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PolyU and Shaoxing government jointly establish technology and innovation research institute to advance technological development

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and the People’s Government of Keqiao District, Shaoxing, have jointly established the PolyU-Shaoxing Technology and Innovation Research Institute (Research Institute). The Research Institute will focus on a number of cutting-edge technologies including textile technology, carbon composite materials and application, and modern construction. Mr SHI Huifang, Secretary of the Shaoxing City Committee and other representatives joined the “Shaoxing Talent Week” event on 21 September. PolyU and the People’s Government of Keqiao District, Shaoxing, held an official ceremony to sign a cooperation agreement at the event. A plaque unveiling ceremony was also held to establish the Research Institute, marking a significant milestone in fostering the scientific research and technological advancements of both parties. This partnership signifies a commitment between Hong Kong and Shaoxing to advancing innovation and excellence, serving as a dynamic platform that connects academia, industry and the community. Leveraging PolyU accomplishments and accolades in fashion and textiles, impactful technologies in civil and environmental engineering, and outstanding research in mechanical engineering, in conjunction with Shaoxing’s resources and strengths, the Research Institute will harness PolyU research outcomes to foster technology transfer and research incubation, thus enabling real-world implementation of scientific innovation. Moreover, the Research Institute will play a pivotal role in nurturing a new generation of engineers with global perspectives, as well as top-tier technological innovation and entrepreneurial skills. The plaque unveiling ceremony was co-hosted by Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, President of PolyU; Prof. Christopher CHAO, Vice President (Research and Innovation); Prof. DONG Cheng, Associate Vice President (Mainland Research Advancement); Mr YUAN Jian, Deputy Secretary and Mayor of Keqiao District, and representatives of the Keqiao District Government, signifying the official establishment of the “PolyU-Shaoxing Technology and Innovation Research Institute”. In his speech, Prof. Teng highlighted the outstanding talent pools in Shaoxing and PolyU. With a rich history spanning 86 years, PolyU boasts over 2,900 researchers, including over 200 individuals recognised among the top 2% of scientists worldwide in Stanford University’s Scientist Rankings. Renowned for its excellence in the civil engineering, construction and building domains, PolyU holds a distinguished global reputation. The Research Institute is committed to advancing technological innovation, cultivating scientific and technical expertise, and fostering robust partnerships with international collaborators to drive progress not only in Hong Kong and the Nation but also on a global scale. PolyU and the Shaoxing government will both play pivotal roles by leveraging their respective strengths. This partnership signifies a significant advancement in fortifying the University’s research ties with the Mainland, bolstering research capabilities, nurturing exceptional talent and collaboratively addressing pressing global challenges through interdisciplinary cooperation.

PolyU scientist advancing in site-selective bioconjugation for enhanced therapeutic development

Bioconjugation, particularly targeting lysine residues and N-termini of peptides and proteins, has opened new avenues in chemical biology research. These sites, due to their reactivity and accessibility, are prime targets for attaching functional molecules. This process forms covalent bonds between biomolecules and other molecules, emerging as a potent tool for creating multifunctional bioconjugates with diverse applications. Proteins, fundamental to organisms, fulfill critical roles in various biological activities. Yet, their instability and the need for additional functionalities for specific applications like drug delivery or targeting have led researchers to explore modification techniques. Traditional methods often lack selectivity, causing batch-to-batch inconsistencies and decreased efficacy. Hence, there's a growing demand for site-selective bioconjugation approaches enabling precise modification without compromising protein function. Prof. Man Kin WONG, Associate Dean of the Faculty of Science and Professor of the Department of Food Science and Nutrition at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, along with his research team, leads the forefront, focusing on the N-terminal modification of peptides and proteins. They have strategically targeted the N-terminus due to its solvent exposure and minimal interference with protein activities. By utilizing 2-ethynylbenzaldehydes (2-EBA) under slightly acidic conditions, they have achieved remarkable selectivity, enabling the modification of proteins while preserving their biological functions. This approach has shown promising results in various applications, including drug delivery systems and cancer therapeutics. Moreover, Prof. Wong's team has expanded the scope of bioconjugation by developing novel visible light-responsive and thermal-responsive bioconjugation reagents. These advancements pave the way for stimuli-responsive drug delivery systems, antibody-drug conjugates and cell surface engineering. By harnessing the power of light or temperature stimuli, these bioconjugates provide improved control over drug release and targeting, enhancing therapeutic efficacy while minimizing side effects. The development of site-selective bioconjugation technologies represents a significant advance in therapeutic research. Prof. Wong's team aims to improve the stability, efficacy and pharmaceutical kinetics of multifunctional therapeutic bioconjugates to treat human diseases more effectively. Their work has resulted in numerous academic papers and patents, with collaborations across departments at PolyU to explore wider medical applications. This interdisciplinary effort not only advances chemical biology research but also promises innovative therapeutics for potentially better clinical outcomes.

