Media Releases

PolyU teams shine in QS Reimagine Education Awards 2024, winning one Gold, two Silvers and the Global Education Award

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) strives to advance teaching and learning innovations and to develop cutting-edge educational technologies for delivering rich and impactful learning experience to students. With their innovative teaching and learning projects, three PolyU teams won a Gold Award, two Silver Awards and one of the two overall awards, the Global Education Award, at the QS Reimagine Education Awards 2024 respectively. This represents an exceptional PolyU performance, particularly as the first Hong Kong institution to receive the overall award. Led by Dr Wai-chi Rodney CHU, Senior Lecturer of the Department of Applied Social Sciences, the interdisciplinary team garnered both the Gold Award in the Smart Omnichannel Campus category and the Global Education Award. The winning project “Engage, Empower, Excel: PolyU’s Smart Campus Innovation” leverages the synergy between various educational technology solutions to adapt to the learning habits of the new-generation tech-savvy students. The project features the development of a generative AI chatbot, Virtual Assistant TIMS (VAT), which learns from course materials and teachers’ teaching styles. Operating through instant messaging platforms, VAT responds to student inquiries anytime and anywhere through text, voice and video messages. Its Dialogue Podcast System utilises advanced natural language processing technology to transform challenging academic content into engaging conversational podcasts to improve students’ learning efficiency. There is also the Artificial Intelligence Review Assessment System (AIReAS) that offers immediate feedback and feedforward on assignments, enabling students to engage in cycles of continuous improvement that align with their progress. The platform is moving towards mobile learning management system integration and personalised learning path planning. Dr Shara LEE, Associate Professor of the Department of Health Technology and Informatics and her team won the Silver Award in the Nurturing Values and Ethics category with the project “HEROCARE: Empowering Compassionate Healthcare and Medical Education for Future Professionals”. Integrating experiential learning with clinical service, the project helps minimise the physical and emotional stress of paediatric cancer patients while preparing healthcare students to deliver compassionate, patient-centred care. Utilising PolyU’s HiVE, the first large-scale X-Reality hybrid classroom in Hong Kong, the team has engaged students to design and lead a personalised preparation workshop for each patient by bringing into the virtual classroom their favourite cartoon characters or incorporating interactive games and storytelling through AI and immersive technologies. The project has set new standards for sustainable, empathetic training by providing future healthcare professionals with opportunities to interact and communicate with patients and carers. Through this experience, students can develop critical empathy, ethical decision-making skills and learn how to best support and care for patients and carers. Titled “Habitat Green: A Hong Kong-African Collaboration in Sustainability Education and Action”, the project led by Dr Grace NGAI, Head of the Service-Learning and Leadership Office and Associate Professor of the Department of Computing, seized a Silver Award in the Sustainability Education Action category. The project seeks to promote experiential, community-focused learning and create platforms for teachers and students to collaborate on sustainability initiatives. As one of PolyU’s largest and most impactful Service-Learning programmes, the project takes students to developing countries in Africa to collaborate with young counterparts in providing services to local impoverished communities. These services include installing home solar power systems, offering health assessments, conducting workshops in tailoring and fashion, and more. Based on the establishment of mutually empowering partnerships between universities and communities, the project integrates educational objectives with addressing community needs to improve local residents’ quality of life and enhance their capacity and potential, while also providing valuable opportunities for students to gain a deeper understanding of sustainable development issues and to develop intercultural sensitivity. This in turn fosters responsible global citizenship and encourages educational institutions to demonstrate a greater commitment to social responsibility and sustainable development. The Reimagine Education Awards are a global contest co-organised by Quacquarelli Symonds, compiler of the QS World University Rankings, and the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. Known as the Oscars in the education sector, the Awards aim to reward institutions of higher education that have created and implemented outstanding new approaches to teaching and learning. This year saw more than 1,300 applications from all over the world. PolyU had a total of eight teams shortlisted in different categories, affirming the University’s continuing efforts to foster innovation in education.   ***END***

Eight publicly funded universities co-organise Hong Kong Partners Week to promote “Study in Hong Kong”

