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Three PolyU Outstanding Scholars Awarded RGC Senior Research Fellow 2022/23

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has been awarded three of the ten grants under the Research Grants Council's (RGC) Senior Research Fellow Scheme (SRFS) 2022/23, another testament to PolyU scholars’ accomplishments and research excellence.   The successful PolyU scholars are Prof. SUN Defeng, Chair Professor of Applied Optimization and Operations Research and Head of the Department of Applied Mathematics; Prof. LI Gang, Sir Sze-yuen Chung Endowed Professor in Renewable Energy in the Department of Electronic and Information Engineering; and Prof. CHAN Ko-ling Edward, Professor of the Department of Applied Social Sciences. Their research in the areas of applied mathematics, material sciences, and social work and public health has been awarded a total of HKD 23 million SRFS funding. The RGC’s Senior Research Fellow Scheme aims to provide sustained support to exceptionally outstanding researchers at UGC-funded universities in Hong Kong, with a view to facilitating their dedication to research and development and to helping universities attract and retain research talent. The Scheme provides ten grants to scholars from any academic disciplines in each round of the annual exercise. Nominees are assessed based on various criteria that include leadership quality and vision in the chosen area of research, the merit of the research proposal and the support provided by the university.  Prof. Christopher CHAO, Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU, congratulated all awardees and said, “After a rigorous assessment process, our three researchers were recognised for their research capabilities, contributions and the potential impact of their proposed research projects. We are proud of their outstanding research. This achievement also recognizes the efforts of the PolyU research teams in promoting and conducting multifaceted research.” Details of the awardees and their research projects: Prof. Sun Defeng, Chair Professor of Applied Optimization and Operations Research, and Head of the Department of Applied Mathematics Research Project: “Nonlinear Conic Programming: Theory, Algorithms and Software” Nonlinear conic programming (NLCOP) lies at the core of optimisation research which involves the design of efficient algorithms to solve mathematical problems of optimisation under constraints. This project will focus on NLCOP problems when the constraint set is C2-cone reducible. Prof. Sun’s team will design non-smooth Newton-type algorithms and augmented Lagrangian methods for solving NLCOP problems. They will also develop an efficient optimisation solver for addressing a class of virtual instances of NLCOP issues. Furthermore, researchers will investigate reinforcement machine learning techniques to solve NLCOP problems faster. The success of this project will contribute to a broad range of important applications including the sixth-generation wireless communication technology (6G), investment portfolio management, financial risk management, supply chain management, production planning and automatic driving. Prof. Li Gang, Sir Sze-yuen Chung Endowed Professor in Renewable Energy in the Department of Electronic and Information Engineering  Research Project: “Printable Organic Solar Cells: Materials and Device Investigations towards Applications” Organic solar cell (OSC) is an emerging photovoltaic (PV) technology with distinct advantages in many areas, such as flexible/portable PV, building integrated PV and transparent power applications. Aiming at accelerating the OSC technology, this project proposed systematic materials and device structure investigation of new photoactive materials, stable transport materials, innovative ternary OSC active layer engineering, a novel approach for transparent OSC and printing technology. The project will significantly push forward OSC technology in terms of high efficiency, operation stability, compatibility with unique applications and being printing friendly. The proposed research represents a new frontier for OSC technology, which integrates chemistry, physics and material science to generate new perspectives in science and come up with solutions to challenging issues in renewable energy. Prof. Chan Ko-ling Edward, Professor of Department of Applied Social Sciences  Research Project: “Family Polyvictimization and Social Policy Responses in East Asian Societies” Prof. Edward Chan is the first to examine family poly-victimization (FPV), which refers to the co-occurrence of at least three types of family violence, including intimate partner violence, child abuse and elder abuse. He has developed innovative methodologies and digital assessment tools to measure FPV accurately. This project will be conducted in five East Asian cities, namely Hong Kong, Beijing, Tokyo, Seoul and Taipei. With cross-culture data from East Asian families, this project will examine the effects of traditional East Asian cultural practices and develop clinical protocols and policies in response to FPV. Findings will shed light on the application of early detection mechanisms for FPV by adopting a family-oriented approach and using the family as the basic unit of service. It will also facilitate the development of integrated prevention and multi-disciplinary collaboration in East Asian contexts. The improvements in social policy and service delivery approach aim to bring very significant social impact and benefits to families victimised by FPV and to East Asian cities as a whole.  

