SAO Connect - Issue 2

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Dear Students

I am pleased to share with you that our new Strategic Plan covering the period from July 2025 to June 2031 (i.e., the Strategic Plan for 2025/26 to 2030/31) was approved by the Council at its meeting held on 18 June 2024, ending a year-long process of deliberations for the formulation of this new Strategic Plan. The entire planning process started in May 2023 when four rounds of consultation sessions were held, engaging staff, students, alumni, and Senate Members respectively. The new Strategic Plan will be published in early 2025. On behalf of the University, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all those who have contributed to the development of this important document, especially members of the Strategic Planning Task Force and the 11 Working Groups under the Task Force. The entire membership of the Task Force is as follows:

Composition

Chairman:

President
Prof. TENG Jin-Guang

Co-Chairman:

Deputy President and Provost
Prof. WONG Wing-tak

Executive Vice President
Dr Miranda LOU

Members:

Council Chairman
Dr LAM Tai-fai

Deputy Council Chairman
Dr Lawrence LI Kwok-chang

One other lay Council Member, nominated by the Council Chairman
Mr Alex WONG Chun-bong

Court Chairman or nominee
Dr Katherine NGAN NG Yu-ying

All Vice Presidents
Prof. WONG Kwok-yin, Vice President (Education)
Prof. Christopher CHAO, Vice President (Research and Innovation)
Prof. Ben YOUNG, Vice President (Student and Global Affairs)
Mr LING Kar-kan, Interim Vice President (Campus Development and Facilities)

Chairman of PolyU Staff Association
Dr Rodney CHU Wai-chi

President of Federation of PolyU Alumni Associations
Ir YAU Kwok-fai

Elected Student Council Members
Mr Ken CHANG (undergraduate)
Ms Fansly FANG (postgraduate)

Secretary:

Appointed by the Chairman
Dr Laura LO, Associate Vice President (Institutional Advancement)
Mr Edward SHEN, Registrar
Ms Winnie CHOI, Aide to the President

In addition, the Task Force took the opportunity to revisit our Vision and Mission statements to reflect the University’s latest advances and directions. I would like to share with you the revised Vision and Mission statements:

Vision

Be an innovative world-class university that pursues excellence in education, research and knowledge transfer for the benefit of Hong Kong, the Nation, and the world.
矢志成為一所創新型世界級大學，在人才培育、科學研究和知識轉移方面追求卓越，為香港、國家及世界作出貢獻。

Mission

1. To nurture socially responsible professionals and leaders with a strong sense of national pride and a global perspective.

培育擁有家國情懷、具備全球視野和勇於承擔社會責任的專業人才及社會領袖。

2. To pursue world-leading research and innovation for societal benefits.

致力於世界領先的研究及創新，以貢獻社會。

3. To foster a University community in which all members are united with a strong sense of belonging and pride, empowering the University to scale new heights.

提升大學社群的凝聚力，讓所有成員以大學爲榮，齊心協力，再創輝煌。

I am confident that the new Vision, Mission, and Strategic Plan, which will all take effect officially on 1 July 2025, will guide us to scale new heights in the coming decade. We position PolyU as an innovative world-class university; our aspiration is to be world-class in everything we do, and to be world-leading in a significant number of academic disciplines.

May I wish you all a relaxing summer!

Yours sincerely

Jin-Guang Teng

President

PolyU Sports Teams - Six-time Grand Slam Champions

PolyU Sports Teams clinched the Grand Slam title for the sixth consecutive year at the 2023/24 Inter-Collegiate Competition organised by the University Sports Federation of Hong Kong, China (USFHK). The Teams have captured a total of 15 championships, seven first runner-ups and seven second runner-ups across 33 sports events. A total of 17 PolyU students have been recognised as “USFHK Most Valuable Players” or “USFHK Individual Champions”, acknowledging their exceptional performances.

An award ceremony was held on 17 April to honour and celebrate the efforts of these student-athletes. Dr Lam Tai-fai, Council Chairman, Prof. Jin-Guang Teng, President, members of the Central Management Team and other distinguished guests attended the ceremony, together with over 400 student athletes.

