Media Releases

Seven PolyU subjects rank in the global top 30 in QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025; Nursing climbs to highest place in a decade

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has excelled in the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings by Subject 2025, with seven subjects, across the disciplines of business, construction and environment, design, health, and hotel and tourism management, being placed in the global top 30. This reflects the international recognition PolyU has received for its academic and research achievements in multiple fields. PolyU ranked in the global top 30 for its subjects in Hospitality & Leisure Management (11th), Nursing (16th), Architecture & Built Environment (17th), Civil & Structural Engineering (17th), Art & Design (22nd), Marketing (22nd) and Environmental Sciences (27th). Among them, most notably, Nursing has climbed to its highest ranking in a decade, while Environmental Sciences came first in Hong Kong for the first time. Meanwhile, Hospitality & Leisure Management and Art & Design held onto first place among local universities. This year, the University has a total of 26 subjects breaking into the world’s top 100, including Data Science & Artificial Intelligence, which ranked 40th globally. Having identified artificial intelligence (AI) as one of its strategic research areas, earlier this year the University established the Faculty of Computer and Mathematical Sciences, while actively recruiting accomplished AI scholars from around the globe. It is also launching the new BSc (Hons) Scheme in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence in the coming academic year, and plans to establish the “AI+ Academy,” to fully leverage the University’s academic and research strengths in this emerging field. With its excellence in the disciplines of construction and environment, PolyU shines in several related subjects, among which are Architecture & Built Environment, Civil & Structural Engineering, and Environmental Sciences. Further harnessing its strength in these disciplines, PolyU will introduce the new BSc (Hons) in Architectural Studies in the coming academic year to cultivate more promising talent for the construction industry. Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, President of PolyU, said, “We are pleased with PolyU’s encouraging results in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025, which reaffirm the University’s world-leading position across various disciplines. PolyU aspires to be an innovative world-class university that pursues excellence in education, research and knowledge transfer. Moving forward, we will continue to strengthen our ties and cooperation with partners around the world, with the aim of playing an increasingly important role on the global higher education stage.” Covering over 1,700 universities from around the world, the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025 evaluates universities across 55 academic subjects and five broad subject areas, based on their academic reputation, employer reputation, citations per paper, the H-index and international research network.   ***END***

PolyU scholars discuss the latest developments in AI, demonstrating the University’s leadership in AI education and research

The PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research (PAIR) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) today hosted its inaugural Public Forum for Research and Innovation. Titled “DeepSeek and Beyond,” the keynote speech was delivered by Prof. YANG Hongxia, Associate Dean (Global Engagement) of the PolyU Faculty of Computer and Mathematical Sciences and Professor of the Department of Computing, who highlighted the latest developments in artificial intelligence (AI). The event attracted over a thousand participants, including faculty members, students, alumni, and leaders from the innovation and technology sector, as well as academics and the public. Additionally, over 390,000 viewers tuned in through the live streaming platforms. The Forum began with a welcoming speech delivered by Prof. CHEN Qingyan, Director of PAIR and Chair Professor of Building Thermal Science of the PolyU Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering. This was followed by Prof. ZHANG Chenqi, Chair Professor of Artificial Intelligence of the PolyU Department of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, and Director of the PolyU Shenzhen Research Institute introducing the speaker. Prof. Zhang said, “The development of large models is at the core of competition in the AI wave. DeepSeek has demonstrated that high-performance AI models can be achieved using fewer and less advanced graphics processing units (GPUs), demonstrating that cutting-edge AI technology can be realised through the optimisation of algorithms.” The large AI model developed by the mainland Chinese startup DeepSeek has garnered wide acclaim around the world for its low-cost, high-performance, and open-source framework, disrupting the traditional “computing power-first” logic of AI model training. At the Forum, Prof. Yang highlighted the potential of generative AI (GenAI), adding that it presents abundant opportunities for various sectors, including healthcare, finance, manufacturing, retail, media and fashion, and for applications in medical imaging analysis, fraud detection, predictive maintenance, retail inventory management, content creation, and design and marketing. Prof. Yang also recounted the evolution of AI and shared her professional milestones with the audience, notably the development of the M6 large model, which trained a 10-trillion-parameters model using just 512 GPUs. Prof. Yang further elaborated on how her GenAI project, Co-GenAI, improves the accessibility of AI technology while minimising dependence on large-scale centralised computing resources, thereby transforming the trajectory of AI progress. This ground-breaking effort has positioned Hong Kong and the Mainland at the forefront of global advancement in GenAI. Moderated by Prof. Zhang Chenqi, a panel discussion was also held, featuring esteemed panellists Prof. Yang Hongxia and Prof. LI Qing, Head and Chair Professor of Data Science of the PolyU Department of Computing, and Co-Director of the Research Centre for Digital Transformation of Tourism. The scholars discussed the opportunities and challenges that advancements in AI present for higher education and research. They also engaged in fruitful discussion with participants during the question-and-answer session. The topics included the application of AI in industry, the regulation of information, its impact on the employment environment and economic development, and the integration of AI technologies. PolyU is committed to advancing AI education and research. In January 2025, the University established the Faculty of Computer and Mathematical Sciences with a vision to lead global advancements in digital transformation and AI through distinguished education, research, and knowledge transfer. ***END***

