Media Releases

Statement by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (only Chinese version available) (12 noon)

Statement by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (only Chinese version available) (12 noon)

Emergency Message from PolyU

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) today issued an emergency message to its students, staff and alumni. Please refer to the details in the attachment.

Statement by Heads of Universities on Current Situation in Hong Kong

Hong Kong society is currently fractured, with deep divisions across social groups, political parties, and even amongst family and friends. The past week has seen a rapid escalation of violence and confrontation throughout Hong Kong: several universities are now under protestors' control; on-campus hazardous materials have been taken; staff and students have left campus out of fear for their personal safety. These events are challenging our universities in the most fundamental way. No political viewpoint gives a licence to damage property, employ physical threats, or use violence against individuals. It is regrettable that societal disagreement has led to university campuses becoming major political battlefields, and that the government response has so far not been effective. However, any demand that universities can simply fix the problem is disconnected from reality: these complicated and challenging situations neither originate from the Universities, nor can they be resolved through University disciplinary processes. They are reflections of Hong Kong-wide disagreement, and the government must take the lead with swift and concrete action to resolve this political deadlock and to restore safety and public order now. Hong Kong is our home. We call on all quarters of society to work together to bring peace and order back to Hong Kong. Prof. KUO Way, President, City University of Hong Kong Prof. Roland T. CHIN President & Vice-Chancellor, Hong Kong Baptist University Prof. Leonard CHENG, President, Lingnan University Prof. Rocky S. TUAN, President & Vice-Chancellor, The Chinese University of Hong Kong Prof. Stephen CHEUNG, President, The Education University of Hong Kong Prof. TENG Jin-Guang , President, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Prof. Wei SHYY, President, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Prof. WONG Yuk-Shan, President, The Open University of Hong Kong Prof. ZHANG Xiang, President & Vice-Chancellor, The University of Hong Kong (Listed in alphabetical order of universities)

Stay Safe and Do Not Take Part in Unlawful Activities

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) today strongly urges all persons on its campus to stop all dangerous or unlawful activities and leave immediately. The University also strongly condemns the occupation of the campus by people who commit acts of vandalism and violence within the campus and stresses that they are not allowed to stay on the campus. The prolonged social unrest has had a devastating impact on the city. In the past week, the University facilities have been extensively and severely vandalised by the protesters. Considering the personal safety of the students and staff of PolyU, the University has decided that all face-to-face classes are cancelled for the rest of the first semester, and be conducted on-line, new assessment arrangements will also be adopted. The University today also announces the extension of office suspension until Wednesday (20 Nov) next week. Staff are expected to work from home as far as practicable. The University is aware that some activists from outside have entered the campus and have been carrying out various unlawful and dangerous activities which pose safety risks to themselves and others. PolyU reiterates that the well-being of students and staff is its prime concern. For safety reasons, the University, once again, urges ALL persons on campus to leave immediately unless permission from the University management is obtained. The University management has also issued a letter to its members of PolyU to express its concerns on the campus status (see attachment).

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) - Class Arrangement

For the safety of all students and staff, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) announces that all face-to-face classes will be cancelled for the rest of this semester, and be conducted on-line. Detailed teaching and assessment arrangements will be communicated to students later. For PolyU's international exchange students, the examination could be held at their home university, and no student will be disadvantaged because of the new arrangements.

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) - Class Suspension

For the safety of PolyU students and staff, the University has decided to cancel all classes for the rest of this week (14 to 17 November). Individual departments will offer online learning support for students according to needs.

PolyU announces cancellation of classes tomorrow (13 November) Congregation sessions will also be postponed

In light of the extensive damages incurred on PolyU's campus facilities, the University has decided to suspend classes tomorrow (13 November). The congregation sessions to be held in this week (13 – 16 November) will also be postponed. Details will be advised in due course.

PolyU announces cancellation of classes tomorrow (12 November) Congregation sessions of the Faculty of Construction and Environment will also be postponed

In light of the extensive damages incurred on PolyU's campus facilities today, the University has decided to cancel all classes tomorrow (12 November). The congregation sessions of the Faculty of Construction and Environment, scheduled for 12-13 November 2019, will also be postponed. Details to be advised later.

PolyU and JITRI sign Memorandum of Understanding to foster research collaboration