The achievements of the Sports Teams are the results of their devotion as well as the support provided by the University. They demonstrate the success of PolyU’s holistic education in promoting whole-person development.

PolyU Admits 14 Outstanding Athletes through SALSA Scheme

Under the UGC-initiated Student-Athlete Learning Support and Admission Scheme (SALSA), PolyU is committed to admitting elite student-athletes in the 2024/25 academic year. Among the 36 SALSA applications received, 14 have been admitted for the coming academic year. They will embark on their undergraduate studies on a wide range of undergraduate programmes, including Applied Social Sciences, English and Applied Linguistics, Nursing, Optometry, Radiography and Physiotherapy.

The newly admitted student-athletes, including Hong Kong Premier League player Poon Pui Hin, squash athlete Leung Ka Huen and wushu player Tai Lok Ming, have achieved remarkable results representing Hong Kong in international and regional tournaments.

In order to support their dual-track development in sports and academic pursuits, PolyU will provide all SALSA athletes with a series of learning support opportunities, including individual mentorship in their academic work, flexibility in learning and study assessments, and extension of study periods.

For Our Future Scholarship 2023/24

Deanna Xu from the Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics and Kelvin Hui from the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences received a For Our Future Scholarship 2023/24 offered by the Greater Bay Area Homeland Youth Community Foundation. The Scholarship scheme aims to recognise local students’ outstanding academic performance and dedication to community service. This year, over 250 applications were received and 16 scholarships were awarded to outstanding students among the 11 local tertiary institutions.

Prof. Albert Chan, Dean of Students, attended the Award Presentation Ceremony held on 17 April 2024 to share the University’s joy with the two awardees.

PolyU Students Win the Championship at the HKAES 2023-24 Pitch Competition on Grand Challenge Engineering Topics

A team of PolyU students has won the HKAES 2023/24 Pitch Competition on Grand Challenge Engineering Topics for University Students. Supported by the Innovation and Technology Commission of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the competition recognises students’ outstanding engineering solutions to real-world challenges. Our students, who are members of the College of Undergraduate Researchers and Innovators enrolled on the Undergraduate Research and Innovation Scheme and demonstrated exceptional pitching skills in presenting their innovative AI-enhanced airport ground optimization solution aimed at reducing carbon emissions from aircraft ground operations.

The winning solution proposes a system that trains a predictive model to assess how operational factors affect emissions output and identifies strategic recommendations tailored for each airport and airline. It aims at helping the aviation industry substantially lower its environmental impact through airport resource utilisation.

Outstanding Student Award & Presidential Student Leadership Award 2023

The Presentation Ceremony for the Outstanding Student Award and Presidential Student Leadership Award 2023 was held on 26 March this year. Subsequently, a celebration luncheon was hosted by the President, Central Management Team, Deans and Associate Deans from Faculties and Schools and the Student Affairs Office on 22 April. These events provided an opportunity to celebrate and recognise PolyU's exceptional students who have demonstrated unwavering dedication to their academic pursuits and exhibited extraordinary leadership qualities.

We are delighted to announce that Miss Wong Sze Lam from the Faculty of Construction & Environment has been awarded the Most Outstanding PolyU Student, while Mr Wang Yanze from the Faculty of Engineering has earned the President's Distinguished Student Leadership Award. We are immensely proud of all award recipients and the bright futures they are destined to create. Their dedication, perseverance and achievements serve as inspiration to us all.

The High Table Dinner cum Dean of Students Talk Series 2023/24

The High Table Dinner cum Dean of Students Talk Series at Hotel ICON on 8 April was a resounding success, with over 300 students, guests, and senior management members in attendance. The evening began with a warm welcome from President Prof. Jin-Guang Teng, followed by an enlightening speech from Mr Charles Li, the Founder and Chairman of Micro Connect. Mr Li, former Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Exchange and Clearing Limited, shared profound insights on "Developing A More Economically Inclusive Finance Market," captivating the students with his invaluable guidance.

