves to achieving their goals and embrace future challenges. Since the launch of the JRMP in 2021, 340 senior students from 83 local and international secondary schools have been admitted to the Programme and participated in over 110 research projects. The research results have been recognised by international academic institutions. Our mentees’ research outcomes had been presented at international academic conferences for three consecutive years, and some of them were awarded prizes. The overall achievement was remarkable and encouraging. We hope that under the guidance of PolyU academics, students who have participated in the Programme can further develop their interest in research at an early stage, gaining valuable experience and acquiring new skills through conducting research. By fostering knowledge exchange through cooperation with students from different schools, they may become part of the next generation of research talent. Under the guidance of Dr Xinyan HUANG, Associate Professor of the Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering and his team, a student from West Island School conducted a research project “Smart Firefighting with AI and Robots”, and successfully invented an AI robot that could autonomously look for a fire source and extinguish the fire. The student said, “This research successfully applied artificial intelligence and robotic technology to perform intelligent firefighting. It automated the process of locating the fire source and quenching the fire, thus securing firefighters’ safety. We hope the research outcome will inspire and be the reference for the development of similar products. I have been keen on AI and engineering-related subjects for a long time. Joining the JRMP has helped guide the direction of my future study and has broadened my horizons. I wish to keep exploring and have fun by doing research. ” Two students from Diocesan Girls' School and Christian and Missionary Alliance Sun Kei Secondary School conducted their research project “Development of a Metaverse Virtual Environment”. Under the guidance of Dr Yuk Ming TANG, Senior Teaching Fellow of the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering and his team, the students first tried to develop a game in the metaverse. They shared what they had gained in their foremost research, “The concept of the metaverse has been a hot topic in recent years and has great potential for development. Through conducting a literature review and research on the concept of metaverse, we have learnt the importance of logical thinking and analytical skills from PolyU mentors and the team. We attempted to put ideas into practice by using design and 3D painting skills to create an interactive metaverse environment. This accumulated valuable and unforgettable learning experiences for us, laying a foundation for future study and research.” PolyU strives to cultivate young people’s interest in research, nurturing the next generation of researchers and innovators, so as to expand the talent pool in Hong Kong. In addition to encouraging secondary school students to gain different learning experiences through interdisciplinary learning activities, full-time undergraduate students studying at PolyU also have the opportunity to receive funding and conduct research projects under the supervision of PolyU scholars. PolyU will continue its efforts by organising the “Junior Researcher Mentoring Programme 2024” and inviting more schools and students to participate. Applications will commence early next year and the Programme is expected to run from April to August. Programme website, photos and videos: https://www.polyu.edu.hk/geo/prospective-students/undergraduate/local/junior-researcher-mentoring-programme/

PolyU summer programmes welcome local and international students to experience campus life

This summer, the Global Engagement Office (GEO) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) hosted the Summer Institute 2023 and International Summer School 2023 for high school and undergraduate students.   PolyU launched its inaugural Summer Institute for students from Hong Kong secondary and international schools, with over 210 senior students joining the residential camp. They participated in ice-breaking and campus hunt games, and joined programme talks and hands-on activities arranged by the University’s six faculties and three schools. The high school students also took the opportunity to interact with current PolyU undergraduate students and interest club members so as to learn more about their future studies at PolyU. During the welcome dinner, Prof. Kwok-yin WONG, Vice President (Education), introduced the key features of the University’s undergraduate curriculum. Representatives from faculties and schools mingled with the participants and answered their questions about the University’s undergraduate programmes. Forty-five of the participants also took a credit-bearing course, either “Innovation and Entrepreneurship” or “Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics”, thereby gaining an elementary knowledge of entrepreneurship and/or AI, and learning to apply the theories to develop an innovative mindset in the digital era. The Summer Institute not only challenges students’ inquisitive minds, but also immerses them in the University’s stimulating learning environment so that they can get first-hand experience of making informed choices for their future studies.   In addition, organised by GEO, around 450 undergraduate students from PolyU, its partner institutions and other universities joined the PolyU International Summer School 2023 from mid-July to mid-August. Students studied one or two of our credit-bearing courses from the University’s globally renowned disciplines, including hotel and tourism management, optometry and rehabilitation sciences. Various local excursions were also organised to immerse participants in aspects of Hong Kong culture; these included a night tram tour, Ngong Ping 360 cable car ride, and visits to Tai O Village, Tsz Shan Monastery and the Wishing Tree in Lam Tsuen. There were also fun-filled workshops, with topics that included making Hong Kong-style milk tea, egg tarts, siu mai and minibus signs. The International Summer School 2023 allowed students to experience excellent teaching, while also learning about the vibrancy and diversity of Hong Kong, as well as to engage in intercultural exchange with PolyU students and other participating students from around the world.   To find out more about the PolyU International Summer School 2023, please click here, and visit their website for details about the PolyU Summer Institute.