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (“MoU”) with Jiangsu Industrial Technology Research Institute (JITRI), witnessed by The Hon. Mrs Carrie LAM, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and WU Zhenglong, Governor of Jiangsu Province. The MoU offers a framework for research collaboration to develop basic research in science and technology, as well as for developing and implementing applied research projects in Jiangsu Province. Held during the 2nd Jiangsu-Hong Kong Summit on Interconnected Development in Nanjing, the signing ceremony was attended by Professor Guohua CHEN, Associate Vice President (Research Support) of PolyU, and Professor Qing LIU, President of JITRI, and marks a milestone in joint research efforts between Hong Kong and Jiangsu. With the aim of commercialising high-level innovative technology outputs in global markets, basic research collaboration in a number of disciplines will be explored, including in biomedical science and engineering, pharmaceutics and medicines, environmental science and engineering, new generation information and communication technology, and high-end manufacturing and equipment. Ir Prof. Alex WAI, Vice President (Research Development) of PolyU, said “PolyU has a proven record in translating impactful research results into applicable technologies and solutions to benefit society. Leveraging Hong Kong’s strengths in advanced innovative technology and high-caliber talents, as well as JITRI’s expertise in technology research for enterprises, we believe the collaboration will help elevate the profile of research and development for both parties. The advantages of each of the two institutions are complementary, and PolyU is very pleased to join hands with JITRI and to facilitate applications in innovation and new technology development.” Professor Qing Liu, President of JITRI, added that the Institute is dedicated to serving as a bridge linking industrial research and development, as well as global resources, with a view to fostering technological innovation in Jiangsu Province. The signing of the MoU will further attract high-level innovative technology outputs for commercialisation in Jiangsu. JITRI has established matching funding of RMB40 million which includes RMB20 million from JITRI headquarters in Nanjing and RMB20 million from local JITRI institutes/partner companies initially for five years, to support collaborative research projects with PolyU which have potential for technology development or commercialisation in Jiangsu. Five research projects have already been successfully matched to apply for this funding support. Meeting the growing needs from the industry, these funded research projects are in areas including industrial robotic arms, printable transparent organic solar cells, and enhancing human-robot interactions through thermal point clouds. Committed to strengthening the collective efforts in research-related activities between the two parties, it is expected that this partnership will help explore more innovative technologies, and advance applied research and commercialization in the field of science and technology in Jiangsu Province.   *****

PolyU Innovations Garner Four Awards at International Trade Fair for Ideas, Inventions & New Products (iENA) in Germany

The three outstanding innovations of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) showcased at the 71st International Trade Fair for Ideas, Inventions & New Products (iENA) held in Nuremberg, Germany have garnered three Gold Medals and one Special Merit Award. iENA is one of the most important international trade fairs for the inventor community. The trade fair, held from 31 October to 3 November this year, attracted inventors from research institutions, academic bodies and business enterprises from more than 30 countries to showcase over 800 inventions and product innovations. With a history of over 70 years, iENA has become an annual platform for global inventors, entrepreneurs, investors and developers to seek collaboration and commercialisation of innovations. Among the world-class innovations on display, PolyU’s innovations have all been granted awards by iENA’s specialist jury in recognition of their remarkable innovative ideas and cutting-edge technologies. The award-winning innovations of PolyU are:- Atmospheric Acidic Ultrafine Particle Measuring Device Gold Medal and Special Merit Award Principal Investigator: Professor GUO Hai, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering Atmospheric acidic ultrafine particles (AUFPs), with a diameter of less than 0.1 µm, may affect human health. Yet, there has been a lack of reliable instruments for measuring AUFP concentration to facilitate the assessment of its influences on health, air quality monitoring, as well as related pollution and epidemiological studies. PolyU’s novel device, comprises a diffusion sampler and a quartz crystal microbalance detector with specially treated crystal oscillators, can measure AUFPs concentration in a safe, accurate, reliable way . Object Detection and Distance Measurement Sensor based on Light Field Imaging Gold Medal Principal Investigator: Dr LI Lihua, Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering 3D information of micro objects can be critically useful for medical diagnosis related to live body tissues, or quality control in semi-conductor manufacturing. PolyU has developed a novel imaging system that includes a micro-lens array fabricated with our own ultra-precision machining techniques, as well as a module for converting light into electrons. By applying an algorithm created with deep learning, it can identify a micro object from its 2D digital photos and acquire its light field information in real time for distance measuring or 3D reconstruction. The sensor is compact, portable and attachable on different types of camera lens for precise distance measurement in various ranges, including micro and macro photography. Dolphin - Effective Indoor Positioning Service Gold Medal Principal Investigator: Mr Gary CM LEUNG, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Blue Pin (a PolyU supported start-up), and PdD student of the Department of Electronic and Information Engineering “Dolphin” uses Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) beacons and mobile phones with a location algorithm and a co-operative positioning algorithm developed by PolyU to provide indoor positioning and navigation. In areas with insufficient beacon signals, it still functions as it can calculate users’ positions by collecting and processing BLE signals from their mobile phones, thus further enhancing the positioning accuracy. The system can also apply big data analytics to identify users’ behaviours. Such information enables venue or shop owners or exhibitors to attract new and return customers in the proximity of their venue by sending them relevant advertisements or offers before they reach the venue. iENA was first launched in 1948 in Nuremberg of Germany. Over the past 70 years, about 30,000 inventions have been presented at the trade fair. iENA this year is organized by AFAG Messen und Ausstellungen GmbH, partnered with the Union of Croatian Innovators (UCI), in collaboration with International Federation of Inventors’ Association (IFIA), German Patent and Trade Mark Office (DPMA), German Inventor Association (DEV) and the Association of German Engineers (VDI). For details, please visit the organiser’s official website:- http://www.iena.de/en/home.html   *****