The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) celebrates an exceptional achievement as its impactful innovations receive a record-breaking number of awards at the 49th International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva, a globally recognized event exclusively dedicated to invention.
A total of 43 PolyU innovations garnered 45 accolades, including two Special Prizes, five Gold Medals with Congratulations of the Jury, 18 Gold Medals, 13 Silver Medals, and seven Bronze Medals. Notably, 19 innovations were developed under the InnoHK research centers led by PolyU in collaboration with top research institutions worldwide. This remarkable success highlights the dedication of the PolyU community, including scholars, students, and alumni, to driving research breakthroughs.
Among the honored innovations is the world’s first portable High-Definition corneal topographer developed by a research team led by Prof. KEE Chea-su from the PolyU School of Optometry and Centre for Eye and Vision Research (CEVR). This innovation, commercialized through the PolyU academic-led startup GOOD Vision Technologies Co., Limited, received the Prize of the Saudi Arabian Delegation and a Gold Medal. It provides crucial support to eye care practitioners in assessing risks and facilitating timely interventions for visual development in children, offering superior flexibility, compactness, utilization of normative data from Chinese populations, and affordability.
Another notable innovation is the RailSwinX project by the Centre for Advances in Reliability and Safety (CAiRS), which earned the Prize of the International Federation of Inventors’ Association (IFIA) and a Gold Medal. This project leverages cutting-edge AI technology to enhance rail track defect detection.
Prof. Christopher CHAO, PolyU Vice President (Research and Innovation), expressed his excitement and congratulated the winning teams, emphasizing the outstanding research capabilities of PolyU scholars and experts. He highlighted the international recognition as a testament to PolyU’s commitment to excellence in research and innovation, aiming to translate research outcomes into positive impacts for Hong Kong, the nation, and the world.
This year’s award-winning projects span various fields, including life sciences and healthcare, renewable energy, materials and sensing technology, civil engineering, and more, reflecting PolyU’s dedication to improving human health, contributing to sustainable development, and fostering innovation and entrepreneurship. Among the winning teams, ten are PolyU-nurtured startups, founded by the University’s scholars, further showcasing PolyU’s role in driving innovation and nurturing entrepreneurial talent.
The 49th Geneva Inventions Expo attracted entries from 38 countries and regions, with PolyU’s award-winning projects demonstrating its leadership in driving innovation and contributing to global advancement.