The inaugural Times Higher Education (THE) Innovation & Impact Summit 2017 took place on 31 May to 2 June 2017 at PolyU. World-renowned leaders and experts from around the world joined the three-day summit and went through inspiring keynote speeches and panel discussions on how universities today address the grand global challenges. A PolyU Showcase was included which exhibited PolyU’s four impactful research areas and innovations: space, aviation and railway; sustainable urban development; human-centered innovation; and hospitality. Participants also explored how innovative research would enhance universities’ economic and social impact.