Media Releases

PolyU-nurtured startups listed on Forbes Asia 100 To Watch 2023

Three startups nurtured by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) - Eieling Medical Limited, Fleming MedLab Limited and Telefield Medical Imaging Limited - have been listed in the newly-released Forbes Asia 100 To Watch 2023. This year’s Forbes Asia 100 to Watch list spotlights small companies and startups that are targeting underserved markets or applying new technologies. Thirteen countries and regions are represented across 11 categories, including biotechnology and healthcare, e-commerce and retail, and finance. The PolyU-nurtured companies are among 15 startups from Hong Kong. Both Eieling Medical and Telefield Medical Imaging were co-founded by Prof. ZHENG Yongping, Henry G. Leong Professor in Biomedical Engineering, Chair Professor of Biomedical Engineering, and Director of Research Institute for Smart Ageing at PolyU. Established in 2018, Eieling is a technology development company in advanced medical ultrasound imaging devices. Prof. Zheng and his PolyU research team combined transient elastography diagnostic technology with a real-time ultrasound image guided system to develop a solution called Liverscan® for liver fibrosis assessment. Liverscan® is a low-cost, palm-sized, and wireless device, allowing medical staff to perform liver checkups on patients anytime, anywhere. Eieling has been supported by the Incu-Bio Programme of Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks and the PolyU Tech Launchpad Fund, as well as secured funding from an industrial partner and several private investors. Clinical trials are now being conducted on the device in several major hospitals in Mainland China and Hong Kong, with a plan for local release this year, registration in Mainland China in 2024 and the United States in 2025, and a full-scale worldwide launch in 2026. Prof. Zheng said, “I have been working in the area of ultrasound for over 30 years, and the innovations in medical ultrasound have the potential to benefit many people in need. I have tried different ways to do technology transfer, including consultancy projects, patent licensing, and collaborative research. I have decided to further engage in technology transfer to enable our university inventions to generate a greater impact and provide more opportunities to my team members through startups. While the process is challenging, we can have better control over the initial development of the product and gain a better understanding of what the real world actually needs, which will guide us in planning for future research and development. I am very happy that our approach fits very well with PolyU’s strategic mission to be an innovative world-class university. Meanwhile, I learned that a start-up needs a CEO with professional experience to operate it when it enters a certain stage, and it is important for further growth.” Founded in 2012, Telefield is a leading global provider of 3D ultrasound imaging technology, equipment and solutions. Prof. Zheng and his PolyU research team have developed a safer and more cost-effective scoliosis assessment system, applying 3D ultrasound imaging technology to generate a radiography-like image of the spine. This breakthrough in assessing spinal deformity, especially in adolescents, is behind the pioneering medical system Scolioscan®. With more than 120 filed or granted patents, Scolioscan® can measure spinal curvature as accurately as X-ray. As the world’s first and only ultrasound scoliosis assessment system, Scolioscan® is currently in use in hospitals and clinics in countries and regions including Australia, Bosnia, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Thailand, Romania, Malaysia, Thailand, Mainland China, Macao and Hong Kong, and has helped reduce harmful exposure to radiation for more than 20,000 scoliosis patients worldwide. Telefield has so far secured more than HK$100 million in funding for this innovative project. In April 2023, Telefield achieved the Pre-A round financing totalling nearly HK$40 million, with investors including Fosun Pharma, AEF Greater Bay Area Fund (managed by Gobi GBA), PolyU Entrepreneurship Investment Fund and other industry investors. Fleming MedLab is an academic-led startup co-founded by Dr Kelvin HEUNG Ho-lam, Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Building and Real Estate at PolyU, who was a Bronze medallist at this year’s International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva and an awardee of the PolyU Young Innovative Research Award 2023. The company is a biomedical robotics startup specialising in stroke rehabilitation and gait training. Dr Heung’s startup focuses on developing a lightweight, wearable and easy-to-use medical-grade rehabilitation robotic exoskeleton. The system is designed to detect the movement intent of users and provide adaptive assistive force to empower joint movement. Regular use during rehabilitation training can aid in the reorganisation of the brain cortex and recovery of mobility. In order to help accelerate development, Fleming MedLab has secured funding from the PolyU Micro Fund scheme. Dr Heung said, “Suffering from a stroke is potentially life-changing, and our invention aims to assist patients in their recovery and help them regain mobility. With support from PolyU, we can concentrate fully on embracing our entrepreneurial endeavour and translating our research outcomes into real-world impacts.” As an innovative world-class university driven by its motto, “To learn and to apply, for the benefit of mankind”, PolyU is committed to creating societal impact by advancing knowledge transfer and entrepreneurship. The University has been providing staunch support to students, alumni and faculty members, to enable them to pursue interdisciplinary research in addressing the world’s most pressing challenges and nurture impactful innovation, as well as translate PolyU’s research excellence into practical real-world applications. To date, PolyU has nurtured more than 480 startups, including over 60 academic-led initiatives, four unicorns and quite a number of ponies.   ***END***