The enchanting atmosphere was further enhanced by the mesmerizing classical music performance by talented violinists from the PolyU Orchestra. The event concluded with a remarkable video showcase of PolyU integration, leaving a lasting impression on all attendees. Overall, this grand occasion provided an inspiring platform for students to engage with influential speakers in a sophisticated fine-dining setting, all while immersing themselves in the mesmerizing musical performance.

PolyU Career Fair 2024

Themed “Exploring Career Horizons: Pathways to Possibilities”, the PolyU Career Fair 2024 highlighted the diverse paths that students can take to achieve a successful and fulfilling career. In the presence of various guests of honour, the Fair’s opening ceremony was officiated by Prof. Ben Young, PolyU Vice President (Student and Global Affairs), and tokens of appreciation were presented for employer recognition as well as diversity and inclusion support.

The four-day Fair took place from 19 to 22 March, with over 300 employers from different sectors and over 20,000 PolyU students participating, and with more than 1,000 job openings being provided for students’ consideration. Apart from physical booths, the Fair also featured Themed Talks, MBTI® Workshops, Online Career Talks, AI CV Clinics, as well as a Free CV Photo Taking Service. These activities offered students an opportunity to broaden their horizons, encouraging them to explore a wide range of employment options and get support for career development.

President's Sharing Session with Students: Fostering Open Dialogue and Building a Better PolyU

The President's Sharing Session with Students of the 2023/24 academic year was held on 28 March and demonstrated the University's commitment to continuous communication and engagement with students. Students actively participated, exchanged views and raised questions directly to the Central Management Team (CMT).

Our President, Prof. Jin-Guang Teng, shared updates on the latest PolyU developments and initiatives, emphasising the University's dedication to providing a holistic learning environment. Vice President (Student and Global Affairs) Prof. Ben Young elaborated on the diverse range of student support services, encouraging students to utilise them for a fulfilling university experience.

The engaging Q&A session addressed campus access, non-local student support and study-related concerns. The CMT members listened attentively and provided thoughtful responses, reaffirming their commitment to understanding and addressing student needs.
The session fostered open dialogue, and insights were gained into students' experiences and challenges. It reflected how PolyU remains committed to building an inclusive university community through active engagement with students.

Appreciation Reception for Scholarship and Bursary Donors 2023/24

Co-organised by the Office of Institutional Advancement and the Student Affairs Office, an Appreciation Reception was held on 16 April 2024 in the Alumni Atrium to thank our 2023/24 academic year scholarship and bursary donors. In 2023/24, PolyU received over HK$44 million from around 260 donors in the form of scholarships and bursaries, which benefitted over 2,100 students.

Our President, Prof. Jin-Guang Teng, and Deputy Chairman of PolyU Foundation, Dr Alex Wong, presented Certificates of Appreciation to donors who have supported the University’s scholarship/bursary schemes for over 15 years. During the Reception, The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust and Zonta Club of Kowloon, which have supported the University’s scholarship and financial assistance schemes for over 25 and 40 years respectively, shared with the audience their beliefs and aspirations in supporting education, and PolyU specifically. Finally, a talented scholarship awardee from Applied Physics, mesmerised everyone with his captivating guitar recital.

Dialogue with Vice President (Student and Global Affairs)

Prof. Ben Young, Vice President (Student and Global Affairs), together with the SAO management members, had fruitful discussions with PolyU Hall student tutors on 24 April. The Dialogue serves as an essential platform for students to express their concerns and share their experiences while also providing an opportunity for management to actively engage with students and address these matters.

During the gatherings, students shared their experiences and raised concerns on various topics, including integration of hall residents, hall resident scholarships, hall capacity and the walkway between Homantin Hall and the PolyU campus.

Amigos: Global Peer Support Scheme 2023/24

Amigos: Global Peer Support Scheme celebrated the successful completion of its engagement with its inaugural cohort on 13 May with a Year-end Celebration Party.

Students enjoyed a delicious lunch, engaged in various local food cooking demonstrations and a Pass-the-Mic Challenge! They shared their unforgettable moments in Amigos during the Challenge. It was heartwarming to hear that they had enjoyed Amigos so much and that they could not wait to join as old pals next year.

Audri, Zhenyu, Kirill and their friends were presented with the Best Team Award, winning Hong Kong Disneyland tickets!

