Media Releases

Three research papers published in Nature series journals

Department of Applied Physics of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) contributed three research papers that were recently published in the Nature series journals, which are among the most authoritative and recognised scientific journals in the world that publish high-quality research in all fields of science and technology. Optoelectronic resistive random-access memory (ORRAM) for neuromorphic vision sensors – “Nature Nanotechnology” Dr. CHAI Yang, Associate Professor, Department of Applied Physics, and his team developed an optoelectronic device that mimics the functions of human retina in image sensing, memorization, and pre-processing, with image recognition rate and efficiency exceeding existing artificial visual systems. Experimental findings demonstrate the innovation’s great potential in enhancing neuromorphic visual system by simplifying the circuitry, efficiently processing overwhelming amount of dynamic visual information, and greatly reducing power consumption. It thus offers promising contribution towards the development of applications in edge computing and Internet of Things. Continuous artificial synthesis of glucose precursor using enzyme-immobilised microfluidic reactors – “Nature Communications” Dr. ZHANG Xuming, Associate Professor, Department of Applied Physics, and his team discovered technology to replicate the opto-fluidic system of leave vein to create micro-reactors for conducting the first phase reaction of CO2 fixation in natural photosynthesis. Experimental findings indicate that the micro-reactors requires only very small amount of RuBisCO (the enzyme involved in the first major step of photosynthesis) for continuous synthesis of glucose (the basic food material). The innovation contributes to artificial photosynthesis developments and will help relieve food crisis and produce biofuel. Enhanced sieving from exfoliated MoS2 membranes via covalent funcationalisation – “Nature Materials” Dr. Nicolas ONOFRIO, Assistant Professor, Department of Applied Physics, and his team developed a nanolaminate membrane based on covalently functionalised molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) nanosheets. Nanolaminate membranes made of two-dimensional (2D) materials such as graphene oxide are promising candidates for molecular sieving via size-limited diffusion in the two-dimensional capillaries, but high hydrophilicity makes these membranes unstable in water. The covalent functionalisation of exfoliated nanosheets can solve this problem by efficiently control the interlayer spacing to enhance the sieving performance of nanolaminate membranes. They demonstrate remarkable performance towards water purification and desalination, with high rejection of micropollutants and sodium chloride (NaCl) (over 90% and 87% respectively), compared to the current state of the art. The novel strategy paves the way for the preparation of membranes with tuneable sieving behaviour. The control of the surface chemistry of exfoliated 2D materials allows further exploration of the nanofluidic phenomena inside nanolaminate membranes at fundamental and practical levels for water purification or osmotic energy. Prof. Daniel LAU, Head of the Department of Applied Physics, takes pride in the contributions of the three researchers and said, “the Department will continue to devote its efforts in the pursuit of excellence in teaching and research”. “PolyU has been undertaking cutting-edge research that delivers real impact to the academia and to the world. We are committed to nurturing our academics and researchers to collaborate locally and internationally in fundamental and translational research, and encouraging them to contribute their research findings in prestigious and world-renowned journals,” said Prof. Alex WAI, Vice President (Research Development), PolyU. Note: Please refer to the appendix for details of the three papers: [URL]   ******END******

理大就香港專上學院於十月八日發生之事件的回應

理大就香港專上學院於十月八日發生之事件的回應 (Only Chinese version)

Rescheduling of the PolyU Education Info Day

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) announces that the Education Info Day to be held tomorrow (5 October) will be rescheduled. Further updates will soon be uploaded to PolyU website.

