Student Affairs Office E-newsletter Issue 9

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A Glamorous Transformation in Sports: The Next Level

On 20 March, Block X Sports Centre played host to an exhilarating sports demonstration - "A Glamorous Transformation in Sports: The Next Level; Ma Long at PolyU: Elite Exchange" - featuring legendary Olympic Table Tennis gold medallist, Ma Long.

Ma Long, widely regarded as one of the best players in table tennis, captivated the audience with his unparalleled precision, speed and signature technique. Throughout the demonstration and interactive game with members of the PolyU Table Tennis team, he displayed the mastery that earned him multiple Olympic titles, leaving fans in awe of his rhythmic footwork and powerful strokes.

The event was a resounding success, drawing a crowd of approximately 300 enthusiastic spectators. The atmosphere was electric as Ma Long interacted with the crowd and shared professional insights.

(The video is provided by the Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China)

Link University Scholarship Presentation Ceremony 2025/26

Sixteen first-generation PolyU entrants were awarded the Link University Scholarship in 2025/26. The Scholarships recognise outstanding performance in academics and community service, and serve as encouragement for students to pursue their dreams. The outstanding PolyU students were presented their scholarship certificates at the Link University Scholarship Presentation Ceremony on 24 January 2026.

Flag-raising Ceremony - PolyU and Guizhou University Join Forces

On 1 January 2026, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University hosted a joint flag-raising ceremony with the Guizhou University Student Flag-Raising Team, who travelled to Hong Kong for the event. The visit reinforced ties and national education collaboration between the two institutions following the PolyU team’s exchange visit to Guizhou University in May 2025. The two teams rehearsed together and performed a synchronised foot drill that showcased precision and teamwork. Guests enjoyed a guided tour of the University Gallery led by a student docent from the PolyU Student Flag-Raising Team, who shared their insights into the University’s history and development. The day concluded with a symposium on national education initiatives, fostering discussions on shared goals and future collaboration. The event underscored PolyU’s commitment to mutual understanding and educational partnership.

“INSPIRE” Mentorship Programme Annual Gathering 2025

The “INSPIRE” Mentorship Programme Annual Gathering 2025 was held on 16 January 2026 at Hotel ICON, bringing together 260 mentors and their mentees to reflect on another year of growth and development.

Centred on the theme “Engage, Empower, Evolve”, the event underscored the Programme’s commitment to strengthening connections, fostering knowledge transfer and encouraging a global outlook among participants. A special address by Mr Liu Sing Cheong, the visionary behind “INSPIRE”, further highlighted the long-term aspirations and core principles of the initiative.

With an inspiring sharing and a performance by the PolyU Student Affairs Office Philharmonic Orchestra, the evening reinforced “INSPIRE” as a key platform for nurturing talent, supporting professional development and promoting lifelong learning within the PolyU community.

Presentation Ceremony for Outstanding Student Award and Presidential Student Leadership Award 2025/26

The Outstanding Student Award and Presidential Student Leadership Award Presentation Ceremony 2025/26 was held on 19 March 2026 at Hotel ICON, recognising achievements in academic excellence and leadership of 57 PolyU students. The event was attended by Prof. Jin-Guang Teng, PolyU President, along with members of the PolyU Senior Management Team, Faculty Deans, Department Heads, parents and friends of the awardees. The occasion provided a valuable platform for an exchange of experiences and insights, fostering a spirit of collaboration within the PolyU community.

Our heartfelt congratulations go to the Most Outstanding PolyU Student, Miss He Jingyun from the Faculty of Science, and to Mr Edwin Lam from the Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, recipient of the President's Distinguished Student Leadership Award. We are truly proud of our awardees and look forward to their continuing to pursue excellence in their studies and careers, and to making meaningful contributions to the community, as they embark on a bright future.

