News

International Research Summer School 2026 Successfully Concludes

The International Research Summer School (IRSS) 2026 has officially come to a close. From 29 June to 9 July 2026, more than 60 outstanding prospective researchers from around the world came together at PolyU for two weeks of research exploration and cultural exchange, including participants from Chinese Mainland, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Hungary, Russia, Canada, and beyond. Designed to give students a taste of PhD life at PolyU, this year's programme featured four cutting-edge research themes: Artificial Intelligence, Materials Science & Advanced Manufacturing, Life Science & Health Technology, and Energy & Sustainable Development. From laboratory tours and seminars to hands-on research workshops, collaborative research proposal competition, and conversations with potential supervisors, participants immersed themselves in the PolyU research environment while building their skills, confidence, and understanding of doctoral studies. Beyond campus, students also experienced the vibrant culture of Hong Kong through visit to the Hong Kong Palace Museum, a traditional Chinese dining experience, and a ride on an iconic open-top double-decker bus. We hope all participants enjoyed a rewarding and memorable summer at PolyU and in Hong Kong. We look forward to welcoming many of them back as future PolyU postgraduate researchers.

PolyU 3MT 2026: Transforming Research into Impactful Stories

Jointly hosted by the Graduate School (GS) and the English Learning Centre (ELC), the PolyU 3 Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition 2026 was successfully held on 6 July 2026. We were delighted to witness our research students transform years of dedicated research into compelling three-minute presentations supported by one single slide. Through outstanding communication and storytelling, the 10 finalists brought complex ideas to life, captivating both the judges and the audience while showcasing the real-world impact of their research. Winners of PolyU 3MT 2026: Champion YANG Shihui, Yvette Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Construction and Environment Chief Supervisor: Prof. LEU Shao-Yuan “Smart Microbes: Rewriting the Story of Food Waste to Energy” 1st Runner-up SHEK Tsz Chin, Phoebe Department of Language Science and Technology, Faculty of Humanities Chief Supervisor: Prof. Elaine Kwong “From Mechanism to Automation: Investigating the Efficacy of Swallowing Maneuver Training” 2nd Runner-up LEE Pui Kei, Peggy Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Faculty of Science Chief Supervisor: Prof. Daisy Zhao “Chinese Sweet Tea - A ‘Sweet’ Remedy for Obesity-associated Metabolic Disorders” People’s Choice Award ZHU Lin Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Faculty of Engineering Chief Supervisor: Prof. LIU Liang “Human–AI Interaction in Digital Platforms: Studies on the Impacts of Generative AI Applications” Congratulations to all our winners! Our Champion will represent PolyU at the Asia-Pacific 3 Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition, showcasing the University's research excellence on the regional stage. Learn more about PolyU 3MT

Strengthening RPg Supervision Through Mediation

On 3 June, the Graduate School (GS) hosted a Mediation Workshop for RPg Supervisors, delivered by the Hong Kong Mediation Centre (HKMC). The workshop introduced the fundamentals of mediation and examined how these skills can be applied to build and sustain positive, effective supervisory relationships. The session opened with a welcome note from Prof. XIA Yong, Associate Dean of GS. Prof. Francis LAW, President of HKMC, then shared his expertise on practical strategies for conflict resolution and constructive dialogue. Using real-life scenarios, Prof. Law facilitated interactive group discussions, where participants exchanged perspectives and explored approaches to improving supervisor-student communications. Upholding our ongoing commitment to supporting staff development and enhancing students’ learning experience, GS will continue rolling out targeted professional development sessions that empower our academic team, strengthen collaboration across the university and foster a more harmonious academic environment for both supervisors and RPg students.