PolyU Education Info Day offers prospective students first-hand information on application tactics

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) will hold its Education Info Day on 5 October 2019 (Saturday) on its campus, from 9:30 am to 6:00 pm, to provide students with the most updated information of its full-time undergraduate and higher diploma programmes. A series of seminars, facility visits, sharing and consultation sessions will be arranged on the day to help the prospective students plan ahead for their further studies. Further elaboration on PolyU’s revised mechanism in converting points for results at Level 5**, 5* and 5 of DSE subjects starting from the 2020/21 admission exercise will also be provided for those interested. PolyU attained a remarkable admissions profile for the 2019/20 academic year. Among the undergraduates admitted, 253 scored at least 5** in one subject, with both Chinese and English at level 3 or above, in the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (DSE) Examination. For students admitted by PolyU via the Joint University Programmes Admissions System (JUPAS) this year, the average score for the Best five DSE subjects is 23.1. Two top achievers, who scored 34, are now studying Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Physiotherapy. (For details of the average DSE score of PolyU’s 2019/20 admittees, please visit: http://www51.polyu.edu.hk/eprospectus/ug/jupas/programme-requirements or www.polyu.edu.hk/study) In 2019/20, among the 44 full-time public-funded undergraduate programmes of PolyU, “Hotel Management” was the most popular one, being chosen by 641 JUPAS applicants as their first choice. “Scheme in Design” and “Nursing” placed second and third, attracting 604 and 467 applicants respectively. More than 91% of PolyU admittees this year placed the University’s programmes as their Band A choices. PolyU Education Info Day to be held on 5 October, highlights of the PolyU Education Info Day include:- two JUPAS admissions talks for Secondary Six students; two admissions talks for non-JUPAS applicants; around 100 information seminars organised by various academic faculties, schools and departments; a number of guided visits to research centres, laboratories, studios, workshops and hostels; showcase of PolyU’s award-winning research projects at the House of Innovation; and Entry Scholarship Presentation Ceremony 2019/20 for newly admitted student-athletes, sharing of student-athletes admitted by PolyU’s Outstanding Sportsmen Recommendation Scheme, performances by PolyU Sports Teams, sports games. For details, please visit: www.polyu.edu.hk/infoday. PolyU’s academic staff and student ambassadors will station onsite to provide advices on admissions and programme details for prospective applicants. The student ambassadors will also share their campus life experiences with participants.   End

PolyU develops a new class of antibiotic candidates for fighting against superbugs

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has developed a new class of antibiotic drug candidates which has high potential to be developed into a new generation of antibiotics fighting against multi-drug resistant superbugs including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The novel small molecules, based on new target, new chemical structure and new antimicrobial mechanism, are different from those of existing antibiotics. The new drug candidates demonstrate much effective abilities of inhibiting bacterial growth than commonly used antibiotics, yet with no toxicity to human cells.

PolyU announces appointment of Ir Professor Alexander Wai Ping-kong as Deputy President and Provost

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is pleased to announce today the appointment of Ir Professor Alexander WAI Ping-kong as Deputy President and Provost for five years, effective 1 March 2020. Professor Wai will take over the post from Professor Philip C. H. CHAN upon his retirement at the end of February 2020. The appointment was approved at the Council meeting today. Professor Wai has served as Vice President (Research Development) of PolyU since 1 July 2010. An outstanding scholar in fiber optic communication, he joined PolyU as an Assistant Professor in 1996. Professor Wai became Chair Professor of Optical Communications and Dean of the Faculty of Engineering in 2005. From 2008 to 2010, he also served as Associate Vice President. “Professor Wai has made great contributions to research and education in PolyU over the past two decades. We are confident that Professor Wai will continue to contribute to PolyU’s development in his new capacity,” said Dr LAM Tai-fai, Chairman of Council, PolyU. President Professor Jin-Guang TENG congratulates Professor Wai on his new appointment.  He also registered a vote of thanks to Professor Chan for his outstanding contributions to PolyU over the past decade. Professor Wai received a Bachelor of Science (Hons) degree in Physics with first-class honours from The University of Hong Kong in 1981 and a Ph.D. degree from the University of Maryland, the United States, in 1988. He started his career as a Research Physicist with Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) in McLean, Virginia, the United States, and then as Research Associate in the Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Maryland in 1990. Since joining PolyU in 1996, Professor Wai has established the University’s Photonics Research Center and state-of-the-art facilities and infrastructure for research in optical fiber communications, fiber-optics sensors and gallium nitride technology. He is an active contributor to his technical field and has published over 200 refereed international journal publications.  In recognition of his contributions to optical communication and optical networks, Professor Wai was elected Fellow of the Optical Society of America in 2009, as well as Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and Fellow of the Hong Kong Academy of Engineering Sciences, both in 2012.   (End)

