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Joining hands with CAIR-HKISI-CAS to advance AI, DS and Robotics technologies

Under the support of the Department of Computing and Research Centre on Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (RC-DSAI), PolyU signed a collaborative agreement with the Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics, Hong Kong Institute of Science & Innovation, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAIR-HKISI-CAS) on 1 Nov 2021 to advance Artificial Intelligence (AI), Data Science (DS) and Robotic technologies research. With a longstanding collaboration with CAS, PolyU expands and deepens its existing partnership and enters into cooperation with CAIR-HKISI-CAS. The signing ceremony was held as a hybrid event at PolyU and the Institute of Automation, in Beijing simultaneously. It was witnessed by senior management and representatives of both parties. Prof. Christopher Chao, Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU, officiated the signing ceremony and gave a speech highlighting PolyU has become the first local institution that collaborates with CAIR-HKISI-CAS. “I am confident that with the strong commitment, concerted efforts and world-renowned experts from the CAIR-HKISI-CAS, the RC-DSAI and COMP of PolyU, we can strengthen our collaboration in research, provide all-around development and make significant contributions to our emerging society,” said Prof. Chao. PolyU established the RC-DSAI earlier in May, an intra-faculty research centre that focuses on discovering the unknown areas of AI, DS and deep learning to conduct sustainable and influential research. The Co-Directors of RC-DSAI, Prof. Qing Li, Chair Professor and Head of COMP together with Prof. Lei Zhang, Chair Professor of COMP, briefly introduced the Centre and its development directions. Prof. Bo Xu, Director of CAIR-HKISI-CAS delivered his remarks at the opening and welcomed the alliance while Prof. Zhaoxiang Zhang, Executive Director of CAIR-HKISI-CAS, also expressed his gratitude for the collaboration. This agreement offers a framework for collaboration to develop and apply innovative technologies in the fields of AI, DS and Robotics, to generate high impact research as well as to nurture talents and benefit mankind. The collaboration marks a new milestone in PolyU’s development and represents our earnest efforts in fostering long-term academic and research collaborations. Through leveraging the university’s competitive edge in education, research and complementing the strengths of CAIR-HKISI-CAS, the two parties will contribute to pursuing impactful research that benefits the region, the country and the world.   Please click here for the snap shot.

AiDLab Officially Launched as a Pioneer in Integration of AI and Design - Delivering first-in-market intelligent design solutions and world-class academic excellence

