News

Prof. John Xin receives China National Science and Technology Progress Award

Prof. John Xin, Chair Professor of ITC, and his research team were the Second Prize recipients of the China National Science and Technology Progress Award 2019 for their work entitled “Key Technologies and Industrialization of Digital Printed Colours on Textiles” (紡織面料顏色數字化關鍵技術及產業化). The work is a collaborative effort between PolyU, Luthai Textile Co., Ltd., Donghua University and Zhejiang University. Prof. Xin is the primary contributor among the collaborators of the awarded work. One of the fundamental technologies that led to this recognition is an imaging color measurement (ICM) system developed by Prof. Xin and his team at ITC and supported by the Hong Kong Research Institute of Textile and Apparel (HKRITA). The award demonstrates the significance of the ICM system, which is based on software and hardware that measure colour with disruptive digital imaging technology, to the fashion and textile industries, as well as many other different industries in which accurate colour measurements and colour quality control are important. Using the right colours is always a challenging task for textile and garment manufacturers. The ICM system developed by Prof Xin and his team has ultra-high precision and capable of accurately measuring the color of each pixel on textile fabric, which can be yarn dyed fabric, printed fabric, or even a piece of lace with multiple colours and textures. The complexity of these different colours cannot be measured with conventional colour measurement instruments. The digital ICM system has the ability to measure different complex colours with just one click of a mouse without the need for contact with the measured object. This is indeed a significant advancement in colour measurement and colour quality control. The highly accurate ICM system effectively eliminates conflict between textile and garment producers and buyers in terms of colour consistency, reduces the product development lead time, and lowers cost as there are fewer colour samples needed and sample delivery from producers to buyers can be eliminated. The ICM system is also a very useful tool for designing, developing and visualizing coloured products,  all of which can provide a wide range of benefits not only to the textile and garment industries, but also to many other industries that offer coloured products.

UGC video features Prof. Calvin Wong

"WiseEye: An AI based Textile Material Inspection System” is an award winning research project led by Prof. Calvin Wong, Cheng Yik Hung Professor in Fashion and Professor of ITC. Over the past few years, Prof. Wonghas receivedfour invention awards and a patentthrough WiseEye . The project is funded by the General Research Fund (GRF) and National Nature Science Foundation of China and the workhas been widely disseminated inworld-leading publications in the field of artificial intelligence. The highly acclaimed project came to the attention of the University Grants Committee (UGC) of Hong Kong who interviewed Prof. Wong on the functions and industrial impact of WiseEye in a video titled ‘Video on Impactful Research’. The video was uploaded onto the UGC official website on 24 January 2020. Video on Impactful Researchfeatures twelve inspirational researchers in various areas and disciplines of different universities in Hong Kong.  Mr Carlson Tong, Chairman of the UGC, commended the great effort put forth by stellar researchers in Hong Kong: “We have come a long way in building research excellence in the higher education sector with more and more of our researchers receiving prestigious innovation awards, registering international patents and producing widely recognized and quality publications”. With respect to research development in Hong Kong in the long term, Mr Tong said: “The government has committed to increasing resources, and cross-boundary research funding opportunities are being offered by Mainland China. Therefore, we should capitalize on these new resources and advance knowledge in partnership with other sectors beyond the academia. I am confident that our researchers will make even more significant contributions in the long-term and for the sustainable development of Hong Kong”.

Announcement of Future Retail Challenge 2020 team members

ITC students will be participating in the prestigious Future Retail Challenge student competition which will be held in October 2020 in Rome, Italy. The team will receive sponsorship and professional advice from Li & Fung. The competition has become a popular component of the World Retail Congress, which seeks to promote future talents in the retail industry across the world and help talented students by allowing them to come together to facilitate new ways of thinking and generate new ideas. This year's challenge is called “Project Retail Phoenix: Making a Retailer Relevant Again” which involves the development of a survival plan and strategies for a local store in distress or facing serious competition. The panel of judges of the second audition included a guest judge - Mr Richard Lee, Senior Vice-President of Li & Fung, and ITC academic supervisors - Dr Eunsoo Baek, Dr Sun Young Choi and Dr Chris Lo. A total of 11 students participated in the first audition, and six were shortlisted for the second audition. Among them, the panel selected four students to represent PolyU as the competing team in the Future Retail Challenge. The team consists of Rachel Leung, Jenny Ching-yee Choi, Jessica Wan-hei Tsang and Sammi Wong.  Congratulations and good luck!

Sheng Qiu collects Gold Award at 3rd Keqiao-China International Formal Attire Design Competition

Sheng Qiu (MA in Fashion and Textile Design, 2018), who is studying under the supervision of Prof. Kinor Jiang and also a research assistant, won Gold Award in the Student Group of Creative Fashion at the 3rd Keqiao-China International Formal Attire Design Competition on 21 December 2019 which was held at the Zhejiang University of Technology. The fashion show showcased more than 300 entries from universities, independent designers and companies or studios in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, the UK, France, South Korea, etc. Sheng Qiu’s collection transcends traditional formal attire. In her collection, the garments are designed to be worn in a variety of ways. The prints are used effectively. Vivid colours and the multiple uses of the garments impart uniqueness to her collection. Sheng Qiu is currently a textile designer, and particularly skilled in textile pattern design and the application of colour. She designs extraordinary textiles for many purposes: fashion, interiors, and life itself. Her aim is to transfer the subtle and unexpected beauties of life, seeking from users their own forms of interpretation and engagement.