PolyU researchers unveil novel carbon dots-driven green radiative cooling coating for energy saving in buildings

Buildings account for about 90% of Hong Kong ’ s electricity consumption and over 60% of carbon emissions. Energy conservation in buildings is crucial for achieving climate mitigation goals. The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) researchers have developed an environmentally friendly solar-driven adaptive radiative cooling (SARC) coating for building roofs and walls. This coating can reduce a building’s surface temperature by up to 25°C and lower indoor temperatures by 2 to 3°C, all without consuming any energy. This non-toxic, metal-free and durable coating can be produced on a large scale, promoting an eco-friendly and energy-saving method to mitigate urban heat island effects and support the achievement of carbon neutrality. Coating a building in a reflective material enablesthe self-regulation of its thermal environment to minimise indoor temperatures. However, traditional passive radiative cooling materials are unable to automatically adjust cooling capacity in response to environmental changes, which limits their applications. To address this challenge, a research team led by Prof. LU Lin Vivien, Professor of the Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineeringat PolyU, along with key team member Dr Quan GONG, Postdoctoral Fellow of the same department, has invented a carbon dots(CDs)-driven SARC coating that can adjust cooling capacity based on solar irradiance. This new photoluminescent radiative cooling nanocoating can convert solar energy into light energy. As solar intensity increases, the coating’s solar reflectance is enhanced, preventing buildings from absorbing excessive heat. However, traditional photoluminescent cooling materials typically rely on rare earth metals and perovskite materials, which pose environmental risks.To address these issues, Prof. Vivien Lu’s team has introduced groundbreaking, environmentally friendly polymer-based CDs as photoluminescent materials into radiative cooling coating. Nano-sized CDs were embedded into polymers to create a biologically harmless material. The polymer CDs were uniformly coated onto hollow glass particles to create Smart Cooling Beads, enabling the coating to effectively convert ultraviolet light into visible light photons and increase effective solar reflectance. This water-soluble SARC only requires the evaporation of water to form a coating on building surfaces without releasing any volatile organic compounds, thereby reducing air pollution. Results have shown that, compared to conventional radiative cooling coating, the new SARC coating improved effective daytime solar reflectance from 92.5% to 95% and increased the cooling effect by 10% to 20%. For example, it can reduce the temperature by up to 25°C when applied to concrete rooftops. In a demonstration project with the HKSAR Government department, the team applied the SARC coating to the roofs of container houses at a construction site in Hong Kong. After approximately two and a half years of continuous outdoor exposure, the coated roofs remained 24 °C cooler than concrete roof under sunlight. The coating proved highly durable, with solar reflectance decreasing by less than 2% over the two-year period. Annual energy savings of 10% were achieved by reducing the air-conditioning load. By mapping the average annual temperature drop and cooling power across different climatic regions of Mainland China, the team observed that the stronger the radiation, the greater the temperature difference the new SARC coatingachieved. Taking as examplesHong Kong and 10 Mainland cities—Beijing, Hangzhou, Guangzhou, Changsha, Hotan in Xinjiang, Shenyang, Guilin, Fuzhou, Chongqing and Lanzhou—the adoption of this novel cooling coating for buildings is projected to save between 97 and 136 kWh/m² of electricity annually in each city. Prof. Vivien Lu remarked, “As global warming intensifies and extreme weather events like heatwaves become more frequent, the scientific community is increasingly focused on finding ways to cool buildings while minimising energy consumption. Our novel SARC coating demonstrates exceptional cooling performance and is suitable for a wide range of climates, thereby accelerating the development of next-generation cooling materials. This water-soluble coating can also be produced in various colors, allowing it to be easily applied to building roofs, walls, roadways, and urban surfaces, using paint rollers.It achieves both cooling and aesthetic enhancements and offers a promising solution for sustainable urban development and mitigating the urban heat island effect.” With support from PolyU’s Carbon Neutrality Funding Scheme, the team has also integrated the photoluminescent coating with bifacial solar photovoltaics (PV) to achieve synergistic enhancement in thermal management and power generation, transforming buildings from energy consumers into energy harvesters. The team is planning to install bifacial PV panels on the rooftops of the under-construction PolyU Kowloon Tong Student Hostel, with new coating applied on the corresponding area under the panels, to enhance power generation while radiatively cooling the buildings. The team expects this dual-functional system to improve electrical power generation by 30-50% and reduce the carbon emission by 30% compared with conventional uncoated rooftops. Taking this project as an example, installation of PV over an area of approximately 600 m2 on hostel rooftops can generate 97,000 kWh of electricity, resulting in annual cost savings of over HK$120,000. The team is also developing a paraffin-based self-adaptive radiative cooling coating that can maintain appropriate solar reflectivity in response to cold and hot weather, achieving the effect of keeping warm in winter and cooling in summer. The water-soluble SARC coating can also be produced in various colours, allowing it to be easily applied to building roofs, walls, roadways, and urban surfaces to achieve both cooling and aesthetic enhancements.