PolyU School of Hotel and Tourism Management celebrates its splendid 40 years

The School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) celebrated its “Splendid 40 Years” by hosting a gala dinner at Hotel ICON, the SHTM’s world-class teaching and research hotel, on 20 September 2019. Close to 400 guests from around the world attended the occasion in celebration of the School’s 40th anniversary. Addressing at the gala dinner, Professor Philip C. H. CHAN, Deputy President and Provost of PolyU said, “The year 2019 is a special year for the SHTM as the School celebrates a significant milestone. For everyone at the SHTM and PolyU, the key thing to celebrate is not the mere passage of time, but the vision and scale of achievement that have gone into creating a world-leading centre of education and research excellence, which continues to set new standards in advancing knowledge and serving the industry. I have full confidence that the School will achieve even greater global excellence and lead the development in the field in the years to come.” The SHTM was founded 40 years ago in 1979. From humble beginnings as a diploma-conferring department, it has now risen to become a leading hospitality and tourism school not only in Asia, but also in the world. The SHTM lives by and fulfils its motto of “Leading Hospitality and Tourism” and sets itself apart from other hospitality and tourism educational institutions by consistently being ranked No. 1 in the world. In its pursuit of excellence, the SHTM places great importance on innovative research and encourages a robust research culture amongst its international faculty of more than 70 academics from 21 countries and regions globally. The School offers programmes at levels ranging from undergraduate to doctoral degrees to more than 1,400 students from around the world each year. The upscale Hotel ICON, which opened in 2011, provides the centrepiece of the SHTM’s educational and research model. The unique purpose-built and purpose-driven hotel not only supports the School in nurturing a new generation of passionate, pioneering professionals who will become future leaders in the industry, but also enables SHTM faculty members to conduct in-depth research for the advancement of the global industry. At the heart of its success is the partnership the SHTM values. The School continues to forge strong synergies among the University, the industry, its students and staff members, and takes pride in its strong connections with the community, business and academia. The celebration culminated in the announcement of the prestigious 2019 SHTM Lifetime Achievement Award. Mr P. R. S. OBEROI, Executive Chairman of EIH Limited, the flagship company of The Oberoi Group, was honoured with the accolade. The award was presented to Mr Oberoi, now 90 years old, at a ceremony held in Delhi, India in August by Dr K. P. HO, Immediate Past Chairman of the SHTM Advisory Committee and Executive Chairman of Banyan Tree Holdings. Mr P. R. S. Oberoi was represented at the ceremony by his son Mr Vikram Oberoi, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, EIH Limited. Over the years, Mr P. R. S. Oberoi has made immense contributions to the international hotel sector, and is continuously redefining the standard of hospitality and luxury. In addition to leading the management of luxury hotels in several countries, he has been instrumental in pioneering the development of the new Oberoi hotels and resorts. Under his leadership, the “Oberoi” brand has come to represent fine luxury hotels. Mr P. R. S. Oberoi said, “I am grateful and honoured to be receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award and would like to thank the entire team at the SHTM for this prestigious accolade.” Extending heartfelt congratulations to Mr Oberoi on receiving the well-deserved award, Professor Kaye CHON, SHTM Dean, Chair Professor and Walter Kwok Foundation Professor in International Hospitality Management, said, “With 40 years of impressive developments, the SHTM has successfully established itself as a world-class centre of hospitality and tourism education and research. Our commitment to excellence is well supported by distinguished individuals such as Mr Oberoi. Looking ahead, we will further contribute to extend the frontier of knowledge in hospitality and tourism, and continue to play a leading role in nurturing talents for the advancement of the entire industry.” The SHTM Lifetime Achievement Award was established in 2016 by the SHTM to honour outstanding persons who have contributed substantially to the development of hospitality and tourism in Hong Kong, the region and around the world. In bestowing the award, the SHTM seeks to recognise true leaders who help define the global hospitality landscape and advance the industry.   (End)