Prof. Jintu Fan appointed Visiting Chief Scientist at SIFIC

Prof. Jinti Fan, Head and Chair Professor of ITC is appointed as Visiting Chief Scientist of the Shanghai International Fashion Innovation Centre (SIFIC). Prof. Fan has made significant contributions to a number of renowned universities and associations in Hong Kong, China and the USA. He is Chairman of the Hong Kong Institute of Textiles and Apparel; former President of US Fiber Society; and founding Director of the Cornell Institute of Fashion & Fiber Innovation. About the SIFIC The SIFIC was established under Donghua University with the aim of attracting top experts in the fashion and design field, cultivating cross-disciplinary collaborations, training next generation talents, and developing innovative research programmes. The center is an important component of the global network of scientific innovation centers in Shanghai, and has a crucial role in promoting the timely development of design and related disciplines and serving as a fashion innovation think-tank.

Avalon PolyMills (HK) Limited donates lab coats

ITC students can now look forward to wearing antimicrobial laboratory coats that have a patented antimicrobial finishing co-developed by Prof. Chi-wan Kan and Avalon PolyMills (HK) Limited in 2018. Avalon PolyMills (HK) Limited is generously supporting the practical workshops and tutorials at ITC with an in-kind donation of 485 laboratory coats. ITC Head and Chair Professor Prof JT Fan expresses his appreciation of their long-standing support to ITC: “We value our long-term collaboration with Avalon PolyMills (HK) Limited for developing and commercializing advanced textile technologies”.

Prof. David Hinks-Dean of NCSU Wilson College of Textiles appointed as ITC Academic Advisor

ITC is pleased to renew the appointment of Prof. David Hinks, Dean, Wilson College of Textiles, Cone Mills Distinguished Professor of Textile Chemistry of North Carolina State University (U.S.A.) as departmental academic advisor for a three year term, which started in 2019. Prof. Hinks is continuing his role as academic advisor. He was first appointed in 2017 for three years, and his term has been extended for another three years. Prof. Hinks leads North Carolina State University with more than 130 faculty and staff members. He has published more than 150 research papers in the area of colour science, and forensic and environmental textile chemistry.

Prof. Narren Barfeld-Provost of RCA appointed as ITC Academic Advisor

ITC is pleased to announce new appointment of Prof. Naren Barfield, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost of the Royal College of Art (U.K.) as departmental academic advisor for a three year term, which started in 2019. Prof. Barfield has held senior leadership positions in a number of higher education institutions in the U.K. and contributed to the strategic development, support, leadership and assessment of learning and teaching, research, knowledge exchange, innovation, and transnational and postgraduate education, both nationally and internationally.  Since 2011, he has been Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost (Pro-Rector to October 2017) at the Royal College of Art, the world’s leading university of art and design, and has led significant growth in postgraduate programmes, student enrolments, research intensity and quality, industry partnerships, executive education, internationalisation, and revenue growth and diversification. He is highly experienced in strategic leadership, policy development, operational management, and goal focused delivery, and recognised internationally as an expert and advocate for the impact and value of arts and humanities research, design-led innovation, and the societal and economic benefits that arise from the integration of STEM with the arts to create STEAM.

Dr Harry Lee further appointed as adjunct professor

Dr Harry Lee, SBS, JP, Chairman of TAL Apparel, has made many valuable contributions to the development of the fashion and apparel industry during his 30 years in the textile and garment industry. He joined the Textile Alliance Limited (TAL) in Hong Kong in 1973 and was appointed Chief Executive Officer in 1983, which currently employs over twenty thousand people. Dr Lee has also significantly contributed to the advancement of PolyU and ITC in various capacities over the years. As such, he was granted an adjunct professorshipin 2019.  In his new capacity as Adjunct Professor, ITC and its students look forward to benefiting from his insights and vast industry experience in the area of textiles and apparel. 

ITC Summer Internship Programme 2019/20

The ITC Summer Internship Programme was initiated in 2017 with the aim of enriching the learning experience of students through local or overseas on-the-job training. The professional work experience not only improves the industry skills of students, but cultivates professional soft skills, including interpersonal and communication skills, and time management. A total of 66 manufacturers, retailers, buying offices, and design houses have offered 250 intern positions in the past two years. ITC students have greatly benefited from the invaluable opportunity to gain experience in their field. Andrea Leung, who is majoring in Fashion Retailing in the BA programme, interned with Wharf China in summer 2019 and had this to say about her internship experience: “I’ve learnt a lot of skills and techniques for official meetings and negotiations. I’ve finally realised the importance of communication skills and how to use them to encourage receptiveness to my suggestions.” This year, despite the social unrest and global economic challenges, over 20 industrialists are participating in the internship programme. Student interns will start their internship journey in June 2020 for seven weeks or more. Each student is expected to complete a mini-project that would give them the opportunity to apply classroom knowledge to the workplace. At the end of their internship, the students will present a learning portfolio to their workplace supervisors and subject lecturers. To learn more about the internship programme from our past student interns, please watch this video on our YouTube channel, or follow us on our Facebook Fan page and Instagram.