News

PolyU space experiment competition seeds future generation of innovation and technology talents

PolyU successfully held a Science Experiment Competition for secondary school students on 4 August as part of the “Science World: Exploring Space to Benefit Mankind” science education programme. Teams from the Diocesan Boys’ School (DBS), Diocesan Girls’ School and St. Paul’s Convent School were awarded the championship, first runners-up and second runners-up prizes respectively. Prof. Ben Young, VP(SGA), said he hoped the competition could encourage contestants' future participation in various areas of scientific research.   The winning proposal by DBS students aims to study how lizards adapt to the microgravity environment and cosmic radiation in by comparing the volume and density of the lizards’ cells on Earth and in space. The proposed project can potentially help probe into the factors that affect cell metabolism. Prof. Yung Kai-leung, Director of Research Centre for Deep Space Explorations (#RCDSE), Chairman of the judging panel, encouraged the students to improve their proposals to meet the stringent requirements on the space station. He also encouraged PolyU students to visit the Mainland and expand their horizons, understanding the R&D potential and opportunities in our nation.

Member of the MHRC conferred the title of “Presidential Young Scholar"

We are pleased to announce that Dr Georg Kranz, Member of the Mental Health Research Centre (#MHRC), has been conferred the title of “Presidential Young Scholar” for a period of three years from 1 July 2022. Dr Kranz will be awarded a start-up grant in support of his career development. The Presidential Young Scholars Scheme was recently established by the University to support outstanding Assistant Professors and Associate Professors aged 45 and under who have conducted/ led world-leading research that is commensurate with the stage of their academic career. Selected Assistant Professors should have published a significant amount of world-leading research as a main author.

PAIR members receive the InnoStars Award 2021 from Our Hong Kong Foundation

Congratulations to Prof. To Chi-ho, Director of the Research Centre for SHARP Vision (RCSV) and Member of the Research Centre for Chinese Medicine Innovation (RCMI), and Mr Ling Kar-kan, Member of the Research Institute for Land and Space and Research Institute for Smart Ageing, for receiving the InnoStars Award 2021 from Our Hong Kong Foundation. Online coverage: SCMP - https://polyu.me/3oFAmSV (subscription required) Sing Tao Daily - https://polyu.me/3BnjQP6 Headline Daily - https://polyu.me/3bfWwrK Wen Wei Po - https://polyu.me/3JjZQ1U Bastille Post - https://polyu.me/3Q12AmO Sina - https://polyu.me/3OKZZwh

Industry Visit: Shanghai Pharmaceuticals Holding Co. (SPH) on 5 August 2022

PolyU researchers actively collaborate with industry to translate their research outcomes and innovations into solutions that respond to the needs of society. A delegation comprising 18 senior management members of the Shanghai Pharmaceuticals Holding Co. (SPH), including Mr Cho Man, Executive Director and President, visited the University last Friday and were greeted by Dr Miranda Lou, PolyU Executive Vice President and Prof. Kwok-yin Wong, PolyU Vice President (Education). Prof. Tao Xiaoming, Acting Director of the PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research and the research team from the Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology presented the University's latest research and technology developments in #medical fields. They also explored plans to deepen cooperation between the University and SPH. SPH’s business covers industrial and commercial sectors, and the company is a leader in the areas of #medicine research and development, manufacturing, distribution and retail. SPH has been ranked a Global Top 500 company by US “Fortune” magazine since 2020; and has also been ranked as a 2022 Global Top 50 pharma company by “Pharmaceutical Executive” magazine.

RiFood member honoured with Faculty Award for Outstanding Achievement 2022

Congratulations to Prof. Terence Lee Kin-wah, Core Member of the Research Institute for Future Food (#RiFood), for being honoured with the Individual Award in “Research and Scholarly Activities: Outstanding Researcher” under the Faculty of Science Awards for Outstanding Achievement 2022.

Management committee member of RILS received JSCE International Outstanding Collaboration Award

Ir Prof. Jian-Guo Dai, Management Committee Member of the Research Institute for Land and Space (RILS) and Professor of Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at PolyU, received the FY2021 JSCE International Outstanding Collaboration Award from the Japan Society of Civil Engineers (JSCE). This award recognised the awardees’ continuous efforts and significant contribution to the development of concrete science and technology, the leadership and achievements in fostering the relationship among civil engineering researchers, as well as the commitment to strengthening the friendship between Japan and China through technical and cultural exchanges.

Inauguration Ceremony of PAIR

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) celebrated the inauguration of PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research (PAIR) at the Opening Ceremony of PolyU InnoTech Open Day on 16 July 2022.  The Academy was jointly inaugurated by officiating guests, Prof. Sun Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry of the HKSAR Government, Ms Rebecca Pun, Commissioner for Innovation and Technology of the HKSAR Government, Dr Lam Tai-fai, PolyU Council Chairman, Prof. Teng Jin-guang, President of PolyU, Prof. Wong Wing-tak, Deputy President and Provost of PolyU, Prof. Christopher Chao, Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU, Prof. Tao Xiaoming, Acting Director of PAIR, and leaders of PAIR’s 16 constituent research units. At the ceremony, Prof. Christopher Chao shed light on the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals and highlighted the contributory role of PolyU to help realise so, “Interdisciplinary research provides solutions to many complex global challenges.  We need to leverage PolyU’s research competitiveness to conduct interdisciplinary research, which helps break barriers, enables greater flexibility, and encourages talent diversity in the generation of new outcome solutions.” PAIR envisions to be the largest interdisciplinary research platform in providing interdisciplinary solutions for major societal challenges through advanced research, partnership with world-renowned scholars and knowledge transfer activities in the Greater Bay Area. Comprising 16 research institutes and centres with over 400 experienced PolyU senior researchers from all over the world, PAIR focuses on various research disciplines in frontier areas with major objectives to boost new technologies and innovation, expedite infrastructural connectivity, move forward ecological conservation, develop good quality living circle, and make contributions to the SDGs set by the UN.

Member of RiFood gives tips on choosing cooking oil for Choice Magazine

In the latest issue of the Choice Magazine, Prof. Yao Zhongping, Member of Research Institute for Future Food (RiFood), explained why the smoke point of cookingoil is an essential factor for choosing the oil. He also reminded us not to reuse the oil when frying if it’s darkened, it has some “off” flavour or there are white bubbles that don’t break up easily.  (Hong Kong Economic Times A15)   Online coverage: Ming Pao Daily News - https://polyu.me/3PfSgaI Sky Post - https://polyu.me/3AUL4MD HK01 - https://polyu.me/3yQLZv6

PolyU-made Space Instruments for Lunar Sample Acquisition awarded Scientific Technology Improvement Award

Project Led by Prof. Li Xiang-dong Awarded Theme-based Research Scheme 202223

Led by Prof Li Xiangdong, Director of Research Institute for Sustainable Urban Development (RISUD), the research project titled “Unravelling the Black Box between Air Pollution and Public Health for Transformative Air Quality Management’’ is supported by the Research Grants Council (RGC) for the Theme-based Research Scheme 2022/23 (12th Round). The longstanding impact goal of this project is to provide policymakers, organisations, and practitioners with more effective and targeted control measures to mitigate the health effects/burden of air PM2.5 pollution.