News

Insightful discussions at the Better Web3 Forum 2024: Blockchain Technology Frontiers hosted by The Research Centre for Blockchain Technology of PolyU

Better Web3 Forum 2024, hosted by The Research Centre for Blockchain Technology (RCBT) and The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), and co-organised by the Department of Computing, the Research and Innovation Office, and the PolyU and Cybaverse Academy Joint Lab on Law and Web3, concluded successfully on 19 October. This year’s theme, "Blockchain Technology Frontiers" highlighted cutting-edge innovations, advancements and real-world applications of Web3 and Blockchain technology. The event brought together industry leaders, esteemed scholars, and the next generation of talent to exchange ideas and engage in meaningful discussions. Now in its second year, the forum continues to expand as a vital platform for bridging academic advancements with industry innovation, facilitating the exploration of the latest developments in Web3 and blockchain. Prof. Allen Au, Professor and Associate Head (Research and Development) of Department of Computing at PolyU stated, “The global community is in a critical phase of developing the technologies for the Web3 ecosystem, which is set to significantly impact both industries and society. Academia serves as a vital bridge, facilitating collaboration between researchers and industry leaders to drive innovation in the rapidly evolving Web3 landscape. At PolyU, we aim to be at the forefront of this endeavor.” Prof. Daniel Luo, Professor of Department of Computing and also Director of RCBT at PolyU stated, “The Research Centre for Blockchain Technology is dedicated to fostering innovative solutions and applications in the Web3 landscape. This forum offers a unique opportunity to engage in collaboration and exchange ideas with industry leaders, the public, and emerging talent, thereby catalyzing the growth of Web3 in Hong Kong.” The forum featured keynote speeches by Prof. Claudio J. Tessone, Professor of Blockchain & Distributed Ledger Technologies of Department of Informatics at University of Zurich, who offered insights into how design choices and user behavior shape decentralization, fairness, and arbitrage dynamics in Web3 through data-driven analysis; and Prof. Yajin Zhou from Zhejiang University and BlockSec, who discussed lessons learned and new developments in DeFi protocol security. These thought-provoking keynote speeches were followed by an engaging panel discussion moderated by Prof. Andy Chun. The panel featured industry experts: Mr. Sean Lee, Mr. Simon Lee, Mr. Curt Shi, Mr. Otto Lee, and Mr. David Alexander Scheer. The panelists shared their views on topics ranging from the evolution of stablecoins to the societal impact of Web3 technologies, offering forward-thinking perspectives on the role of Web3 in shaping future economies and industries. The forum attracted diverse participants, reflecting growing interest in the transformative potential of Web3. Attendees took part in meaningful discussions and networking sessions, exchanging ideas on how to leverage Web3 and Blockchain technology for real-world applications. With this year's event marking another successful chapter, the Research Centre for Blockchain Technology looks forward to further expanding its role in advancing Web3 and Blockchain technologies.

PolyU welcomes alumni and friends to InnoTech Open Day × Alumni Homecoming 2024, witnessing the University’s remarkable I&T and entrepreneurship development