Established to lead the global dialogue on creative innovation, the Laboratory for Artificial Intelligence in Design (AiDLab), was officially launched on 4 Nov 2021 as one of the multiple research centres within the InnoHK research clusters under the flagship initiative announced in the Chief Executive’s 2021 Policy Address. Founded jointly by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and the Royal College of Art (RCA), United Kingdom, the laboratory is the region’s first research platform that focuses on the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) with creative design.   AiDLab brings together top international academics, designers, and engineers, to conduct human-centred interdisciplinary research providing multi-faceted solutions for current global issues using AI and distinct innovative designs.   Professor Wing-tak Wong, Chairman of Board of Directors of AiDLab and Deputy President and Provost of PolyU, said, “With the ever-growing influence and importance of AI, we envisage its diverse possibilities of usage and rising demands in numerous industries. PolyU takes pride in this synergistic collaboration with the prestigious Royal College of Art. Together, we join forces to translate our cutting-edge research into practical knowledge and impactful AI solutions to meet society's challenges. We are committed to supporting the Government’s initiative to develop Hong Kong into a global hub of innovation and technology.” Professor Calvin Wong, Centre Director of AiDLab and Cheng Yik Hung Professor in Fashion of PolyU, said, “We believe that the integration of AI and design will bring about a paradigm shift in the fundamentals of how we create, communicate and contribute to society. Serving as a unique platform that connects local and international research community, industry and society, AiDLab utilises novel technology to facilitate intuitive and effective product and service design processes that can enhance human-computer interaction and address society’s needs for creativity, efficiency and sustainability.” Professor Naren Barfield, Associate Director of AiDLab and Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost of the Royal College of Art, said: “The Royal College of Art is delighted to collaborate with Hong Kong PolyU to establish a world-class centre for research that brings together design and AI to imagine - and create for - our future needs in the fourth industrial revolution. The complementary expertise of our two institutions will create an exciting and dynamic multidisciplinary research environment that will make a major difference to human- centred design and creative innovation, with global impact and societal benefit.” To actualise the laboratory’s aim to create impact by enhancing the design of everyday products and services via the seamless integration of AI, the laboratory conducts research in three main areas:   Ergonomic and Inclusive Design This programme deploys AI technologies to develop innovative body measurement and posture correction solutions that advance fashion design and wearables for health and well- being. Innovation in Product and Service Design This programme focuses on participative, user-centred design research employing co-design methodologies to contribute to the continuous and iterative evolution of AI creative systems. The research incorporates machine- and self-learning systems to accelerate design processes for products and services. Intelligent Fashion Design and Quality Control This programme explores algorithmic design that integrates machine intelligence and human knowledge with respect to fashion and textiles, leading to advances in design, quality control and manufacturing processes. As part of the launch, the laboratory is introducing a key project and a major facility: (I) Artificial Intelligence-based Interactive Design Assistant for Fashion (AiDF) Developed by Professor Calvin Wong and his team, AiDF is a market-first technology that empowers novices and experts to work with AI for generating ranges of original fashion designs speedily, based on their personal creative inspirations. Unlike current mainstreamed AI technologies on new image generation, which rely solely on the digital input of existing real fashion images to output new designs, AiDF generates unique creations based on the designer’s original inspirations and personal style. Co-developed by AI experts and designers