Three PolyU projects supported by Smart Traffic Fund to enhance driving safety and traffic efficiency

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is dedicated to developing advanced technologies for safe and smart mobility. Leveraging its proven research capabilities, PolyU has secured funding for three out of four projects in the 15th batch of Smart Traffic Fund, with total funding awarded to the University of approximately HK$14 million. Prof. Christopher CHAO, Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU said, “The collective support for 21 PolyU projects out of a total of 59 projects funded from the Smart Traffic Fund since the launch of this scheme underscores PolyU’s legacy of excellence in smart traffic technology. These funds drive us to advance further in enhancing quality of life and shaping the future through the development of intelligent transportation systems. Drawing upon our diverse academic and research capabilities, PolyU will continue to lead the way in advancing and transforming smart mobility.” A study on public transport re-routing, with a healthy ‘Wait-to-Ride’ trip mode for optimizing public transportation routes and improving traffic congestion, is led by Prof. Charles Man Sing WONG, Associate Dean of the Faculty of Construction and Environment, Professor of the Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics. The study will develop a spatial-temporal environment database to alleviate traffic congestion and enhance road network efficiency. This database will inform suggestions for re-routing public transport in over-served areas with duplicated services. Safety is a crucial aspect of smart mobility. Dr Kam-hung NG, Assistant Professor of the Department of Aeronautical and Aviation Engineering, leads another of the funded projects, “Development of human-centric driver support systems and training recommendations for safer cross-border driving during Northbound travel for Hong Kong vehicles”. By analysing potential human errors through the collection of various neuropsychological data, a cross-border driving simulation and training program will be developed. Dr Yiping JIANG, Assistant Professor of the same Department, led the project “A study of integrating adaptive safety requirements into localisation for autonomous driving in Hong Kong”. It aims to develop a configurable platform using machine learning algorithms, which will allow autonomous driving systems to adapt to safety requirements across different traffic scenarios. The Smart Traffic Fund provides funding support to local organisations and enterprises for conducting research and applying innovation and technology with the objectives of enhancing commuting convenience, enhancing efficiency of the road network or road space, and improving driving safety. Details of the three funded projects:

PolyU scientist’s breakthrough energy-efficient innovations in applications for sensory AI systems