PolyU unveils comprehensive zeolite structures, advancing development of catalysts for petrochemical and renewable energy

Zeolites, crystalline materials widely used in the petrochemical industry, serve as pivotal catalysts in the production of fine chemicals, with aluminium being the source of active sites within zeolite structures. A research team from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has revealed the precise location of aluminium atoms in the zeolite framework. This discovery could facilitate the design of more efficient and stable catalysts, aimed at increasing the yield of petrochemical products, achieving efficient renewable energy storage, and controlling air pollution. This advancement will further promote the application of zeolites in relevant fields. The findings have been published in the international journal Science. The research is led by Prof. Shik Chi Edman TSANG, Chair Professor of Catalysis and Materials of the PolyU Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology. He is joined by Prof. Tsz Woon Benedict LO, Associate Professor, along with first author Dr Guangchao LI, Research Assistant Professor, both from the same department. The team collaborated with researchers from the University of Oxford and the Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The unique properties of zeolites, characterised by their well-defined microporous structure, high surface area, and tuneable acidity and basicity, make them indispensable in petrochemical refining, environmental catalysis and fine chemical synthesis. The distribution of substitutional aluminium atoms within the zeolite framework influences the geometry of molecular adsorbates, catalytic activity, and shape and size selectivity. However, accurately locating these aluminium atoms and understanding their impact on the catalytic behaviour of zeolites has posed challenges for the scientific community for decades. In their research, the team focused on both lab-synthesised and commercial H-ZSM-5 zeolites to bridge the gap between fundamental research and practical application, optimising H-ZSM-5 for advanced catalytic processes. Notably, the team introduced an innovative approach that integrates synchrotron resonant soft X-ray diffraction — a powerful tool for studying atomic structure — with probe-assisted solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (SSNMR) and molecular adsorption methods. This integration revealed the interactions of molecules at the active sites of aluminium atoms. Ultimately, the team has achieved a breakthrough in locating single and pairs of aluminium atoms in a commercial H-ZSM-5 zeolite. The research findings will facilitate the development of more efficient and selective catalysts, which have wide-reaching implications beyond petrochemicals, offering potential benefits for industries such as renewable energy and pollution control. Reducing energy consumption, this can, in turn, promote sustainability and minimises environmental impact. With regard to petrochemical refining, these catalysts can improve fuel yield and quality, particularly for products like gasoline and olefins, simultaneously lowering energy usage. In the realm of environmental catalysis, they contribute to cleaner air and mitigating air pollution. For renewable energy and biofuels, these innovations advance hydrogen storage and utilisation processes, which are crucial for the development of a hydrogen economy. Prof. Edman Tsang said, “This discovery is a game-changer as it precisely identifies the location of aluminium atoms in the zeolite framework and how they are positioned, providing for the first time a structural elucidation of zeolite frameworks. This breakthrough allows scientists to design more efficient and targeted zeolite catalysts, making the chemical process faster, more energy-efficient and more environmentally friendly.” Prof. Benedict Lo said, “We explored and combined various techniques to achieve a multidimensional view of the distribution of aluminium atoms and their interaction with adsorbed molecules, leading to insights into crucial reaction mechanisms. This provides scientists with a deeper understanding of the structure of zeolites.” Dr Guangchao Li said, “We will develop further novel synthesis methods to precisely control the distribution and concentration of aluminium atoms, as well as their pore architectures in zeolites. This advancement will enable the design of catalysts with optimised activity, selectivity and stability for specific industrial applications.” Looking ahead, the team will work closely with industry partners to translate research outcomes into commercial applications. By leveraging the extensive networks and research strengths of the PolyU-Daya Bay Technology and Innovation Research Institute, which focuses on green chemistry and sustainable catalysis, the team will collaborate with domestic petrochemical companies to promote translational research and accelerate the commercialisation of advanced zeolite catalysts. This effort is bolstered by state-of-the-art PolyU facilities, including the only SSNMR facility in Hong Kong and the soon to be introduced first Dynamic Nuclear Polarisation SSNMR (DNP-SSNMR) spectrometer in the Greater Bay Area and southern China. These resources strengthen the team’s research capabilities and facilitate the advancement of their research efforts. ***END***