Building on the success of last year’s “Hong Kong Partners Week”, eight UGC-funded universities, recently welcomed representatives from 58 overseas university partners to promote the “Study in Hong Kong” brand and strengthen bonds with overseas universities. The programme signifies the joint efforts of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK), Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU), Lingnan University (LU), The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK), The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), and The University of Hong Kong (HKU) to echo with the government’s vision of developing Hong Kong into an international education hub. This year’s programme welcomed 58 overseas university partners, a significant increase from last year’s 38. The diverse collaboration spans a wide range of countries including Australia, Austria, Canada, Czechia, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye, the UK, and the US. Prof. James TANG, Secretary-General of the University Grants Committee, warmly welcomed the universities’ global partners. He highlighted that Hong Kong has world-class research and student facilities, along with unique strengths and opportunities that make it an attractive study destination for international exchange students. Prof. Tang remarked, “Our shared vision of fostering international collaboration and enriching student experiences has brought us together. With all that Hong Kong has to offer, students from your institutions not only find quality education and friendships with peers from around the globe, but also broaden their horizons to experience rich and diverse cultures.” The “Hong Kong Partners Week”, held from 8 to14 December 2024, featured a lineup of industry leaders sharing insights on Hong Kong’s latest developments. The programme kicked off with a talk by Ms Karen WANG, Managing Director, Head of Growth, Greater Bay Area (GBA) of The Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC), who presented Hong Kong’s development with its strategic positioning within the GBA. Ms Kristy CHENG, Head of Human Resources, Hong Kong, Human Resources Asia-Pacific, HSBC, captivated the audience by discussing the diverse career opportunities available for international students in Hong Kong, along with valuable perspectives on future skills in demand. Mr Bernard CHAN, Vice Chairman of the Board of the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority and Chairman of M+ Museum, then shared insights on Hong Kong’s growth opportunities in art and culture.  Ms Karen Wang, Managing Director, Head of Growth, Greater Bay Area, The Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC) Ms Kristy Cheng, Head of Human Resources, Hong Kong, Human Resources Asia-Pacific, The Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC) The Hong Kong universities’ senior management and faculty introduced the delegates to the universities’ facilities including: PolyU’s Industrial Centre and Jockey Club Innovation Tower; CityUHK’s brand-new Lee Shau Kee Student Residence Village in Ma On Shan; HKBU’s Jockey Club Campus of Creativity, Visualisation Research Centre, Dorothy Shen Wong News Studio, ArtsTech Student Projects Exhibition, and School of Chinese Medicine; LU’s new School of Data Science Building,  football pitch and other sports facilities, student hostels and the Art Gallery; CUHK’s Wu Yee Sun College and the School of Chinese Medicine; EdUHK’s The Arthur Samy Language Learning Centre, Mong Man Wai Library and the EdUHK Jockey Club Primary School; HKUST’s Cheng Kar-Shun Robotics Institute and the seaside student halls and facilities; HKU’s Main Building, Jockey Club Student Village IV and Tam Wing Fan Innovation Wing; Participants also had the opportunity to tour around Hong Kong, visiting sites such as Tai Kwun, Central, Yim Tin Tsai, Sai Kung town centre, the Hong Kong Palace Museum and the West Kowloon Cultural District. These visits allowed them to explore the city’s rich history, cultural heritage conservation, as well as development in art and culture. Universities in Hong Kong have strong and extensive student exchange programmes which provide overseas learning opportunities for Hong Kong students. It also brings in international exchange students to study in Hong Kong, which significantly contributes to campus internationalisation. Through fostering close ties with overseas university partners, universities in Hong Kong continue to promote higher education in the city, reinforcing the exchange of students, and helping Hong Kong to develop into an international higher education hub. The list of participating university partners is as follows: Australia: Charles Darwin University Curtin University Griffith University The University of Newcastle Austria: MCI The Entrepreneurial School Canada: University of Victoria Mount Royal University University of Montreal Croatia: Zagreb School of Economics and Management Czechia: Masaryk University University of Hradec Králové France: IESEG School of Management TBS Education Université Catholique de Lille Germany: EBS University for Business and Law, Germany Hochschule Heilbronn Konstanz University of Applied Sciences Leuphana University Lueneburg RWTH Aachen University University of Bayreuth University of Mannheim University of Regensburg Ireland: Trinity College Dublin Italy: University of Bologna Latvia: University of Latvia Lithuania: Vilnius University New Zealand: Auckland University of Technology Norway: NHH Norwegian School of Economics Poland: University of Warsaw Russia: Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University Spain: CUNEF University Sweden: Chalmers University of Technology KTH Royal Institute of Technology Linköping University Linnaeus University Switzerland: Zurich University of Teacher Education Türkiye: Sabanci University UK: Cardiff University City St George's, University of London Manchester Metropolitan University Queen Mary University of London Swansea University The University of Bath The University of Edinburgh The University of Sheffield University of Glasgow University of Reading University of St Andrews USA: Lehigh University Michigan State University San Francisco State University Stony Brook University Temple University Tulane University University of California Berkeley University of North Carolina at Greensboro University of San Francisco West Virginia University University partners visited City University of Hong Kong University partners visited Hong Kong Baptist University University partners visited Lingnan University University partners visited The Chinese University of Hong Kong University partners visited The Education University of Hong Kong University partners visited The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology University partners visited The University of Hong Kong University partners visited Yim Tin Tsai University partners visited Yim Tin Tsai University partners visited the Hong Kong Palace Museum  