for designers using a specific combination of AI technologies, the system addresses the practitioner’s needs during the ideation and development process. With just a few simple clicks, designers can select personal options to further refine or include within their collections, enhancing conventional, intensive studio processes with agility, efficiency and flexibility. AiDF is moving on to rigorous trial use studies conducted with regional and international fashion practitioners prior to its official roll-out to the industry. A demonstration was provided today by the AiDF team. The technology and fashion collections driven by AiDF will be showcased at a fashion show to be held in 2022, so as to share innovative designs resultant from the interaction between human and AI. (II) Integration of AI and dynamic scanning for wearables AiDLab researchers will create ergonomic design breakthroughs for functional apparels and wearables with the dynamic movement data captured by its state-of-the-art facility, the “4D Body Scanning Lab”. It is the first of its kind in Hong Kong and possesses a marker-less scanning system (3dMD, USA) with 30 machine vision cameras to capture a range of poses, actions and gestures, in four dimensions. A demonstration today showed how researchers will be able to use the system to capture human subjects in dynamic movements. One application example is that by integrating the scanned motion data of human body with pressure/temperature distribution data as well as AI techniques, predicted pressure/temperature distribution of different types of human body shapes can be generated to facilitate customised functional apparels and wearables design and product development. This facility will support the acquisition of new knowledge for AiDLab’s projects that focuses on optimal fit and comfort for well-being. Looking forward, AiDLab will establish the Artificial Intelligence in Design Consortium (AIDC), to bring together businesses, designers and engineers who share in its common vision to inject new impetus into the industry with the synergy of AI and design. All interested parties and individuals are welcome to join the upcoming events and initiatives, including various conference and seminar which will serve as platforms to foster collaboration and knowledge exchange between academia, industry and the general public. About Laboratory for Artificial Intelligence in Design (AiDLab) AiDLab, the region’s first research platform that focuses on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and design innovations, is a research operation jointly established by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and The Royal College of Art (RCA) in the U.K., bringing together a diverse group of leading researchers and practitioners from its founding institutions to conduct AI and design-related research. Funded under the InnoHK Research Clusters by the HKSAR Government and located at the Hong Kong Science and Technology Park, our leading and cross- disciplinary research creates a positive impact on the global design industry, contributes to the wider economy, and improves the quality of life. Three research programmes at AiDLab include Ergonomic and Inclusive Design, Innovation in Product and Service Design, and Intelligent Fashion Design and Quality Control. About Royal College of Art (RCA) The Royal College of Art is the world's leading art and design university. A small, specialist postgraduate institution based in the heart of London, the RCA's approach is founded on the premise that art, design, creative thinking, science, engineering and technology must all collaborate to solve today's global challenges. It excels in world- leading art and design research with real-world impact. Its research is characterised by its roots in creative and innovative practice, by engagement with business, industry, government policy and communities, and by collaboration across disciplines, particularly with researchers in science, engineering, technology and medicine. Its teaching, research and innovation are delivered through four Schools – Architecture, Arts & Humanities, Communication, and Design – and through four Research Centres – the Helen Hamlyn Centre for Design, the Intelligent Mobility Design Centre, the Material Science Research Centre, and the Computer Science Research Centre, working alongside the RCA Robotics Lab and the Design Age Institute.