Prof. Yang CHAI, Associate Dean (Research) of the Faculty of Science and Professor of the Department of Applied Physics at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), has conducted groundbreaking research on sensory artificial intelligence (AI), paving the way for more energy-efficient, low-latency and memory-optimised AI systems. His advancements significantly enhance diverse applications such as mobile devices, IoT sensors and edge computing. Overcoming crucial barriers in power consumption, latency and memory within sensory AI systems, Prof. Chai’s innovations unleash the potential of sensory AI across diverse industries and domains. Furthermore, the in-sensor computing strategy has sparked progress in improving decision-making and situational awareness, strengthening privacy and security, and transforming intelligent automation. For his exceptional innovation, Prof. Chai has been honoured as a 2024 Falling Walls Winner in the Engineering & Technology category for “Breaking the Wall of Efficient Sensory AI Systems”. He has developed novel hardware architectures and optimisation techniques, which enable the deployment of advanced sensory AI systems in mobile devices, IoT sensors and edge computing, subsequently transforming applications in smart cities, autonomous vehicles and industrial automation. The Falling Walls Science Breakthroughs of the Year Award was initiated by the Berlin-based Falling Walls Foundation, to recognise the latest breakthroughs and outstanding science projects worldwide. This year, the jury, comprising globally recognised experts in the various fields, reviewed over 1,000 entries from 52 countries. In the Engineering & Technology category, 10 excellent winners were selected and shortlisted for the award of Science Breakthrough of the Year 2024. Prof. Chai said, “The proliferation of data from ubiquitously distributed sensors leads to a massive increase in sensory terminals. It is crucial to partially shift computation tasks to the sensory terminals. This transition substantially compresses the collected information and extracts key data, especially for sensor-rich platforms.” Prof. Chai’s research clearly defines near-sensor concepts and in-sensor computing paradigms based on the physical distance between sensory and computing units. This classification further divides functions into low-level and high-level processing. His study explores the implementation of near-/in-sensor computing for different physical sensing systems and provides possible solutions for integrating sensing and processing units through advanced manufacturing technologies. While Prof. Chai and his team focus on advancing computational hardware for sensory AI systems, the extraordinary capabilities of natural bioinspired sensory systems more broadly are a vital research inspiration. By emulating human visual adaptability, which allows accurate object identification under various lighting conditions, the new bioinspired sensors developed by Prof. Chai’s team offer a solution for the progress in motion processing by directly adapting to different light intensities. This approach avoids relying solely on backend computation, which emulates and even surpasses the human retina’s ability to adapt to various lighting levels. The sensors reduce hardware complexity and boost image contrast in varied lighting conditions, thus improving machine vision systems for visual analysis and identification tasks. Inspired by flying insects’ high flicker function frequency, Prof. Chai has pioneered research on optoelectronic graded neurons for perceiving dynamic motion. This innovation efficiently encodes temporal information at sensory terminals, reducing the amount of visual data transferred relating to fusing spatiotemporal (spatial and temporal) information in a computation unit. This advances machine visual systems with minimal hardware resources, promising potential applications in autonomous vehicles and surveillance systems. These outstanding findings have been published in high-impact journals including Nature Electronics and Nature Nanotechnology, and have been highlighted in Nature, IEEE Spectrum and others, while also being highly cited by research teams worldwide. He envisions, “My long-term goal is to develop cutting-edge microelectronic and nanoelectronic devices with new functionalities and unprecedented performance. Specifically, we intend to create imaging technology capable of perceiving three-dimensional depth, four-dimensional spatial-temporal and multiple spectral (beyond visible light) information. To achieve this, a bio-inspired mechanism will be utilised to reduce power consumption and latency.” Learn more about Prof. Chai’s research focus in the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lk7Rga3kSoc

Media interview: PolyU researchers invent non-invasive diagnostic device to protect kidney health