PolyU “We Care We Share – Community Tele-Rehabilitation Programme in Mainland China” receives funding from the Keswick Foundation, expanding its service network nationwide

The Department of Rehabilitation Sciences at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) launched the “We Care We Share” team in 2014 to provide rehabilitation services to residents affected by the 813 earthquake in Ludian, Yunnan, China. With this year marking the 10th anniversary since the establishment of the team, PolyU has received a donation of HK$6.1 million from the Keswick Foundation to implement the “We Care We Share – Community Tele-Rehabilitation Programme in Mainland China” (the Programme), which seeks to replicate the successful experience in Yunnan across north-western and north-eastern China, thereby expanding its community rehabilitation service network nationwide. The expanded programme aims to provide rehabilitation service training for 5,000 local students and professional medical personnel, benefiting 500 families over the next three years. Dr David LAM, Legislative Council member (Medical and Health Services); Prof. Miranda LOU, PolyU Executive Vice President; Mrs Clara WEATHERALL, Chairman of the Keswick Foundation Board of Governors; Prof. Angelina YUEN-TSANG, Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Keswick Foundation; Dr Laura LO, PolyU Associate Vice President (Institutional Advancement); Prof. David SHUM, Dean of the Faculty of Health and Social Sciences; Prof. Marco PANG, Head of the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences; Prof. YAO Liqing, Vice Chairman of the Yunnan Disabled Persons’ Federation and Associate Dean of the School of Rehabilitation at Kunming Medical University; Prof. MA Ting, Dean of the Rehabilitation School at Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine; Ms DUAN Chen-yuan, a recipient of the Programme; and Ms Atta YU, a student member of the “We Care We Share” team, jointly officiated at the launching ceremony. Dr David Lam said, “Rehabilitation is an essential extension of medical care. Based in Hong Kong, the PolyU ‘We Care We Share’ community rehabilitation service network supports rehabilitation services and personnel training in Yunnan, which has further developed into a nationwide professional service and training system. With breakthroughs in rehabilitation brought by technological applications of artificial intelligence and robotics, I believe PolyU can contribute to the Nation by leveraging its strength in this discipline.” Prof. Miranda Lou remarked, “The We Care We Share Community Rehabilitation Programme has been running for over a decade, with the PolyU Department of Rehabilitation Sciences providing rehabilitation services and therapist training to the local and neighbouring communities in Yunnan. Through professional knowledge, skills, therapeutic services and care, the Programme has not only transformed the recipients’ lives, but also brought hope to their families and communities. Today’s launching ceremony marks a new milestone for the Programme. We would like to once again express our gratitude to our charity partner, the Keswick Foundation, for their continued support, which enables us to keep moving forward and contribute more to the society.” Mrs Clara Weatherall said, “It gives me great pleasure to join you in celebrating the further expansion of this remarkable programme. What makes ‘We Care, We Share’ particularly special is how it combines expert professional care with practical, innovative community solutions. Together, we are empowering local professionals, communities, and families to build sustainable, lasting change.” The Programme has gained extensive experience in community rehabilitation over the years. With the support of the Keswick Foundation and leveraging technology to achieve tele-rehabilitation and interregional and interdisciplinary collaboration, the expanded programme will build a community-based rehabilitation service network nationwide. Through a three-dimensional model of “technology empowerment, community linkage and talent cultivation”, the Programme will leverage innovative rehabilitation medical technologies to provide support to more groups in need, while also raising societal awareness of the development of the rehabilitation profession. ***END***

PolyU and EdUHK co-host 2nd CILME Workshop to discuss application of metaverse and AI in future education