PolyU adopts a new score point conversion system for HKDSE subjects

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) today announced that it will revise the conversion points for subjects taken at the Hong Kong Diploma of Seconday Education (HKDSE) starting from the 2020/21 admission exercise. The conversion points to be applied are: HKDSE Subject Level Attainments New Score Conversion in 2020/21 Existing Score Conversion 5** 8.5 7 5* 7 6 5 5.5 5 4 4 4 3 3 3 2 2 2 1 1 1 “PolyU changes the conversion scores for HKDSE subject results at Level 5 or above for admission of applicants via Joint University Programmes Admissions System (JUPAS) with a view to attracting high achievers to our degree programmes,” said Prof. S. L. Ho, Associate Vice President (Academic Support) and Registrar, PolyU . Detailed information is now available at the University’s e-propectus (http://www51.polyu.edu.hk/eprospectus/ug/jupas/admission-selection#Q04).   *****

PolyU students win Gold and Bronze Awards in Global Student Innovation Challenge at iCREATe 2019

Two teams of Occupational Therapy students from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) won awards at the 13th International Convention on Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology (i-CREATe 2019) held in Canberra, Australia. The teams won Gold and Bronze awards in the Design Category of theGlobal Student Innovation Challenge of i-CREATe. The winning products, “Snaker Spoon” (Gold award) and “Nailed it!” (Bronze award), were developed by Kristy Fung’s team and Elaine Mo’s team respectively. “Snaker Spoon” aimed at both children and adults with special needs, in particular those with upper limb disabilities. It can be twisted like a snake and the angle of the spoon can be adjusted to meet the user’s needs and allow for independent feeding “Nailed it!” is a product designed to help people with weak pinch strength and poor finger dexterity. It allows the user to clip nails using a palmar grasp in neutral wrist position effortlessly. In its 13th year, iCreate continues to provide an international platform for conferences, a Global Student Innovation Challenge, and exhibitions. These feature innovative technologies, new equipment, applications, techniques and materials, which can be applied to the field of Assistive and Rehabilitative Technology. iCreate is also an ideal global platform to share technical ideas and best practices. In the Design Category of the Challenge, students were expected to apply a User-Centered Design process to produce a solution that "makes life easier" for its users, enhances the user experience (UX) or improves the quality of the professional rehabilitation practice. The solution may or may not be technology based.  Four teams of Occupational Therapy students from PolyU's Department of Rehabilitation Sciences successfully reached the final round. The students were amongst 25 teams from all around the region, including Japan, Taiwan, Thailand, India, Malaysia, Singapore and Australia.  After the teams gave presentations on their entries, the judges viewed the award submissions firsthand. The prize-winning teams gathered at the Gala dinner held in Australia's Parliament House. The founder of iCreate and special guest of honour, Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand, personally presented the awards to the winning teams. Professor Hector Tsang,Cally Kwong Mei Wan Professor in Psychosocial Health, Chair Professor of Rehabilitation Sciences and Head of Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, said, "Our Occupational Therapy curriculum is not only aimed at nurturing students to enhance practical skills but to encourage students to find creative solutions to support the recovery and rehabilitation of people with disabilities. The Department is at the forefront of developing new knowledge in rehabilitation sciences, especially in the area of neuroscience, neurological and musculoskeletal disorders and geriatric rehabilitation, and taking an innovative approach to rehabilitation. We are particularly focused on promoting research that brings discoveries in sciences to clinical practice." The two prize-winning entries from PolyU are "Snaker Spoon" (Gold Award) and "Nailed it!" (Bronze Award): Snaker Spoon – Gold Award Team members: CHAN Wai Dik Ivan, YAN Oi Wai Iris, LO Ho Yan Lulu, FUNG Tsz Ching Kristy & TO Hiu Fung Hugo  - BSc in Occupational Therapy Programme The product is aimed at both children and adults with special needs, in particular those with upper limb disabilities. The product's name comes from the spoon's ability to twist like a snake. As compared with commercial angled utensils, the angle of the "Snaker Spoon" can be adjusted to meet the user's needs and allow for independent feeding. The design can be applied to other utensils such as forks or knives. Nailed it! – Bronze Award Team member: MO Hoi Yi Elaine, WONG Hiu Yan Annie, CHAN Mung Ni Monica, LAU Wai Man & CHUI Tsz Kwan - BSc in Occupational Therapy Programme Nail clipping is a necessary grooming task and using commercially available nail clippers require a strong lateral pinch and finger dexterity. The "Nailed it" clipper is designed to help people with weak pinch strength and poor finger dexterity as well as those with arthritis. "Nailed it!" allows people to clip nails using a palmar grasp in neutral wrist position effortlessly and successfully, without imposing stress on distal finger joints and thus reducing joint pain.    *****END****