PolyU showcases the scientific research achievements of innovative Gerontechnology in the Gerontech and Innovation Expo cum Summit 2021

PolyU displayed the booth at Gerontech and Innovation Expo cum Summit 2021 (GIES) for a wide spectrum of stunning Elderly-Friendly technology showcases on 3-5 Dec 2021. PolyU’s Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Nursing and Jockey Club Design Institute for Social Innovation (JCDISI) had introduced various smartageing innovations to the industry and the community to address challenges of cognitive issues, rehabilitation, fall prevention and detection, residential care in the society.   We welcomed the visit of the senior management from Pok Oi Hospital and shared with them some newest technology development for those needed to adopt gerontechnology. Part of the technology showcases: · The feasibility and effects of virtual-reality motor cognitive training in community-dwelling older people with cognitive frailty · A stand-alone Therapeutic Music-with-Movement Programme for elderly with cognitive impairment · Innovation to enhance students’ understanding and empathy towards the needs of older people with cognitive problems · Rehabilitation Sleeve - A wearable Functional Electrical Stimulation robotic system for arm rehabilitation after stroke · Mobile Exo-neuro-musculo-skeleton - lightweight, portable robotic system for arm rehabilitation after stroke · iBalanx: AI-based smart insole with instant reminder to improve balance and prevent falls · Intelligent knee osteoarthritis prediction system · Multiplayer Drum Video Game – Master of Drum · Tung Zai – communicative robot · GoActive.hk Platform For more details, please visit: https://gies.hk/en   Please click here for the snap shot.  

PolyU innovations in advanced textiles, new materials synthesis and centimetre-precision positioning win TechConnect awards

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) was awarded three prestigious prizes at this year’s TechConnect World Innovation Conference and Expo (TechConnect) in Washington DC. PolyU research teams excelled in the area of “Materials & Manufacturing” with two innovations being awarded TechConnect 2021 Global Innovation Awards. The PolyU innovators had developed a nature-inspired ‘sweatable’ textile material capable of ultra-fast sweat dissipation; as well as inventing an environmentally friendly technique to synthesizing MXenes – a promising energy storage material designed to meet rising global energy demands. In the area of “AI, Data, Cyber & Software”, PolyU has developed 3D LiDAR-aided GNSS precise positioning technology that allows highly robust centimetre-level global positioning in urban environments for automated driving, which also received a TechConnect 2021 Global Innovation Award. PolyU is the only higher education institution in Hong Kong this year that received the awards, which recognise the top 15% of submitted technologies based on their potential positive impact in different technological areas. Other awarded innovators include those from global-renowned universities, institutes and laboratories, including several national laboratories affiliated with the US Department of Energy. It is the fifth year that PolyU research teams have been awarded the prestigious prizes at the world's largest multi-sector event for fostering development and commercialising innovations. Professor Christopher CHAO, Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU, congratulated the teams. He said: “I am delighted that PolyU’s latest innovations – from advanced manufacturing, materials and electronics micro-systems to AI, data and software technologies – have been recognised and showcased at TechConnect. Not only does this acknowledge the value of PolyU’s impactful research and the innovations that shape smart city development and tackle various environmental and public health issues, but it also paves the way for further research collaboration in the global arena.” PolyU’s three award-winning innovations are: 1. Sweatextile: A Nature-Inspired Textile of Unidirectional Water Transport and Dissipation for Moisture Management, Comfort and Protection by Dr SHOU Dahua, Professor FAN Jintu and Dr WEI Xin, Institute of Textiles and Clothing Going beyond the capabilities of existing wicking textiles, Sweatextile mimics the perspiration action of human skin, quickly directing and dissipating excessive sweat as water droplets on the outer surface, keeping the wearer dry, comfortable and having greater energy and endurance. In addition to enjoying fast wicking and moisture dissipation, Sweatextile protects wearers from external liquids such as rain and contaminated water. This innovation can benefit a wide range of consumers including outdoor enthusiasts and highly-active professionals. 2. HF-free facile and rapid synthesis of MXenes related materials for Efficient Energy Conversion and Storage Applications by Professor HAO Jianhua and Ms PANG Sin-Yi, Department of Applied Physics MXenes have widespread uses in electrochemical energy storage and biological application due to their high robustness and non-toxicity. Traditional synthetic routes require the use of highly toxic hydrofluoric (HF) acid to synthesize MXenes, which raises considerable safety and environmental concerns. To overcome this problem, a HF-free electrochemical method has been developed to synthesize MXenes. The resulting MXenes exhibit stable and highly efficient energy storage and hydrogen gas synthesis capabilities, offering promising applications aiming to address the fast-approaching energy crisis and increasing energy demands. 3. 3D LiDAR Aided GNSS Precise Positioning for Level 4 Autonomous Driving by Dr HSU Li-Ta and Dr WEN Weisong, Department of Aeronautical and Aviation Engineering The 3D LiDAR-Aided GNSS Precise Positioning technology developed by PolyU tightly couples its environmental perception capability with high-precision satellite positioning technology to achieve an intelligent self-adjusting satellite ranging measurement modeling and correction. This allows highly robust centimetre-level high-precision global positioning in urban environments to be achieved for Level 4 autonomous driving. Besides the three award-winning innovations, a number of other PolyU inventions were also shortlisted in the TechConnect Innovation Showcase which recognises promising technologies within their respective fields. The PolyU showcase included advanced material and manufacturing innovations, such as: - an integrated microfluidic system that can replicate natural photosynthesis with greater energy efficiency; - an eco-friendly smart coating material which adopts a “smart” cooling mechanism that can both enhance daytime cooling and minimize nighttime heat loss; and - a novel antimicrobial 3D printing technology that enables new medical usage of 3D printing products to combat contact transmission of lethal microbes in public areas. For more details of the event and the awards, please refer to the official website of TechConnect at https://www.techconnectworld.com/World2021 and the list of awardees at https://www.techconnectworld.com/World2021/participate/innovation/awards.html.