PolyU-made Space Instruments for Lunar Sample Acquisition awarded The Science and Technology Progress Award

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) designed and manufactured the state-of-the-art “Surface Sampling and Packing System”, which successfully contributed to the National’s Chang’e 5 mission for lunar sample acquisition. This historical invention was awarded “The Science and Technology Progress Award -  2nd Class” (科學技術進步獎-二等獎) by China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) in recognition of PolyU’s scientific innovation and technological advancement, and also received an appreciation letter from The China Academy of Space Technology (CAST) for the University’s contribution to space instruments. The Chang’e 5 mission in 2020 was not only China’s first undertaking to acquire rocks and soil from the Moon’s surface but also the world's first attempt to do so for more than 40 years. PolyU was the only tertiary institution in Hong Kong to contribute to the Chang'e 5 mission. The PolyU-developed system “Surface Sampling and Packing System” is a highly sophisticated invention that uses robotic technology for lunar sample acquisition – an unprecedented method. It was developed by a research team led by Professor Yung Kai-leung , Sir Sze-yuen Chung Professor in Precision Engineering, Director of Research Centre of Deep Space Explorations, Chair Professor of Precision Engineering & Associate Head, Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering. Prof Yung has also been individually bestowed “The Science and Technology Progress Award -  2nd Class".  For more details on the “Surface Sampling and Packing System”, please visit:  PolyU’s space instruments contribute to Nation’s first lunar sample return mission   

PolyU InnoTech Open Day showcases the University's contributions to I&T development via world-class education, interdisciplinary research, knowledge transfer and entrepreneurship

