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PolyU Youth Research Programme Engages 210 Students from 79 Schools in Hands-On Research

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PolyU Youth Research Programme Engages 210 Students from 79 Schools in Hands-On Research

Summary

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has wrapped up the sixth edition of its Youth Research Mentorship Programme, drawing 210 senior secondary students from 79 local and international schools across Hong Kong. Guided by PolyU academics, participants immersed themselves in comprehensive research projects spanning Industrial and Systems Engineering, Medical Technology and Informatics, Social Sciences, Biomedical Sciences, Design, and Fashion and Textiles. The programme enabled students to experience every stage of university-level research—from study design and data collection to literature review and final presentations. PolyU's Vice President emphasized the initiative's role in nurturing future innovators and potential researchers for the university.

Key Points

  • The programme featured 35 dedicated research topics, allowing students to pursue projects individually or in teams while gaining exposure to university laboratories and teaching facilities
  • Students from Harrow Hong Kong and The ISF Academy collaborated with Dr. Zhou Hongyi's team to investigate drug-resistant fungi in fruit peels using the "One Health" approach
  • A team from four international schools developed a functional writing robot integrating AI vision, real-time image processing, and precise mechanical control under Dr. Li Jiamin's supervision
  • Participants described the experience as transformative, highlighting the challenges of authentic research and the importance of teamwork in scientific inquiry
  • PolyU's academic leaders expressed hope that programme alumni would eventually return as undergraduate students or research personnel to continue driving innovation