PolyU to launch three research centres under InnoHK Clusters

In support of the Hong Kong government’s new initiative, InnoHK Clusters, which aims to develop Hong Kong as a hub for global research collaboration, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has joined forces with world-leading institutions to develop research centres under two newly established research clusters – AIR@InnoHK (focusing on artificial intelligence and robotics technologies) and Health@InnoHK (focusing on healthcare related technologies), in a bid to bring together leading researchers from around the world to conduct impactful collaborative research in Hong Kong.   PolyU is pleased to establish three world-class research centres at the Hong Kong Science Park under the government-funded InnoHK initiative. These three centres, which have commenced operation, are i) the Laboratory for Artificial Intelligence in Design (AiDLab), ii) the Centre for Advances in Reliability and Safety (CAiRS), and iii) the Centre for Eye and Vision Research (CEVR). PolyU has also become the first local collaborating institution of the “Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics, Hong Kong Institute of Science & Innovation, Chinese Academy of Sciences”. Established by the Institute of Automation of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), the Centre has been admitted to AIR@InnoHK under InnoHK Clusters. With a longstanding and close collaborative relationship, PolyU and CAS, based on their existing cooperation, will further conduct in-depth research collaboration and academic exchange activities in frontier research in data science and artificial intelligence, to jointly promote the development of the AI industry.   Deputy President and Provost of PolyU, Professor Wing-tak Wong, is pleased with the University’s contribution to the InnoHK initiative, stating that, “Innovation and technology (I&T) has always been one of the key drivers of economic development. With the rapid development of the Nation and the Greater Bay Area bringing unprecedented opportunities for I&T, Hong Kong will play an even more important role in the ongoing process of innovation.” He added, “By partnering with world-acclaimed institutions to establish research centres in InnoHK’s two research clusters, PolyU hopes to fully leverage each institution’s academic strengths to bring about significant research breakthroughs, and thereby create impactful technology that boosts the economy and brings benefits to society.” Professor Naren Barfield, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost of the Royal College of Art said, “We are delighted to partner with PolyU to establish a world-class centre for research in Artificial Intelligence and Design. This strategic partnership integrates AI into the design of products and services, delivering vital research to understand the future of society and the economy, interrogating our future requirements and humanising the fourth industrial revolution. As the world’s leading art and design university, the Royal College of Art brings to AiDLab its expertise in cross-disciplinary research, human-centred design and creative innovation, to shape the industrial and social futures of the 21st century.” Professor Michael G. Pecht, Director of the Center for Advanced Life Cycle Engineering (CALCE) of the University of Maryland, College Park, USA said, “CAiRS is a collaboration between PolyU and CALCE, that aims to conduct research and development to enable advanced design and manufacturing, and to test the next generation of reliable and safe electronics and components for transportation, consumer products, telecommunication systems, public utilities and other applications in Hong Kong. Together, we hope to create a new paradigm for reliability science and promote customised product health management for different industry sectors, using real-time, in-situ, artificial intelligence-based reliability and safety analytics.” Bob Lemieux, Dean of Science at the University of Waterloo said, “We are proud to be partnering with an exceptional institution like PolyU on this critical initiative. CEVR is already bringing the University of Waterloo’s entrepreneurial culture to Hong Kong as the research team tackles the world’s biggest questions in the field of vision science – from discovery and clinical application to commercialisation.” Going forward, PolyU will continue its efforts in addressing the ever-changing needs of society by promoting high-impact research and fostering collaborations with world-leading institutes, industry partners as well as the government, in order to contribute further to the future research clusters of InnoHK. Laboratory for Artificial Intelligence in Design (AiDLab) In collaboration with the Royal College of Art, UK, PolyU established the AiDLab under the AIR@InnoHK cluster to integrate innovative AI technologies into design to address society’s needs for creativity, efficiency and customisation of products and services. AiDLab is the world’s first research laboratory specialising in interdisciplinary AI and design innovations. Its cutting-edge research will create impacts on society, industry and policy that enhance quality of life. Three research programmes at AiDLab include Ergonomic and Inclusive Design, Innovation in Product and Service Design, and Intelligent Fashion Design and Quality Control. Centre for Advances in Reliability and Safety (CAiRS) CAiRS has been initiated by PolyU under the AIR@InnoHK cluster and the key research collaborator is the University of Maryland, College Park, USA. CAiRS’ mission is to develop new approaches using AI methodologies for customised management, and to ensure the reliability and safety of products and systems used in robotics, medical devices, vehicles, telecommunication, consumer products, public utilities, transportation, microelectronics, power devices, sensors and IoT products as well as a broad range of Advanced Manufacturing applications. These research applications and deliverables will contribute significantly in Smart City development. Five research programmes at CAiRS, namely Anomaly Detection and Syndromic Surveillance, Innovative Diagnostics for Product Health Management, Prognostics for Remaining Useful Life Assessment, Safety Assurance to improve Functional Safety, and Data Analytics Platform for Reliability have commenced. Centre for Eye and Vision Research (CEVR) Under the Health@InnoHK cluster, CEVR has been set up as a joint partnership between PolyU and the University of Waterloo, Canada. CEVR promotes eye health with clinical, basic and applied research, and develops ground-breaking technologies to prevent vision loss and preserve sight among the ageing population. CEVR runs five research programmes, namely Myopia and Eye Growth, Ocular Drug Discovery and Delivery, Vision Enhancement, Tear Film and Ocular Surface, and Advanced Optometric Technology. For more details about InnoHK, please visit: https://www.itc.gov.hk/en/technological_infrastructure/innohk_clusters.html