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) today held the PolyU InnoTech Open Day on campus to showcase the University’s latest endeavours in education, interdisciplinary research, knowledge transfer and entrepreneurship which are helping to empower the innovation and technology (I&T) development of Hong Kong, the Greater Bay Area (GBA) and beyond. The Open Day, a signature PolyU 85th Anniversary event, was specially designed for entrepreneurs, industry partners, start-ups, researchers, young talents, secondary school students and parents. Professor Dong SUN, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry of the HKSAR Government, Ms Rebecca PUN, Commissioner for Innovation and Technology of the HKSAR Government, Mr LIU Maozhou, Inspector of the Department of Educational, Scientific and Technological Affairs of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in HKSAR, Dr LAM Tai-fai, PolyU’s Council Chairman, Dr Lawrence LI, Deputy Council Chairman, Dr Roy CHUNG, Honorary Court Chairman, and Professor Jin-Guang TENG, President, Professor Wing-Tak WONG, Deputy President and Provost, and Dr Miranda LOU, Executive Vice President, officiated at the Opening Ceremony of the event today. Another highlight of the event was the inspiring lecture given by Sir Michael HOUGHTON, Nobel Laureate in Physiology or Medicine 2020, on the topic of “Eliminating hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection as a major public health threat” via video conferencing. Professor Dong Sun, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, said, “Over the years, PolyU has been playing a long-supporting and pioneering role in driving the I&T development in Hong Kong. With the government’s solid commitment to the I&T development, coupling with our strong capabilities in scientific research and academic excellence of our universities, Hong Kong’s I&T ecosystem is flourishing and increasingly vibrant.” Professor Jin-Guang Teng, President of PolyU, said, “The development of a vibrant innovation & technology industry is key to the future success of Hong Kong, and has received very strong support from both the central government and the Hong Kong SAR government. I am sure the new term of government will put in more resources for accelerating I&T development in Hong Kong. PolyU aims to play a significant role in this area, and today’s event exemplifies our efforts.” The Opening Ceremony also marked the inauguration of the PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research (PAIR). PAIR is the largest research platform of its kind in Hong Kong and the GBA to foster interdisciplinary research, partnership with world-renowned scholars, and the transfer of technologies to stakeholders. PAIR aspires to be a world leader in providing interdisciplinary solutions for major societal challenges, and its research focuses on frontier areas such as artificial intelligence, carbon neutrality, deep space exploration, smart cities, smart energy, and many more. Professor Christopher Chao, Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU, said, “There are a number of societal challenges facing us every day, from poverty to hunger, and from climate change issues to how to build a sustainable city. Interdisciplinary research solutions can be used to tackle many of these world challenges. We hope to make an impact on Hong Kong, the GBA and the world.” The six winners of the newly launched PolyU Young Innovative Researcher Award (YIRA) 2022 and 10 winning teams of the President’s Awards for Outstanding Achievement in Knowledge Transfer (KT) were also presented with the awards at the ceremony. YIRA is a university-level award to recognise young faculty members whose research demonstrates excellence in addressing global challenges (for the full list of awardees, please visit https://polyu.me/3yFmQn3), while the President’s Awards for Outstanding Achievement in KT recognises impactful projects that demonstrate contributions in advancing technological or industry standards through application of PolyU’s research and innovations (for the full list of awardees, please visit https://polyu.me/3O8QRkU). In addition to the Opening Ceremony, a series of activities were held throughout the day, providing visitors with an excellent opportunity to learn more about PolyU’s contributions to I&T, as well as to explore academic, entrepreneurial and collaboration opportunities. The start-up pitching and PolyU unicorn sharing sessions not only highlighted the impressive achievements and innovations of start-ups nurtured by the University but also allowed young future entrepreneurs to broaden their exposure and expedite ideation. The Research & Innovation breakout sessions featured novel and frontier topics related to life sciences, smart cities, neurohealth, future society, energy technology for carbon-neutrality, healthy food and lifestyle management, future manufacturing, artificial intelligence of things and intelligent wearable systems. These sessions served as a platform for industry practitioners and PolyU expert researchers to exchange views on technology innovation and development, collaboration, industry trends and applications. For secondary school students who are curious about the learning experience at PolyU, there were student consultation booths, info seminars about academic programmes, campus life sharing sessions and themed tours to various campus facilities and labs. There were also showcases of PolyU's newly established CURI Residential College and STARS Residential College – the former supports undergraduate students in conducting scientific research under the guidance of University professors; and the latter provides talented students in sports, art, social services, leadership and STEM with a vibrant living and learning environment to foster holistic development. To add more excitement to the event, visitors were greeted by two special guests, the artificially intelligent robots Sophia and Grace, created and programmed by Hanson Robotics, a Hong Kong-based humanoid robotics company. Sophia is also the first robot in the world to be granted citizenship and the first robot Innovation Ambassador for the United Nations Development Programme. Thanks to The Hong Kong Jockey Club, there was an exclusive contemporary art showcase of 400 mini Drago Cavallo (dragon horses), a contemporary expression of Chinese culture and a symbol of inspiration designed by renowned artist Simon Ma, to spread positivity on campus during the Open Day.  

PolyU 227 projects supported by the General Research Fund and Early Career Scheme with a total grant of HK$195 million

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University has successfully awarded a total grant of HK$195 million from the General Research Fund (GRF) and Early Career Scheme (ECS) for 227 projects in the 2022/23 exercise. PolyU ranked third in terms of the number of awarded projects and amount among the eight UGC-funded universities this year. In the 2022/23 General Research Fund, PolyU has 209 projects funded with a total amount of HK$182 million. Notably, among the subject discipline of engineering, PolyU received the most significant funding amount with HK$87 million for 88 projects, accounting for 30%  of the total funding within this panel, which is also the best performer. Panel / Subject Discipline  Number of Funded Projects Awarded Amount (HK$) Biology & Medicine Total 23 25,700,000 Business Studies Total 28 14,170,000 Engineering 88 87,203,000 Humanities, Social Sciences Total 32 26,738,000 Physical Sciences Total 38 28,681,000 Total 209   182,492,000      (Source: General Research Fund 2022/23)   For the 2022/23 Early Career Scheme, PolyU has awarded HK$12.9 million for 18 projects, of which 8 projects are from the Engineering discipline; 4 projects are from the Physical Sciences; 3 projects belong to the Business Studies; 2 projects are in Humanities, Social Sciences; and 1 project is in Biology & Medicine. Professor Christopher CHAO, Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU, said, “PolyU takes pride in our researchers that have demonstrated a wide range of high-quality research. We are encouraged by these achievements and delighted to have such excellent results to support our colleagues to further their research endeavours.” About GRF & ECS Under the Research Grants Council, the  General Research Fund (GRF) aims to supplement universities’ research support to researchers who have achieved or have the potential to achieve excellence. The  Early Career Scheme (ECS), introduced in 2012/13, is intended to nurture junior academics. The assessment criteria include the scientific and scholarly merit of the proposal, originality, potential for social, cultural or economic application, and more.  

