News

Research Student Gathering – Experiencing the Research Student Attachment Programme

The Graduate School (GS) held a research student gathering on 28 February 2023. With the theme “Experiencing the Research Student Attachment Programme”, participants of the attachment programme were invited to share their study-abroad journeys.  More than 80 research students attended the session. Mr Alex Chan, a PolyU PhD student from the Department of Applied Social Sciences, visited the University of Toronto to research LGBT mental health and built an effective network with their scholars and NGO collaborators. While Mr Xu Tianpeng from the Department of Biomedical Engineering shared his experience at Harvard University and gave some tips on applying for the programme and studying overseas. Many students expressed great interest in RSAP during the Q&A session. RSAP calls for applications by 30 April. Grab the chance and apply now! Learn more at: https://www.polyu.edu.hk/gs/current-students/rsap_outgoing/  

PolyU-EIAS Collaborative PhD Training Programme

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has a well-established global outlook and offers varieties of international learning opportunities with renowned institutions for our PhD students. The new Collaborative PhD Training Programme partnership in 2021 with EIT Institute for Advanced Study (EIAS), China, opened up a new network in research specialisms of science, engineering, information technology and business. EIAS is funded by Yu Renrong Education Foundation and supported by Zhejiang Provincial and Ningbo Municipal Governments. This Collaborative PhD Training Programme is a 4-year programme for PhD students who would spend their first two years at PolyU and subsequent two years at EIAS, with dual research supervision from both institutions. Collaborative PhD students may obtain a PhD degree from PolyU and a certificate of completion from EIAS, after completing the necessary programme and satisfying the graduation requirements of both institutions. Quick facts of the Collaborative PhD Training Programme with EIAS Please submit an application to EIAS by 31 March 2023. Please refer to this link for the general entrance requirements and English language requirements of PolyU. Collaborative PhD students are treated the same as regular PhD students and are entitled to stipend support during their studies at PolyU. Students are also entitled to scholarships or bursaries provided by EIAS, during their studies at EIAS. Students would need to self-finance registration fee, tuition, accommodation fee, visa, insurance, international travel expenses, etc. at PolyU; and tuition and accommodation fee at EIAS. Application materials The materials to be submitted by the applicant include: "The Hong Kong Polytechnic University-EIT Institute for Advanced Study Collaborative PhD Training Programme application form" (download here: t.ly/8rWO) CV in English Research proposal (within 2,000 words in English on interested research area, identified problems to be resolved, research action plan and research expectations, etc.) Scanned copy of the transcript (must be affixed with the academic seal of the Graduate School) or scanned copy of the GPA transcript for Bachelor Degree-holders (must be affixed with the academic seal of the Graduate School) Scanned copy of the English test transcript (required before the official registration at PolyU) Scanned copy of the ID card Scanned copy of the academic degree certificate or scanned copy of academic qualifications and student status certification documents Scanned copies of other materials that can reflect academic ability (such as academic journals or academic conference papers or publications, patents, honorary certificates, professional qualification certificates, etc.)   Application procedure Application submission: Applicants should submit application materials (in one single pdf file, email subject as “PolyU – EIAS 2023 Collaborative PhD Programme + Applicant’s name”) to EIAS, the deadline for submission is 31 March 2023. Primary selection: EIAS conducts a qualification review and primary selection based on the application materials, submits the list of applicants who have passed the primary selection to PolyU, and informs the applicants simultaneously. Those who do not pass the primary election will not be notified. Applicants who have passed the primary selection should contact the tutors or contact persons in relevant disciplines at EIAS. The tutors of EIAS will guide applicants to choose and confirm the tutors of the corresponding disciplines at PolyU. The tutors’ information on EIAS will be announced on its official website. Online application: Applicants who have passed the primary selection will be invited for an interview and shortlisted applicants need to complete an online application on the eAdmission system of PolyU. Admission: Applicants who have officially applied online can log onto the eAdmission system of PolyU for checking application status. Admission results will be announced by the end of May 2023 at the latest. EIAS will notify the admitted applicants only.   Contacts EIT Institute for Advanced Study Admissions Office Hotline: 0574-5533 6701 Email: admissions@eias.ac.cn Address: 10th Floor, No. 2, Kaiyuan New Youth Plaza, No. 568 Tongxin Road, Ningbo, China Postal code: 315200