PolyU hosts the first assistive technology symposium in Hong Kong to expedite adoption of technology in social welfare and healthcare industries

The Research Centre for Assistive Technology (RCATech) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) joined hands with the Association of Engineering and Medical Volunteer Services (EMV) to co-organise the symposium “Evolution of Assistive Technology Devices: Pathway to Equal Opportunity and Quality of Life in Hong Kong”, which was held on the PolyU campus on 14 December. The event brought together around 300 occupational therapists, physiotherapists and other healthcare professionals, from NGOs, public and private hospitals, rehabilitation clinics, and government departments, to share insights on the latest development of assistive technology devices in Hong Kong. The Symposium was officiated by Prof. David SHUM, Dean of the Faculty of Health and Social Sciences; Prof. Frank CHAN Fan, Hong Kong Deputy to the National People’s Congress and Honorary Advisor to RCATech of PolyU; Prof. Kenneth FONG, Associate Head of the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences and Director of RCATech of PolyU; and Mr Wilson CHEUNG, Vice-Chairman of the Executive Committee of EMV. In his welcoming speech, Prof. David Shum stated, “The PolyU Faculty of Health and Social Sciences has a long history of providing the best education for social and healthcare professionals and in conducting innovative and impactful research to solve complex social and health problems and to improve the well-being of humankind. It is the first time for RCATech to collaborate with EMV, an NGO partner, on hosting a symposium focused on assistive technology. By exploring the current development of assistive technology, participants were able to re-evaluate its impact on our society, particularly for individuals with disabilities in Hong Kong.” The Symposium featured 10 prominent speakers from the health technology sector and eight product showcases of assistive technology devices. Prof. Frank Chan provided profound insights into the transformative power of assistive devices in enhancing quality of life. He stated, “In our pursuit to advance assistive technology, the greatest reward we aspire to is the heartfelt gratitude from those we serve. Picture the joy in hearing someone say, ‘I used to be spoon-fed, but now I can eat by myself,’ or the relief in, ‘I felt ashamed when others had to clean my body, but you have given me the dignity to do it on my own.’ Imagine the profound impact of someone sharing, ‘Standing up and walking has always been my dream, and you have made it possible with the exoskeleton.’ These simple tasks, often taken for granted by many, represent monumental achievements for those unable to perform them independently. Your empowering support and compassionate care mean everything to them, profoundly transforming their lives.” Prof. Kenneth Fong stated, “Considering the ageing population together with half a million people with disabilities, there may be one million people who need assistive technology in Hong Kong. There is pressing need to develop assistive technology devices to support people with disabilities and their carers. The Research Centre for Assistive Technology will continue to advocate and strengthen research, development and commercialisation of assistive and rehabilitation technologies in Hong Kong and the GBA.” The Symposium strengthened industry collaboration and fostered networking opportunities that will help enhance public awareness in assistive technology and facilitate knowledge translation to community levels. Ms Catherine WAN, Executive Director of EMV, hopes that assistive technology can help everyone to improve their quality of life and achieve greater fulfilment.   ***END***

The Hong Kong Palace Museum and The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Launch the Joint Chinese Textile Centre