Project Led by Prof LI Xiang-dong Awarded Theme-based Research Scheme 2022/23

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University has been striving to propose advanced technologies and conduct research for sustainable development. Led by Prof Xiang-dong Li, Dean of Faculty of Construction and Environment, Director of Research Institute for Sustainable Urban Development, Chair Professor of Environmental Science and Technology, 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 (Twelfth 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. Air pollution is the greatest environmental health risk factor for premature deaths worldwide; fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is one of the biggest concerns among air pollutants. However, identifying the toxic components and their associated sources responsible for PM2.5 health effects represents a major scientific challenge prior to policymaking. The recent advances in environmental toxicology and molecular epidemiology provide opportunities for solving the long-standing puzzle. Supported by an existing PM2.5 global monitoring network, the research team will select multiple cities representative of distinct natural and socioeconomic conditions in the study. The project is expected to generate solid evidence of key PM2.5 toxic components and emission sources that contribute to the acute toxicity of PM2.5, particularly in the exacerbation of two index diseases of the pulmonary and cardiovascular systems, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and ischemic heart disease (IHD). Furthermore, the team will evaluate the benefits vs costs of their proposed strategy of targeting the sources of PM2.5 toxic constituents against the conventional approach targeting total mass concentrations. Effective, practical, and economical approaches to managing air quality and public health will be recommended through this project. For example, the completion of the current project may lead to 1) a revision of the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) algorithm and the associated 'Health Advice' and 2) a review and updates of the Air Quality Objectives (AQO) in Hong Kong.  Prof Li remarked, “With several team members serving as advisors for the WHO, we will organize regular workshops to discuss important health issues with all potential stakeholders in expert groups. As more lines of evidence emerge, the findings will be conveyed to other national and international bodies to influence future policy formulations on air quality in different parts of the world. The major focus of the current project is on the acute effects of PM2.5. Still, our integrated approaches established here are expected to affect studies on the chronic effects of PM2.5and the regulation of PM2.5in terms of its long-term effects, including lung cancer and neurodegeneration.” By considering different carbon emission reduction scenarios toward the goal of carbon neutrality, the outcomes of the study will also contribute to health co-benefits from air pollution and climate change mitigation. The experiences of Hong Kong and the GBA may serve as a case model for global reference. With the mission to meet the goals of sustainable development and global health, this project will build a state‐of‐the‐art research platform and provide high-quality training to next-generation graduate students and early career researchers for the future development of environmental health research and education. The Research Grants Council announced the funding results of the Theme-based Research Scheme (TRS) 2022/23. Eight outstanding research proposals were awarded a total funding of over $306 million, of which $270 million will be provided by the RGC and around $36 million matched by the universities concerned.  

PolyU further contributes to the development of China's aerospace technology by collaborating with the Academy of Aerospace Propulsion Technology in establishing the “Joint Research Centre of Advanced Aerospace Propulsion Technology”