Outstanding Contribution Award Presentation Ceremony for Student Flag-Raising Team

The Outstanding Contribution Award Presentation Ceremony for the PolyU Student Flag‑Raising Team was held on 22 January 2026, celebrating the students’ achievements and contributions to national education. The Ceremony opened with singing "Ode to the Motherland" (《歌唱祖國》). Prof. Ben Young, Vice President (Student and Global Affairs), praised the students’ commitment and thanked donors for their support. Twenty-seven students received the Outstanding Contribution Award, while 22 received the Distinguished Team Member Award, presented by our donors.

Captain Wang Yanchao thanked supporters on behalf of the Team, noting that the awards recognise collective dedication and inspire future efforts. Prof. James Dai closed the event and invited Mr Ng Wing‑ki Stanley, CEO of the Guangdong‑Hong Kong‑Macao Greater Bay Area Foundation, to share his thoughts. The Ceremony highlighted the students’ patriotism, teamwork and community spirit.

“Limitless” Festival 2026

This year’s “Limitless” Festival, the annual signature event for enhancing inclusion awareness on campus, was held from 28 January to 10 March 2026. On the first day, nearly 280 students, staff and guests attended the Kick-off Ceremony cum Mini Concert at Chan Sui Kau and Chan Lam Moon Chun Square (Logo Square) to support the launch of this year’s Festival. Our first Ambassadog, Bene, a retired guide dog, joined the ceremony to promote diversity and inclusion. As in previous years, a series of activities was organised with support from PolyU departments, non-governmental organisations, social enterprises and Limitless ambassadors, to enhance the PolyU community’s understanding towards students with special educational needs and community members with disabilities. The wide variety of activities— game booths, mental health first aid course, sharing sessions, workshops, inclusive sports, experimental activity and visits to the Caring Hub (also known as the Diversity Resource Centre)—drew around 1,160 participants to engage in building a more inclusive campus together.

Cultural Night Series

The Cultural Night Series 2025/26 has brought plenty of good vibes to campus this semester! These much-loved evenings are a joint effort between SAO and our fantastic non-local student associations. Six nights took place this semester—four by mid-March and two at the end of the month. Each event turned the Global Student Hub into a lively, colourful space where students came together, shared their cultures and traditions, and had a good time. It was wonderful to see so many students getting involved, making new friends and building connections across cultures.

SAO is proud to nurture our non-local student associations, which help make PolyU a welcoming and inclusive campus. Keen to join? Look out for future events, get involved with an association and help shape what comes next!

EAGLE: Empowering Beyond Boundaries for Leadership and Social Impact

From Global Outlook to Team Efforts and Self-Aspiration
The EAGLE Adventurers 2025/26 have officially embarked on their transformative journey. This cohort first gained a profound global perspective through a displacement simulation at the Crossroads Foundation. Led by the Foundation’s co-founder Mr David Begbie, the experience fostered deep empathy and a commitment to bettering the lives of marginalised communities.

A teambuilding camp in February then allowed our Adventurers to localise their insights into collaborative action, forging trust through intensive team challenges. Most recently, during a self-challenge outreach on 8 March, students conquered the City’s highest climbing wall—committing to trusting themselves, aiming high and surpassing pre-set limits to achieve lasting impact.

CSSP: Fostering Cross-Institutional Synergy
The Cross-institutional Student-led Social Projects initiative has successfully united talent from PolyU and other tertiary institutions. Projects are now underway, with Inclusive Horizons recently conducting their first workshop, promoting bidirectional inclusion through powerful community storytelling with visually impaired adults. These student-led initiatives demonstrate PolyU’s commitment to collective wisdom and social benefit. Projects will continue through April 2026!

PolyU Career Fair 2026

The PolyU Career Fair 2026 was held from 2-6 March. The one-week event commenced with an Opening Ceremony, during which tokens of appreciation were presented to employer partners in recognition of their long-term support for PolyU students' employment and their commitment to workplace inclusiveness.