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects about 10% of the global population, and if not diagnosed early, it can lead to end-stage renal failure. Early diagnosis and active monitoring are critical. Prof. Michael Ying Tin-cheung, Professor and Associate Head of the Department of Health Technology and Informatics and his team have successfully developed Smart-CKD (S-CKD), a non-invasive computer-aided diagnostic tool. It integrates ultrasound data and selected clinical variables to provide clinical insights and assesses the risk of moderate-to-severe renal fibrosis progression in CKD patients with a promising diagnostic efficiency of 80%. Prof. Ying has recently been featured in a media interview, introducing that S-CKD integrates three pivotal clinical parameters - age, ultrasonic renal length and end-diastolic flow velocity of the interlobar renal artery, to assist medical practitioners in assessing renal fibrosis risk in CKD patients during routine clinical practices. It plays a crucial role in guiding treatment decisions and improving patient prognosis. Unlike traditional kidney biopsies, S-CKD offers a safer, non-invasive alternative for precise monitoring and clinical management of renal fibrosis, bringing hope to countless patients with the help of technology.   RTHK Interview Replay (In Chinese Only): https://polyu.me/3zcJbwz (09:43 - 14:16) For More: PolyU researchers invent non-invasive diagnostic device Smart-CKD for advancing clinical management of chronic kidney disease  

PolyU and Fuzhou University signed MoU to enhance education and research collaboration

A delegation led by Prof. WU Minghong, President of Fuzhou University, member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, visited The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) on 19 September to exchange views on strengthening cooperation between the two universities in education and research. Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, President of PolyU, warmly welcomed the delegation from Fuzhou University. Prof. Christopher CHAO, Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU, introduced the latest developments and future plans of PolyU in research innovation and educational cooperation. Prof. Wu Minghong provided an overview of Fuzhou University’s basic information and its remarkable achievements in recent years, emphasizing the profound significance of the collaboration. Both parties engaged in discussions on topics such as student training and research cooperation, fully demonstrating their shared vision for future collaboration. Witnessed by Prof. Jin-Guang Teng and Prof. Wu Minghong, Prof. Christopher Chao and Prof. YANG Huanghao, Vice President of Fuzhou University signed an MoU on behalf of their respective institutions. The signing of the MoU laid a solid foundation for further cooperation. Accompanied by Prof YU Changyuan, Director of the PolyU-Jinjiang Technology and Innovation Research Institute, the delegation visited the Smart Health Research Center of the School of Nursing, the PolyU-Huawei Joint Laboratory for Optical Interconnection Network and Advanced Computing System, and the Biophotonics Laboratory. The cutting-edge technologies and innovative achievements of these laboratories left a deep impression on the delegation, providing inspiration and opportunities for collaboration on specific research projects. This visit not only deepened the mutual understanding between the two universities but also laid a solid foundation for future in-depth cooperation in various aspects such as academic research, technological innovation, and student exchange. The collaboration between The Hong Kong Polytechnic University and Fuzhou University marks a new milestone in the educational and research partnership between Fujian and Hong Kong, contributing jointly to the advancement and innovation of academia both locally and globally.  