The Hong Kong Palace Museum (HKPM or the Museum) and The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) are pleased to announce the establishment of The Hong Kong Palace Museum – The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Joint Chinese Textile Centre (“the Centre”). Drawing on the unparalleled strength of the nearly 3,000 items from the Chris Hall Collection at the HKPM (“the Collection”), the promised gifts from the esteemed art collector Mr Chris HALL to the Museum, the Centre is committed to advancing global understanding and innovative application of Chinese historical textiles from different perspectives, ranging from art, history to science and technology, through research, teaching, training, public education, and publication projects. The Signing Ceremony of the collaborative agreement for The Hong Kong Palace Museum – The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Joint Chinese Textile Centre was held at the HKPM today. Witnessed by Mr Leo KUNG, Chairman of the HKPM Board; Dr LAM Tai-fai, PolyU Council Chairman; Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, PolyU President; and Mrs Betty FUNG, Chief Executive Officer of the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority, the Agreement was signed by Dr Louis NG, Museum Director of the HKPM and Prof. Ben YOUNG, PolyU Vice President (Student and Global Affairs). Combining the expertise and research capacity of HKPM in Chinese history, arts and culture, and that of PolyU in textiles, fashion and design, the Centre is well-positioned to lead and promote research, education, publication, and creative projects related to historical Chinese textiles. The Centre’s key focuses include the history of Chinese textiles, Chinese textile archaeology, and Chinese costume, as well as textile scientific research, textile technology, and the Silk Road. The Centre will provide PolyU with valuable resources for teaching, research, and outreach initiatives of its Faculty of Humanities, School of Fashion and Textiles, School of Design, and other faculties/departments as well as opportunities for PolyU faculty members and students to study the Collection. PolyU will also develop teaching materials and offer courses specialising in the history of Chinese textiles and silk by leveraging the Collection. Through the Centre, PolyU and HKPM will jointly organise academic activities focusing on historical Chinese textiles, including courses, seminars, workshops, and publications. Mr Leo Kung, Chairman of the HKPM Board, said, “The Hong Kong Palace Museum – The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Joint Chinese Textile Centre, established through the collaboration between two important institutions, provides an important platform to promote the study and appreciation of Chinese textiles culture globally. It also allows students and the public alike to explore the history and cultural heritage of Chinese textiles with the two institutions’ shared vision and mission of preserving and bringing forward Chinese culture. We extend our deepest gratitude to Mr Chris Hall for his generous promised gifts to the HKPM, which are one of the world’s most comprehensive and significant collections of historical Chinese textiles. With this collection, the HKPM is poised to play a leading role in the study and display of Chinese textiles and promote international exchange through exhibition, research, and education programmes.” Dr Lam Tai-fai, PolyU Council Chairman, said, “The establishment of the Joint Chinese Textile Centre marks a significant advancement for PolyU and the Hong Kong Palace Museum in promoting research, education, and the inheritance and innovation of Chinese textiles. As an innovative world-class university, PolyU has earned international acclaim for its academic and research achievements in textiles and design over the years. This collaboration will harness the strengths of both institutions to amplify the impact of this world-class Collection in research, teaching, contemporary fashion, and design. It aims to enhance global awareness and appreciation of Chinese textile art, while preserving the rich traditional Chinese culture and solidifying Hong Kong’s position as an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange.” A major exhibition featuring the Chris Hall Collection at the Hong Kong Palace Museum will be presented at the Museum next year The renowned Hong Kong-based Chinese textile collector, Mr Chris Hall, has offered the HKPM his promised gifts as “The Chris Hall Collection at the Hong Kong Palace Museum”. This collection includes nearly 3,000 works spanning from the Warring States period (475– 221 BCE) to the 21st century. It encompasses examples of all major categories in Chinese textiles with unique strength in areas, such as rank badges from the Ming and Qing dynasties and religious textiles. Accompanied by extensive research materials that include textile sample books, this collection will provide a key resource for the study of Chinese textiles. Mr Chris Hall will formally donate the Chris Hall Collection at the Hong Kong Palace Museum to HKPM in 2034. Starting from December 2024, part of the Collection will be transferred to the Museum’s premises as promised gifts, making HKPM the repository of one of the world’s most comprehensive collections of historical Chinese textiles. Featuring the Collection, the HKPM will present a large-scale survey exhibition in the second half of 2025 with the themes of the history of Chinese silk culture and the cross-cultural exchanges exemplified through textiles. The HKPM will lead the documentation and digitilisation projects for the Collection. Mr Chris Hall said, “My promised gifts to the Hong Kong Palace Museum are the fruition of my art collecting efforts over the past few decades. They testify to nearly three thousand years of history in China, its splendid culture, and the Chinese people’s pursuit of beauty. I am pleased to have the Hong Kong Palace Museum as the home of this Collection. I believe that the Centre will offer an interdisciplinary and international research and creative platform that brings together many exceptional experts in the fields of curation, research, education, and publication. The Centre will make the Collection more accessible and impactful, serving as a research resource for many students and scholars, and a source of inspiration for artists and designers. I hope that the Centre will help increase our historical and cultural knowledge and encourage the appreciation of the beauty of Chinese textiles by the general public.” Details of the Centre and the major exhibition featuring The Chris Hall Collection at the HKPM will be announced on the HKPM website in due course. Mr Chris Hall introduced the highlights from “The Chris Hall Collection at the Hong Kong Palace Museum”. ***END***