Three PolyU smart city projects win the 2021 Smart 50 Awards for Hong Kong

Three smart city projects of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) won the 2021 Smart 50 Awards. It is the first time that PolyU’s research teams have seized the prestigious awards, which recognise global innovative smart city projects annually. The 2021 Smart 50 Awards features winners from all over the world, such as Canada, Japan, Germany, Israel, Spain and the United States, and PolyU is the only award recipient from Hong Kong. The award presentation ceremony will be held in the United States later this year. In support of Hong Kong’s Smart City Blueprint, PolyU has been working closely with the government and community partners to implement smart projects to address various societal and environmental issues, as well as to safeguard public health in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. These projects have earned various international accolades, including the 2021 Smart 50 Awards. The three winning projects from PolyU are: (1) “First-Ever Smart Tree Monitoring Project Using Low-Power Wireless Network for Urban Forestry and Tree Management” by Professor Charles WONG Man-sing, Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics Tree risk assessment and risk mitigation measures in areas with high pedestrian and traffic flow need to be conducted so as to alleviate the risk of trees against human life and property. The research team collaborated with the Development Bureau of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region with the support of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust to monitor tree stability on a territory-wide scale through the Jockey Club Smart City Tree Management Project. The team assessed the risk of tree failure by monitoring the trees’ swaying or tilting condition by applying spatial big data analytics with AI on the GIS-based platform. The project involved the installation of about 8,000 sensors on selected urban trees across Hong Kong. (2) “The Tai O Village Pedestrian Traffic Monitoring Project” by Mr Daniel ELKIN, School of Design Tai O Village was recently included in the Sustainable Lantau Blueprint of Hong Kong as an ecological and cultural tourism centre. As the tourist traffic is anticipated to surge, the research team partnered with the Tai O Village Rural Committee and various community groups to monitor the pedestrian traffic entering the village, using infrared passage gates installed at eight major infrastructure locations. The project is distinct in that it follows a collaborative model using inexpensive technology developed from consumer products to roll out data collection quickly and with high accessibility for village stakeholder engagement and feedback. (3) A Comprehensive Spatial Analysis and Onset Risk Prediction Platform for the COVID-19 Pandemic in Hong Kong by Professor John SHI, Smart Cities Research Institute In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the public has been on high alert regarding the community spread and how it may pose risks to everyday activities. The research team established a city-level epidemic data dashboard and risk prediction system for the public to track the community spread of the epidemic. The COVID-19 risk prediction algorithm is developed by analysing Hong Kong’s urban structure, transportation network, population environment and other socio-economic data through the use of spatial big data technologies and analysis. This provides an accurate prediction of the development trend of the epidemic in a timelier manner and supports the public health department to formulate more precise prevention and control strategies. About Smart 50 Awards In partnership with Smart Cities Connect, Smart Cities Connect Foundation and the US Ignite, the Smart 50 Awards recognises impactful smart cities projects across the world annually. They aim to honour the most innovative and influential technologies in the areas of digital transformation, urban infrastructure and community engagement. The award presentation ceremony for this year will be held at the Smart Cities Connect Conference & Expo in Washington DC in October 2021. For more details about the 2021 Smart 50 Awards and the list of award recipients, please refer to https://smartcitiesconnect.org/2021-smart-50-awards/。

PolyU Food Safety Consortium Convener Receives International Leadership Award in Food Safety

Steering one of the most representative food safety organizations in Hong Kong to promote in food safety and quality, the Convener of Food Safety Consortium (FSC) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) Professor Terence Lok-ting Lau was granted with the 2021 International Leadership Award by the International Association for Food Protection (IAFP), a professional industry association established in 1911 in Wisconsin, United States with over 4,000 members from more than 50 countries to promote food safety globally. Promoting Global Recognition and Partnerships FSC was initiated by Prof. Lau in 2015 and is now home to 70 Corporate Members. It is the first and only non-governmental organization Observer from Hong Kong and mainland China at the FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius Commission. As IAFP’s Hong Kong Affiliate, FSC bears the regional responsibility to IAFP’s mandate of Advancing Food Safety Worldwide®. FSC is also the key driver to the establishment of DISH Global Centre for Food Safety and Quality (DISH) – a unique platform founded by four economies to foster European - Hong Kong/China - Asia Pacific collaborations in food safety and quality. Leading Technology Advancement, Education, and Research With over 20 years of experience in molecular biology and food safety, Prof. Lau’s expertise spans from the detection of food and zoonotic pathogens, genetically modified organisms (GMO), food allergen, food authentication, to others through molecular diagnostics and various multidisciplinary approaches (integrating engineering, big data, artificial intelligence, etc.) to bring about innovative and smart applications. Prof. Lau is managing EU-China-Safe, a €10 million EU-China partnership under Horizon 2020 which PolyU is the only university joining from Hong Kong. He is also the co-developer of 5 National Chinese Standards in GMO and avian influenza virus detection, the co-inventor and co-author of a number of patents and peer-reviewed scientific articles, as well as the organizer of various international food conferences. “I would like to express my deepest appreciation to IAFP and also my nominator, supporters, and the Food Safety Net Services for sponsoring this award. Food safety is a major public health concern and given the challenges arising every day and practices of the global food supply chain having shifted since the pandemic, we still have much to accomplish. I look forward to joining hands with experts and bring to the world a safer food supply,” said Prof. Lau, Convener of FSC and Adjunct Professor at Department of Industrial Systems Engineering, PolyU. Prof. Wing-tak Wong, Deputy President and Provost of PolyU and member of Steering Committee of FSC, added that “embracing global collaborations to foster progress in food safety in quality is a strategic focus for PolyU. This recognition from the IAFP is a significant endorsement for Prof. Lau’s achievement in the field and we are grateful for his efforts in bringing PolyU’s contribution in food safety and quality to the next level. We will continue to support technology development and applications in this area to benefit the Nation and the global community.” The 2021 IAFP awards were presented at the IAFP 2021 Conference which took place on July 18-21 in Phoenix, Arizona. For relevant report, please click here. For IAFP press release, please click here.