PolyU welcomes freshmen by hosting PolyU Orientation Info Day

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) hosted the PolyU Orientation Info Day yesterday to welcome freshmen to the PolyU family. The event was organised by the Student Affairs Office, with the theme of “Navigate Your Future”. About 1,300 freshmen attended the President’s Welcome address at the Jockey Club Auditorium or watched the live stream at the Global Student Hub and nearby Lecture Theatre on campus in the morning. Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, President of PolyU, extended his warmest welcome to the new students and said “PolyU will make every effort to provide students with a holistic education that is not only of a world-class standard but also unlocks your potential in many unique ways. We hope that our students will become the leaders of tomorrow who will make a positive and significant contribution to Hong Kong, our Nation and the world.” An inspiring sharing session was delivered by Mr James O Hing-pong, recipient of the 2022 Outstanding PolyU Young Alumni Award in Entrepreneurial Achievement, Co-Founder and Head of Marketing and Advertising of GoGoX, and current students. In addition, new students were treated to a student dance performance and music performance by the PolyU Orchestra and Choir. To help new students become more familiar with PolyU, an Orientation Showcase was arranged in the afternoon and displayed around 60 booths hosted by different administrative units, student societies and interest clubs of PolyU. Around 3,600 students were attracted to explore an array of co-curricular activities and services at PolyU. Prof. Teng showed his support by visiting the booths, encouraging freshmen to actively engage with people from various backgrounds and participate in campus activities in order to broaden their horizons.   ***End***

PolyU and Guangming District Government to establish joint industrial technology and innovation research institute

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and the Guangming District Government, Shenzhen have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to jointly establish the PolyU-Shenzhen Industrial Technology and Innovation Research Institute (the Research Institute), aimed at strengthening and facilitating the exchange of pedagogy, technology and talent between Hong Kong and Shenzhen. PolyU is the first Hong Kong higher education institution to achieve a strategic partnership with Guangming District Government. The University envisions effective collaboration in industry, academia and research, leveraging the advantages of PolyU's scientific talents and innovative research technologies, and attracting more high-quality Hong Kong enterprises and researchers to the region. The collaboration will involve PolyU faculty members, students and alumni engaging in scientific research, exchanging ideas and starting businesses in Shenzhen. The MoU was signed on 28 August at the Guangming Science City in Shenzhen. Witnessed by Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, PolyU President, Prof. Kwok-Yin WONG, Vice President (Education), and Prof. CHOW Ming-cheung, Head of the Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, as well as Ms CAI Ying, Guangming District Party Secretary, Mr QIU Haohang, District Mayor, and Ms Yang LI, Head of the United Front Work Department, the MoU was signed by Prof. Christopher CHAO, Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU and Mr YAO Gaoke, Deputy District Mayor of Guangming District. In his speech, Prof. Jin-Guang TENG explained that PolyU is an innovative and research-oriented university with unique strengths in fundamental research and innovation entrepreneurship. The Research Institute will closely integrate with the development characteristics and planning of Shenzhen and Guangming District. The Research Institute will leverage the University’s strengths in scientific research, target cutting-edge scientific issues, focus on innovation, and make producing significant scientific research outcomes a core objective. Alongside the construction and operation of major technological infrastructure in Guangming Science City, the Research Institute will actively promote the transfer and transformation of relevant technological achievements, contributing to the Nation's achievement of high-level technological self-reliance and strength. Representatives of Guangming District stated that through this collaboration with PolyU, they will fully utilise PolyU’s advantage as a “super connector”, who plays a leading role in supporting technological innovation and industrial development through its strong disciplinary strengths and national key laboratories. By integrating the resource advantages of both parties, the aim is to build an internationally leading high-end research platform in the fields of life sciences and high-end manufacturing, creating an innovative community that brings together scientists, entrepreneurs, investors and innovators. According to the MoU, the collaboration encourages and assists young faculty and alumnus from PolyU to start businesses in Guangming District, while establishing a sustainable development base for technological innovation and entrepreneurship. Meanwhile, it also aims to cultivate future industry leaders with innovative drive and advanced experience in scientific and technological research and development, making substantive contributions to the construction of a high-level talent aggregation area in the Greater Bay Area. Through the platform of the Research Institute, both parties will further promote the deep integration of innovation, industry, funding and talent, deepening technological innovation cooperation between Shenzhen and Hong Kong and advancing the goal of high-quality development in the Greater Bay Area.   ***END***

PolyU launches Yuen Ren Chao Prize in Language Sciences recognising outstanding scholars in the field