Two PolyU PhD Students Awarded the For Our Future Innovation and Technology Scholarship

Congratulations to Mr CHING Chi Fung, Jerry from the Department of Health Technology and Informatics and Mr TSANG Ka Wing from the School of Design for being awarded the For Our Future Innovation and Technology Scholarship 2025/26! Hosted by the Greater Bay Area Homeland Youth Community Foundation, this scholarship supports full-time local PhD students in STEM fields, fostering youth engagement in innovation and technology. Jerry Ching (Chief Supervisor: Prof. Shara Lee) Jerry’s research focuses on predicting treatment-related toxicities in patients with prostate cancer treated with stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT). His AI-driven models aim to identify patients prone to toxicity, enabling more personalised treatment that preserves quality of life and reduces clinical and economic burdens. “As a PhD student and a registered radiation therapist, I’m committed to advancing patient care and proactively supporting Hong Kong’s development as an International Health and Medical Innovation Hub.” Ka Wing Tsang (Chief Supervisor: Prof. Yan Tina Luximon) Ka Wing’s research focuses on the sensory design of robot skin to make companion robots more comforting and emotionally engaging. By bridging technology with human psychology, his work aims to create solutions that truly resonate with users. “I am honoured to receive this scholarship, which supports my research into the sensory design of companion robots. By studying how tactile and thermal properties of robot skin shape human‑robot bonding, I aim to create empathetic robotic companions that provide emotional support and alleviate social isolation.”

PolyU Best Research Postgraduate Student of the Year 2025

We are proud to recognise three Best Research Postgraduate Students of the Year 2025, whose innovative research is shaping the future of engineering, mobility, and healthcare. Congratulations to the three awardees for their remarkable achievements! Your vision and dedication inspire the future of smart, safe, and sustainable innovation. ️Click HERE to learn more about their research passion!

PhD Internship Recruitment Talk with China Mobile Hong Kong

On 16 April, GS co-hosted an internship recruitment talk with China Mobile Hong Kong (CMHK) — one of our corporate partners for the PhD Student Internship Scheme. The session gave students a comprehensive overview of the Scheme and introduced the exclusive internship opportunities available at CMHK. The session began with an introduction by Prof. Kenneth Fong, Associate Dean of the Graduate School, who walked through the Scheme in details, including application eligibility and key timelines, helping students grasp the overall framework. Ms Rachel Leung, a representative from CMHK, then shared insights into the company’s internship opportunities and unique strengths. A highlight of the session was the firsthand sharing by three PolyU PhD interns at CMHK — Mr LIU Yanwen (Department of Applied Mathematics), Mr WANG Rui (Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering), and Mr ZHANG Bihai (Department of Computing). They recounted their personal experiences of applying their research expertise to real-world projects and shared a genuine glimpse into CMHK’s team culture and day-to-day work life. For PolyU PhD Student Internship Scheme, please refer to HERE.

URIS Student Named First Hong Kong Undergraduate Finalist at IEEE IMS2026

The Graduate School (GS) is proud to share that Mr HUANG Yixuan, an Undergraduate Research and Innovation Scheme (URIS) student from the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering (Supervisors: Dr ZHOU Xinyu and Professor LOO Ka Hong), has been selected as a finalist for the Best Student Paper Award at the 2026 IEEE International Microwave Symposium (IMS). This marks the first time a Hong Kong undergraduate has been recognized at IMS, the world’s premier conference in microwave and radio frequency engineering. Yixuan’s paper, “High-Efficiency VHF Class-Φ2 Power Amplifier with a GaN Sinusoidal Resonant Gate Driver”, introduces an innovative approach to high-frequency power amplification. His work achieves significant improvements in efficiency and performance in the very high frequency (VHF) band, tackling a critical challenge for next-generation wireless communication systems. The paper will be presented at IMS2026 in the United States this June. A big congratulations to Yixuan! This achievement not only exemplifies the extraordinary potential of PolyU’s undergraduate researchers, but also reaffirms GS’s commitment to nurturing young research talents through URIS. Learn more about IEEE IMS About URIS The Undergraduate Research and Innovation Scheme (URIS) is a prestigious two‑year programme at PolyU that empowers undergraduates to initiate and conduct research under the one-to-one supervision of PolyU academics. The programme provides structured and integrated research training, aiming to equip students with intellectual rigour and innovative capacity to excel in scholarly and professional pursuits. Learn more about URIS