In 2023/24, about 1,300 students joined Amigos, of which over 800 were Year 1 non-local students. SAO hosted six big events for nearly 500 students and supported over 70 student-initiated activities in Hong Kong.

Amigos will continue to be the primary intercultural platform for students to connect and network in 2024/25. Join us to build connections, foster friendships and create unforgettable memories with the Amigos community!

PolyU Positivity Project

PolyU Positivity Week, with the theme of “Soul-grateful” and the aim of promoting gratitude and gentleness on campus, was held from 21 to 28 March 2024. The Week featured a series of activities, including an Animal-assisted Therapist talk, workshops on Music Therapy and Photo Therapy, and a collaborative exhibition “The Gentleness Remains”, which was held in Logo Square in partnership with a local illustrator Dustykid. These various events inspired students to explore the power of gratitude.

A major highlight of the Week was the launch of five student-initiated project booths in Logo Square on 26 and 27 March. Under the guidance of counsellors, 30 Positive Psychology Ambassadors demonstrated their commitment to peer support by initiating projects in positive psychology.

This PolyU Positivity Week reached over 1,000 students, emphasising the importance of gratitude and positivity, and creating a positive impact on students’ mental wellbeing in their daily lives.

Legend of Dragon Chinese Cultural Festival Series

On April 10, SAO facilitated a high-energy cultural event, “Legend of Dragon”. Over 1,500 local and non-local students and staff gathered to discover a myriad of Chinese cultural elements. Included in this extensive exploration of Chinese culture were different cuisines, traditional teas and herbs, art, costumes, creative self-designed bags, a qipao catwalk and, especially, lion and dragon dances.

2024 PolyU Annual Talent Show

The 2024 PolyU Annual Talent Show, held at the Chiang Chen Studio Theatre on 21 March, was a resounding success! Organised by the PolyU Special Talents Admission and Recognition Scheme Residential College and co-organised with Red Student Halls of Residence (Homantin), it showcased the incredible talents of our PolyU students.

From pop songs and K-POP dance battles to ballet, piano, violin, guitar, band and orchestra performances, our students dazzled the audience with their diverse skills. The event also featured a Bengali Traditional Dance performance and a unique Indonesian traditional instrumental show by some of our international students, adding a touch of cultural diversity to the evening.

The wardens, resident fellows, tutors, performers and backstage helpers all contributed their passion and energy to create a memorable and vibrant carnival for the audience. It was a true celebration of talent and a testament to the vibrant and inclusive PolyU community.

Work-Integrated Education Kick-off Ceremony 2024

The Work-Integrated Education (WIE) Kick-off Ceremony 2024 saw Prof. Albert Chan, Dean of Students, officially commencing the summer WIE 2024 on 10 May. Over 170 students participated in the Ceremony and in team-building activities, as well as the departure briefing sessions that prepared them for their upcoming non-local internships. We wish them fruitful adventures and unforgettable internship experiences this summer!

PolyU Student Flag-Raising Team Participates in Military Experience Camp

A group of nine undergraduate and postgraduate students from the PolyU Student Flag-Raising Team, representing diverse academic backgrounds, recently participated in a one-day military experience camp. The event, organised by the Department of Educational, Scientific and Technological Affairs of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong SAR, took place at the San Wai Barracks on April 21st.

Despite the heavy rain that persisted throughout the day, the Flag-Raising Team members enthusiastically engaged in a packed schedule of activities. The day began with a flag-raising ceremony, followed by training in Chinese-style marching and flag etiquette. Participants then had the opportunity to try their hand at laser-based simulated shooting, tour the camp’s honours hall and equipment displays, and observe obstacle course and battle training demonstrations.

Through this immersive experience, the Team gained valuable insights into the importance of self-discipline, responsibility and teamwork. Furthermore, they have been encouraged to prioritise physical fitness, mental toughness and a pioneering spirit - qualities that can empower them to overcome adversity and push their own boundaries.

This military experience camp provided the participating students with a unique opportunity to expand their perspectives and develop skills that will serve them well, both in their academic pursuits and future endeavours.