The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) today released the Global Innovation Index (GII) 2025, with the Shenzhen–Hong Kong–Guangzhou cluster ranking first among the World's Top 100 Innovation Clusters for the first time. This achievement underscores the Greater Bay Area's (GBA) leading position in global innovation and technology. The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is greatly encouraged by this recognition and is committed to advancing the innovation ecosystem of the GBA. PolyU will continue to strengthen basic research, deepen translational research, foster collaboration among academia, industry, and research sectors, and inject new impetus into the high-quality development of Hong Kong and the Nation.
Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, President of PolyU, said, "The Shenzhen–Hong Kong–Guangzhou cluster's top ranking in the Global Innovation Index is a testament to the powerful synergy of collaborative innovation in the GBA. PolyU will continue to leverage its strengths in basic research, translational research and technological innovation, actively expanding its presence in Mainland cities through our translational research institutes, and facilitating the industrialisation of research outcomes to drive socioeconomic development. We will work closely with the HKSAR Government and all sectors to nurture innovative talent with a global perspective, making greater contributions to Hong Kong, the Nation, and the world."
PolyU is dedicated to translating research into real-world impact, with over 1,650 patents granted worldwide to date. Following the establishment of the PolyU Shenzhen Research Institute, the University has recently set up translational research institutes in 12 major Mainland cities, including Zhongshan and Huizhou, as well as the Qianhai Disruptive Technology and Innovation Research Centre. Through the cooperative model for technology transfer defined by the equation: "PolyU research + Mainland industrial chain + Mainland market = societal benefit", PolyU actively promotes technology transfer and collaborative innovation. Since the launch of the Research, Academic, and Industry Sectors One-plus (RAISe+) Scheme, PolyU has secured funding for six research projects covering advanced manufacturing, new materials and new energy, artificial intelligence and robotics, Chinese medicine, computer science and information technology, and electrical and electronic engineering. Some of these projects will be accelerated for commercialisation through translational research institutes established in Mainland cities, demonstrating PolyU's research strength and commitment to translating outcomes into societal benefits.
PolyU is actively fostering innovation and entrepreneurship through its PolyVentures ecosystem, which has incubated over 600 active start-ups founded by scholars, students, and alumni. In recent years, PolyU has also established InnoHub in multiple Mainland cities, and has organised the PolyU International Future Challenge in Hong Kong and six Mainland cities. These initiatives bring together talent in technology innovation and entrepreneurship, further accelerating the transformation and commercialisation of research outcomes.
PolyU's research excellence is internationally recognised, with 355 scholars listed among the World's Top 2% Most-cited Scientists 2024 for career-long citation impact or single-year citation impact, according to the rankings compiled by Standford University. The University has also actively recruited distinguished overseas scholars, including 15 internationally renowned scholars selected for the HKSAR Government-initiated Global STEM Professorship Scheme, who lead pioneering research projects in areas such as machine learning and computer vision, healthy built environment, innovative phototherapy for eye diseases, quantum technology, two-dimensional quantum materials, earth observation, digital oncology care enhancement, and genomics in healthcare.
PolyU's robust foundation in basic research is supported by state-of-the-art facilities and laboratories, including the State Key Laboratories, namely the State Key Laboratory of Climate Resilience for Coastal Cities and the State Key Laboratory of Ultraprecision Machining Technology, as well as two research centres established under the InnoHK research clusters. PolyU has also established the PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research (PAIR), which is the largest interdisciplinary research platform of its kind in the GBA, comprising 19 research institutes and centres. This year, PolyU also established the PolyU Academy for Artificial Intelligence (PAAI) to accelerate the deep integration of AI across key fields, further consolidating the University's leadership in research and innovation.
Looking ahead, PolyU will continue to deepen collaboration within the GBA, promote the translation of research outcomes, and make even greater contributions to the innovation and development of Hong Kong and the GBA.
