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The Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, today (March 17) took a firsthand look at a wide range of products developed by students, staff members and researchers at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU).
During this first visit to PolyU in his capacity as the University Chancellor, Mr Tung toured major campus facilities and attended separate gatherings to exchange views with academic staff members and student representatives of various disciplines.
Mr Tung told staff and students that the promotion of research and development and the commercial application of research results would help enhance Hong Kong's competitiveness.
The Chief Executive expressed interest in a number of products developed and produced by the Rapid Product Development Syndicate of PolyU. These included a selection of smart toys and appliances which demonstrated the successful application of space technology material, and a diesel particulate trap filter for vehicles.
Noting that trap filters could help alleviate pollution caused by particulates emitted from diesel vehicles, Mr Tung said the development and production of environmental protection products should be encouraged.
On arrival at PolyU, Mr Tung was received by PolyU President Professor Poon Chung-kwong, who briefed him on the University's development strategies. Mr Tung noted that the University had adopted "To learn and to apply, for the benefit of mankind" as its motto and its aim was to achieve "academic excellence in a professional context".
Mr Tung first visited the Global Virtual Design Studio, which has been opened for a year and linked up with leading design institutions in other parts of the world. Equipped with the latest interactive virtual imaging technology and facilities, the Studio offers multi-purpose and multi-media facilities custom-built for research, consultancy and student use. Mr Tung was briefed on the product design process using a water dispenser design as an example.
At the Industrial Centre, Mr Tung saw the Space Forceps system designed and developed for use in space by a local dentist and a team of PolyU researchers. The first series of forceps was adopted by Russian astronauts in 1994, while another newly developed series is under testing by the European Space Agency for a mission to the Mars in 2003.
Another innovation which caught Mr Tung's attention was a "Cyber Phone" jointly developed by a graduate and the Centre. It is a brand new, mini multimedia terminal which can be used to make phone calls, send e-mails, browse the Internet, send postcards and conduct video conference.
The Computer-generated Facial Reconstruction Modelling project team showed Mr Tung a three-dimensional model of the human skull manufactured by computer tomography of patients who need facial reconstruction. The model, which improves patient information processing, surgical planning and accuracy, is a collaborative project of the Centre, Queen Mary Hospital and The University of Hong Kong.
The Chief Executive also visited the Cable & Wireless - HKT Centre for Intelligent Enterprises (CIE) and the Fashion and Textile Resource Centre. Equipped with broadband networking infrastructure and computing facilities, the CIE seeks to help small and medium-sized enterprises apply advanced information technology to enhance their operation and competitiveness. At the Fashion and Textile Resource Centre, Mr Tung was shown projects by the students. He noted that PolyU is the sole provider of degree programmes in colour and textile studies in Hong Kong.
During the visit, the Chief Executive received as souvenirs photographs taken during his visit in 1982 to the then Hong Kong Polytechnic and a set of chess produced by the Industrial Centre.
Photo: Mr Tung looked at students' projects during a tour of the Fashion and Textile Resource Centre of the Polytechnic University (PolyU). PolyU is the sole provider of degree programmes in colour and textile studies in Hong Kong.
End/Friday, March 17, 2000
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