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is proud to announce the launch of the Yuen Ren Chao Prize in Language Sciences (“the Prize”) which aims to recognise the study of language sciences and honour those who have made distinguished contributions to the field. The Prize is named in honour of the late Prof. Yuen Ren CHAO who is widely regarded as the father of modern Chinese language studies. Prof. Chao’s legacy as a distinguished linguist, poet, composer, translator and educator has left an indelible mark on scholars in China, Asia and around the world. Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, President of PolyU and the University senior management, joined by Prof. LI Ping, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities, Prof. William Shi-Yuan WANG, Chair Professor of Language and Cognitive Sciences as well as distinguished guests including Dr Louis NG Chi-wa, Director of Hong Kong Palace Museum; Prof. Ovid Jyh-Lang TZENG, Academician of Academic Sinica; Dr Warren MOK, Artistic Director of Opera Hong Kong and renowned tenor; Ms Bing Bing WANG, renowned soprano; and Prof. XU Jie, Dean of Faculty of Arts and Humanities of the University of Macau, officiated at the Launch Ceremony. The Ceremony opened with welcoming remarks from Prof. Jin-Guang Teng, followed by a remembering of Prof. Yuen Ren Chao by Prof. William Wang, a sharing of Prof. Chao’s academic influences by Prof. Ovid Tzeng and other distinguished academics, and an insightful talk on Prof. Chao’s academic achievements and contributions by Dr Louis Ng. Prof. Jin-Guang Teng said, “PolyU and the Faculty of Humanities are honoured to uphold and further advance the legacy of Prof. Yuen Ren Chao. The Faculty pursues excellence in education and research by adopting a multidisciplinary approach that draws upon language, history, culture, communication and technology. It aims to become a leading hub connecting world-class linguists and language scientists around the globe to advance knowledge for the benefit of society. We are confident that the Prize will serve as a crucial catalyst in fostering greater linguistic and cultural understanding in the years to come.” Dr Louis Ng described Prof. Yuen Ren Chao as a scholar whose knowledge traversed times, cultures and disciplines. He said, “Prof. Chao’s scientific knowledge enabled his use of scientific methods and means, while his musical knowledge inspired his countless linguistic studies. The cross-disciplinary combination of science, language and art prompted him to open a new world for modern Chinese linguistics research.” The programme also included captivating singing performances of How Can I Help But Think Of You and The Sea Rhyme, both composed by Prof. Chao, by renowned artists Dr Warren Mok and Ms Bing Bing Wang. Additionally, a meaningful moment was captured through the recitation of one of Prof. Chao’s essays, Lion-Eating Poet in the Stone Den, by two PolyU students, symbolising the continuation of his language sciences legacy. A book exhibition also paid tribute to Prof. Chao’s remarkable contribution to language sciences. Prof. Ovid Tzeng and distinguished academics including Prof. CHEN Zhongmin of Fudan University, Prof. LI Jen-Kuei of Academia Sinica, Prof. SHI Feng of Nankai University, Dr Peter ZHOU of University of California, Berkeley and Dr CHEUNG Kwan-hin, Former Head of PolyU’s Department of Chinese and Bilingual Studies also shared their thoughts on Prof. Chao’s influence on their own academic and personal pursuits via video. During the ceremony, Prof. Li Ping introduced the background of the Prize and announced nomination details and the selection process. Two awards, namely the Lifetime Achievement Award and Early Career Contribution Award, will be presented biennially, starting from 2024, to senior and junior scholars who have made distinguished contributions to research and education in language sciences respectively. A committee composed of world-renowned experts will select the candidates for the awards. The awardees will be featured as presenters of a distinguished lecture hosted by the Faculty of Humanities, along with the conferment of the Prize and cash awards. Nomination starts on 1 September 2023. The host of the Prize, the PolyU Faculty of Humanities, is emerging as a leader in tertiary education in Asia Pacific and the world in the field of language sciences. Capitalising on its strengths in areas such as speech therapy, health communication and language neuroscience, the Faculty is poised to become a hub of language sciences research to create and advance knowledge for the benefit of mankind. The Prize exemplifies PolyU’s commitment to advancing humanities studies and education, and will inspire new generations of students and scholars to innovate in language science research. For more information about the Prize, please visit the official website www.polyu.edu.hk/fh/chao-prize or send enquiries to chao.prize@polyu.edu.hk.   ***END***

PolyU receives staunch support from HKATG to advance satellite technologies for navigation and communication