Think Tank member of Dashun Foundation

PolyU ITDO is delighted to announce that Mr. Kenny Liu, Manager of ITDO at PolyU, was invited to serve as one of the Think Tank Member for Dashun Foundation. Dashun Foundation, a non profit-making charitable institution under the Inland Revenue Ordinance, was founded on 12 May 2011 by a body of professionals and scholars with a shared mission of promoting and contributing to the long term interests and sustainable development of Hong Kong. With 92 scholars and most accomplished intellectuals as Advisors and over 630 Think Tank Members, this foundation comprises academics and practising professionals in multi sectors and disciplines.

PolyU’s Food Safety Consortium organized the 5th Asia-Pacific Food Safety International Conference advancing Towards a Safer Food Supply

2009 Seoul . 2011 Melbourne . 2013 Taipei . 2016 Peneng . 2021 Hong Kong (Virtual Conference) The event report is now available at here. Food Safety Consortium (FSC), as the Hong Kong affiliate of the International Association for Food Protection (IAFP), organized the 5th Asia-Pacific Food Safety International Conference (APFSIC) virtually on January 27-28, 2021. As one of the IAFP’s regional conference series, APFSIC featured over an impeccable network of over 80 speakers and 400 registrants from the industry, academia, research institutes, government, supranational bodies, as well as students globally for a two full-day holistic, inspirational and educational knowledge, best practices, and regional plus global updates in food safety and quality. Day 1 Keynotes and Plenary Speeches covered COVID-19 and food safety, FDA’s new era of smarter food safety, latest regulatory developments in Hong Kong, fostering food safety culture, food supply chain analytics informing management of public health risks, food safety from the perspective of animal health and zoonosis, smart technologies and innovations, controlling COVID-19 transmission through food packaging, supranational level adaptation in response to COVID-19 and post-pandemic era, and an engaging discussion among IAFP regional affiliates in strengthening their partnerships. Day 2 Breakout Sessions covered new detection methods and intervention technologies, risk management strategies, food safety at food service and retail settings, AI, machine learning and big data in food safety, training and certification, consumer communication, produce food safety, emerging pathogens and their control, food fraud and authentication, sharing by DISH Global Centre for Food Safety and Quality, and updates of EU-China-Safe, a cross-continental effort to deliver an effective, resilient and sustainable EU-China food safety partnership. Founded in 1911 and based in the United States, IAFP represents over 4,000 professionals from educators, government officials, microbiologists, food industry executives and quality control professionals from 50 nations who are involved in all aspects of growing, storing, transporting, processing and preparing all types of foods. FSC, which endeavors to bring about the most cutting-edge food safety and food technologies to benefit the global community, has been recognized as the Hong Kong affiliate of IAFP since 2015, to synergize their efforts in advancing food safety in various regions of the world. Food borne illnesses, food fraud and other safety and quality issues create significant adverse public health, social, and economic impact across Asia as it does globally. Hosted at the gateway to an enormous China market and at the crossroad to a rapidly rising Asia region, APFSIC was a perfect occasion and time for all stakeholders to come together to address evolving food safety issues facing this region under the post-COVID-19 era. In strengthening regional and global collaborative efforts and expertise, we are ready to embrace 2021 with the best innovations, the strongest partnerships, and extreme resilience. Please click here for the conference website.

World Antimicrobial Awareness Week 2020

World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW), organised by the World Health Organisation (WHO), is an annual observance that highlights the steps everyone can take to improve antibiotic use. It aims to increase awareness of global antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and to encourage best practices amongst the general public, health workers, and policy makers to avoid further emergence and spread of drug-resistant infections.  The theme for Antimicrobial Awareness Week in 2020 is 'United to preserve antimicrobials', aiming to engage stakeholders from all sectors in a One Health approach to antimicrobial resistance and the slogan this year is "Antimicrobials: Handle with care". As Codex Observer, FSC is pleased to join global community to raise awareness of antimicrobial resistance. For more information about WAAW, please visit https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-antimicrobial-awareness-week/2020/campaign-materials .