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) today held the InnoTech Open Day × Alumni Homecoming 2024 on campus to showcase the University’s impactful achievements in interdisciplinary research, knowledge transfer and entrepreneurship that contribute to Hong Kong’s development into an international innovation and technology (I&T) hub. The InnoTech Open Day showcased PolyU research and entrepreneurial outcomes, providing valuable opportunities for its faculty members, students, alumni, I&T entrepreneurs, industry partners and researchers to explore collaboration opportunities. The Alumni Homecoming Day, held in the afternoon, featured a variety of fun-filled activities for PolyU alumni, including campus adventures, activities for kids, sports and a talent show that enabled alumni to reunite on campus and witness the remarkable advancement of their alma mater. The event was attended by over 7,800 alumni and friends. The officiating guests at the opening ceremony included Ms Cheng WU, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Educational, Scientific and Technological Affairs of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Hon. Mr Duncan CHIU, a member of the Hong Kong Legislative Council (Functional Constituency - Technology and Innovation) and PolyU Court member; Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, PolyU President; Dr Lawrence LI, PolyU Deputy Council Chairman; Dr Roy CHUNG Chi-ping, Honorary Court Chairman of PolyU;Prof. Wing-tak WONG, PolyU Deputy President and Provost; Dr Miranda LOU, PolyU Executive Vice President; and Prof. Christopher CHAO, PolyU Vice President (Research and Innovation). Hon. Mr Duncan Chiu said, “PolyU is well respected for its pursuit of academic excellence and groundbreaking innovations. Over its 87-year history, PolyU has been a nurturing ground for top-tier talents, a cradle for pioneering technical advancements, and a powerhouse for transformative innovations. Today’s event showcases PolyU’s exciting innovation and entrepreneurship initiatives. It is my hope that the event will spark mutually-beneficial exchanges between PolyU researchers and industry leaders. I also encourage you to engage with PolyU’s talented researchers to share valuable insights into market and social needs and explore potential collaboration and technology transfer opportunities.” “PolyU has consistently been at the forefront of supporting Hong Kong’s economic and social progress. As we celebrate the 30th anniversary of achieving university status, we have strived to nurture the talent society needs, adapting to its evolving demands—from manufacturing to services. Our dedication to innovation is evident in our impressive research growth, with our research staff doubling in just five years, alongside the establishment of PAIR and our Mainland translational research institutes,” said Prof. Jin-Guang Teng. “With half a million graduates, PolyU proudly holds the largest alumni community in Hong Kong. We are committed to strengthening our connection with alumni, supporting their career advancement, and fostering mutually beneficial collaborations. Together, we can address the unprecedented challenges of today while contributing to the development of Hong Kong, our Nation, and the world.” Dr Lawrence Li remarked, “To uphold its motto, ‘To learn and to apply, for the benefit of mankind’ and align with recent resolutions from the Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China which emphasised the Nation’s modernisation and innovation-driven development, PolyU is actively contributing to the advancement of innovation and technology in Hong Kong, our country, and beyond through its unique PolyImpact and PolyVentures startup ecosystem. The former transforms research excellence into real-world solutions addressing significant global challenges, while the latter offers comprehensive support to aspiring entrepreneurs and startups.” At the opening ceremony, PolyU also signed cooperation agreements with eight companies to establish strategic partnerships. The parties will leverage their respective strengths in research and industry to nurture I&T leaders and entrepreneurs, with a view to super-charging the impact of PolyVentures, accelerating incubation and growth of startups, and providing more comprehensive support for PolyU students, alumni and academics who are committed to entrepreneurship. The companies and organisations involved are Beijing Iestreet Holding Limited, Hangzhou Innovation Incubation Center (Hong Kong) Limited, Hong Kong Kowloon Group, PanMediso Holdings (Shenzhen) Limited, Qianhai International Intellectual Property Comprehensive Operation Service Centre, SIMIC Holdings Company Limited, Sun Wah Group and Surrich International Company Limited. In addition, PolyU honoured six young researchers with the Young Innovative Researcher Award 2024 in recognition of young researchers with outstanding research capabilities. Three scholars and one team were presented with The President’s Award for Outstanding Achievement 2023 in recognition of their distinguished accomplishments and contributions in the areas of research and scholarly activities, as well as knowledge transfer. The InnoTech Open Day, the University’s flagship I&T event, showcased the remarkable creativity of the PolyU community through a variety of exhibitions, seminars, forums and startup showcases. The Department of Aeronautical and Aviation Engineering demonstrated autonomous drone parcel delivery in urban areas, with which it aims to inspire the development of a low-altitude economy in Hong Kong. Additionally, a robot with new wireless charging technology developed by the Research Centre for Electric Vehicles was showcased to promote the technology for electric vehicle. PolyU young and excellent scholars, along with 17 research institutes and research centres under PAIR, and 18 PolyU-nurtured startups, also exhibited a wide range of inspiring inventions and achievements enabled through industry-academic-research collaborations and entrepreneurship. The innovations included a novel 3D model depicting the topography and landscape of the lunar south pole, a pipeline defect detection robot and a vision training VR device. Some showcases offered experience activities, including a portable non-invasive system for liver fibrosis assessment, and a smart wheelchair capable of navigating rough terrains like grassland, beaches and stairs. Another highlight was a sharing session, designed to broaden the horizons of young entrepreneurs, by PolyU alumnus Mr SHEN Peng, Founder and CEO of Waterdrop Inc., a company listed on the New York Stock Exchange with a market value of nearly US$420 million, who shared his journey to entrepreneurial success, elaborating on how he transformed his start-up company into a leading insurance technology and healthcare platform in Mainland China. Representatives from incubation and investment platforms in mainland China also gave their insights into the opportunities and challenges of investment in the region, providing valuable inspiration for those wishing to start their own business. As the annual signature event for PolyU alumni, the Alumni Homecoming Day received the enthusiastic support of over a hundred alumni. Participants enjoyed various exciting activities, including campus adventures, thematic guided tours and an Outstanding PolyU Alumni jogging tour. A group of alumni presented a vibrant showcase that included Chinese and western music, dance, taekwondo, a magic show and a choir performance. The event also featured a friendly futsal match, Ping-Pong demonstration match, along with Ping-Pong training sessions and play zones for kids. Meanwhile, special booths hosted by various faculties, schools, departments and alumni associations showcased numerous creative achievements, including ReST Hub, a flexible scoliosis brace with an artificial hinge, and speech therapy games. Prof. WU Bo, Associate Director of the Research Centre for Deep Space Explorations, introduced a novel 3D model depicting the topography and landscape of the lunar south pole. PolyU Research Institute for Artificial Intelligence of Things showcased a real-time pipeline defect detection robot. A PolyU-nurtured startup showcased “Vcare” , a device that offers personalised vision correction training for myopia, amblyopia and strabismus. A PolyU-nurtured startup showcased “Liverscan®”, a portable non-invasive system for liver fibrosis assessment. A PolyU-nurtured startup showcased a smart wheelchair capable of navigating rough terrains like grassland, beaches and stairs. ***END***