PolyU Students Visited Vietnam’s Intimate Apparel Garment Factories through the Belt and Road Funding Scheme

A group of 35 students from the School of Fashion and Textiles at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) gained extensive knowledge by visiting intimate apparel garment factories in Vietnam from 14 to 18 May 2023. This visit was made possible through the support of the PolyU Belt and Road Funding Scheme administered by the Global Engagement Office (GEO). During the visit, the students had the opportunity to join production line tours and exchange with experts from well established companies such as Crystal Martin, Texco Limited, and Regina Miracle. Below are some sharing from the participating students after the visit:    “This trip has bnefited me a lot. It gives me the opportunity to see the operation of the factory and the brand-new manufacturing technology. In addition, because of the epidemic, we have been unable to go out for the past few years, and I am very happy to have this opportunity to study and travel with my classmates.” -- Cheung Man Ying   “It was a pleasure to visit the dressing gown factory. I was able to observe how the manufacturing process was going and gained a deeper understanding than I could theoretically learn. And I want to say thank you to all the professors who made this opportunity possible.” -- Jiyeong Ko   “As a fashion student visiting Vietnam, I gained valuable insights into the global fashion industry. I have observed the material used in producing intimate apparel and the various stages of production, from dyeing to sewing, the processes required numerous responsible workers. If the ones in front make a misstep, then all the ones following will likewise make a misstep. I obtained a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities in this field.”    -- Chiu Tsoi Hang Victoria   About PolyU Belt and Road Funding Scheme The PolyU Belt and Road Funding Scheme aims to support faculties, schools, departments and student-related offices in organising thematic curricular and extracurricular activities to promote bilateral student mobility and enrich PolyU students’ Belt and Road experience. The Scheme is administered by the Global Engagement Office at PolyU. 

Belt and Road Funding Scheme Supports PolyU Students on Study Tour to Logistics Hubs in Singapore

Department of Logistics and Maritime Studies at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) organised a one-week study tour for a group of 21 students to visit Singaporean institutions and companies specialising in shipping, logistics, and port operations from 7 to 14 May 2023. With the sponsorship from the PolyU Belt and Road Funding Scheme administered by the Global Engagement Office (GEO), the programme provided students with extraordinary opportunities to gain in-depth insights into the international logistics industry. The tour included visits to Nanyang Technological University, Singapore Maritime Academy of Singapore Polytechnic, eight specialised logistics companies such as DHL and Cogent Container, as well as local cultural landmarks. Several students shared their positive experiences after the study tour.    “Our school organised the tour that gave 21 of us a unique opportunity to gain insight into the logistics and supply chain management industries. After visiting numerous companies in Singapore, we have found that there are some cultural differences between Singaporeans and ourselves. Their attitude towards working and interpersonal relationships with their co-workers is worth learning.” -- Cho Hau Nam   “During the study tour, we visited Nanyang Technological University in Singapore and met local friends studying the same field. Since it was a meeting between students, there was an opportunity for students to learn something different other than meeting with experts. We were able to share our thoughts and experiences about the industry and how our cultural and personal values align with professionalism.” -- Jung Jisoo    “This study tour can train students’ communication skills and enrich their global outlook. It allows us to manage people, plan and think strategically, and learn the operation of logistics and maritime institutions outside Hong Kong…Compared with study tours held in secondary school, the itinerary of this study tour is planned by the students. It includes communicating with target companies for site visit permission, booking hotels and flight tickets, contacting travel agents, etc. We can gain hands-on experience through trip planning.” -- Chiu Ka Chun About PolyU Belt and Road Funding Scheme The PolyU Belt and Road Funding Scheme aims to support faculties, schools, departments and student-related offices in organising thematic curricular and extracurricular activities to promote bilateral student mobility and enrich PolyU students’ Belt and Road experience. The Scheme is administered by the Global Engagement Office at PolyU. 