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and the Hong Kong Aerospace Technology Group (HKATG) signed a Memorandum of Understanding last month to explore opportunities for collaboration in satellite navigation and communication, satellite remote sensing, payload development and strengthening exchanges among industry, academia and research sectors. Under this collaborative framework, and to promote the development of advanced concepts and technologies such as smart cities and urban air mobility, HKATG will provide PolyU with conventional optical remote sensing and synthetic aperture radar observation data in Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area. It will also provide low-Earth orbit satellite payload space, payload testing, and low-Earth orbit satellite measurement and control services for research and education purposes. In addition, HKATG has generously donated to PolyU the naming rights of a multispectral optical remote sensing satellite, which is expected to launch in 2024. The total estimated value of this in-kind donation is HK$20 million (including data and equipment). To express its sincere gratitude for HKATG’s generous support, PolyU held an appreciation ceremony yesterday (23 August), attended by Prof. Wing-tak WONG, Deputy President and Provost; Dr Miranda LOU, Executive Vice President; Prof. Christopher CHAO, Vice President (Research and Innovation); Prof. DONG Cheng, Associate Vice President (Mainland Research Advancement); Dr Daniel YIP, Non-executive Director, HKATG; Dr Michael HU, Vice President and Technology Strategy Director, HKATG; and interdisciplinary experts from PolyU’s Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics and Department of Aeronautical and Aviation Engineering. These experts specialise in areas relating to satellite applications, control, analysis of remote sensing data, big data and artificial intelligence analysis. Dr Miranda Lou, Executive Vice President said, “As the only university in Hong Kong that has taken part in the Nation’s space missions, PolyU has extensive experience in technological research and development in aerospace technology and satellite navigation. Today’s Ceremony demonstrates the robust partnership between PolyU and HKATG, driven by our shared commitment to making a positive impact on society. HKATG’s generosity will undoubtedly empower our faculty members to further strive for excellence in education and research, nurture future aerospace-related professionals, address societal needs through research innovation, and contribute to the Nation.” Dr Daniel Yip said, “HKATG is pleased to partner with PolyU. Our collaboration will help nurture future talent for the development of new industries and the advancement of aerospace technology in Hong Kong. The Group looks forward to long-standing cooperation with PolyU. Leveraging the University’s extensive pool of research experts and training resources, we will continue to strengthen the talent supply chain and improve product design and quality. This will help power the transformation and upgrading of Hong Kong’s future industries.” To promote the development of smart cities, PolyU has been committed to remote sensing-related research for many years. High-resolution optical satellites can assist remote sensing research projects related to multispectral features including carbon neutrality research, tree health monitoring, land cover classification, marine water quality monitoring and research on urban surface characteristics. The multispectral optical satellite, expected to be launched next year, will be able to provide more frequent and higher resolution satellite data, promoting research and environment-related applications. PolyU researchers will explore using the Golden Bauhinia Constellation low-orbit satellites to enhance navigation services and carry developed navigation payloads in future low-orbit satellites.   ***END***

“Belt and Road Advanced Professional Development Programme in Power and Energy 2023” successfully completed • Over 800 professionals trained in six years to drive development of the Belt and Road Initiative