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and the Academy of Aerospace Propulsion Technology (AAPT) have signed an agreement to establish the “Joint Research Centre of Advanced Aerospace Propulsion Technology”. Led by the Department of Aeronautical and Aviation Engineering (AAE) of PolyU, the collaboration aims to establish a highly competitive scientific research force and technical cooperation team in the field of advanced aerospace propulsion technology through a long-term and in-depth strategic partnership. It is expected to further contribute to the development of China's aerospace technology. Advanced aerospace propulsion technology is a future-oriented field with broad application prospects. PolyU and AAPT have formed an ongoing complementary partnership to establish the “Joint Research Centre of Advanced Aerospace Propulsion Technology”. The five-year cooperation plan involves a number of joint research and development projects. Adhering to the global future development direction of aerospace propulsion technology, the projects will focus on the research and development of key technologies, and enhance the engineering research and production capabilities in the field. The signing ceremony for the cooperation agreement was held on 4 July 2022. The document of cooperation was signed by Professor Christopher CHAO, Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU and Mr LI Bin, Associate Dean of AAPT, and was witnessed by Professor Jin-Guang TENG, President of PolyU and Mr WANG Wanjun, Dean of AAPT. PolyU’s President, Professor Jin-Guang Teng said, “AAPT is the R&D centre of liquid propellant rocket engines in China. PolyU and China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) have been working closely together to support the Nation's space exploration and research. This new collaboration will further support the development and modernisation of the Nation’s civil aerospace industry, manned spaceflight and space exploration. PolyU is honoured to continue its ongoing contribution to the development of the Nation’s aerospace science and technology.” Mr Wang Wanjun, Dean of AAPT said, “PolyU AAE has a world-leading research foundation, as well as design experience in aerospace and aeronautical propulsion technology. With PolyU’s comprehensive professional facilities and intelligence resources, the Joint Research Centre for Advanced Aerospace Propulsion Technology can become an influential platform for knowledge exchange. It will be of great benefit to the promotion of research and technological development in the field.” In addition to several joint research projects, this collaboration is also committed to cultivating a group of high-level interdisciplinary experts for future applications. “This collaboration will facilitate academic exchanges and resources sharing, and support scholars in conducting various academic seminars more efficiently, while also nurturing high-tech talents such as research doctoral students and visiting scholars. The joint research team will additionally be involved in a wide range of joint research programmes to foster major projects.” said Professor Chao, Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU. Mr Li, Associate Dean of AAPT said, “The Joint Research Centre will push the cooperation between PolyU and CASC to a new height. This longer-term and comprehensive partnership will serve and support the country's major needs and implementation of its technology projects.” PolyU’s Department of Aeronautical and Aviation Engineering The Department of Aeronautical and Aviation Engineering (AAE) is committed to leading the development of the field of aeronautical and aviation engineering by amalgamating the experts in the Faculty and the industry. It has a rich history and solid background in engaging in academic research, and industrial collaborations related to aeronautical and aerospace engineering. AAE is well known for its researches in advanced technologies including supersonic combustion ramjet, liquid-propellant rocket engine and propellant combustion globally. Academy of Aerospace Propulsion Technology (AAPT) Established in 1965, the Academy of Aerospace Propulsion Technology (AAPT) is one of China’s core aerospace science and technology research units, owned by China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC). It has 11 units, which are all equipped with advanced facilities for innovation and research, production, and testing. As the only research centre in China focusing on aerospace propulsion technology, its development and production of various propulsion systems have been supporting the Nation’s space exploration and aerospace technology modernization and development.

Two More PolyU Projects Supported By Smart Traffic Fund

Smart Traffic Fund recently approved the fourth batch of three projects with a total grant amount of about HK$13.7 million. In this latest batch, two projects led by PolyU researchers have granted a total amount of HK$10.3 million. Both projects are committed to improving road safety and convenience using intelligent technologies, including safety assessment of bridge decks and a charging management system for electric vehicles. PolyU scholars have received 7 approved projects out of the total 17 projects from the Smart Traffic Fund since its commencement in 2020-21.Smart Assessment of Bridge Deck Efficiency and Safety in Hong KongLed by Prof. Tarek ZAYED, Associate Head (Research) of Department of Building and Real Estate, this project aims at developing a multi-tier inspection method for detecting surface and subsurface defects in concrete bridge deck; and designing a smart efficiency assessment model for bridge deck using non-destructive evaluation techniques to improve road safety.The smart charging development of zero-emission autonomous electric vehicles by the X2V and V2X technologies with respect to the dynamic traffic, grid and energy information Led by Dr CAO Sunliang, Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering, this project aims at developing a smart charging energy management system to recommend where, when and how to charge electric vehicles with a view to minimising mileage for locating available charging facilities.The Smart Traffic Fund is funding initiated by the Transport Department to support local organisations or enterprises for conducting research and application of innovation and technology with the objectives of enhancing commuting convenience, enhancing the efficiency of the road network or road space, and improving driving safety. The vehicle-related I&T projects to be funded should be in line with the relevant Government’s policies, including the Smart City Blueprint for Hong Kong or Smart Mobility Roadmap for Hong Kong for promoting smart mobility in Hong Kong.