Themed “Mapping Career Journey Together” and in collaboration with students and employer partners, the event demonstrated the University’s dedication to helping students achieve career success. Throughout the week, over 300 employers participated in the exhibition, offering more than 1,000 job openings for PolyU students. The Fair also featured a variety of activities and services—including themed talks, training workshops, CV clinics, an AI interview booth and LinkedIn photo sessions—which collectively mapped out students' career journeys.

President’s Sharing Session with Students (Semester Two, 2025/26)

The President’s Sharing Session with Students (Semester Two, 2025/26), held on 23 March, gathered students to interact with the University’s Central Management Team for engaging and constructive dialogue.

President Prof. Jin-Guang Teng shared the latest updates on PolyU developments and future directions. Prof. Ben Young, Vice President (Student and Global Affairs), highlighted the wide range of student programmes and support services available at PolyU, and encouraged students to make the most of the opportunities for both personal and academic growth.

The Team listened attentively to students during the Q&A session, and provided thoughtful responses, helping to foster open communication and a student-orientated community.

Connecting Perspectives: Dialogue with VP(SGA)

Continuing our commitment to direct student-University communication, Prof. Ben Young, Vice President (Student and Global Affairs), hosted two dialogue sessions on 3 February and 3 March 2026.

Prof. Young, alongside the SAO management team, met with representatives from PolyU Sports Teams, student-athletes and mentees from the INSPIRE Mentorship Programme. These sessions provided a vital platform for student-athletes to discuss balancing rigorous training with their academic commitments, while INSPIRE mentees shared insights on professional grooming and career aspirations. By listening to diverse voices, the University continues to refine its support for holistic development, ensuring every student has the resources to excel both in the field and in their future careers.

A Strategic Mental Well-being Roadmap

By forging intentional partnerships with leading experts, we are creating a comprehensive network of care that prepares our PolyU community for mental resilience and enhances their adaptive capacity.

Our WellMind GO app and Village pop-ups use a digital-and-physical model to make wellness accessible and interactive, especially during high-stress periods like exams. Large-scale events like the Relationship University – ReU Reg Day (20 January) and EMO Power SPOT (23-25 February) feature booths and activities to foster self-awareness and emotional resilience in engaging ways. Caritas’s interactive talk, “Strengthening Self-awareness to Form a Working Team for Academic Success” (4 February), focused on enhancing self-awareness within teams and aimed at strengthening harmony and dignity. These collaborations together transform our campus culture and solidify PolyU’s reputation as an institution that proactively invests in the whole person. PolyU is not just supporting mental health; we are building a more resilient and connected community.

Envoy Programme Equips I-peers to Support PolyU Community

The Envoy Programme 2026 kicked off with an unforgettable I-peers training camp at Outward Bound Hong Kong! One hundred I-peers from 20 nations gathered to prepare for their roles as student leaders. The weekend was packed with activities including kayaking, a photo hunt and survival challenge. Each task was designed to develop the leadership skills and empathy needed to accommodate and support our non-local and exchange students.

Working together through these challenges, our I-peers showcased creativity and dedication. We are proud to see this vibrant global community ready to welcome and nurture our next cohort of students!

The Envoy Programme also ran workshops for 42 I-peers on 27 February 2026. Student Ambassadors were trained in intercultural awareness and effective communication, active listening, empathetic engagement and culturally sensitive interaction to create inclusive spaces where all students feel welcome. A Vlogging Training Workshop offered practical vlogging training in storytelling, filming and editing. Students worked in four teams (directors, camera operators, actors), presented polished videos and enhanced their content creation skills to better support PolyU’s community outreach.

Host Family Scheme for International Students – New Year Gathering

‘SUN NIN FAI LOK!’ Our non-local students have learned to say ‘Happy New Year!’ loud and clear in Cantonese! A big thanks goes to our caring local host families who have warmly embraced our students from 27 countries.