The “Belt and Road Advanced Professional Development Programme in Power and Energy” (the Programme), co-organised for the sixth consecutive year by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), Xi'an Jiaotong University (XJTU), the State Grid Corporation of China (SGCC) and The Hongkong Electric Company, Limited (HK Electric) was successfully completed yesterday (22 August). In order to meet the growing demand for talents among the Belt and Road countries and regions, the Programme aims to nurture senior executives and researchers from enterprises, government units and higher academic institutions in power and energy-related fields through diversified, cross-regional, systematic and innovative training schemes. This year, physical activities including lectures, seminars, exchange activities and field trips in Mainland China and Hong Kong were resumed for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic. To commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative, the theme for this year’s Programme was “Building an Innovative and Digital Power Grid for Shared Future of Mankind”. The goal was to nurture a broader vision in participants and to meet the challenges of global energy demand in the future. 32 participants from 10 Belt and Road countries and regions joined the Programme, including from Brazil, Chile, Mainland China, Hong Kong, India, the Philippines, Portugal, Russia, Syria and the United Arab Emirates. In the past 12 days, 11 seminars and talks were organised. Participants also visited various high-end power facilities, including SGCC’s training facilities in Jinan, the State Key Lab of Electrical Insulation and Power Equipment in Xi'an, and HK Electric’s Lamma Power Station and cable tunnels in Hong Kong, to learn about cutting-edge technologies and modern management theories. The participants also gained practical knowledge and experience from PolyU, XJTU, SGCC and HK Electric experts. The Graduation Ceremony was officiated by Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, President of PolyU; Prof. H.C. MAN, Dean of the PolyU Faculty of Engineering; Prof. SHAN Zhiwei, Assistant President of XJTU; Mr LYU Shirong, Co-chair of the Department of International Cooperation, SGCC; Mr ZHAO Donglai, Co-chair of SGTC; Mr Francis CHENG Cho-ying, Managing Director of HK Electric, and witnessed by Mr LYU Feng, Deputy Director-General Development of Economic Affairs of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR; Mr D.C. CHEUNG, Principal Assistant Secretary for Environment & Ecology (Sustainable Dev), HKSAR Government; and other senior executives of the co-organisers. Addressing the Graduation Ceremony, Prof. Jin-Guang Teng remarked, “PolyU’s motto is ‘To learn and to apply, for the benefit of mankind’. I hope our programme graduates can adhere to the same principle by applying the insights they have acquired to drive the development of their respective countries and regions, and to promote collaboration within their organisations and communities. I am pleased to note that this year’s Programme has attracted participants from around the world. Looking ahead, we will aim to attract participants from an even greater number of countries and regions.” Mr Francis Cheng noted, “For HK Electric, our mission is to provide safe and reliable electricity to the many homes and businesses in Hong Kong, at an affordable price. We believe that innovation through technology is essential for continuous development and encourage these advances through a range of corporate incentives, funding and sharing opportunities. This programme proves to provide an important platform to share and exchange experiences and I trust it would contribute greatly in building an innovative and digital power infrastructure for Belt & Road countries and regions.” Prof. SHAN Zhiwei stated, “With the efforts of the four co-organisers, the Programme has been held for six consecutive years, attracting over 800 senior management executives from the power and energy industry in 43 countries and regions to participate. It has not only promoted technological exchanges within the industry, but also generated huge societal impacts. I hope that the participants can learn from each other for a win-win situation, jointly build an innovative digital power grid and share a better future for all mankind.” Mr Lyu Shirong said, “China is playing its part in building a community with a shared future for mankind. This means that no country can develop and prosper in isolation, and it is crucial for all nations to come together and share the benefits of development, especially in these times that are challenging yet filled with hope. The State Grid Corporation of China is the world's largest power utility, focusing on power grid investment, development, and operation. We are dedicated to adhering to market-oriented and localised operations, as well as promoting mutual and reciprocal benefits. Through our involvement in the Belt and Road Initiative, we aim to write a new chapter in this new era.” Mr Zhao Donglai said, “This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road initiative. Over the past decade, joint efforts in building the Belt and Road have developed a crucial practical platform for promoting the creation of a shared community for mankind’s future. The Initiative has grown from concept to action, and from vision to reality. In the process of jointly building the Belt and Road, great significance has been attached to the energy security, economic and social development of all countries involved, while also pointing towards addressing energy transition challenges.” This cross-regional and multi-cultural university-industry collaboration programme is the first-of-its-kind in both Mainland China and Hong Kong. Since its inception in 2018, the Programme has attracted 811 industry professionals from 43 countries and regions, providing more than 10,000 hours of exchanges, both online and offline training, and field trips. The four parties will continue to organise activities with diverse themes in the near-future to contribute to the development of the Belt and Road Initiative, as well as to promote experience and knowledge exchanges among senior management executives in power and energy-related fields.   ***END***

PolyU hosts Global Smart Cities Summit cum the 3rd International Conference on Urban Informatics attracting over 500 global scholars and industry professionals

The Global Smart Cities Summit cum the 3rd International Conference on Urban Informatics (GSCS & ICUI 2023), organised by the International Society for Urban Informatics (ISUI) and the PolyU Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Smart Cities Research Institute (SCRI), commenced today. This three-day conference has attracted over 500 participants globally and over 230 speakers will share their insights and research on urban informatics and smart cities. At the Opening Ceremony, Prof. SUN Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, HKSAR Government, delivered the opening address. He said, “I wish to thank PolyU for bringing together experts, researchers, industry players, policy makers and investors from around the world, who are strong advocates for smart cities, at this biennale event in Hong Kong. I am sure you are all looking forward to, and will benefit from, the enlightening sharing by the many distinguished speakers in the week to come.” Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, President of PolyU, said, “Smart cities research is one of PolyU’s strategic development areas. We have been working on topics including smart city and spatial big data analytics, remote sensing, and geomatics computing for many years. In 2020, we took a big step by establishing the Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Smart Cities Research Institute, which is hosted within the PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research - the largest research platform of its kind in the Greater Bay Area. Through mission-driven interdisciplinary research, PolyU aims to solve pressing societal challenges and foster a more sustainable future for our world.” GSCS & ICUI 2023 aims at promoting global smart city development and advances in urban informatics. This year’s conference received 300 abstract submissions from 21 countries and regions. As an emerging interdisciplinary field, urban informatics is the foundational science and technology for smart cities. The Conference features keynote speeches by internationally leading scientists, forums and technology innovation exhibitions. It provides an excellent platform for exchanging information about state-of-the-art technologies and innovations in smart cities and urban informatics. In addition to encouraging academia-industry collaboration and technological innovation, GSCS & ICUI 2023 aims to position Hong Kong as a vanguard of smart city development. Announced at the Opening Ceremony were introduction of the new ISUI Smart City Index jointly published by the ISUI and SCRI, and developed by a team led by SCRI Director Prof. John Wenzhong SHI; as well as the winners of the Outstanding Achievement Award in Urban Informatics. The ISUI Smart City Index is the first index for evaluating smart-city development that is fully based on publicly available data. With 98 indicators focusing on the impact that smart cities have on the day-to-day lives of citizens, the Index will be able to help cities self-diagnose and improve their smart-city development comprehensively from a human-centric perspective. The Outstanding Achievement Award in Urban Informatics honours world-renowned scholars in recognition of their significant contributions to the field of Urban Informatics. More information on GSCS & ICUI 2023 may be found at: https://www.isocui.org/icui2023 . ***END***