PolyU Recognises Six Young Innovators with the Young Innovative Researcher Award

PolyU Recognises Six Young Innovators with the Young Innovative Researcher Award   Launching for the first time, the new PolyU Young Innovative Researcher Award (YIRA) is a university-level award to recognise young faculty members whose research demonstrate excellence in addressing global challenges.  The committee has received many outstanding research with this year’s call, and six talented young researchers have made to their finals.   As a member of the assessment panel, Ir Professor Christopher Chao, Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU remarked, “We are overwhelmed to see PolyU’s young innovators pursuing their innovations and research with such passion and dedication.  Through this award, the University not only wants to recognise those young researchers with high potential, but also to encourage and nurture an innovative spirit within PolyU for scientific discoveries to make a positive impact to the world. We would like to take this chance to congratulate our award winners, and to acknowledge all participants’ efforts and great work.”   The research achievement of the six awardees have covered a wide-range of research areas, from supramolecular robotic system to robot-assisted training for children with autism spectrum disorder. Engineering-focused projects like the human vision-based solutions for lighting and imaging systems and data storage enhancement in ferroelectric materials that will lead future technology advancement. There are also innovative approaches that offer sustainability for a better future like the creation of multinuclear solid atomic catalysts and the research in transportation and humanitarian & social care in Tai O.  The selected awardees have demonstrated advancing knowledge in their fields and developed a practical technology or innovation in a unique way to create benefits and bring impact globally.   The six awardees of the Young Innovative Researcher Award 2022 are as follows: Award Recipient / Position Faculty / School Research Area Dr. Franco King-Chi Leung (Assistant Professor) Faculty of Applied Science and Textiles (Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology) Photo-responsive Amphiphiles for Supramolecular Robotic System Dr. Tommy Minchen Wei (Associate Professor) Faculty of Construction and Environment (Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering ) Human vision-based solutions for lighting and imaging systems Dr. Zibin Chen (Assistant Professor) Faculty of Engineering (Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering) Ferroelectric materials for new generation memory devices Mr. Daniel Keith Elkin (Assistant Professor) School of Design Tai O Village Pedestrian Traffic Monitoring Project, Stilt House 3D Scanning Project, Lantau Conservation Fund Village Revitalisation Project Dr. Benedict Tsz Woon Lo (Assistant Professor) Faculty of Applied Science and Textiles (Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology) Designing Multinuclear Solid Atomic Catalysts for Energy and Sustainability Applications Dr. Si Chen (Assistant Professor) Faculty of Humanities (Department of Chinese and Bilingual Studies) Robot-assisted training for children with autism spectrum disorder

PolyU collaborates with Increasepharm (HK) Limited for CM-based new drug development

PolyU has a robust research community in Chinese Medicine. PolyU’s Research Centre for Chinese Medicine Innovation (RCMI) and Increasepharm (HK) Limited announced the establishment of the PolyU-Increasepharm Joint Research Laboratory for New Drug Development. With the generous support of HK$10 million from Increasepharm (HK) Limited, the joint lab will develop CM-based new drug for the coming 5 years to treat osteoporosis, sarcopenia, dementia, and ocular diseases. The Signing Ceremony was held via hybrid mode on PolyU campus and broadcast live online, marking the official launch of the joint lab and research collaboration. Prof. Christopher Chao, Vice President (Research and Innovation), and Dr Angela Kung, Managing Director of Increasepharm (HK) Limited, signed the collaborative agreement under the witness of Professor Wing-tak Wong, Deputy President and Provost, Prof. Wong Kwok Yin, Vice President (Education), Prof. Chen Qingyan, Director of PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research (PAIR), Prof. Raymond Wong, Dean of Faculty of Applied Science and Textiles, Prof. Larry Chow, Director of Research, Innovation Office, Prof. Wong Man Sau, Director of Research Centre for Chinese Medicine Innovation (RCMI), Dr Jessica Yu, Researcher of Increasepharm (HK) Limited and Prof. Zhang Baoxian, Chairman of Beijing Increasepharm Corporation Limited, Mr Zhang Hongwu, President of Beijing Increasepharm Corporation Limited, Prof. Zhou Yisheng, General Manager of Increasepharm (Hengqin) Institute Co., Ltd. ,and Dr. Hu Jing, Chief Scientist of Increasepharm (HK) Limited. Through the close collaboration with Increasepharm, it is hoped to seize the strategic opportunities to integrate with the country’s overall development, further advanced drug discovery and development in view of the surging demand in healthcare and pharmaceutical industry. About Research Centre for Chinese Medicine Innovation (RCMI) RCMI was established in October 2021 as a university-level platform to facilitate impactful interdisciplinary research at PolyU. With over 40 faculty members from 7 departments with interdisciplinary expertise, RCMI aims to conduct high impact research to provide scientific evidence to elucidate traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) theory for better understanding by the research community, medical community and the general public. For more information, please go to https://www.polyu.edu.hk/rcmi About Increasehharm Beijing Increasepharm Corporation Limited is a new drug R&D institution integrating R&D design, pilot test incubation and achievement transformation with more than 20 years of experience. Itis a segmentation enterprise of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) with the R&D whole process. The company has five major business sections, including TCM, chemical medicine innovation, clinical service, pilot-scale production and international business; it has established four R&D centers for traditional Chinese medicine dispensing granules, new Chinese medicine, Chinese classical formulas and consistency evaluation for generic drug, and built several new preparation technology platforms. The way forward The signature event of the year, Botanical Symposium, will be held on 2 December 2022 in hybrid mode which aims to bring together renowned researchers and scientists from PolyU, mainland and overseas to share research insights and explore innovative approaches of Chinese Medicine, from bench to bedside. Stay tuned for further updates on RCMI website!

