PolyU scientists awarded NSFC’s Distinguished Young Scholars and Excellent Young Scientists, numerous young scholars honored

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has received significant support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC), with a total of 48 research projects funded this year. This includes 2 projects under the National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars, 4 projects under the Excellent Young Scientists Fund, 5 projects under the General Program, and 37 projects under the Young Scientist Fund.

The two PolyU research projects selected by the National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars have been recognised for their outstanding achievements in foundational research, which are at the frontiers of global science and address the significant needs of the nation. The two awarded projects cover mathematics and management science disciplines.

A project from the Department of Applied Physics aims to develop neuromorphic computing devices for the efficient processing of complex visual information to promote the development of the national information industry. The other project from the Department of Management and Marketing focuses on underlying mechanisms and implications on managerial decision-making and policy-making recommendations for consumer cognition and behaviour in the new era, including exploring the "marketing interactions", such as interactions among individuals and between humans and machines.

PolyU has made significant strides this year in Excellent Young Scientists Fund. Young scholars from the Department of Logistics and Maritime Studies, the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, the Department of Applied Mathematics, and the Department of Applied Physics have led four research projects that tackle technical challenges in the fields of management science, human-machine collaborative manufacturing, numerical analysis, and materials science.

These projects aim to provide strategies for enhancing the reliability of the supply chain, construct efficient numerical discretisation schemes for typical inverse problems of partial differential equations, enhance the perception and flexible task planning of mutual cognitive human-robot collaborative manufacturing systems, and develop novel optoelectronic hybrid materials. The research outcomes are expected to be widely applicable across various industries, spearheading innovative and practical development initiatives.

The outstanding research capabilities of PolyU’s young scientists have been consistently recognised by the Young Scientist Fund, with a total of 37 young scholars selected, leading the performance among local institutions.

Their research spans a wide range of fields. They come from the Faculty of Business, the Faculty of Construction and Environment, the Faculty of Engineering, the Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, the Faculty of Science, the School of Design, and the School of Hotel and Tourism Management. Among these, 16 research projects were initiated by the Shenzhen Research Institute of PolyU.

Additionally, there are 5 projects supported by the General Program, including topics that will explore such as multi-source maritime spatiotemporal big data in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and influencing factors and mechanisms of micro, small and medium Tourism Enterprises’ survival and resilience in the VUCA Environment.

As an extension of PolyU in Shenzhen, the Shenzhen Research Institute of PolyU houses over ten laboratories and research platforms, undertaking research projects for national, provincial, and municipal governments as well as industry partners.