PolyU Jockey Club Design Institute for Social Innovation releases interim findings on the Study on Effective Transitional Housing Delivery in Hong Kong with multiple policy recommendations

To relieve the pressure on those with urgent housing needs, the Hong Kong Government has been committed to promoting the development of transitional housing in recent years. The Jockey Club Design Institute for Social Innovation (JCDISI) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has released the interim findings of its “Study on Effective Transitional Housing Delivery in Hong Kong” (the Study) and its report on policy recommendations. Funded by the Strategic Public Policy Research Funding Scheme, the Study is the first comprehensive study of Hong Kong's transitional housing programme. The Government plans to complete 84 transitional housing projects and provide over 21,000 housing units by 2024-25, among which over half are in the New Territories. The Study examined 35 projects located on open-air sites with newly constructed relocatable units using Modular Integrated Construction (MiC) technology, which account for about 86% of transitional housing units delivered under the programme. Compared with programmes in other cities using relocatable building structures, the Study concluded Hong Kong’s transitional housing programme to be the most unprecedented in terms of scale and development speed while also having the widest societal participation. Prof. LING Kar Kan, Director of JCDISI of PolyU and Principal Investigator of the Study, said, “The distinguished achievement of the programme is attributed to the NGOs that proactively echoes the Government’s call to take up a pivotal role in the development of transitional housing projects. Their endeavours are supported by the Government, particularly the Task Force on Transitional Housing, and quasi-government bodies such as the Urban Renewal Authority, as well as professionals in various development-related disciplines, building contractors and MiC unit manufacturers, private developers and charity foundations.” Dr Raymond TAM, Teaching Fellow of the Department of Applied Social Sciences at PolyU and Co-investigators of the Study conducted interviews with tenants in transitional housing projects. He said, “A major merit of transitional housing is its enhancement of the tenants’ well-being through creating supportive neighbourhoods. The survey clearly indicates the positive feelings of tenants in terms of an improvement in their relationship with family and neighbours. They also consider their current living environment to be good for their health and to make them feel safe in everyday life.” He noted one common suggestion from respondents concerning the possibility of extending the duration of stay in transitional housing so as to reduce the frequency of moving. Whilst pointing out the merits of the transitional housing programme in Hong Kong, the Study also identifies various pain points out of the stakeholders’ experience. These include the relatively short tenure of the sites, limited scope of the Government’s funding scheme, technical issues encountered in the design and development process, concern about occupancy rates of projects at remote locations, funding for provision of supportive services for tenants, and the administrative burden related to tasks including project promotion, tenant recruitment and eligibility assessment. The Study supports the Government taking up the role as builder in the Light Public Housing (LPH) programme to enhance the efficiency of delivery, and proposes the followings. 1   Recognise the function and position of transitional housing It is advised that transitional housing, including the LPH, be officially recognised by the Government as a housing type in the overall housing policy of Hong Kong in addition to the conventional classifications of public and private housing. The Government is also advised to maintain the mechanism for the delivery of transitional housing in order to support grassroot residents who are, for various reasons, unable to access decent affordable housing. 2   Integrate transitional housing and LPH It is advised that the transitional housing and LPH programmes be integrated, making housing units provided by both programmes equally attractive and beneficial to potential tenants. The Government is advised to play a stronger role in coordinating project promotion, tenant recruitment, eligibility assessment, cross-referral of potential tenants among projects, and in seeking additional resources for the provision of basic household amenities, facilities and furniture for the housing units, as well as subsidies for moving into new homes and community support services. 3   Standardise the design of MiC units As far as possible, the Government is advised to take the lead in standardising the design of MiC units and optimising the level of standardisation for the remaining transitional housing projects and the forthcoming LPH projects in order to improve their cost effectiveness in production and reusing MiC units. 4   Assist tenants to settle down in the Northern Metropolis Many tenants in transitional housing projects in the New Territories sites originally lived in sub-divided units in urban districts. They should not be considered a transient population but rather as possible early movers to the Northern Metropolis, which is the main source of public housing provision in the coming two decades. The Government is advised to coordinate comprehensive community service efforts to help their smooth settling into the Northern Metropolis. 5   Engage NGOs in community making in LPH development In the development of LPH projects, the Government is advised to proactively consult relevant NGOs for their views regarding the design and provision of communal space and facilities, while also engaging them as communal services providers to foster supportive neighbourhoods for the tenants. 6   Advance planning on the re-use of MiC units It is estimated that more than 18,000 MiC units will be relocated and re-used upon the termination of the existing and committed projects, involving over 20,000 MiC modules. The Government is advised to prepare well in advance for the task, which is too complex and challenging to be handled by individual NGOs. Prof. Ling further commended all parties engaged in the transitional housing programme and said, “Their collaborative effort has forged a trans-sectoral and multi-disciplinary network to enable efficient implementation of transitional housing projects. This collaborative network has become valuable social capital which can continue to help tackling the housing problem of the grassroot families.” For details, please refer to: Interim findings and policy recommendations of “Study on Effective Transitional Housing Delivery in Hong Kong".   ***END***

