PolyU leads Hong Kong in research publications and global excellence in key fields

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has emerged as Hong Kong’s top institution in research publications, with 65 percent and 55 percent surges respectively in publication volume and highly cited papers between 2020 and 2024, according to global academic intelligence leader Clarivate. The landmark evaluation, released at a joint forum on Jan 28, also affirms PolyU’s global leadership in engineering and artificial intelligence-driven medical research, underscoring its growing role in propelling Hong Kong’s innovation and technology (I&T) development and supporting the nation’s tech powerhouse agenda.

Impressive patents and world-class scholars

The report, drawn from Web of Science data, shows that PolyU topped UGC-funded institutions in research publications in 2024 while securing 1,020 patents — the second-highest number in Hong Kong — between 2020 and 2024. Last year, the university announced that it has 21 Clarivate Highly Cited Researchers and 428 scholars in Stanford’s World’s Top 2 percent Most-cited Scientists, ranking second among Hong Kong tertiary institutions.

Prof. Timothy Tong, Chairman of the Research Grants Council, commended PolyU’s exceptional research achievements and their far-reaching impact on society, the nation and the world. “PolyU has made effective use of research resources, which has led to significant advancements in AI-driven medical breakthroughs, climate solutions and sustainability,” he said. “The RGC remains committed to supporting research that addresses major societal challenges. We will continue to partner with universities to strengthen Hong Kong’s status as a global knowledge hub.”

Innovation application and strategic collaborations

Prof. Christopher Chao, Senior Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU, added, “The report is a testament to years of dedicated effort, groundbreaking innovation, and the unwavering commitment of PolyU’s academic community.”

“Through partnerships with industry leaders like Nvidia, Huawei, and Alibaba, and over 3,100 mainland collaborative projects, we link academia to practice, driving regional tech upgrading,” Chao said. “This trinity of impact, innovation, and application fuels Hong Kong’s I&T ecosystem and aligns with the nation’s high-quality development, solidifying our role in building a tech powerhouse.”

Global recognition and forward-looking strategy

Mr Osher Gilinsky, Vice President for Asia Pacific, Academia and Government segment of Clarivate, highlighted PolyU’s exceptional research quality and impact as revealed in the comprehensive analysis, positioning the university as a prominent leader in the global academic community.

“PolyU’s prowess in translating academic innovations into practical solutions, coupled with extensive global partnerships, has firmly established it as a leader in the global academic world, driving impact that extends beyond academia to regional development,” he said. “PolyU is committed to bringing the quality overhead. This mixture of high productivity and high quality will truly drive high impact.”

Moderated by Mr Sherif EL Shamy, Vice President of Academic and Government Consulting at Clarivate, the forum’s panel discussion on “Innovations and Challenges in Research Evaluation” explored how institutions like PolyU can amplify their impact. “Research evaluation can’t rely solely on citations. We blend quantitative data with qualitative analysis to capture applied impact, which defines PolyU’s edge. Hong Kong faces talent and funding competition and interdisciplinary demands, but PolyU’s structural adaptations set an example. Our role is to tie academic excellence to real value, enabling data-driven decisions for sustained global competitiveness,” he said.

“PolyU’s Strategic Plan 2025/26-2030/31, themed ‘Unite to Meet Challenges, Innovate to Benefit Society’, will further empower PolyU to deliver even more transformative contributions to society,” said Prof. Chao.

With its new strategic plan and a track record of translating research into actionable solutions, PolyU is poised to deepen its contributions to Hong Kong’s I&T development and the nation’s tech ambitions. Backed by Clarivate’s authoritative validation, the university’s rise underscores the city’s unique role as a bridge between the nation and the world in driving innovation for societal good.

Contact the writer at evanhuang@chinadailyhk.com