As educational technology continues to advance, it brings about tremendous changes and opportunities for the education sector. The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK) co-hosted the 2nd Centre for Immersive Learning and Metaverse in Education (CILME) Workshop (the Workshop) under the theme of “Metaverse and Artificial Intelligence for the Future of Education” on 21 February. Gathering leading scholars and experts from around the globe, it centred on the transformative impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and immersive technologies on education. The Workshop was co-organised by the PolyU-Hangzhou Technology and Innovation Research Institute. Co-founded by PolyU and EdUHK in 2023, CILME aims to develop a collaborative infrastructure for conducting interdisciplinary research on technology-enhanced learning to impact education. The Centre focuses on exploring how technology like virtual reality (VR), metaverse and AI, can enhance students’ cognitive processing, attention, memory, brain function and, ultimately, their learning. Prof. WONG Kwok-yin, PolyU Vice President (Education), said, “CILME is committed to promoting the application of metaverse and immersive technologies among teachers and educators through workshops, seminars and conferences. This workshop is an important chance for educators to share ideas and explore new concepts, building a collaborative environment that will have a considerable impact on education. As AI rapidly develops, we aspire to create a future where technology and education work hand in hand.” In his remarks, Prof. Chetwyn CHAN Che-hin, CILME Co-Director and EdUHK Vice President (Research and Development), emphasised the importance of interdisciplinary and inter-university collaboration in advancing research and applications of AI and metaverse in education. The Workshop featured two keynote speeches, by Prof. Sangmin-Michelle LEE of Kyung Hee University, Korea, and Prof. Yew-Soon ONG of Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. They discussed how AI technologies foster teaching innovations from different perspectives, and introduced the notion of developing digital human teachers that integrate VR and AI-assisted learning environments. Their speeches provided insights into the future development of AI-powered education, while also highlighting the critical role of metaverse technologies in this development. In the plenary sessions, scholars from PolyU and EdUHK presented their research findings on educational innovation with both theoretical and practical applications. Prof. HU Xiangen, Director of the PolyU Institute for Higher Education Research and Development, and Prof. Henry DUH, Director of the PolyU Research Centre for Cultural and Art Technology, explored the use of AI as an “interactive learning partner” in subjects related to language and design. Prof. Philip YU, Associate Director of the EdUHK University Research Facility of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, and Prof. Yanjie SONG, Associate Director of the EdUHK Centre for Excellence in Learning and Teaching, on the other hand, examined how VR platforms powered by large language models can improve both students’ language and communication skills, as well as their general knowledge. At the end of the Workshop, Prof. LI Ping, CILME Co-Director and Dean of the PolyU Faculty of Humanities, chaired a dynamic round-table discussion of critical issues related to technology-enhanced learning. Both face-to-face and offline participants actively engaged in the discussion, covering inspiring topics that included pedagogical design principles for enhancing student engagement, the roles of AI in education and the applications of AI to augment students’ higher-order thinking, problem-solving skills and personalised education.   ***END***

PolyU Jockey Club Design Institute for Social Innovation joins hands with Shaw Foundation to pioneer STEAMS programme, integrating social elements into I&T education

