PolyU and HIT Launch Shenzhen International Design Academy, Enrolling 150 Master Students in 2027/28
SingTao · 1 SOURCESabout 3 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT) have officially launched the HIT-HKPolyU Shenzhen International Design Academy, marking a significant collaboration in higher education between the two institutions. The academy, approved by China's Ministry of Education earlier this year, will commence its inaugural master's programs in the 2027/28 academic year at HIT's Shenzhen campus. This initiative follows PolyU's earlier establishment of the Shenzhen Future Technology Institute in partnership with Tianjin University, further expanding the university's presence in the Greater Bay Area. The academy represents a strategic evolution from HIT's previous design program with Zurich University of the Arts, which operated from 2015 before being discontinued due to geopolitical considerations, academic system differences, and operational challenges.
Key Points
- The academy will offer three master's program streams: design, intelligent science and technology, and urban-rural planning
- Programs span three years, with 150 full-time master's students targeted for the first cohort in 2027/28
- Students completing the programs and meeting graduation requirements will receive dual degree certificates from both PolyU and HIT
- A Future Design Joint Research Centre has been established, focusing on future housing and smart cities, systems integration design, and culture, art, and digital media technology
- The academy's governance includes a joint management committee and academic committee overseeing admissions and academic standards
- The new academy succeeds HIT's partnership with Switzerland's Zurich University of the Arts (2015–?), which ended due to geopolitical, academic, and operational factors
Why It Matters
This collaboration creates a new model for Greater Bay Area academic integration, combining PolyU's design expertise with HIT's engineering and technological strengths . PolyU President Teng Jinguang emphasized that the platform will drive innovation and industry-academia-research cooperation, serving as a demonstration project for the Greater Bay Area's development .
This collaboration creates a new model for Greater Bay Area academic integration, combining PolyU's design expertise with HIT's engineering and technological strengths . PolyU President Teng Jinguang emphasized that the platform will drive innovation and industry-academia-research cooperation, serving as a demonstration project for the Greater Bay Area's development .