PolyU signs MoU with Southern Medical University to advance medical development and cultivate research talent

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and Southern Medical University (SMU) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 10 December, joining forces on advancing medical development through innovative research and nurturing medical talent, contributing to the global medical industry, human health and well-being. Witnessed by Prof. Christopher CHAO, Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU, and Mr ZHANG Yurun, Secretary of the Party Committee of SMU, the MoU was signed by Prof. DONG Cheng, Associate Vice President (Mainland Research Advancement) of PolyU, and Prof. LIU Shuwen, Vice President of SMU. PolyU and SMU will leverage their respective strengths to explore innovative research in cutting-edge medical technologies and enhance the quality of medical education. The collaboration aims to comprehensively improve healthcare service levels in both regions, and further promote the transformation and application of medical research and technological achievements. During their visit to PolyU, the delegation from SMU engaged in in-depth discussion on joint medical research, education and talent cultivation, exploring opportunities for deeper collaboration. Prof. Dong presented the latest developments and plans of PolyU in innovative research and interdisciplinary education. Prof. Liu provided a comprehensive overview of SMU’s development history, outstanding achievements and future vision. PolyU has extensive experience and a solid foundation in health science education and research, and has established collaborative partnerships with several universities, including SMU. The SMU delegation visited the University Research Facility in Behavioral and Systems Neuroscience and the University Research Facility in 3D Printing, to gain insights into PolyU’s leading research facilities and experimental technologies. These cutting-edge technologies and innovative outcomes demonstrate the University’s strong capabilities in medical research, laying a strong foundation for future collaboration between the two institutions. ***END***

PolyU launches space-themed programme to nurture talents for the Greater Bay Area

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is actively involved in national space missions, and is committed to fostering young people’s interests in space science and contributing to the Nation’s space achievements. In the 2024/25 academic year, PolyU has launched a space-themed programme “Pioneering the Moon: From Exploration to Base Construction”. A public lecture, given by Prof. WU Bo, Fiona Cheung Professor in Spatial Science, Associate Head (Research) of the Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics, and Associate Director of the Research Centre for Deep Space Explorations of PolyU, was held on campus on 7 December, attracting students from 94 secondary schools and international schools in Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area. The programme is organised by PolyU and sponsored by the Bank of China (Hong Kong), with the support of the Chinese Society of Astronautics and the Hong Kong Society of Astronautics. Prof. Wu provided an in-depth overview of lunar exploration achievements and potential strategies for lunar base development. The lecture aroused the students’ enthusiasm in the interactive Q&A session, demonstrating their keen interest in space exploration. The space-themed programme also includes two online lectures and a Lunar Base Design Competition. The online lectures will be held in mid-January 2025, featuring Dr Qi ZHAO, Assistant Professor of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering of PolyU, and Mr Eno LAM, Engineer of the Research Centre for Deep Space Explorations, and Space Systems Engineer of the Industrial Centre of PolyU. They will speak on “Lunar Base Construction” and “Our Nation’s Space Aspirations, Impacts, and Local Involvements” respectively, introducing students with deeper knowledge of aerospace. The Lunar Base Design Competition is now open for registration. Participating students can form teams to design a workspace that meets the needs of astronauts based on a chosen theme and propose innovative ideas for its future development. The competition is open to Secondary 3-5/Grade 9-11/Year 10-12/Gao-1 and Gao-2 students from secondary schools and international schools in Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area, with a deadline for submitting the proposals of 28 February 2025. For details of the space-themed programme “Pioneering the Moon: From Exploration to Base Construction”, please visit: https://www.polyu.edu.hk/geo/space/   ***END***