With Innovation and Technology (I&T) providing a key impetus for the future development of Hong Kong, nurturing a new generation of I&T talent with innovative thinking and diverse capabilities is of great importance. The Jockey Club Design Institute for Social Innovation (J.C.DISI) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has been supported by funding of HK$16 million from The Shaw Foundation to launch the five-year “Shaw STEAMS for Good” programme (the Programme), designing novel I&T teaching activities for upper primary and junior secondary students. The Programme’s launch ceremony, including the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with participating schools, was held today at the University campus. The Programme has adopted STEAMS, a pioneering concept in education which integrates “Social” components, such as social innovation and design thinking, into the framework of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) education. It aims to encourage students and educators to actively engage with and bring positive impact to society by leveraging their knowledge, taking forward the aspiration of “Education for Good.” Over the next five years, the Programme is expected to collaborate with 12 core schools, while also benefitting 30 network schools, and more than 900 teachers and 2,600 students. At the Ceremony, witnessed by Prof. Miranda LOU, PolyU Executive Vice President, and Dr Raymond CHAN, Chair of The Shaw Foundation, the MoU was signed by Prof. LING Kar-kan, PolyU Interim Vice President (Campus Development and Facilities) and Director of J.C.DISI, and the representatives of the five schools that have participated in the pilot programme. The schools are Good Hope School (Secondary Section), HKFYG Lee Shau Kee Primary School, Shatin Pui Ying College, Shun Tak Fraternal Association Seaward Woo College and Wah Yan College Hong Kong. At the Ceremony, Prof. Miranda Lou stated, “PolyU is dedicated to world-leading innovation and scientific research, advancing and transferring knowledge, and upholding a strong sense of social responsibility for the benefit of Hong Kong, the Nation and the world. We sincerely thank The Shaw Foundation for their generous support, enabling us to share our belief of ‘Education for Good’ with primary and secondary schools. This initiative will enhance the capabilities and resources of educators, while broadening students’ research perspectives from an early age and empowering them to become socially responsible future leaders.” Dr Raymond Chan added, “The Foundation’s philanthropy vision is grounded in the principle that ‘Give a man grain, and you feed him for a day; teach him to farm, and he will harvest for a lifetime’. We believe education is not only about nurturing talents but is also a driving force for social progress. A valuable attempt for the Foundation in advancing innovation and science education, the Programme is the first in Hong Kong to incorporate a ‘Social’ dimension into STEAM education, enriching it into STEAMS. It aspires to equip students with I&T knowledge while, at the same time, fostering their sense of social responsibility and commitment to community service. I would like to express my gratitude to the pilot anchor schools, whose enthusiasm and forward-thinking vision will help pave the way for a new chapter in developing STEAMS education in Hong Kong.” Elaborating on the Programme’s vision, Prof. Ling Kar-kan remarked, “J.C.DISI is dedicated to driving social change through the ‘Inno for Good’ initiative which focuses on six key innovation areas: Community for Good, Design and Service for Good, Care for Good, Aging for Good, STEAM for Good and Tech for Good. The Programme integrates design thinking and experiential learning pedagogy, providing students with task-oriented learning opportunities with a focus on real social issues. This ensures students are not only equipped with professional knowledge and technology skills, but are also enabled to apply their learning to practice and thus more fully unleash their potential.” Supported by the PolyU Global Engagement Office and a group of social innovation experts and academics in emerging fields like low-altitude economy and future food from the University, the Programme will design a series of student workshops, organise various activities outside the classroom, and develop the Learning/Living Lab as an immersive STEAMS learning space, the student-led “Shaw STEAMS for Good: Youth Summit,” and more. It will also propose a comprehensive STEAMS curriculum and establish an online STEAMS resource-sharing hub for educational purposes. For more information of and the application for the “Shaw STEAMS for Good” programme, please visit: https://www.polyu.edu.hk/disi/shaw-steams-for-good/.   ***END***

PolyU scholars propose policy recommendations to advance shipping ecosystem in Hong Kong with support from Strategic Public Policy Research Funding Scheme

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is committed to promoting research excellence to address societal challenges and opportunities by providing strategic insights. In response to intensifying competition in the global shipping market, PolyU scholars have conducted a comprehensive study of Hong Kong’s shipping ecosystem and developed policy recommendations aimed at fostering collaborative efforts to enhance the shipping ecosystem within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA). This project aligns with the long-term initiatives outlined in the 2024 Chief Executive Policy Address and has been supported under the Strategic Public Policy Research Funding Scheme (SPPRFS) 2024/25 of the Chief Executive’s Policy Unit of the HKSAR Government. This year, only two out of 37 applications received funding. Led by Prof. Mike LAI Kee-hung, Associate Dean (Academic Support) of the PolyU’s Faculty of Business, Chair Professor of Shipping and Logistics, and Interim Head of the Department of Logistics and Maritime Studies, the project “Policy Recommendations on Uplifting Hong Kong’s Status as an International Shipping Centre through Development Opportunities in the Greater Bay Area” has received more than HK$2 million funding support from SPPRFS 2024/25. The project adopts an ecosystem perspective to examine the local shipping industry. It analyses the components, development trends, industry interactions and adaptability of Hong Kong’s shipping industry to external changes, with the aim of identifying potential opportunities, particularly those brought about by the ongoing development of GBA, to enhance the City’s status as an international shipping centre. The project identifies benchmark characteristics of the shipping ecosystem and assesses how the interaction between the shipping industry’s related sectors fostering value creation and sustainable development. It also provides policy recommendations to leverage Hong Kong’s unique strengths and opportunities. Integrating quantitative analysis with qualitative case studies, industry survey, and expert interviews, the research draws on professional insights from the fields of shipping economics, policy studies and regional development. Prof. Lai said, “This project aims to provide substantial policy recommendations to enhance Hong Kong’s competitive edge in the global shipping landscape. By fostering collaboration with GBA stakeholders and focusing on core areas such as sustainability and technology adoption, we expect the research outcomes to positively impact Hong Kong’s economy and society while also offering valuable insights for other shipping hubs.” The SPPRFS is aimed at encouraging local think-tank experts and scholars (including those from universities and civil society think-tanks) to apply their expertise to conducting evidence-based research on key public policy issues and to facilitating the knowledge transfer of research findings to policy considerations, serving as a channel for the HKSAR Government to tap society’s public policy research expertise. ***END***

