News

PolyU Collaborates with Macau University of Science and Technology

PolyU and the Macau University of Science and Technology jointly developed a novel AI-assisted diagnostic system in conjunction with other Chinese institutions for rapid and accurate diagnosis of COVID-19 pneumonia! Entitled "Clinically Applicable AI System for Accurate Diagnosis, Quantitative Measurements, and Prognosis of COVID-19 Pneumonia Using Computed Tomography", the research of the novel system was published in the prestigious international journal, Cell. The research team utilised a large computed tomography database of 3,777 patients to train and test the AI system, so that it can efficiently distinguish COVID-19 pneumonia from other viral pneumonia, and predict the severity level in 20 seconds, with an accuracy of up to 90% and above. Already implemented in many hospitals in different countries like Mainland China, the United States, Iran, Italy and Spain, the AI system could assist radiologists and physicians to perform a quick and accurate diagnosis, playing an important role when the health system is overloaded.

PolyU Leaps to the 75th in the Latest Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings 2021

PolyU is ranked 75th in the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings 2021, up by 16 places from 91th of last year! The University community constantly strives for world-class excellence in education, research and knowledge transfer, and their concerted efforts are deservedly recognised in this newly released ranking results. PolyU will continue to provide a top-quality educational experience for students, and to support social and economic development through excellent research, thereby making greater contributions to Hong Kong, the nation and the world.

PolyU and University of Surrey Sign an Agreement on Joint PhD Programme Framework

PolyU and the University of Surrey (Surrey) have signed an agreement on 17 October 2019 to establish joint Dual Ph.D. degree relationship. The new joint programme will be first launched in the research fields of hospitality and tourism, and then it will be further extended to other academic disciplines in the future. This partnership aims to bring together the complementary expertise of the two universities in student research and training, and to broaden the international experience of PhD students. Surrey has been a partner university for PolyU over the past 10 years, with a range of collaborative activities particularly concentrated in our respective Schools of Hospitality and Tourism Management, both of which are ranked among the top 10 in the world. In 2017, the two universities upgraded their student exchange partnership to the institutional level, thus enabling more exchange opportunities for PolyU and Surrey students.

Visit from University of Waterloo

A delegation from University of Waterloo, led by the Nobel laureate Prof. Donna Strickland, a winner of the Nobel Prize in Physics 2018, paid a courtesy visit to The Hong Kong Polytechnic University for her first time and met with PolyU President Prof. Jin-Guang Teng. During the visit, the two universities discussed Vision Science around the common research topics on myopia and vision science between PolyU’s School of Optometry and Waterloo’s School of Optometry; and confirmed the collaboration between PolyU’s Faculty of Health and Social Sciences and Waterloo’s Faculty of Science on world-class ocular and biomedical research to address vital population health and ageing imperatives. Prof. Donna Strickland is one of the key members in this research group. She will lead a flagship project to treat age-related macular degeneration. The Waterloo delegation representatives included Dean of Faculty of Science Prof. Bob Lemieux, Prof. Laura Lemieux, Prof. Ben Thompson, Dr. Stan Woo, Prof. Lyndon Jones, Mr. Dave Timms and Ms. Pamela Smyth. The meeting has deepened the existing academic and research partnership between PolyU and UWaterloo.

PolyU Develops a New Class of Antibiotic Candidates for Fighting Against Superbugs

PolyU has developed a new class of antibiotic drug candidates for fighting against multi-drug resistant superbugs. The new drug candidates demonstrate much effective abilities of inhibiting bacterial growth than commonly used antibiotics, yet with no toxicity to human cells. It is believed that further studies on these compounds will contribute to a new era of antibiotic discovery.

Hong Kong’s First Research Platform on Urban Agriculture

PolyU established its first research-driven platform to support sustainable urban agriculture under the generous donation from Suga International Holdings Limited. With the use of innovative hydroponic technology, this laboratory has an ambition to develop the next generation of Urban Agriculture model, as well as to cultivate high quality and safe fruits and vegetables in a small indoor space.