PolyU GEO hosts Forum of the Belt and Road Alliance Founding Institutions

The Global Engagement Office of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University hosted the Forum of the Belt and Road Alliance Founding Institutions on 7 July 2023 to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative. Under the theme of “Jointly Building the Belt and Road”, the Forum was organised by PolyU’s Global Engagement Office, which brought together 18 scholars from the founding institutions of seven Belt and Road academic alliances to share insights on fostering talent development, knowledge transfer and research development for sustainable advancement of the Belt and Road countries. The alliances include the University Alliance of the Silk Road (UASR), Association of Sino-Russian Technical Universities (ASRTU), China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Consortium of Universities, University Consortium of the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road (UCMSR), Alliance of International Science Organisations in the Belt and Road Region (ANSO), ASEAN-China Network for Cooperation and Exchanges among Engineering and Technology Universities (ACNET-EngTech), and BRICS Universities League (BUL). In his welcoming remarks, Prof. Ben YOUNG, Vice President (Student and Global Affairs) of PolyU, said, “By leveraging our strong presence in the Mainland, and our expertise and strengths in education, research and knowledge transfer, PolyU has been playing an instrumental role in supporting the country’s Belt and Road Initiative to bring about positive changes in the region. Through this forum, we aim to exchange ideas and experiences with representatives from those academic alliances, in order to unlock opportunities for academic and research collaborations with Belt and Road universities.” Prof. Geoffrey Q.P. SHEN, Associate Vice President (Global Partnerships) and Chairman of PolyU’s Sub-Committee on Belt and Road Development, said, “PolyU is dedicated to advancing student exchange and academic collaboration with Belt and Road countries. We have co-founded and joined various Belt and Road alliances and are working closely with our partners on initiatives such as cultural exchange, mobility for students and faculty, professional training, and related services. We aim to further strengthen our collaboration with the Belt and Road alliances and their member institutions and contribute to the prosperous development of the Belt and Road.” The speakers included: Prof. XI Guang, Member of the University Council and Vice President at Xi’an Jiaotong University (Founding Institution and President of UASR); Prof. ZHEN Liang, Member of the University Council and Vice President of Harbin Institute of Technology (Founding Institution and President of ASRTU); Prof. FANG Ying, Vice President at Xiamen University (Founding Institution and President of UCMSR); Prof. CAO Jinghua, Executive Director of the Secretariat Office of ANSO; Associate Prof. ZHANG Jiegen, Director of the Pakistan Study Centre at Fudan University (Founding Institution and President of CPEC Consortium of Universities); Prof. SHEN Yi, Director of Centre for BRICS Studies at Fudan University (Founding Institution and President of BUL); and Prof. SU Rongxin, Deputy Dean of School of Marine Science and Technology at Tianjin University (Founding Institution and President of ACNET-EngTech). During the Forum, participants shared their experience and best practice on regional academic exchanges and research collaboration to advance the Belt and Road development. Discussions were made on the future alliance development, industry-academia-research collaboration, as well as inter-university and inter-alliance cooperation. The participating institutions have released the “Joint Consensus of the Belt and Road Alliance Founding Institutions Forum,” committing to collectively work towards the high-quality development of the Belt and Road. The full text of the Consensus is available here (Chinese version only). PolyU has built robust partnerships with tertiary and research institutions worldwide to advance its education, research and knowledge transfer impact around the globe. Actively strengthening its international networks to support the Belt and Road Initiative, PolyU is not only the Co-founder and Vice-President of UASR, but also a member of ASRTU, CPEC Consortium of Universities, UCMSR, and ACNET-EngTech.

“PolyU Taster Programme 2023” successfully completed

The “PolyU Taster Programme 2023”, with 25 individual programmes organised by different faculties, schools and departments has been successfully completed with around 1,100 Secondary Four and Secondary Five students participating. The Programme aimed to provide an opportunity for secondary school students to experience university life and learn about different disciplines such as business, construction, fashion and design, health science, hotel and tourism, language and STEAM (i.e. Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics). Participants interacted with PolyU scholars and students through a wide variety of activities, including undergraduate programme talks, thematic talks, student sharing sessions, workshops, interactive games, guided campus tours, and visits to laboratories and teaching facilities. They gained insight into features of our undergraduate programmes, which will prepare them to make better informed university choices when planning for their further studies.