PolyU responds to the 2025-26 Budget measures

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) welcomes the new measures announced by the Financial Secretary in the government’s 2025-26 Budget that show the government’s commitment to seizing opportunities brought about by technological innovation. The University understands the need for the government to adjust the funding for the UGC-funded universities in the coming three years, and will implement a range of measures aimed at better allocating and saving resources, standing together with the government during challenging times. PolyU supports the government’s series of measures in developing Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a core industry, including the “AI Subsidy Scheme” to support research and development (R&D) projects led by local universities, as well as establishing the new Hong Kong AI Research and Development Institute and the operation of AI Supercomputing Centre to facilitate relevant R&D, transform the R&D outcomes, and expand application scenarios. As one of its strategic research areas, PolyU is planning to establish an “AI+ Academy”, with focus on pioneering research in AI-assisted diagnosis and treatment. In addition, the University has launched the Faculty of Computer and Mathematical Sciences earlier this year, and offers AI-related master programmes, such as in Artificial Intelligence and Big Data Computing and Generative AI and the Humanities, in response to the demand for talent and technology in the AI era. PolyU is pleased to see that the government continues to allocate resources for advancing the development of emerging industries. These measures include the establishment of the third InnoHK research cluster focusing on advanced manufacturing, materials, energy and sustainable development; funding local universities to set up life and health technology research institutes to foster cross‑university/institutional and multi-disciplinary collaboration; and the launch of a new round of Research Matching Grant Scheme totalling $1.5 billion to attract more organisations to support research endeavours of institutions. PolyU has a robust research foundation in these areas and will continue to drive impactful and innovative research, accelerating the translation of research outcomes into practical solutions. PolyU also supports the various measures to promote new industrialisation in Hong Kong, including the Innovation and Technology Industry-Oriented Fund aiming to channel more market capital into emerging and future industries, and an I&T Accelerator Pilot Scheme designed to provide funding to professional startup service agencies, with a view to enriching Hong Kong’s startup ecosystem. Aligning with these policies, PolyU will continue to provide startups with comprehensive support through its PolyVentures startup ecosystem. PolyU President Prof. Jin-Guang TENG welcomed the government’s prioritisation of resource allocation for the development of the Northern Metropolis, as it provides impetus for the growth of the innovation and technology industry and promotes Hong Kong as an international hub for tertiary education. He said, “PolyU fully supports the development of the Northern Metropolis and places high importance on the preparatory work for establishing Hong Kong’s third medical school.  With over 45 years of extensive experience in healthcare education, PolyU has trained over 52,000 graduates across various healthcare professions. The University offers a wide range of programmes, including physiotherapy, occupational therapy, radiotherapy, optometry, medical laboratory science, speech therapy, and nursing. In addition to its state-of-the-art teaching and research facilities, PolyU is well-positioned to establish a medical school. The University can harness the synergy among its diverse programmes to cultivate talent in a cost-effective manner.” The Budget also proposes to step up the promotion of the “Study in Hong Kong” brand to attract more outstanding non-local students by increasing the quota of the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme and continuing the Belt and Road Scholarship, further solidifying Hong Kong’s position as an international post-secondary education hub. This aligns with PolyU’s dedication to fostering an international and diverse campus and its endeavour to organise recruitment and promotion events in various emerging markets and to attract more students from Belt and Road countries to study in Hong Kong. ***END***  

PolyU celebrates achievements of startups supported by PolyVentures and kicks off inaugural International Future Challenge