PolyU receives donation from Suga International Holdings Limited to support sustainable urban green agriculture

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) received a generous donation from Suga International Holdings Limited (SUGA) for the establishment of Hong Kong's first research platform focusing on Urban Agriculture. The laboratory has been named as "Suga Research Laboratory for Sustainable Urban Green Agriculture" in recognition of the company's contribution to the University. Officiating the naming ceremony were Professor Sophia CHAN, the Secretary for Food and Health of the HKSAR Government, Dr NG Chi-ho, Chairman and Managing Director of SUGA, and Professor Jin-Guang TENG, PolyU President. The mission of the Laboratory is to develop the next generation of Urban Agriculture model to cultivate high quality and safe fruits and vegetables in a small indoor space, with hydroponics as a focus. Two research directions include the investigation of the optimal correlation between major environmental factors and the growth of hydroponics vegetables, as well as the systematical assessment of food safety risk, harmful chemicals and food-borne bacteria in vegetables grown from hydroponics and traditional farming. Professor Teng expressed sincere gratitude to Dr Ng for supporting PolyU's sustainable urban green agriculture research. "The Laboratory is the first of its kind in Hong Kong. With the use of innovative technologies, Urban Agriculture contributes to food safety and enables sustainable food production in modern cities. It matches with one of PolyU's strategic research areas, that is, food safety and technology," added Professor Teng. In 2011, PolyU established the first university-based Food Safety and Technology Research Centre in Hong Kong and had successfully developed the first Food Hygiene Standard Certification System for local catering establishments, which had then been licensed to three major certification bodies in Hong Kong. At the naming ceremony, Professor Sophia Chan said the Government has put in a lot of efforts and resources to promote the sustainable development of agriculture in Hong Kong. This includes the setting up of an Agricultural Park to encourage the adoption of modern farming methods and offering funding through the $500 million Sustainable Agricultural Development Fund to foster the research and application of new technologies as well as to encourage farmers upgrade and modernise their equipment. She welcomes the establishment of the Suga Research Laboratory in PolyU to complement the Government's efforts on this front. Dr Ng said, "SUGA has been actively applying new technology in improving food quality and safety, both for the health of human and people's best friend, pets.  I am very delighted to endorse and support this research laboratory, an exemplary cooperation among enterprise, academia and research.  I am tremendously eager to see the inventive solutions that will arise from this laboratory, and how they will bring meaningful contributions to the advancement of hydroponic business and pet food business in Hong Kong." The Suga Research Laboratory for Sustainable Urban Green Agriculture is operated by PolyU's Food Safety and Technology Research Centre (FSTRC). Dr WONG Ka Hing, Executive Director of FSTRC, shared that the development of indoor hydroponic technology is demand-driven and customer focused to ensure that the products could fulfill the needs of Hong Kong people. Besides food safety and technology for humankind, the Laboratory has an ambition to do more and the next research focus will be on pet food.   The Laboratory will also establish a Core Technology Exchange Platform for promoting knowledge transfer in Urban Agriculture and enhancing the competitiveness of the industry. Aspiring to serve as an information hub to make greater contributions in Urban Agriculture development in Hong Kong, the Greater Bay Area and the Mainland, the Laboratory will help foster a "Healthy Eating" culture and safeguard public health.   *****END****