University Grants Committee members visit PolyU

A University Grants Committee (UGC) delegation visited The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) on 12 September 2024, where they met with university management, faculty members and students to gain valuable insights into the University’s latest developments. Mr Tim Lui, Chairman of UGC, was accompanied by 24 UGC members and Secretariat staff. They received a warm welcome from Dr LAM Tai-fai, PolyU Council Chairman; Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, President; Prof. Wing-tak WONG, Deputy President and Provost; Dr Miranda LOU, Executive Vice President; Prof. Kwok-yin WONG, Vice President (Education); Prof. Christopher CHAO, Vice President (Research and Innovation); Prof. Ben YOUNG, Vice President (Student and Global Affairs); and Mr Kar-kan LING, Interim Vice President (Campus Development and Facilities). The UGC delegates embarked on a guided campus tour, during which they visited the Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Lab (AIR Lab) at the University’s Industrial Centre; the Hong Kong Branch of the Chinese National Rail Transit Electrification and Automation Engineering Technology Research Center (CNERC-Rail); and the Space Resources Laboratory at the Research Centre for Deep Space Exploration (RCDSE). During the visit, PolyU researchers and faculty members also showcased the University’s cutting-edge teaching and research facilities, as well as highlighting impactful research projects. Prof. Xiaoming TAO, Vincent and Lily Woo Professor in Textile Technology, Chair Professor of Textile Technology of the School of Fashion and Textiles, and Director of the Research Institute for Intelligent Wearable Systems introduced her research project “Wearable System with Alternating Cooling and Heating for Sport Recovery and Safe and Eco-friendly Antimicrobial Materials with High Efficiency”. Prof. KEE Chea-su, Head and Professor of the School of Optometry, and Co-founder of GOOD Vision Technologies Company Limited/Wellsees Technologies Company Limited introduced his team’s award-winning research project “K-Shape”, the world’s first portable high-definition corneal topographer. Dr WAI Hon-wah, Director of the Industrial Centre introduced AIR Lab’s teaching and research facilities, and the fencing robot and robotic exoskeleton developed by PolyU scholars. Prof. Yi-qing NI, Yim, Mak, Kwok & Chung Professor in Smart Structures, Chair Professor of Smart Structures and Rail Transit in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, and Director of CNERC-Rail shared details of two CNERC-Rail research projects on aerodynamic noise resistance control for Maglev trains and metro rail noise control. At RCDSE’s Space Resources Laboratory, Prof. YUNG Kai-leung, Sir Sze-yuen Chung Professor in Precision Engineering, Chair Professor of Precision Engineering and Associate Head of the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, and Director of RCDSE, shed light on the lunar “Surface Sampling and Packing System”. This system supported the Nation in completing its first lunar sample return mission, Chang’e 5, and the world’s first lunar far-side sampling for the Chang’e-6 lunar exploration mission. The custom-built lunar regolith storage and analyser has also been introduced. Prof. WU Bo, Fiona Cheung Professor in Spatial Science, Associate Head of the Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics and Associate Director of RCDSE, explained how his team utilised planetary mapping and remote sensing techniques to support landing site analysis and selection for the Nation’s lunar missions and the Tianwen-1 mission to Mars. He also introduced the ongoing research project “Finding Water in Lunar Soil”, which aims to analyse the water content and sources in the lunar soil samples. The findings will shed insights into the formation of soil on the lunar surface and lunar water resources induced by solar wind implantation. The UGC members also engaged in face-to-face dialogue sessions with more than 40 faculty members and nearly 50 undergraduate, master’s and PhD students from different faculties, schools and departments. These interactions provided them valuable insights into PolyU’s laudable teaching and research achievements, as well as its dynamic student community and vibrant learning environment.   Prof. Xiaoming Tao introduced her research project “Wearable System with Alternating Cooling and Heating for Sport Recovery and Safe and Eco-friendly Antimicrobial Mate-rials with High Efficiency”. Prof. Kee Chea-su introduced his team’s award-winning research project “K-Shape”, the world’s first portable high-definition corneal topographer. Dr Wai Hon-wah introduced AIR Lab’s teaching and research facilities, and the fencing robot and robotic exoskeleton developed by PolyU scholars. Prof. Yi-qing Ni shared details of two CNERC-Rail research projects with the delegation: aerodynamic noise resistance control for Maglev trains and metro rail noise control. Prof. Yung Kai-leung shed light on the “Surface Sampling and Packing System”, and the lunar soil storage and sample analyser. Prof. WU Bo explained how his team utilised planetary mapping and remote sensing techniques to support landing site analysis and selection for the Nation’s lunar missions and the Tianwen-1 mission to Mars, and introduced the ongoing research project “Finding Water in Lunar Soil”.

PolyU scientist awarded 2024 Falling Walls Winner for energy-efficient innovations in sensory AI systems

Prof Yang CHAI, Associate Dean (Research) of the Faculty of Science and Professor of the Department of Applied Physics at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), has been bestowed as the top ten winners of the prestigious Falling Walls Science Breakthroughs Award. This is a recognition of his groundbreaking research on sensory artificial intelligence (AI), which has paved the way for more energy-efficient, low-latency, and memory-optimised systems, enhancing for diverse applications such as mobile devices, IoT sensors and edge computing. Prof CHAI has been named the 2024 Falling Walls Winner in the Engineering & Technology category for “Breaking the Wall of Efficient Sensory AI Systems”. He has developed novel hardware architectures and optimisation techniques, enabling the deployment of advanced sensory AI systems in mobile devices, IoT sensors, and edge computing, subsequently transforming applications in smart cities, autonomous vehicles, and industrial automation. Overcoming crucial barriers in power consumption, latency and memory within sensory AI systems, Prof CHAI’s innovations unleash the potential of sensory AI across diverse industries and domains. Furthermore, the in-sensor computing strategy has sparked progress in improving decision-making and situational awareness, strengthening privacy and security, and transforming intelligent automation.