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) yesterday hosted the PolyVentures Awards Presentation cum PolyU International Future Challenge Kick-off Ceremony to celebrate the University’s achievements in entrepreneurial development and the spirit of collaboration. The PolyU InnoHub@BHIC, a collaboration with Shougang Holding (Hong Kong) Limited, was also unveiled during the event marking an important step in the University’s initiative to expand the PolyU InnoHub network. Ranking among the world’s top 100 universities, PolyU is dedicated to advancing innovation and entrepreneurship (I&E) development that benefits the world. Through PolyVentures, its signature startup ecosystem, the University bolsters PolyU startups at every stage of their entrepreneurial journeys – from education and ideation to incubation, acceleration and fundraising. PolyU startups are offered comprehensive resources and support in the form of training, mentorship, shared office spaces, funding, and networking opportunities with business partners and investors. A variety of support programmes and schemes have achieved significant success, exemplified by the 2023/24 intake of the PolyU Micro Fund, which attracted a record of over 100 startups. The Ceremony honoured over 100 teams and startups that have received support from PolyU Micro Fund, PolyU Angel Fund (TSSSU-O), PolyU Angel Fund (TSSSU+), and the PolyU Entrepreneurship Investment Fund, as well as the Research, Academic and Industry Sectors One-plus Scheme (RAISe+) under the HKSAR Innovation and Technology Fund in addition to those which have earned recognition in various innovation competitions. The latest cohort of postdocs of the Translational Startup Postdoc Programme were also commended. Concurrently, an exhibition was held to showcase 23 outstanding PolyU startups and their products or services, demonstrating their remarkable strengths and accomplishments in addressing global challenges with ground-breaking solutions. Prof. Wing-tak WONG, PolyU Deputy President and Provost, congratulated the teams and wished them continued success as they grow. He said, “As an innovative world-class university at the forefront of cutting-edge innovations, PolyU is passionate about advancing the innovative and technology development of both Hong Kong and the Nation. We take pride in our rich heritage of nurturing the next generation of entrepreneurs and promoting the translation of research outcomes through the PolyVentures ecosystem, which has nurtured more than 500 startups over the years, including four unicorns. We hope that University recognition will encourage young entrepreneurs to forge ahead and inspire others with their entrepreneurial endeavours.” During the Ceremony, the PolyU International Future Challenge was officially inaugurated. Hosted by PolyU, this flagship I&E competition integrates education, incubation, research translation, project landing and investment. It features a unique “1+N” framework, where “1” represents the Hong Kong main track and “N” the multi-regional tracks across Mainland cities and regions, such as Wenzhou, Shanghai, Jinjiang and Xinjiang. In each track, leading enterprises will serve as sponsors and strategic partners to provide problem statements, while participating teams will compete for attractive prizes by developing demand-driven solutions to these real industry problems. The winning teams of all tracks will fight for top prizes in the finale. With all tracks open to startups and innovators from Hong Kong, the Mainland and across the globe, the competition provides a dynamic platform for participants to accelerate the development and commercialisation of their cutting-edge technologies into successful ventures that contribute to socioeconomic advancements in the various regions. The winning teams could receive support from PolyVentures, including project acceleration, funding pipelines, roadshows, and fundraising recommendations, as well as to facilitate commercialisation through the incubation centres of PolyU’s Mainland Translational Research Institutes. The kick-off ceremony of the Challenge was inaugurated by representatives of various partners, including sponsors Glorious Sun Group and Waterdrop Inc., and strategic partners Cathay, Nike, NTT, Hong Kong Kowloon Group, CHINT Group and Surrich International Company Limited. Founded by 2024 Outstanding PolyU Alumni Awardee Mr SHEN Peng, Waterdrop Inc. is a leading technology platform dedicated to insurance and healthcare services. The eventful evening also featured the unveiling ceremony of PolyU InnoHub@BHIC. This Centre, a collaboration between PolyU and Shougang Holding (Hong Kong) Limited, is located in the Beijing-Hong Kong Innovation Centre (BHIC) in Wanchai, a facility owned by Shougang and Global Digital Creations Holdings Limited. As a PolyU off-campus co-working space, it aims to foster a vibrant ecosystem for I&E by providing workspace for PolyU startups and facilitating collaborations between Hong Kong and Beijing. It also seeks to match up startups with industry partners and investors, and identify practical application scenarios for their technologies. By promoting collaboration along the industry chain, the Centre aims to ultimately strengthen the innovation landscape in both Hong Kong and Beijing. The Ceremony honoured the startups which have received PolyU Entrepreneurship Investment Fund. The Ceremony honoured the startups which have received fundings from RAISe+ Scheme under the HKSAR Innovation and Technology Fund. The latest cohort of postdocs of the Translational Startup Postdoc Programme were commended at the Ceremony. Prof. Wing-tak Wong congratulated the teams and postdocs, and wished them continued success as they grow. An exhibition was held to showcase 23 outstanding PolyU startups and their products or services. ***END***