PolyU Joined ASEAN-China Network for Cooperation and Exchanges among Engineering and Technology Universities

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) joined the ASEAN-China Network for Cooperation and Exchanges among Engineering and Technology Universities (ACNET-EngTech) as a member at the Alliance’s General Assembly on 27 April 2023. Prof Banchong Mahaisavariya, President of Mahidol University (Rotating Chairman Institute), Prof Gong Jinlong, Vice President of Tianjin University (Chairman Institute), Prof Geoffrey Shen, PolyU Associate Vice President (Global Partnerships), and representatives from 23 other member institutes attended the General Assembly. Prof Shen delivered a speech at the meeting introducing the University and the collaboration opportunities with China-ASEAN members in academic exchange, student engagement, and research collaboration.   ACNET-EngTech aims to establish an international network for exchange and cooperation for higher education among China-ASEAN countries, by providing a platform for information sharing and academic exchange in engineering, and promoting the integration of ideas, experiences, information, and achievements among member institutes. ACNET-EngTech has expanded to 26 universities and 8 countries. By joining ACNET-EngTech, PolyU shall strengthen its international presence and promote strategic development in the Belt and Road regions.

Annual “Counsellor Fly-in Programme” concludes successfully

The Global Engagement Office of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University and The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology jointly hosted the six-day “HKUST x PolyU Counsellor Fly-in 2023”, which came to a successful conclusion on 31 March 2023. To strengthen the close connection between PolyU and the rest of the world, 39 counsellors from 38 schools in 15 countries and regions, namely Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Philippines, South Korea, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates and Vietnam, as well as counsellors from local schools, were welcomed at PolyU. Professor Ben Young, Vice President (Student and Global Affairs), Professor Kwok-yin Wong, Vice President (Education) and Professor Geoffrey Q. P. Shen, Associate Vice President (Global Partnerships) shared information about how talented students are helped gain access to PolyU’s top-quality education.   During the three-day programme organised by PolyU, groups of counsellors toured the University’s facilities, student halls, and nine faculties and schools, accompanied by PolyU staff and student ambassadors. The focus was on demonstrating the University’s unique strengths and enabled the counsellors to experience PolyU’s dynamic learning environment. Student representatives also shared their own stories, their experience of colourful campus life and how to become responsible world citizens through PolyU’s diverse educational programmes and its global connections. The entire fly-in programme ended with a dinner for PolyU and HKUST representatives and the counsellors, with all parties exchanging educational experiences and expressing their hope of jointly nurturing tomorrow’s leaders with a global vision.

PolyU participated in the Global Engagement & Empowerment Forum on Sustainable Development (GEEF) 2023

The Global Engagement & Empowerment Forum (GEEF) 2023 was hosted by Yonsei University on 2 and 3 February. The Forum, themed “Turning Point: From Crisis into Opportunity” aimed to examine progress at mid-point on the way to the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and facilitate discourse on the future directions of SDGs. Professor Kwok-yin Wong, Vice President (Education) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University was invited to participate in GEEF 2023 virtually as a panelist in a featured session themed “Future of Higher Education” on behalf of the University Social Responsibility Network. During the session, Professor Wong shared his views regarding the significance and practices of innovative education methods for sustainable growth. Moderated by Professor Donghoon Kim, Senior Vice President of Yonsei University, the session was devoted to SDG 4 “Quality Education” and discussion focused on the role of higher education institutions in realising a sustainable future. Other panellists included, Dr Shinki An, Director of the Yonsei Institute for Global Health, Mr Duncan Ross, Chief Data Officer of Times Higher Education, and Professor Mohd Hamdi Abdul Shukor, Vice Chancellor of the University of Malaya. About GEEF The Global Engagement & Empowerment Forum on Sustainable Development (GEEF), is an annual international forum, organised by the Institute for Global Engagement & Empowerment at Yonsei University, the Ban Ki-moon Foundation for a Better Future, and the Ban Ki-moon Centre for Global Citizens. Stakeholders, including various global leaders and experts, convene to collaborate towards accomplishing the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Yonsei University is one of the founding members of the University Social Responsibility Network, of which PolyU is the Chair while the Network Secretariat is hosted at the University’s Global Engagement Office.