Inauguration of PolyU Endowed Professorships and Endowed Young Scholars to celebrate strong town-and-gown partnerships for advancing innovative research

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) held “The Fifth Inauguration of Endowed Professorships cum The Second Inauguration of Endowed Young Scholars” at the Jockey Club Auditorium on campus yesterday. It was an occasion to honour distinguished scholars for their remarkable academic and research achievements, and to pay tribute to the University’s philanthropic partners for their support. The event marked the inauguration of five new Endowed Professorships, four successive Endowed Professorships, five new Endowed Young Scholar positions and one successive Endowed Young Scholar position. Dr LAM Tai-fai, PolyU Council Chairman, remarked that the Endowed Professorship Scheme and the Endowed Young Scholars Scheme were hallmarks of PolyU’s commitment to “Partnership for Impact”, exemplifying the dynamic collaboration between the University and philanthropists, united in the quest for knowledge and pioneering research to benefit society. Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, PolyU President, expressed his heartfelt gratitude to all donors and benefactors, and congratulated the endowed professors and young scholars. He said that he was proud to see that the Schemes had developed by leaps and bounds, and that the diversity of research topics had expanded to encompass many new critical domains for addressing evolving societal needs. With the continuous support of donors, scholars and the wider community, he is confident that PolyU will reach even greater heights in advancing cutting-edge research for the benefit of Hong Kong, our Nation and the world. PolyU established the Endowed Professorship Scheme in 2012 to propel research excellence by attracting and retaining top scholars, and engaging the support of the community. Recognising the importance of nurturing promising early-career academics, the University further launched the Endowed Young Scholars Scheme in 2021. These Schemes have provided the endowed professors and young scholars with extra resources to facilitate them in embarking on innovative projects with societal impact. To date, PolyU has established a total of 39 Endowed Professorships, two Named Professorships and ten Endowed Young Scholar positions. The newly conferred Endowed Professorships and Endowed Young Scholars are listed below.   Endowed Professorships Appointees Sin Wai Kin Foundation Endowed Professorship in Humanities and Technology LI Ping Limin Endowed Professorship in Integrated Strategies and Leadership in Fashion Erin CHO Kuok Group Endowed Professorship in Mathematical Science YANG Tong Kuok Group Endowed Professorship in Nature-Inspired Engineering WANG Zuankai Sir Sze-yuen Chung Endowed Professorship in Renewable Energy LI Gang   Successive Endowed Professorships Appointees Henry G. Leong Endowed Professorship in Elderly Vision Health HE Mingguang Angel S.P. Chan Lau Endowed Professorship in Health and Longevity Janelle YORKE Shun Hing Education and Charity Fund Endowed Professorship in Rehabilitation Sciences Marco PANG Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Endowed Professorship in Smart and Sustainable Energy WANG Liqiu   Endowed Young Scholars Appointees Kuok Group Endowed Young Scholar in Aging and Neuroimaging HSU Chun Liang Limin Endowed Young Scholar in Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering ZHAO Xin Kuok Group Endowed Young Scholar in Child and Adolescent Health Eva HO Limin Endowed Young Scholar in Colour and Imaging Science Tommy WEI Wong Tit Shing Endowed Young Scholar in Smart Robotics ZHENG Pai   SuccessiveEndowed Young Scholars Appointees Thetos Foundation Endowed Young Scholar in Social Services Crystal KWAN   To learn more about PolyU Endowed Professorship Scheme and Endowed Young Scholars Scheme, please refer to the Schemes’ website.