PolyU and XORI signed MoU to collaborate across multiple sectors in environmental engineering

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) took a significant step forward by signing a comprehensive Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with XORI Holding S.r.l (XORI) on 16 October, establishing a solid foundation for collaborative efforts in research, talent cultivation, and knowledge transfer. By leveraging the strengths and deepening the partnership, PolyU and XORI will explore opportunities to strengthen research collaboration in smart cities, environmental engineering, and environment, social, and governance (ESG). The MoU signing ceremony was graced by Prof. Christina Wong, Director of Research and Innovation of PolyU and Mr Luca Rollino, Chairman of XORI, as the esteemed signatories to this momentous collaboration. Under the MoU, this industry-academic collaboration proactively translates research outcomes into practical solutions aimed at fostering livability and sustainability in communities across Hong Kong, the Nation and the world. In addition, a PolyU delegation led by XORI visited the Polytechnic University of Turin, Unione Industriali Torino, and the National Automobile Museum in Italy, to explore potential synergies in research across art, design, culture, and technology, paving the way for multidisciplinary collaborations. XORI, an international group that integrates a spectrum of specialised entities spanning engineering, architecture, energy, and consulting, is committed to designing green solutions that minimise environmental impact and contribute to the creation of more sustainable cities.

Fostering Innovation: The Impact of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Research

At The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), researchers from diverse cultures, backgrounds and disciplines come together to merge their expertise, propelling advancements in research and technology innovation. Join us in celebrating the Global Diversity Awareness Month by embracing the wealth of differences and inclusion to foster innovations for a sustainable community. PolyU researchers across various disciplines, including applied science, computing, business, design, engineering, linguistics, rehabilitation science, and tourism, share their research journey, embracing the values of diversity, equity and inclusion. The university offers ample research opportunities that foster idea exchange and drive innovative breakthroughs.

PolyU showcases latest space research excellence at Milan IAC2024

The 75th International Astronautical Congress (IAC 2024) is being held in Milan on 14-18 October. The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), as the first Hong Kong educational institution to attain membership in the International Astronautical Federation (IAF), has participated in IAC 2024 as a bronze sponsor and an exhibitor. With a deep foundation in aerospace research and practical experience in national space missions, PolyU has showcased 7 space-related research projects in the Congress and fostered communication and technology exchanges between PolyU researchers, aerospace experts, and entrepreneurs worldwide. Attracting over 16,000 participants from more than 120 countries and regions, IAC2024 serves as an excellent platform to exchange ideas and showcase our cutting-edge research and innovations in the field of space science and technology.  