PolyU project develops library of polarised vdW heterobilayers for exploring novel 2D materials, securing support from NSFC/RGC Collaborative Research Scheme

Two-dimensional (2D) materials have broad application in various electronics such as computer memory. Stacking different 2D materials in layers through van der Waals (vdW) forces may further form heterobilayers with new properties and usages. Researchers from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) have proposed generating a library of vdW heterobilayers with specific properties to screen for materials that have significant development potential. Demonstrating fundamental impact on the next generation of nanoelectronics, photonics and spintronics, the project has received support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) and the Research Grants Council (RGC) Collaborative Research Scheme (CRS) 2024/25. Led by Prof. Daniel LAU Shu Ping, Chair Professor of Nanomaterials and Head of the Department of Applied Physics of PolyU, the project “A Library of Polarized Van Der Waals Heterobilayers: From Prediction to Realization” has been awarded funding of approximately HK$3.55 million under the CRS for a duration of 48 months. The project is in collaboration with Prof. JI Wei, Chair Professor of Renmin University of China. 2D vdW heterobilayers possess rich physical and chemical properties unique to their constituent monolayers. They are fundamentally intriguing and practically appealing to scientists seeking novel physics and design of next generation devices. In their previous research, Prof. Lau and the collaborative team demonstrated unexpected out-of-plane ferroelectricity and piezoelectricity in untwisted, commensurate, and epitaxial MoS2/WS2 heterobilayers synthesised by one-step chemical vapor deposition (CVD). This has aroused interest in exploring novel heterobilayers using CVD, and in the subsequent development of a vdW heterobilayers library. Developing multifunctional 2D polarised electronics is crucial for the next generation of low-power dissipation, high-density memory and integrated circuits. However, the current exploration of vdW heterobilayers relies on a trial-and-error approach. The project aims to develop a simulation model to accelerate the screening of a large number of 2D vdW materials for promising polarised heterobilayers for further experimental evaluation. The model will then be reinforced for more precise prediction, enriching the family of 2D materials with multifunctional properties while also contributing to a solid database of such materials. Prof. Daniel Lau said, “We anticipate that vdW heterobilayers could resolve the scalability and performance issues occurring in current 2D ferroelectrics. Furthermore, the results of our work may provide new insights into building high-density and energy-efficient next-generation non-volatile memory (NVM) and in-memory computing devices.” The project is expected to demonstrate full integration of vdW heterobilayers for high-density NVM, with the aim of stimulating research interest in and attracting attention to vdW heterobilayers for ferroelectricity among academics. Its outcome will also advance the commercialisation of emerging memory devices. The CRS aims to support larger-scale collaborative research across disciplines and/or across universities in the Mainland and Hong Kong, with a view to enhancing research output and impact on both sides. The six focus areas of the Scheme include Information Technology, Life Science, New Materials Science, Marine and Environmental Science, Medicine, and Management Science. ***END***  

PolyU signs MoU with CLP Power to nurture electrical engineering talents and promote innovative technology for advancement of Hong Kong power industry

