News

ISE graduate received the IET-Hong Kong Merit Award of Young Woman Engineer 2022

Ms Cadence Law Wing Ting, a graduate BEng (Hons) in Product Engineering with Marketing, received the Merit Award of Young Woman Engineer 2022 presented by The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) Hong Kong for her contributions to the field of engineering. Cadence currently leads a diverse engineering team focusing on Smart City solutions. She actively collaborates with institutions to promote a diverse, equal and inclusive engineering environment. She is one of the mentors in the ISE-IET Mentorship programme to provide support to ISE students and groom the next generation for success. More information about the Award can be found at http://hk.ietywe.org/.

PolyU and The Fire Services Department collaborate on research for indoor positioning technology 理大與消防處合作研究室內定位技術

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and the Fire Services Department (FSD) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) today to put forward a study on the use of innovation and technology (I&T) to track the location of firemen at indoor fire scenes in order to further enhance the safety of frontline personnel. PolyU and the FSD will collaborate in studying the use of indoor positioning technology to track and locate fire personnel at fire scenes inside buildings and protect them against danger. With PolyU's experience in cutting-edge engineering research and the advanced simulation training facilities in the Fire and Ambulance Services Academy, the collaboration will achieve an optimum synergy effect and provide better protection of fire personnel’s lives. Witnessed by Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, President of PolyU, and Mr Andy YEUNG, Director of Fire Services, the MoU was signed by Prof. Keith K.C. CHAN, Head of Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering of PolyU, and Mr KWOK Pak-chiu, Assistant Director (Corporate Strategy) of the FSD. Professor Jin-Guang Teng said, “Firefighters have always served and protected Hong Kong citizens with dedication and care, and PolyU is pleased to participate in this meaningful study by leveraging our research and innovation capabilities to strengthen the safety of fire personnel. PolyU’s Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering has a strong foundation in the area of precision engineering research, with its researchers having participated in the Nation’s space exploration missions of the Moon and Mars. The collaboration to develop an indoor fire scene tracking system will combine PolyU’s advanced positioning and precision engineering technologies with FSD’s professional facilities and support. I am confident that the study will help provide more timely protection to fire personnel.” Professor Teng added that PolyU will continue to harness its multi-disciplinary research strengths to support FSD’s work. For instance, PolyU’s Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering is conducting a “smart firefighting” research that adopts AI to monitor buildings fire hazards. Mr Andy Yeung said, “The FSD has long been supportive to the HKSAR Government in promoting the development and application of I&T. Over the years, the FSD has proactively introduced and applied I&T in enhancing its firefighting, rescue and emergency ambulance services for better protection of the lives and property of citizens as well as the safety of frontline fire personnel.” He said that the FSD has deployed robots for firefighting tasks and also applied artificial intelligence-assisted drones during mountain rescue operations to help search for missing persons. Both devices have been proven to be effective in greatly enhancing operational efficiency and safety. He added that the FSD would also share its accomplishments on I&T research with the fire and rescue departments of the Mainland cities of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area by conducting regular technical exchanges. 香港理工大學（理大）與消防處今天簽署合作備忘錄，研究一套室內定位系統，以追蹤消防員在建築物內火災現場的位置，進一步保障前線人員的安全。 理大和消防處將合作應用創新科技研究室內定位技術，以測定消防人員進入建築物火場後的位置，可即時追蹤搜索遇險人員。憑藉理大在尖端科技的豐富研究經驗，加上消防及救護學院內多項先進的模擬訓練設施，是次合作將發揮最大的協同效應，從而提升消防人員的生命安全。 合作備忘錄由理大工業及系統工程學系系主任陳鏡昌教授及消防處助理處長（機構策略）郭柏超先生簽署，理大校長滕錦光教授及消防處處長楊恩健先生見證簽署儀式。 滕錦光教授說：「消防人員一直為市民救災扶危，理大十分高興可以參與這個意義重大的研究，利用理大的科研成果，加強保障消防人員的安全。理大工業及系統工程學系在精密工程研究領域具備深厚根基，部份研究人員更多次參與國家探測月球和火星任務。今次合作研發室內定位系統，既運用理大先進的定位和精密工程技術，同時結合消防處的專業設施和支援，將有助為前線消防人員提供更及時的保障，加強保護他們的生命安全。」 滕校長說，理大將繼續以不同領域的科研實力，支持消防處的工作，例如建築環境及能源工程學系正進行「智慧防火」的研究，利用人工智能監測建築物的火警風險。 楊恩健處長表示：「消防處一直支持特區政府推動創新科技的發展和應用，多年來積極引進並應用新科技，優化滅火、救援和緊急救護服務，希望能為市民的生命財產和前線人員安全提供更佳保護。」 他指出，消防處早已利用機械人協助滅火，亦使用無人機配合人工智能圖像分析軟件，協助搜救遠足失蹤人士，大大提升了救援行動的效率和安全。他補充說，消防處亦經常與粵港澳大灣區內地城市的消防救援部門定期進行技術交流，分享科技研究成果。