PReCIT launches inaugural PolyU Innovation & Technology Index Hong Kong ranks 7th in Greater China; Increased investment in R&D and patent application recommended

Key Findings Top three regions for innovation and technology (I&T) in Greater China: Guangdong (1st), Jiangsu (2nd), and Beijing (3rd). Hong Kong ranks 7th. Hong Kong’s ranking is projected to rise to 6th in 2027 and 3rd in 2032 respectively if the city realises the vision outlined by the HKSAR Government in the Hong Kong Innovation and Technology Development Blueprint. Top four Bay Areas I&T Rankings: San Francisco Bay Area (1st), Tokyo Bay Area (2nd), Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Bay Area (GBA) (3rd), New York Bay Area (4th). The GBA ranking is expected to surge if there is greater focus on social innovation and inclusivity, and if Hong Kong integrates more effectively into the GBA. Recommendations for Hong Kong Increase R&D expenditure and encourage patent licensing. Support I&T start-ups and establish the I&T ecosystem. Retain and attract I&T talents, and improve the public’s innovation awareness. Leverage Hong Kong’s strategic positions to accelerate new industralisation. Harness the green economy and enhance I&T development. Embrace the digital economy with the innovation evaluation framework. Accelerate GBA integration for building a leading international innovation and technology hub. The Policy Research Centre for Innovation and Technology (PReCIT) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) today released its inaugural PolyU Innovation & Technology Index (the Index). With the aim of formulating impactful I&T development policy recommendations to the HKSAR Government in view of enhancing Hong Kong’s competitiveness and its integration into national development under the 14th Five-Year Plan, the Index compares Hong Kong’s I&T strengths and challenges with those of various regions in Greater China and four major bay areas. (1) Comparison of Hong Kong with other Regions in Greater China Guangdong, Jiangsu and Beijing rank as the top three regions for I&T among the 34 regions in Greater China, with an I&T Index score of 6.77, 5.20 and 4.72 respectively. Hong Kong ranks 7th with an I&T Index score of 3.53. The city’s ranking is attributable to lower scores in R&D, the number of patents, I&T practitioners, and start-ups, and the contribution to GDP from the city’s manufacturing industry. Despite Hong Kong’s Gross Domestic Expenditure on R&D (GERD) as a ratio to GDP having risen from 0.74% in 2016 to 0.99% in 2022, the figure is still below the Greater China average of 2.4%. However, Hong Kong outstrips other Greater China regions in the aspects of average venture capital deal size and high-technology exports, highlighting the city’s edge as an international financial centre with its free market economy, thriving trade circumstances and liveable environment. The study forecasts that Hong Kong’s ranking will rise to 6th in 2027 and 3rd in 2032 respectively if the city realises the vision outlined by the HKSAR Government in the Hong Kong Innovation and Technology Development Blueprint. Table 1: Top 10 I&T Regions in Greater China Rank Region Overall R&D Start-ups Talent Industry Impact 1 Guangdong 6.77 2.03 2.08 1.00 0.46 1.20 2 Jiangsu 5.20 1.88 1.21 0.86 0.48 0.77 3 Beijing 4.72 2.22 1.68 0.15 0.14 0.52 4 Zhejiang 4.61 1.66 0.91 0.83 0.46 0.75 5 Taiwan 4.28 1.65 0.31 1.13 0.48 0.71 6 Shanghai 3.89 1.74 1.03 0.26 0.32 0.54 7 Hong Kong 3.53 0.82 1.09 0.29 0.00 1.33 8 Fujian 3.00 1.37 0.51 0.39 0.41 0.32 9 Shandong 2.90 1.22 0.30 0.31 0.47 0.60 10 Anhui 2.63 1.23 0.33 0.26 0.39 0.42 Prof. Christopher CHAO, PolyU Vice President (Research and Innovation) and Director of PReCIT, said, “Hong Kong has not fully leveraged its internationally recognised free-market economy due to the dominance of public investment in R&D expenditure. Guangdong, Jiangsu and Beijing, in contrast, have successfully optimised their investment policies promoting private capital investment in local start-ups. Hong Kong is advised to enhance private investment in R&D and strengthen the venture capital flow from the Mainland to Hong Kong in order to more effectively support the ongoing development of Fintech and the I&T ecosystem.” Prof. Eric CHUI, Co-Director of PReCIT and Head of the Department of Applied Social Sciences, continued, “The number of patents is a crucial parameter for measuring I&T advancement. R&D institutions in Hong Kong, including universities and enterprises, are encouraged to apply for patents and participate in setting standards with the Mainland to better align with the 14th Five-Year Plan. However, the cost of maintaining intellectual property rights in the early stages of start-ups is high, which discourages entrepreneurs from protecting their unique business ideas and competitiveness. The Government is recommended to increase the funding limit for each enterprise or individual application to encourage innovation and entrepreneurship, and strengthen the I&T talent pool for long-term sustainability.” (2) Comparison of GBA with other Three Bay Areas The San Francisco Bay Area and Tokyo Bay Area rank 1st and 2nd among the world’s four largest Bay Areas with scores of 6.99 and 4.07 respectively, followed by the Greater Bay Area (3rd, score: 3.75) and the New York Bay Area (4th, score: 3.14). Silicon Valley in the San Francisco Bay Area is home to some of the world's leading tech companies, and the Tokyo Bay Area is well-known for its advances in robotics and electronics, while the New York Metropolitan Area is a hub for finance and media. According to Table 2, the Greater Bay Area scores lowest in the R&D and Start-ups sub-categories. It scores the highest among the other three bay areas in the aspects of Talent and Impact to society. Table 2: Four Bay Areas’ I&T Ranking/strong> Rank Bay Area Overall R&D Start-ups Talent Industry Impact 1 San Francisco 6.99 2.51 3.00 0.90 0.08 0.50 2 Tokyo 4.07 1.75 0.59 0.64 0.30 0.78 3 GBA 3.75 0.49 0.23 1.24 0.50 1.29 4 New York 3.14 0.97 1.01 0.75 0.00 0.41 Prof. Haitian LU, PolyU Director of Mainland Development and Core Member of PReCIT, commented, “To differentiate itself from other bay areas and consolidate its position as a global economic and technological powerhouse, the GBA is advised to more effectively address social innovation and inclusivity, and improve access to education and healthcare. Better integration within the GBA is crucial for enhancing its ranking in the future. Hong Kong can strengthen its collaboration with GBA cities by leveraging its strength as an international financial centre and accelerating interconnectivity within the Area to empower the GBA’s overall development.” Dr Winnie TANG, Adjunct Professor of the Department of Applied Social Sciences and Founder and Honorary President of the Smart City Consortium, added, “As the first Interactive Map Dashboard for I&T index focusing on the Greater China region and bay areas, the index will serve as a platform to enhance collaboration and take the I&T development of Hong Kong to new heights. This is especially true in the areas of new industrialisation, digital economy and smart city, after Guangdong and Hong Kong signed the ‘Co-operation Agreement between Guangdong and the HKSAR on Co-developing a Smart City Cluster’ in March 2023 to enhance mutual exchanges within the GBA.” The full report is available at: https://polyu.me/PolyUInTIndex2023 Established in 2022, PReCIT is a University-level interdisciplinary I&T think-tank. Its primary areas of research include carbon-neutral cities, Greater Bay Area I&T development, and the Belt and Road Initiative development in Southeast Asia. For more information about PReCIT events, please visit www.polyu.edu.hk/precit/.   ***END***