Tripartite Collaboration Between MTR Corporation, MTR Academy and The Hong Kong Polytechnic University to Focus on Exploring Railway Technology Application and Solutions for Intelligent Maintenance

The MTR Corporation and MTR Academy (MTRA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (“MoU”) today (14 June 2022) with The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (“PolyU”) on a three-year collaboration to establish a partnership to focus on exploring advanced and innovative railway technologies and facilitating smart railway asset and operations management, as well as intelligent maintenance. Leveraging on the railway expertise of the Corporation and MTRA, together with the research competence of smart railway technologies of PolyU, the MoU sets out a framework for the parties to explore innovative solutions and technology applications with the goal to further enhance the performance of railway operations and smart maintenance with smart sensing technology. The collaboration areas include exploring smart solutions for monitoring and condition assessment on railway assets, exploring the establishment of a joint laboratory for rail-technology application, as well as research related to improving the operating environment, for example, passenger flow management in stations. Witnessed by Dr Rex AUYEUNG, Chairman of MTR Corporation and Dr LAM Tai-fai, Council Chairman of PolyU, the MoU was signed by Dr Jacob KAM, Chief Executive Officer of MTR Corporation, Ms Margaret CHENG, Acting President of MTR Academy, Professor Jin-Guang TENG, President of PolyU and Professor Christopher CHAO, Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU. “The MTR Corporation will adopt technology in all of its services and operations to actively promote the MTR’s corporate strategy `Transforming the Future’. The Corporation is determined to allocate substantial resources in the application of innovative technology. We hope by collaborating with academia, we can promote the development of smart railway and keep Hong Kong moving,” said Dr Rex AUYEUNG, Chairman of MTR Corporation. “MTR endeavours to provide a high level of service in various aspects. We look forward to working together with PolyU, an institution with outstanding academic and research achievements in railway technologies, to co-develop smart solutions and application-oriented innovation to further enhance our service quality,” said Dr Jacob Kam. “We also expect the partnership can create opportunity for young talents and encourage them to utilise their creativity and innovation capability.” The MTR Corporation and MTR Academy have been working with PolyU in the field of railway technology and the development of railway engineering expertise, including a project for setting up optical fibre sensing on MTR track sections. Dr LAM Tai-fai, Council Chairman of PolyU, said, “We are pleased to deepen collaboration with MTR Corporation. PolyU places great importance on scientific research and is devoted to translating research excellence into real-world applications. We establish close partnerships with industry partners to create breakthroughs in research in different fields to respond to societal needs.’” PolyU’s President, Professor Jin-Guang TENG, said, “I believe PolyU’s substantial research competence in smart railways and smart cities will gain more opportunities to be transformed into real-world industry solutions through the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding with MTR Corporation and the MTR Academy today, hence promoting technological innovation in smart railways for the benefit of Hong Kong, the Nation and the world.” MTR Corporation has already allocated over HK$300 million for investment in start-ups in the next few years, and more funding will be reserved for similar projects in the future.