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and CLP Power Hong Kong Limited (CLP Power) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) yesterday (11 December), joining forces to cultivate electrical engineering talents in Hong Kong that meet the needs of the power industry’s development. Witnessed by Prof. Christopher CHAO, Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU, and Mr Joseph LAW, Managing Director of CLP Power, the MoU was signed by Prof. CHUNG Chi-yung, Head of the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Chair Professor of Power Systems Engineering and Director of the Research Centre for Grid Modernisation of PolyU, and Mr Paul TOMLINSON, Chief Operations and Transformation Officer of CLP Power. This collaboration marks a significant step for PolyU and CLP Power in advancing education and fostering innovative research in electrical engineering. Both organisations will leverage their respective strengths and expertise to contribute to the cultivation of talent and technological development of the power industry in Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area (GBA). They will utilise advanced technologies, including the metaverse, immersive virtual environments, virtual reality(VR) and augmented reality(AR) to jointly develop innovative digital training and learning materials for students and the industrial practitioners. Students from the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at PolyU will be offered the opportunity to experience the real working environment of the power industry. This exposure will help them understand the industry’s operations and development, thereby enhancing their integrated skills in both theory and practice. Both organisations will also explore opportunities for academic and research collaboration. Prof. Christopher Chao said, “PolyU is thrilled to collaborate with CLP Power, marking a significant milestone in university-industry partnerships aimed at nurturing electrical engineering professionals. By combining academic theory with practical industry experience, we not only help students gain a thorough understanding of the power industry’s operations and the challenges it faces, but also enhance communication between university researchers and industry experts. This collaboration will also enable us to explore opportunities for jointly applying innovative technologies. Hong Kong takes justifiable pride in its world-class electricity supply reliability, which is among the best in the world. To maintain this competitive edge, it is essential to ensure a steady supply of skilled professionals. Through this partnership, we aim to cultivate future industry leaders and contribute to the sustainable development of the power industry in Hong Kong and the GBA.” Mr Joseph Law said, “CLP Power is pleased to strengthen our strategic partnership with PolyU through this new collaboration. The power industry navigates a key moment in the energy transition, where talent and advanced technologies are essential drivers of Hong Kong's journey toward a net-zero city by 2050 and supporting the continuous development of the society. At CLP Power, we place great importance on nurturing talent, advancing technology, and upholding our mission to continually enhance operational safety, power supply stability, and environmental performance. This collaboration with PolyU will cultivate future energy professionals to meet the evolving needs of both our industry and society at large.”   ***END***

PolyU multimodal robot for post-stroke ankle-foot rehabilitation wins CES 2025 Innovation Award

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is dedicated to pursuing pioneering research in frontier areas and to embracing a strong culture of knowledge transfer. By translating research excellence into impactful solutions, the University takes the lead in making a positive impact for societal benefits. The first-of-its-kind multimodal robot for ankle-foot rehabilitation, developed by PolyU, has been recognised as an Honouree in the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2025 Innovation Awards, reaffirming the effective impact of the University’s PolyImpact philosophy. For the second consecutive year, PolyU has been honoured in the Accessibility & Aging Tech category — the only university in Hong Kong to receive the recognition of this consumer technology award. Following triumph in winning a Gold Medal at the 49th International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva in April, the “Mobile Ankle-foot Exoneuromusculoskeleton”, developed by a research team led by Dr Xiaoling HU, Associate Professor of the Department of Biomedical Engineering, has been named as a CES Innovation Awards 2025 Honouree. The innovation has once again been recognised for its effectiveness in helping stroke patients with hemiplegia to improve the motor function of their lower limb and walking ability. Prof. Christopher CHAO, Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU, said, “Health technology is vital to the well-being of humanity. This award highlights PolyU's commitment to excellence in research, translating into innovative solutions that bring sustainable benefits to the community. We are thrilled by the achievements of PolyU's young researchers on the global research and consumer technology stage. The University will continue to support them in leveraging their strengths and expanding impactful research initiatives.” Stroke is one of the leading causes of disability worldwide. Stroke patients need intensive and long-term rehabilitation training to improve their physical mobility and quality of life. Powered by Internet of Things (IoT) technology, the “Mobile Ankle-foot Exoneuromusculoskeleton” is an innovative multimodal device that integrates the advantages of exoskeleton, soft pneumatic muscle, neuromuscular electrical stimulation and tactile sensory feedback in one system. The lightweight wearable design and a 9V rechargeable battery that can be used continuously for four hours, enables patients to pursue rehabilitation training anytime and anywhere. It can effectively correct post-stroke footdrop and foot-inversion and improve the gait and balance of stroke patients in self-help tele-rehabilitation. The IoT technology aligned with artificial intelligence (AI) enables automatic onsite coaching feedback to a stroke patient on their training performance via a mobile app. This allows remote supervision by healthcare professionals and longitudinal management of rehabilitative progress for optimised services, providing a cost-effective and easy-to-access solution for stroke patients’ rehabilitation treatment. Dr Xiaoling Hu said, “This technology and product can seamlessly integrate into routine rehabilitation services, enabling professionals to effectively assist more stroke patients. Through this flexible training approach, we hope to help stroke patients achieve more efficient rehabilitation progress and enhance their ability to perform daily activities, ultimately supporting their path towards greater independence in the long term.” Dr Hu also co-founded the startup Thecon Technology (HK) Limited in 2021 and plans to commercialise the Mobile Ankle-foot Exoneuromusculoskeleton next year. The annual CES is organised by the Consumer Technology Association and, as one of its representative awards, the CES Innovation Awards programme recognises and honours outstanding design and engineering in 33 consumer technology product categories. An elite panel of industry expert judges, including media professionals, designers and engineers, reviews submissions based on innovation, engineering and functionality, aesthetics, and design. The upcoming CES 2025 will be held in Las Vegas, the United States, from 7 to 10 January 2025. At the event, PolyU will showcase a range of innovative research projects in healthcare, smart cities, optometry, radiotherapy, AI and IoT sensing.   ***END***