CURI Research Support Taster Programme

The virtual College of Undergraduate Researchers and Innovators (CURI) organised a Research Support Taster Programme in four workshops from 19 to 21 December 2022 at the Industrial Centre (IC). Undergraduate researchers gained astounding experiences in innovative and technological learning at the well-equipped research and learning hub. All workshops were highly welcomed by the students and reached a full enrolment of around 120 students. XR Workshop The Extended Reality (XR) Workshop led undergraduate researchers to interact with the virtual world at the facility of the Cave, wearing mixed-reality and virtual-reality headsets. During the immersive experience, participants expressed excitement. 3D Printing Workshop Three-dimensional (3D) printing is an additive manufacturing process that creates a physical object from a digital design. Students have been introduced to various types of printing technology and had the opportunity to design and print out a small object as a personalised souvenir at the workshop. Robotics Workshop The Robotics Workshop covered the concepts of electronics and the electricity of robots, displaying a range of robots. CURI students had the taste of becoming robot engineers and were guided to instruct the robots to perform varied tasks. AI Workshop In the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Workshop, undergraduate researchers encountered Machine Learning and Deep Learning, in which they employed robotics and programming to deliver creatives.

PolyU Collaborates with Sinopec to Award Research on Sustainability Development

A collaborative agreement between PolyU and China Petrochemical Corporation (Sinopec) was signed on 14 December 2022. With a donation of RMB500,000 from Sinopec, excellent students’ research theses and projects related to “Cleaner Energy Better Life” in 2022/23 will be awarded. This attractive graduation thesis award scheme targets research students and undergraduate researchers. Their research submissions should be built around sustainable development, such as clean energy, renewable energy and green city. Students are encouraged to apply innovation and technology to enhance industry and environmental sustainability. The agreement was signed by Professor Christopher Chao, Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU, and Mr Zhijun Ye, Deputy Chief of the Hong Kong Representative Office at Sinopec. Witnesses were Professor Jin-Guang Teng, President of PolyU, Mr Zhenying Jiang, Chief Representative of the Hong Kong Representative Office at Sinopec, and Mr Zeng Shen Dian, Vice President of the Hong Kong Chinese Enterprises Association. Supporting Hong Kong and the country to develop, President Teng propels a long-term strategic partnership with Sinopec in smart energy, advanced materials, green technology, and more.

The 1st PolyU Graduate School Outstanding Research Postgraduate Alumni Award Presentation Ceremony

This year marks the 85th anniversary of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU). The Graduate School organised the first PolyU Graduate School Outstanding Research Postgraduate Alumni Award to recognise the distinctive achievements and impactful contributions of our research postgraduate alumni to professions, research and entrepreneurship. After a rigorous selection process, five awardees were honored at the presentation ceremony on 29 November 2022. Four of them were awarded the Outstanding Research Postgraduate Alumni Award while one was awarded the Outstanding Research Postgraduate Early Career Alumni Award (graduating from PolyU within ten years). The biographies of award recipients are listed here. Outstanding Research Postgraduate Alumni Award • Ir Dr Ho Wai-ming Goman • Professor Lin Zhouchen • Mr Luo Weidong Chris • Ir Professor Zheng Yongping Outstanding Research Postgraduate Early Career Alumni Award • Dr Li Siyang Liam The ceremony was kick-started by Professor Christopher Chao, Vice President (Research and Innovation), with his warm welcome and introduction of the latest development and focus of the University’s research postgraduate education to over a hundred participants including PolyU senior management, staff, students, alumni, and guests. Supervisors of the awardees were invited to witness the joyous moment and take the opportunity to reunite. The President, Professor Jin-Guang Teng, presented the trophy to Dr Ho, Mr Luo and Professor Zheng on stage. Awardees shared their valuable insights when studying at PolyU and expressed immense gratitude to their alma mater, supervisors, families and supporters. Professor Lin and Dr Li shared on Zoom and pre-recorded a video separately to express their thankfulness. In the closing speech, President Teng offered his sincere congratulations to all awardees who are experts and innovators in high-impact fields including building design, artificial intelligence, application development, biomedical engineering, and high-precision manufacturing, seeing them as a testament to the University’s motto, “To learn and to apply, for the benefit of mankind”. Capitalising on their research strengths and visions, research postgraduate alumni are filled with confidence to manifest their research aspirations, engage in the PolyU alumni community, and contribute to societal development. Congratulations to the 2022 Outstanding Research Postgraduate Alumni Award recipients!