PolyU and Sun Yat-sen University collaborate to cultivate interdisciplinary medicine-engineering talent to support the long-term development of the healthcare system and to boost Hong Kong’s biomedical industry

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and Sun Yat-sen University (SYSU) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) yesterday to initiate education and research collaboration in interdisciplinary medicine and engineering. This partnership aims to jointly cultivate medical professionals, develop new programmes in medical technology, establish joint laboratories, facilitate academic and professional exchanges, and enhance collaborative research outcomes. By leveraging the strengths of both institutions, the collaboration will promote the novel development in interdisciplinary medicine and engineering, help to alleviate the pressures on Hong Kong’s healthcare system, elevate clinical medical research, and support the development of Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area (GBA) into an international health and medical innovation hub. The signing was witnessed by Prof. Wing-tak WONG, Deputy President and Provost of PolyU, and Prof. YANG Qinghua, Executive Vice President of SYSU. Prof. David SHUM, Dean of the Faculty of Health and Social Sciences of PolyU, and Prof. KUANG Ming, Dean of Zhongshan School of Medicine of SYSU, signed the MOU on behalf of both parties. The two institutions will focus on exploring educational and research collaboration in interdisciplinary medicine and engineering, including the integration of PolyU’s niche disciplines with the clinical medical expertise of the SYSU Zhongshan School of Medicine. Both institutions plan to jointly offer an eight-year (four plus four) dual bachelor’s degree programme in medicine and explore a dual degree professional doctorate programme in medicine and engineering. The initiative aims to cultivate students with expertise in medicine and engineering and to facilitate graduates in obtaining cross-border medical practice qualifications that are recognised in both Hong Kong and Mainland China. Prof. Wing-tak Wong stated, “This collaboration is a significant step towards PolyU’s goal of establishing a medical school. As one of the world’s top 100 universities, PolyU boasts strong capabilities in health science and engineering. The Zhongshan School of Medicine at SYSU is renowned for its foundational and clinical medicine disciplines, recognised as ‘Double First-Class’ disciplines. Together, we can harness the advantages of ‘medicine-engineering integration’ to create synergies in cutting-edge research and clinical medicine, foster the integrated development of the medical and healthcare disciplines, nurture more clinical medical talents, and meet the high demand for quality healthcare services in Hong Kong and the GBA.” Prof. Kuang Ming stated, “The Zhongshan School of Medicine of SYSU has maintained close ties with PolyU. Over the years, the Zhongshan School of Medicine has provided a high-quality teaching platform for cultivating top medical talent and offering strong academic support for medical services. PolyU has a long history in teaching and research of health science, training numerous allied healthcare professionals who are familiar with the operation of the public healthcare system and are well-positioned to extend medical training to medical students. With the development of artificial intelligence and robotics, there is an increasing demand in the GBA for medical talent with a ‘medicine-engineering integration’ background. This collaboration is expected to achieve complementary advantages, advance medical education and curriculum innovation, and address the long-term medical talent needs of the GBA.” The current population of the GBA has reached 86 million, with an increase of over 440,000 permanent residents last year. The population of the Northern Metropolis will reach 2.5 million, which is one-third of Hong Kong’s total population. This highlights the urgent demand for high-quality medical services in Hong Kong and the GBA. Therefore, it is imperative to cultivate medical students with knowledge in both medical and engineering technologies. Additionally, the HKSAR Government hopes to leverage Hong Kong’s medical strengths to fully promote the development of the biomedicine and medical device industries, which will increase the demand for talent in clinical medical technology. PolyU has a solid foundation and extensive experience in health science education and research, supported by world-class facilities. The University has submitted a proposal to the HKSAR Government for the establishment of a PolyU satellite campus in the Northern Metropolis with a medical school. We hope the new medical school will help ensure the quality and sustainability of future medical services. Over the past 40 years, PolyU has nurtured over 50,000 allied healthcare professionals in various disciplines, including medical laboratory science, medical imaging, radiotherapy, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, nursing, optometry, prosthetics and orthotics, and speech therapy, supporting the long-term development of the healthcare system. The University has established strong collaborative relationships with hospitals under the Hospital Authority, private hospitals, and other medical institutions. PolyU also excelled in various disciplines globally, including engineering, data science and AI, and nursing. The collaboration between PolyU and SYSU is expected to leverage their strong capabilities in clinical medicine and engineering, further deepening clinical medical cooperation across the border. This will facilitate “medicine-engineering integration” and cultivate more interdisciplinary medicine-engineering talent for Hong Kong and the GBA.