Novel Nano Multi-Ring Incorporated Defocus Spectacle Lens to Slow Down Myopia Progression

The State Key Laboratory of Ultra-precision Machining Technology (The Hong Kong Polytechnic University) (SKL-UPMT) joined hands with the School of Optometry and Vision Science and Technology Co. Ltd. (VST), a PolyU supported start-up, and have successfully developed the Nano Multi-ring Defocus Incorporated Spectacle Lens for controlling the progression of myopia (or short-sightedness). The Ultra-precision Nano Multi-rings Machining Technology is a patented technology developed based on advanced optics design, ultra-precision machining, precision measurement, and precision moulding technology. The research team successfully applies Defocus Incorporated Soft Contact (DISC) technology for contact lens to spectacle lens production. The new spectacle lens provides added comfort for wearers, while offering more stable vision. The non-invasive design also makes it more suitable for children of different ages. Prof. Benny CHEUNG, Professor of the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering and Director of SKL-UPMT at the PolyU, stated: “We are delighted to extend the locally developed Ultra-precision Nano Multi-rings Machining Technology to fine-tune and manufacture optometric products and will continue to create new technologies and solutions for diverse industries to benefit society.”

Mainland government's awards to PolyU and Prof. KL Yung

The Mainland government has recently awarded PolyU and Prof. KL Yung the Scientific Technology Improvement Award (科學技術進步獎) for the surface sampling and packing system in Chang’e 5 space mission. The China Academy of Space Technology (CAST) has also sent the PolyU a letter of appreciation for Prof. KL Yung’s contribution on space instruments.

PolyU Scientist Dr Ren Jingzheng Wins the 2022 APEC Science Prize for Innovation, Research and Education

Dr Ren Jingzheng, Associate Professor of the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering from the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), has been selected as the sole winner of the 2022 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Science Prize for Innovation, Research and Education (ASPIRE Prize), in recognition of his scientific contribution and commitment to excellence in scientific research and the spirit of cooperation with scientists from other APEC member economies under the 2022 ASPIRE Prize theme of “Innovation to achieve economic, environmental, and social goals”. PolyU is the only higher education institution in Hong Kong to have had two young scientists honoured with this prestigious award in a single decade. Dr Ren stood out among the 13 remarkable nominees this year and was well recognised by the APEC Policy Partnership on Science, Technology, and Innovation (PPSTI) representatives. The award ceremony was held on 21 August in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Dr Ren mainly focuses on waste-to-energy, the circular economy, industrial ecology, and process systems engineering. As the originator of the “sustainability-oriented decision-making and optimisation” approach that simultaneously considers economic, environmental and social goals, multiple research outcomes from him and his team have attracted the attention and interest of academia and industry and have been applied in various fields, such as sustainable design and optimisation of complex industrial systems, energy conservation and emissions mitigation of the wastewater treatment processes, valorisation of medical waste and sewage sludge, and converting agricultural waste into energy or value-added products. “It is my great honour to win this prize. I appreciate the support of my colleagues, my department and PolyU. This good news has heartened me, and I know I should insist on continuing what I am working on using systems thinking to solve energy and environmental problems in industrial systems and using innovative ways to achieve economic, environmental and social sustainability simultaneously.” Dr Ren said. Besides the broad collaboration with scientists from other APEC member economies, he also plans to promote a new concept proposed by him, “scientific decision-making for the colocalisation of the complex industrial system”, and the waste-to-energy processes to energy-intensive industries and the waste recycling industry of APEC member economies for a more sustainable future, as well as helping to achieve a successful transition to the Bio-Circular-Green economy. The ASPIRE Prize is an annual award which recognises young scientists who are under the age of 40 and have demonstrated a commitment to both excellence in scientific research, as evidenced by scholarly publications, and cooperation with scientists from other APEC member economies, including inclusive and interdisciplinary collaboration.

RAIDS Student Team won Gold Award in The 8th China International College Students’ ”Internet+” Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition. RAIDS學生團隊獲得第八屆中國國際大學生“互聯網+”創新創業大賽