PolyU develops real-time system for monitoring atmospheric corrosion on buildings in Hong Kong

Located in a subtropical region facing the South China Sea, during summer Hong Kong experiences high salinity in the warm sea air which corrodes the metal structures of buildings. To address this challenge posed by the humid environment, researchers from the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) have developed a real-time monitoring system to evaluate the impact of atmospheric corrosion on steel structures and components in buildings. This system has been deployed to monitor the structural corrosion of a newly-built research complex and a housing project. Based on the data collected, targeted protective measures have been proposed to help achieve sustainable building development. Prof. Kwok-fai CHUNG, Professor of the PolyU Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Director of the Chinese National Engineering Research Centre for Steel Construction (Hong Kong Branch), along with his team, have been conducting atmospheric exposure tests at seven sites across Hong Kong since 2010. The results indicate that the corrosion rate of carbon steel typically ranges from 30 to 40 µm per year, whereas zinc and galvanised steel used for outdoor construction exhibit corrosion rates of approximately 3 µm per year. The commercial complexes located around Victoria Harbour are particularly vulnerable to year-round atmospheric corrosion, which compromises the durability of buildings and structures and can even pose safety risks. To assist engineers and professionals in formulating more effective building maintenance strategies, Mr Ka Fai YUEN, PhD student from the PolyU Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering has developed a real-time corrosion monitoring system under the supervision of Prof. Kwok-fai Chung. Between 2020 and 2024, Mr Yuen collected approximately 40,000 real-time corrosion and environmental datasets per year from seven different buildings across Hong Kong. Utilising advanced electrochemistry technology integrated with remote sensing and AI-supported data analytics, the system can evaluate the effects of corrosive chemicals such as chlorine ion, sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxide, as well as collect climatic data including temperature and humidity on steel members and structures. The system significantly improves upon the accuracy of conventional corrosion prediction models and enables long-term corrosion monitoring and assessment for buildings in Hong Kong. Led by Prof. Chung, the Chinese National Engineering Research Centre for Steel Construction (Hong Kong Branch), has been invited by the Hong Kong Construction Industry Council and Hong Kong Council of Social Service (HKCSS) respectively to apply the system for corrosion monitoring in the InnoCell at Hong Kong Science Park and technical monitoring of Nam Cheong 220, a social housing project coordinated by HKCSS, to validate the effectiveness of the system and provide critical data for developing appropriate building maintenance strategies. InnoCell is the first building in Hong Kong to adopt a modular integrated construction (MiC) approach. During the two-year monitoring period, the team assessed the corrosion rates of steel structures and their components in both indoor and outdoor environments. The findings revealed that the corrosion rate of steel in indoor environments is only one-third of that in outdoor environments, demonstrating that atmospheric conditions play a significant role in corrosion assessment. Therefore, different levels of corrosion protection should be implemented for indoor and outdoor steel components, with priority given to protecting external steel components to enhance their durability and lifespan. Nam Cheong 220 is Hong Kong’s first structural steel social housing project to adopt modular integrated construction (MiC) technology. The team’s monitoring results showed that the corrosion condition of this type of building was similar to typical buildings in Hong Kong, with no significant corrosion damage observed. These findings align with the inspection results of the steel components during the building’s deconstruction and relocation process, demonstrating that MiC technology is suitable for repeated use and offers an ideal solution for the reuse and relocation of transitional housing. Prof. Kwok-fai Chung said, “Hong Kong’s unique tropical climate and marine environment make atmospheric corrosion a critical issue for buildings. The results of this study will help develop more effective building maintenance strategies, prolonging the lifespan of buildings and structures with reduced manpower and lower cost, thereby contributing to the sustainable development of society.” Mr Ka Fai Yuen said, “PolyU has provided me with invaluable opportunities to apply my knowledge and research findings in practical ways to address societal challenges. These experiences are essential for my future research and personal development.” ***END***