On 30 January 2026, the Non-local Student Services Team hosted a New Year dinner gathering for the PolyU Host Family Scheme. The Scheme pairs non-local undergraduates with local host families, fostering lasting friendships and enriching experiences that truly enhance University life. Sixty-five students and their host families wrote Fai Chun (Chinese spring couplets) not only in Chinese characters but also in our non-local students’ own languages, exchanging unique New Year blessings. Prof. Horace Mui, Dean of Students, expressed sincere appreciation to our host parents and students for building meaningful connections and sharing happiness.

Concluding with a delicious meal, the event provided a relaxed setting to connect more deeply, share stories and strengthen bonds. What a wonderful evening of celebration and community!

EVOLVE Salon: Empowering Student Development and Global Engagement

On 18 March 2026, Prof. Ben Young, Vice President (Student and Global Affairs), hosted the 2nd EVOLVE Salon, focusing on SAO’s non-credit bearing leadership education. Taking the EAGLE programme as an example, Ms Kelly Lam (Associate Dean of Students) introduced an education framework that emphasises on experiential learning and real-world engagement and reflective education led by SAO. Guest speakers Ms Clara Wan (World Vision Hong Kong) and alumna Dr Gigi Au-Yeung reflected on global perspectives and the industry-ready qualities expected of modern graduates.

The salon concluded with a sharing session by four EAGLE graduate student leaders—Luke Frenken, Janhavi Munot, Evelyn Wei and Jacky Law—who discussed how the programme had shaped their personal growth and leadership journeys.

Fostering Collaboration: SAO’s Courtesy Visits to New University Leaders

In the second semester of 2025/26, SAO has proactively conducted courtesy visits to engage with newly appointed university leaders who are new to PolyU - Dr Gao Xiaoping, Director of Chinese Language Centre, Ms Bessy Lam, Director of Campus Development, and Ms Yvonne Li, Director of Alumni Affairs. These meetings provided an invaluable platform for SAO to present its latest student-centric initiatives and share its mission to foster holistic student development.

Beyond simply deepening mutual understanding, these sessions allowed us to explore potential areas for cross-departmental collaboration. By establishing a strong sense of rapport and trust at this early stage, SAO has effectively paved the way for more synchronised and impactful partnerships across the campus community.

Hong Kong Style BBQ

What an amazing BBQ event, bringing together over 185 students from various cultures and backgrounds!

The event, held on 23 January and organised by the Non-local Student Services Team of the Student Resources and Support Section, was a fantastic opportunity for students to mingle and enjoy themselves! They savoured delicious local BBQ items, indulged in Chinese roast pig, tried making DIY traditional Hong Kong-style egg waffles, made new friends, danced, sang and connected with their I-peers (senior students) at the Hong Kong-style BBQ.

PolyU SAO Chinese Orchestra Student Showcase

On 31 January 2026, at the PolyUSAOCO Student Showcase concert, the audience at the Chiang Chen Studio Theatre were treated to a series of captivating works from the PolyU Chinese Orchestra, conducted by Mr Vincent Au Hing-yu. In addition to the Orchestra performing pieces that blend modern and traditional Chinese music, several new talents took the stage as soloists or leaders, performing several concerto pieces that inspired appreciation of the Orchestra’s vitality and charm!

Chinese New Year Gathering

SAO’s SEN Caring Team and Residential Education Team co-organised a Chinese New Year event on 27 February 2026, bringing together around 140 students with diverse backgrounds to participate.

During the gathering, the students created their own “Fai Chun” to express their New Year blessings for good fortune and health. The celebration continues with two distinct culinary experiences, one group of students visited a Chinese restaurant, tasting traditional dim sum and other Chinese dishes, while others enjoyed buffet with a variety of global cuisines. Laughter filled the air, creating a joyful and harmonious atmosphere throughout the event. This gathering not only provided an opportunity for students to come together but also fostered a sense of community.