PolyU UBSN’s Multidisciplinary Neuroscience Research Platform Featured in Nature

The University Research Facility in Behavioral and Systems Neuroscience (UBSN) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University offers a state-of-art technological platform to foster multidisciplinary research in neuroscience. PolyU researchers from diverse fields, including rehabilitation sciences and neurolinguistics, shared their experiences in the latest Nature Index Neuroscience, illustrating how UBSN aids in their progressive research and impactful discoveries.  Prof. Marco Pang, Shun Hing Education and Charity Fund Professor in Rehabilitation Sciences, Chair Professor of Neurorehabilitation, Head of the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences and Director of UBSN, discussed how his research team harnesses advanced imaging technology to track changes in the brain following physiotherapy for better stroke rehabilitation.  Dr Georg Kranz, Presidential Young Scholar and Associate Professor of the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, elaborated on his application of brain stimulation technology at UBSN for research in depression treatments.  Dr CaiCai Zhang, Associate Professor of the Department of Chinese and Bilingual Studies, shared her research team’s application of neural imaging technology and machine learning approaches for the study of child language development.  See more: https://www.nature.com/articles/d42473-024-00315-9  

PolyU researchers harness generative AI to preserve Cantonese Porcelain art and heritage

The advent of generative artificial intelligence (AI) has sparked concerns about the diminishing value of traditional art forms and the potential for substitution. Nonetheless, through their fusion, they offer new avenues for conserving art and culture while also igniting interest in passing down the heritage from generation to generation. Embracing generative AI as an innovative tool to expand artistic and cultural horizons, the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) researchers have developed a creative painting platform named “Beauty of Cantonese Porcelain” to preserve and educate the artistry of this legacy porcelain. This handcrafted decorative porcelain showcases the distinct folk art of the Lingnan region, highlighting its intricate and refined painting techniques that embody the rich heritage and ingenuity of traditional Chinese art and craft culture. Led by Prof. Henry DUH, Associate Dean (Global & Industry Engagement) and Professor of the School of Design, Director of both PolyU-NVIDIA Joint Research Centre and Research Centre for Art and Culture Technology at PolyU, the research team meticulously collected and processed thousands of images of Cantonese porcelain. They used these images to build a robust generative model aimed at making this cultural heritage more accessible and understandable. Prof. Duh said, “Generative AI can significantly enhance human culture by preserving traditional art forms, fostering artistic innovation, and improving accessibility to art creation. It supports educational initiatives and draws newcomers to intangible cultural heritage while providing tools that require less technical skill. However, ensuring ethical practices, transparent AI processes and human supervision are crucial to uphold cultural values and artistic integrity.” Generative AI’s expansive text-to-image models are the main technology that drives this platform to guide and generate traditional cultural content, such as Cantonese porcelain painting techniques. The models can create images from text descriptions, which is essential for ensuring consistency with the traditional style. Moreover, this innovative platform highlights several technological features, including few-shots fine tuning, layered generation, and symbol element generation.  The research team then integrated the concept of 2D and 3D painting into an art platform, creating a user-friendly interface tailored especially for beginners. This platform assists users in swiftly learning the painting techniques of Cantonese porcelain through an intuitive design. Through real-time evaluation by a large AI model, users receive personalised guidance to enhance their skills as they create artwork. By merging symbolic painting language with the advanced localised controllable generation, the platform enables users to creatively express their artistic ideas with meticulous details. This ensures that the artworks created closely adhere to the traditional Cantonese porcelain style, thus preserving and promoting the history and culture of Cantonese porcelain through innovative utilisation of modern technology. Utilising this technology to expand datasets would increase the variety and quantity of training data to include more cultural products and styles, allowing the model to generate a broader range of traditional content. By creating a more intuitive user interface, artists can interact more naturally with the platform while professionals can explore the potential of generative AI to enrich cultural and artistic heritage. Prof. Duh said, “By collaborating with museums and cultural preservation organisations, it could validate and improve this innovative approach across a wider spectrum of intangible cultural heritage fields. Further enhancements to the multimodal large-scale models with a feedback system that provides insights into the generated content can be used for additional training and refinement of the models.”