Signing Ceremony with Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences

On 28 November 2022, a signing ceremony was held online and offline between PolyU and Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (SIAT). The signing items were the Collaborative PhD Training Programme and the MoU on the Establishment of a Collaborative Postdoctoral Training Programme. The collaborative agreements were signed by Professor Christopher Chao, Vice President (Research and Innovation), Professor Jiannong Cao, Dean of Graduate School, and Professor Wei Zhao, Deputy Director of the Preparatory Office and Chair of the Academic Council of SIAT. In the opening speeches, Professor Christopher Chao and Mr Chuangzhi Wu, Vice President of SIAT, both expressed expectations for a more frequent and closer collaboration in research and resource sharing between Shenzhen and Hong Kong. The agreement embarked on a new postdoctoral training model between Mainland China and Hong Kong to maximise higher education resources to nurture young talents. Learn more about our Collaborative PhD Training Programmes here.

PolyU Admission Talks for Joint PhD Programmes Leading to Dual Awards

The Graduate School (GS) held two online admission talks for Joint PhD Programmes Leading to Dual Awards on 24 and 25 November 2022 in Mandarin and English respectively, for students from the Mainland and overseas partner universities. Over 500 participants joined the admission talks, most of them were ongoing and new PhD students from our partner institutions, while some were from other universities. The talks were hosted by Professor Jiannong Cao and Professor Louise Cummings, Dean and Associate Dean of GS, and Ms Autumn Lin, Administrator of the Joint PhD Programmes. They covered background information including application procedures, entrance and graduation requirements, as well as unique features and benefits of the Joint PhD Programmes. The Joint PhD Programmes offer guidance by faculty members from both universities, research facilities and resources of two institutions. After completing the Joint PhD Programmes, students will obtain a PhD degree conferred by PolyU and a PhD degree conferred by Partner Institution. The Joint PhD Programmes accept applications all year round. If you are interested, please visit here for more information.

Research Postgraduate Student Orientation 2022

The Graduate School (GS) held a physical orientation on 13 October 2022 to provide essential information to new research postgraduate students with greetings. Around 230 students and staff attended the event. Topics covered learning development and opportunities, research study milestones and other university support. As highlighted, an outstanding research alumnus was invited as a guest speaker. An insightful opening speech was delivered by the President, Professor Jin-Guang Teng. Attendees were excited to learn his personal story of joining the University in 1994, PolyU’s history, continuous improvements in world rankings, the latest research focus, as well as major societal contributions. Following this, Professor Christopher Chao, the Vice President (Research and Innovation), advised students to shape their paths towards bright futures by utilising the support of seasoned supervisors and advanced research facilities. Dr Goman Ho, PolyU’s first PhD graduate in the Department of Civil and Structural Engineering, and the first Chinese structural engineer awarded the Arup Fellow worldwide, encouraged students to seek personal growth in research studies and exceed their limits. Professor Jiannong Cao, the Dean of GS, and Professor Louise Cummings, the Associate Dean of GS, later guided students through developmental opportunities and study milestones. Dr Linda Lin from the English Language Centre was invited to explain the available courses provided by the centre. More, Mr Newman Cheung from the Student Affairs Office talked about psychological wellness, along with counselling services and emergency support. The orientation ended after an overview of the Joint PhD and Collaborative PhD Training Programmes by Professor Cummings, for global outlook development. Not only did the event enable a better understanding of research studies, but also inspired new students.

Shanghai-Hong Kong University Alliance (SHUA) Online Admission Talk 2023

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) was invited to the Shanghai-Hong Kong University Alliance (SHUA) Online Admission Talk 2023 on 8 Oct 2022 as a member school. The talk has received collaborative support from a total of 14 higher education institutions in Shanghai and Hong Kong. The live broadcast event attracted more than 34,000 participants in one-and-a-half-day. Introducing PolyU in various aspects to provide an all-round application guide, participants learnt about the University’s top-100 world rankings, conducive environment for research studies, attractive admission scholarships, star faculty members and diverse student population, global learning and development opportunities, and the convenient location of the University. Research postgraduate programmes and application timelines were also explained in detail. In the Q&A session, participants gained a lot from the practical suggestions from the Dean of Graduate School, Prof. Jiannong Cao. 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐕𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐨: https://bit.ly/3ED7kg4

PolyU PhD Thesis Award 2022

The Graduate School is delighted to announce the result of the PolyU PhD Thesis Award 2022. The awardees have demonstrated distinctive research achievements through their graduating thesis. Congratulations to the award recipients and the honour symbolises the recognition of their endeavours to advance knowledge with applications.