Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Name	Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Motto	To learn and to apply, for the benefit of mankind
Established	1937 (as Government Trade School); 1994 (full university status)
Type	Public
City	Hung Hom, Kowloon
Country	Hong Kong
Campus	Urban

Hong Kong Polytechnic University is a prominent public research institution located in Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong. It is one of the most applied-to universities in the territory, renowned for its practice-oriented education and impactful research. The university has a strong international reputation, particularly in fields such as hospitality management, design, engineering, and textile science.

History

The institution traces its origins to 1937 with the founding of the Government Trade School, which was established to support the industrial development of Hong Kong. It was later renamed the Hong Kong Technical College in 1947, operating under the auspices of the University of Hong Kong. In 1972, it was upgraded to become the Hong Kong Polytechnic, a milestone championed by then-Governor Murray MacLehose. After a period of rapid expansion and academic development, it was granted full university status by the University Grants Committee in 1994, adopting its current name. Key figures in its evolution include its first director, Dr. Chung Sze-yuen, and subsequent presidents like Professor Poon Chung-kwong.

Academics

It is organized into several faculties and schools, including the Faculty of Engineering, the School of Hotel and Tourism Management, the School of Design, and the Faculty of Health and Social Sciences. The university is highly regarded for its professional and vocational programs, with its Bachelor of Science in Surveying and Bachelor of Arts in Design consistently ranked among the best globally. It maintains extensive partnerships with institutions like MIT, University of Cambridge, and University of Oxford, offering numerous joint degree and exchange programs. The teaching philosophy strongly emphasizes the application of knowledge, with many courses incorporating work-integrated education and collaborations with industry leaders such as Swarovski and Samsung.

Campus

The main urban campus is situated on a single, integrated site in Hung Hom, overlooking the iconic Victoria Harbour. Notable facilities include the Jockey Club Innovation Tower, designed by the renowned architect Zaha Hadid, which houses the School of Design. The campus also features the Chiang Chen Studio Theatre, the PolyU Sports Centre, and the Lee Shau Kee Building. A significant expansion project, the PolyU West Kowloon Campus, is underway to provide additional space for research and innovation. The campus architecture blends modern structures with historical buildings, such as the restored Old Halls of Residence.

Research

It is a hub for applied and strategic research, with strengths in areas like aviation services, environmental science, rehabilitation sciences, and food safety. The university hosts several key research institutes, including the Hong Kong Polytechnic University Shenzhen Research Institute and the Research Institute for Sustainable Urban Development. It is home to two State Key Laboratories sanctioned by the Ministry of Science and Technology, focusing on Chinese medicine and rail transit engineering. Researchers have made significant contributions, such as developing the Mars rock corer for China's space program and pioneering work in optical fibre sensors by scholars like Professor Jin Wei.

Student life

Student life is vibrant, with over 40 student-led societies and clubs, including the Students' Union and various cultural associations. The university fields teams in intercollegiate sports competitions through PolyU Sports Teams, competing in events like the University Sports Federation of Hong Kong games. Annual highlights include the PolyU Orientation for new students and the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Week. On-campus accommodation is provided at several halls of residence, including the Hung Hom Student Halls of Residence and the Kowloon Bay Student Halls of Residence. The campus also features numerous dining outlets, a University Health Service centre, and the PolyU Library.

Notable alumni and faculty

Distinguished alumni span various fields, including business leaders like Victor Lo Chung-wing of Gold Peak Industries and Allan Zeman; fashion designers such as Vivienne Tam and Yeung Chin; and politicians like Regina Ip and Michael Tien. In academia and research, notable faculty have included Nobel laureate in Chemistry Professor Barry Sharpless and pioneering chemist Professor Henry N. C. Wong. The university's alumni also include celebrated figures in the arts, such as film director Mabel Cheung and actor Liu Kai-chi.

Category:Universities in Hong Kong Category:Educational institutions established in 1937