China International College Students’ “Internet+” Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition has been held for seven seasons since 2015.  Participation was by 25.33 million college students in 6.03 million teams from 121 countries and regions in five continents, and the competition has become the largest global event for innovation and entrepreneurship.  It invites excellent young people engaged in innovation and entrepreneurship all over the world to participate in this event where entrants can work to realize the dream of innovation and entrepreneurship, and to create a better future for the world. The final round competition of the 8th China International College Students’ “Internet+” Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition was held on on November 26, 2022 at Chongqing University. The competition was officially launched in April this year. More than 14.5 million participants from 111 different countries registered, and up to 3.4 million projects were received then. It really served as an international communication platform to facilitate innovation and entrepreneurship worldwide. In Hong Kong, the number of participants who attended this competition this year reached 798, together with 266 projects. Since being successfully held in 2015, the award ceremony has became a fantastic event for the information and communication industry in Hong Kong. At this year’s ceremony, Dr. Kai Xu, Vice Minister of Education and Technology Department of the Liaison Office of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, sincerely congratulated the awardees for their outstanding achievements and contributions to innovation and technology development for Hong Kong.  Professor Dong Sun, JP, Secretary for Innovation, Technology, and Industry, delivered a speech at the event, presented trophies to the grand prize winners under three categories, and celebrated their outstanding performance. After the final round of competition in the Hong Kong region held in Hong Kong Science Park on November 11, the RAIDS student team from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (Shufei Li/Chin-Lok Tsang/Junming Fan/Yat-Ming Pang/ Hin-Chi Kwok/ Chengxi Li/ Mengyang Ren) won one of the only 4 Gold Awards among 266 participated teams. They were chosen as representative teams from the Hong Kong region to present their work on the “Mutual Cognitive Human-Robot Collaboration System”and exchange ideas with other worldwide winners. The student team mentor, Ir Dr Pai Zheng believes that this work is in line with the Hong Kong Government's Re-industrialization policy and can effectively improve industrial productivity towards a human-centric smart manufacturing paradigm, by leveraging the cutting-edge robotics, digital and AI technologies. In detail, the work advances the intelligence of existing industrial collaborative robots to seamlessly work with human operators in a symbiotic manner, which effectively alleviates the high cost of land and labor in Hong Kong. Meanwhile, it provides a feasible solution for Hong Kong, which once again promotes the ambitious goal of "Made in Hong Kong" and internationalization. The team captain Shufei Li said he could not hide his excitement when he learned they won the gold award, which is an irreplaceable encouragement for their efforts. Chin-Lok Tsang, a vital team member, expressed his feeling and hope in the winner's speech, which encouraged young people in Hong Kong to show their enthusiasm for cutting-edge technologies and contribute their domain knowledge for the better development of Hong Kong.

Presentation of Outstanding Alumni Awards of PolyU ISE Department and FENG

Outstanding Alumni Award Presentation Ceremony was successfully held at the PolyU 28th Congregation on 9 Nov 2022 in Jockey Club Auditorium. Mr Dave Chong Chiu-ping, awardee of the Outstanding Alumni Award of PolyU Faculty of Engineering (FENG), graduated from Higher Diploma in Production and Industrial Engineering and Associateship in Production and Industrial Engineering from the Hong Kong Polytechnic, the University’s predecessor, in 1979 and 1982 respectively. Prof. Boby Kong Ling-bao, graduate of Doctor of Philosophy in 2010, obtaining the Outstanding Alumni Award of PolyU Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISE). Unfortunately, he was not able to join the Ceremony. Ms Vincy Wong Wing-sze, graduate of BSc (Hons) in Enterprise Engineering and E-Business in 2008, obtained the Outstanding Young Alumni Award of PolyU ISE Department and FENG. Details about recipients of Outstanding Alumni Awards of PolyU FENG are available here. More details about ISE Outstanding Alumni Awardees of the past years can be found here. Prof. HC Man, Dean of Faculty of Engineering (left), Mr Dave Chong Chiu-ping (middle) and Prof. KC Chan, Head of Department (right)

Ranked 5th among World Universities in Industrial & Manufacturing Engineering

It's fantastic to share the good news that PolyU ranked 5th in Industrial & Manufacturing Engineering by the URAP Field Ranking 2021/22. (Source: https://urapcenter.org/Rankings/2021-2022/2022-Industrial%20%26%20Manufacturing%20Engineering)

ISE Alumni Homecoming Day successfully held for alumni to mingle

ISE Alumni Homecoming Day was successfully held on 12 Nov at the PolyU Alumni Atrium to celebrate PolyU’s 85th Anniversary. The event was co-organized by the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering and MILES Alumni Association (MILESAA). It provided an opportunity for our gradates and students to get together to network and to develop partnership. They were also invited to visit some of the laboratories to know more about our state-of-art facilities. Precision Robotics Lab, Research Centre for Deep Space Exploration State Key Laboratory of Ultra-precision Machining Technology Cyber-Physical Systems Laboratory Aviation Operations and Control Laboratory Ng Tat Lun Digital Factory Photos of the events can be found here.

PolyU and Institute of Engineering and Technology sign MoU to enhance experience sharing with mentors

Institute of Engineering and Technology and Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering of PolyU signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance the exposure of our ISE students through experience sharing and interaction with experienced mentors from industries so as to realize the importance of professional development. This year, we have almost 50 mentees registered for the IET-PolyU Mentorship Programme and invited 9 mentors who have over 10 years of working experience from a wide range of discipline to provide mentoring service. During the mentorship kick-off ceremony, Ms Cadence Law, who is alumni of BEng (Hons) of Product Engineering with Marketing and committee member of IET Manufacturing and Industrial Engineering Section (MIES), provided an inspiring talk for the mentees and shared her professional career path development. Mentors interacted with mentees to provide constructive advice during the networking session.