PolyU InnoTech Open Day x Alumni Homecoming to be held on 19 Oct; an opportunity to witness the University’s remarkable achievements in empowering Hong Kong’s I&T development

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) will hold the “InnoTech Open Day x Alumni Homecoming” on 19 October 2024 (Saturday). The InnoTech Open Day will showcase the University’s impactful achievements in interdisciplinary research, knowledge transfer and entrepreneurship that contribute to Hong Kong’s development into an international innovation and technology (I&T) hub. PolyU faculty members, students, alumni, I&T entrepreneurs, industry partners, researchers, students and technology enthusiasts are all welcometo register for participation. Concurrently, the Alumni Homecoming Day will offer a range of dynamic activities, including campus adventures, sports events, family-friendly activities and a talent show, allowing PolyU alumni to reunite and witness the advancement of their alma mater. As one of the flagship annual I&T events for both PolyU and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), the InnoTech Open Day, this year themed “Vision through Innovation, Connecting Intelligence”, will feature a wide array of activities including innovation showcases that highlight the power of collaboration between PolyU and industry partners in driving cutting-edge innovations to accelerate new quality productive forces, as well as research outcomes led by PolyU young award-winning scholars. The innovations range across advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence and data sciences, life sciences and healthcare, new energy and materials, sustainability, novel electric vehicle charging technologies and other fields. In addition, the PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research (PAIR), the largest interdisciplinary research platform in Hong Kong and GBA, will exhibit various inspiring inventions developed by its constituent research institutes (RIs) and research centres (RCs). These include food waste-derived 3D-printed materials, smart companion doll, a cutting-edge foot scanner, a novel 3D model depicting the topography and landscape of the lunar south pole, low-carbon construction materials and more. At the PAIR InnoTech Forum, RI and RC Directors will also highlight their ground-breaking advanced technology in health and well-being, artificial intelligence and resilient urban infrastructure. PolyU is committed to nurturing aspiring entrepreneurs among PolyU students, alumni and academics through its technology startup ecosystem, PolyVentures. Nineteen PolyU-nurtured startups will showcase their innovations and entrepreneurial achievements and offer various experience activities, including portable system for liver fibrosis assessment, smart wheelchair and more. Other highlights include a sharing session by outstanding alumnus Mr SHEN Peng, Founder and CEO of Waterdrop Inc., who will share his journey to entrepreneurial success. Representatives from incubation and investment platforms in mainland China will also give insights into the challenges and opportunities of attracting investment in the region, providing valuable inspiration for those wishing to start their own business. As an annual signature event for PolyU alumni, the Alumni Homecoming Day this year will set the stage for a campus celebration, with the enthusiastic support of over a hundred alumni. Alumni and their families can participate in campus hunt, thematic guided tours, and an Outstanding PolyU Alumni jogging tour to discover new and old constructions on campus and visit state-of-the-art teaching and research facilities that are rarely open to the public.Groups of talented alumni will also take the stage in the Alumni Got Talent show, presenting a vibrant showcase that includes Chinese music, dance, taekwondo, magic show and choir performance, and more. The event will also feature a friendly futsal match and a table tennis demonstration match, along with Ping-Pong training sessions and play zones for kids, allowing participants to enjoy sports and games. Meanwhile, special booths hosted by various faculties, schools, departments, and alumni associations will showcase numerous creative achievements, including ReST Hub, flexible scoliosis brace with artificial hinge, and speech therapy games. These enriching activities will give participants the chance to experience the vibrant and diverse PolyU campus of today. For more event details and registration, please visit: https://polyu.me/3N18SU4

Bridging the Future: PolyU and Arup jointly inaugurated a lecture series and signed an MoU for research excellence

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and Arup jointly launched the Arup and PolyU Research & Technical Excellence Lecture Series. The inaugural joint lecture, themed "Bridging the Future – Pushing the Boundaries of Bridge Design and Operations," brought together over 100 participants including industry practitioners, academic professionals and students. The event focused on cultivating collaborations between industry and academia to research excellence and impactful applications. We were honoured to have Ir Prof. Yong Xia, Professor of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Director of the Joint Research Centre for Marine Infrastructure at PolyU, who shared his pioneering research in bridge engineering and structural health monitoring. Ir Prof. Naeem Hussain, Arup Fellow and Global Bridge Leader, also discussed his innovative work in bridge design and engineering worldwide. In establishing a long-term research partnership, PolyU and Arup signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) during the event. Witnessed by Prof. Jin-Guang Teng, President of PolyU and Ir Michael Kwok, East Asia Region Chair of Arup, the MoU was signed by Prof. Christopher Chao, Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU and Dr Ricky Tsui, Director of R&D East Asia of Arup. This MoU formalises our collaboration in joint research, training, and education, highlighting our shared commitment to advancing the frontiers of engineering.