Centre for Eye and Vision Research and Aier Eye Hospital Group collaborate to drive translational vision research

The Centre for Eye and Vision Research (CEVR) and Aier Eye Hospital Group (Aier) are delighted to announce their strategic collaboration. With mutual and complementary benefits, CEVR and Aier will jointly promote development of advanced eye and vision research, conduct collaborative research and commercialise the technology and research outputs, provide advice and support to start-ups, nurture research talents, and promote a common vision of disseminating cutting-edge research innovations to both the Mainland China and international eyecare markets. A signing ceremony was held today on The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) campus. Prof. Wing-tak WONG, Chairman of the CEVR Board of Directors cum Deputy President and Provost of PolyU, and Ms Elaine ZHANG, Global Strategy and Business Development Director of Aier signed the memorandum of understanding. Prof. Wong said, “The PolyU School of Optometry has been collaborating with Aier since 2022, providing clinical training for student optometrists in Mainland China and overseas. The collaboration provides a strategic synergy between research and application, leveraging CEVR’s innovative research and Aier’s extensive eyecare network of over 800 clinics and hospitals. We are looking forward to seeing a range of new advances in the diagnosis and treatment of ocular and visual conditions in the foreseeable future.” Ms Zhang remarked, “Aier has always been committed to providing the highest quality eyecare services to patients worldwide. This collaboration with CEVR will not only provide innovative solutions and world-class care for our patients, but also accelerate the translation of cutting-edge research findings, ultimately improving the quality of life of individuals who are suffering from vision-related conditions.” The collaboration between CEVR and Aier marks a milestone in translational vision research in Hong Kong and beyond. By harnessing the strengths of CEVR and Aier, this partnership will create an impactful research culture and a vision research power-house that can generate groundbreaking technologies for solving intractable vision problems in the real world.   ***END***