Strengthening Research Ties Between PolyU and Singapore A*STAR

On 1 April, we were honoured to welcome a delegation from the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) to PolyU. As Singapore’s lead public sector R&D agency, A*STAR plays a pivotal role in advancing science, bridging academia with industry and nurturing scientific talent for the wider research community. Guests began with a tour of our state-of-the-art laboratories, followed by an overview of the university delivered by Professor Christopher Chao, Senior Vice President (Research & Innovation) of PolyU. Professor Zuankai Wang, Dean of Graduate School, together with colleagues from other units, showcased the university’s latest developments. Highlights ranged from our collaborative PhD programmes, Hong Kong’s research and innovation landscape, our research excellence, funding opportunities, AI ethics and data governance, and the new establishment of the PolyU Aerospace Research Academy. A forward-looking dialogue brought both institutions together to explore ways to deepen collaboration in areas such as talent mobility, joint PhD supervision, and research initiatives. The exchange also provided valuable insights into the evolving research ecosystems of Hong Kong and Singapore. The visit marks an important step in building bridges of innovation and talent — not just between PolyU and A*STAR, but also across the broader Hong Kong-Singapore research partnership. Together, we look forward to nurturing young researchers and driving collaborative efforts to new heights.

Graduate School Celebrates Outstanding Research Postgraduate Alumni Award 2025

The Outstanding Research Postgraduate Alumni Award 2025 Presentation Ceremony was successfully held on 31 March 2026, celebrating the remarkable achievements of three distinguished RPg alumni and highlighting the enduring bond between PolyU and its graduates. Professor WANG Zuankai, Dean of Graduate School congratulated the awardees with a heartfelt message: "Our outstanding alumni began their research journeys at PolyU and have since demonstrated remarkable dedication, innovation, and leadership in their fields. Their achievements bring pride to their departments and to the university as a whole, while setting a powerful example that will inspire the students who follow." Outstanding Research Postgraduate Alumni Awardees 2025: Dr DONG Zhenhua - PhD 2016, Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering - Chief Architect of Optical Distribution Networks, Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd Professor DUAN Yuanfeng - PhD 2004, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering - Changjiang Scholar Distinguished Professor, Guangxi University/Zhejiang University Outstanding Research Postgraduate Young Alumni Awardee 2025: Professor LI Danfeng - MPhil 2011, Department of Applied Physics - Associate Professor of Physics and Associate Dean (Research and Postgraduate Education), City University of Hong Kong The ceremony featured inspiring videos, personal sharing, and a joyful celebration with supervisors, department heads, and guests. Congratulations once again to our awardees, your success stories inspire the next generation of RPg students and reaffirm PolyU’s commitment to nurturing excellence. Learn about the awardees HERE.

PolyU Hosts Historic Qian Weichang International Summit 2026

The inaugural Qian Weichang International Summit (QWIS) wrapped up successfully on 30-31 March 2026. Under the theme “Interdisciplinary Advances in Science and Engineering”, this landmark academic event was held in honour of Prof. Qian Weichang, widely recognised as China’s “Father of Mechanics”, and served as a dynamic hub for global scientific exchange. Organised by the Graduate School of PolyU and sponsored by the K.C. Wong Education Foundation, the QWIS brought together leading academics from top institutions across the globe to exchange cutting-edge research insights and jointly drive interdisciplinary innovation in science and engineering. The QWIS featured eight world renowned plenary speakers from MIT, Imperial College London, Tsinghua University, University of Cambridge, École Polytechnique, Zhejiang University, Beijing Institute of Technology, and the Guangdong Institute of Intelligence Science and Technology. Their inspiring presentations spanned mechanics, medicine, electronics, energy, and materials science, sparking new ideas for cross disciplinary collaboration. Another highlight of the QWIS was the presentation of the Qian Weichang Young Scientist Awards, recognising exceptional early career researchers in science and engineering. Prof. Song Bai (Peking University) and Prof. Zhao Ruike (Stanford University) were named the two laureates. Beyond plenary sessions, the QWIS also hosted over 70 parallel sessions covering advanced manufacturing, energy science, materials, data science, smart cities, health sciences and more, fostering in-depth global academic dialogue and fueling interdisciplinary innovation. The QWIS was a proud moment for PolyU, reaffirming the university’s unwavering commitment to global academic collaboration, advancing interdisciplinary research and nurturing the next generation of scientific talent to address global challenges.