PolyU research unveils critical role of humidity and indoor conditions in heatwave severity assessments, introducing a new framework for standardised heatwave indices

Unprecedented extreme heat represents a critical climate challenge, resulting in approximately 490,000 heat-related deaths globally each year, with 45% of these fatalities occurring in Asia. A study by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has revealed that some existing heatwave indices are unable to accurately capture heatwave severity in diverse geographical regions and climate conditions. It is suggested to include humidity and indoor environmental conditions in identifying a dangerous heatwave. The development of a global heat risk framework and early warning systems are also recommended to alleviate the impact of heatwaves on human health. The research findings have been published in the international journal Nexus. Working outdoors in high temperatures for extended periods can lead to heat stress, dehydration and heat-related illnesses. Currently, there is no global standard for measuring the severity of heatwaves, and each index has different definition of  dangerous heat stress. A research team led by Prof. Qihao WENG, Chair Professor of Geomatics and Artificial Intelligence of the Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics, Associate Director of the Research Institute for Land and Space, Director of the PolyU Research Centre for Artificial Intelligence in Geomatics, and Director of the Jockey Club STEM Lab of Earth Observations together with Postdoctoral Fellow Dr Pir MOHAMMAD, examined the effectiveness of six heatwave indices in identifying dangerous heatwave, including maximum daily air temperature, humidity index, humidex, wet bulb globe temperature, lethal heat stress index and universal thermal climate index. The research team conducted case studies on recent heatwave events observed in Spain and the United States in 2022, as well as in India in 2023. The results revealed that the lethal heat stress index, which combines temperature and humidity, is more effective in identifying dangerous heatwave days in a low-humidity environment compared to other indices. It can also differentiate between areas that are affected by extreme heat stress and those that are not. The other five heatwave indices failed to effectively identify dangerous heatwave conditions in diverse climate, geographic and meteorological conditions. Heatwave lethality depends not only on the maximum air temperature, but also on relative humidity, particularly in sub-tropical regions like Hong Kong. The study showed that, in humid conditions, even if the ambient temperature is only 28 °C, the saturated air moisture makes effective sweat evaporation and heat dissipation difficult and causes body temperature to rise faster, potentially leading to fatigue, dehydration or heat stroke. The team suggested that evaluating heat stress in humid conditions is crucial for better understanding the impact of heatwaves on human health, particularly for construction workers and agricultural labourers who spend substantial time outdoors. In addition, the existing heatwave indices, such as the Hong Kong Heat Index, which is based on outdoor environment conditions, rely on outdoor heat mapping data provided by climate services. However, most heat-related mortalities occur indoors. In Hong Kong’s densely populated environment with many high-rise buildings, residents of rooftop houses and subdivided flats are particularly vulnerable to extreme heat. With rapid global warming, the researchers emphasised that building morphology and material, overheating conditions, and air-conditioning are essential in calculating indoor heat stress. They also suggested revisiting thresholds to establish new global criteria for defining dangerous heatwave limits, considering varied climatic conditions and human adaptability based on age, gender and household conditions. Prof. Qihao Weng said, “Understanding the relations between climate, heat stress and health is crucial for formulating targeted adaptation and mitigation strategies. The findings underscore the need for a global heat risk framework and early warning systems, as well as the adoption of more sophisticated heat stress mitigation and adaptation measures by local authorities in response to rapid global warming.” Dr Pir Mohammad said, “The study highlights the potential gap between reported outdoor heat data and often overlooked indoor heat impacts. Integrating these perspectives could provide a more comprehensive understanding of heat-related risks and their public health implications and thus help establish a more precise evaluation of dangerous heatwave conditions.” The research team also discussed enhancing heatwave predictions to mitigate their impacts. They emphasised the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration among climate scientists, health professionals, policymakers and communities to safeguard public health in a changing climate. ***END***