The Hong Kong Polytechnic University will proudly celebrate its 85th Anniversary in 2022. To commemorate this significant milestone, the University was delighted to hold an 85th Anniversary Launch Ceremony at the Jockey Club Auditorium on campus on 25 November 2021, which shared the accomplishments that PolyU had made over the years and paid tribute to its supporters.

More than 800 distinguished guests, alumni, staff and students joined the happy occasion. The Ceremony was officiated by Guest-of-Honour Mrs Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR); Mr Liu Guangyuan, Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the HKSAR; Professor Tan Tieniu, Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR; Professor Jiang Jianxiang, Director-General of the Department of Educational, Scientific and Technological Affairs of the Liaison Office; Mr Kevin Yeung, Secretary for Education; and Mr Carlson Tong, Chairman of the University Grants Committee (UGC).

From left: Professor Wing-tak Wong, PolyU Deputy President and Provost; Dr Lawrence Li Kwok-chang, Deputy Chairman of PolyU Council; Mr Carlson Tong, Chairman of the UGC; Professor Jin-Guang Teng, PolyU President; Professor Tan Tieniu, Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR; Mr Liu Guangyuan, Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the HKSAR; Mrs Carrie Lam, Chief Executive of the HKSAR; Dr Lam Tai-fai, PolyU Council Chairman; Professor Jiang Jianxiang, Director-General of the Department of Educational, Scientific and Technological Affairs of the Liaison Office; Mr Kevin Yeung, Secretary for Education; Dr Katherine Ngan, Chairman of the University Court; Ms Loretta Fong, Treasurer of the University; and Dr Miranda Lou, PolyU Executive Vice President

The University also paid tribute to its former and current Council and Court Chairmen and Members, former Presidents and Directors, as well as friends and supporters in society, for their unwavering support to the advancement of the University over the decades, which has facilitated PolyU’s rise as a top 100 university in the world. Joining the Ceremony were Dr Tung Chee-chen, Former Court Chairman; Dr Marjorie Yang, Former Council Chairman; and Professor Poon Chung-kwong, Former PolyU President.

Praised for our dedication to innovation, impact and excellence

Speaking at the Ceremony, Chief Executive Mrs Carrie Lam praised PolyU for becoming a global powerhouse in post-secondary education that is known for its ground-breaking innovations. She remarked, “PolyU is clearly committed to excellence, to elevating its academic and research standards.” Mrs Lam added that she supported the University’s initiatives to nurture innovation and technology talents and help young entrepreneurs thrive in the Greater Bay Area (GBA). Regarding PolyU’s plan to establish a new campus in Foshan, Guangdong, she said, “The new campus will, I am confident, spur innovation and entrepreneurship in Hong Kong and throughout the Greater Bay Area… I stand ready to offer my support and assistance to PolyU.”

Addressing the audience, Mr Carlson Tong, Chairman of the UGC, applauded PolyU for receiving high ratings in various research areas in the Research Assessment Exercise 2020, noting that the University’s research outputs had brought significant positive impact to society. He highlighted one of PolyU’s most impactful projects, saying, “We were all thrilled and proud of how the Surface Sampling and Packing System developed by PolyU played a vital part in the Nation’s first lunar sample return mission. This is indeed one of the best testimonies of your leading status in applied research.” He also said, “PolyU has been a pioneer in the nurturing of talents for the strategic development of Hong Kong.”

Contributing to Hong Kong, the GBA and the Nation

PolyU Chairman of Council Dr Lam Tai-fai and President Professor Jin-Guang Teng also spoke at the Ceremony. Dr Lam stated that PolyU has added value to Hong Kong’s competitiveness, and nurtured more than 400,000 alumni empowering the development of the city. He said, “PolyU will continue to work together with the Government and support Hong Kong’s integration into the Nation’s development, transforming Hong Kong into an international innovation and technology hub, and make greater contributions to Hong Kong, the GBA and the Nation.”

Professor Teng said, “Over the years, I have proudly witnessed the development of the institution into a global top 100 university. The rich legacy of the University and its continued success is the outcome of the hard work, passion and perseverance of the PolyU community over the past years and decades.”

Engaging performances by PolyU members

During the ceremony, the 85th Anniversary theme song was unveiled by performances of PolyU’s Orchestra and Choir. Current students from around the world also performed a joint parade and shared what they enjoyed most about studying at PolyU.

We Are PolyU ‧ Together We Excel

The 85th Anniversary Launch Ceremony marked the beginning of a year-long series of celebratory events, which will emphasise our proud history and heritage, focus on the homecoming of our alumni and friends, and advance our mission to be a leading university with world-class education and impactful research. The theme of our celebrations is “We Are PolyU • Together We Excel”, to reflect the fact that the University’s success is the result of the PolyU community working together as one.

An exciting series of programmes

The University has many special programmes planned during the 12-month celebratory period. A few of these have already taken place, such as National Team Olympians visiting our campus, and a Cantonese Opera Appreciation event. Activities planned for the future include enhancing the main entrance of the University at Core A, publishing a book entitled “The History of PolyU”, establishing a PolyU History Museum, a PolyU Innovation and Technology Day, a Distinguished Lecture Series, and various art and cultural events. You may find further details of some of these activities on the following pages and learn more from the 85th Anniversary events calendar. 

We hope that the community will offer its strong support to our 85th Anniversary celebrations and shares our pride.

Snapshots of PolyU 85th Anniversary Launch Event