Hong Kong Polytechnic University facts for kids
香港理工大學
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Motto | 開物成務 勵學利民 | ||||||||||||
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Motto in English
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To learn and to apply, for the benefit of mankind | ||||||||||||
Type | Public | ||||||||||||
Established | 1937 1947 , as Hong Kong Technical College 24 March 1972 , as Hong Kong Polytechnic 25 November 1994 , granted university status |
, as Government Trade School||||||||||||
Chairman | Lam Tai-fai | ||||||||||||
Chancellor | John Lee Ka-chiu | ||||||||||||
President | Teng Jin-guang | ||||||||||||
Vice-president | Miranda Lou Kwok-yin Wong Ben Young Christopher Chao |
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Provost | Wing-tak Wong | ||||||||||||
Academic staff
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1,230 | ||||||||||||
Students | 26,245 (2019/2020) | ||||||||||||
Location |
11 Yuk Choi Road, Hung Hom
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22°18′18″N 114°10′48″E / 22.30500°N 114.18000°E |
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Campus | Urban 9.46 hectares (0.0946 km2) |
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Colours | Red and grey | ||||||||||||
Affiliations | BHUA; GHMUA; UASR | ||||||||||||
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Chinese name | |||||||||||||
Traditional Chinese | 香港理工大學 | ||||||||||||
Simplified Chinese | 香港理工大学 | ||||||||||||
Cantonese Yale | Hēunggóng Léihgūng Daaihhohk | ||||||||||||
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The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (often called PolyU) is a public research university in Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong. It is one of the eight universities in Hong Kong that receive money from the government.
PolyU was started in 1937 as the first Government Trade School. It was the first place in Hong Kong to offer technical education. In 1994, it officially became a university.
Today, PolyU has 8 main departments and schools. They offer many different programs in areas like science, business, engineering, design, and hotel management. More than 25,800 students study here each year.
Contents
History of PolyU
Early Beginnings (1937–1947)
In 1937, the Government Trade School opened in Wan Chai. This was Hong Kong's first public school for technical skills after high school. It taught subjects like marine wireless, mechanical engineering, and building. The school building was a three-story "Red Brick House."
Becoming a Technical College (1947–1972)
After World War II, the Government Trade School changed its name to the Hong Kong Technical College in 1947. It offered both full-time and part-time classes. In 1957, a new campus for the college was built in Hung Hom.
The Polytechnic Years (1972–1994)
In 1965, a plan was made to create a "polytechnic" in Hong Kong. This new type of school would offer advanced technical education. On March 24, 1972, the Hong Kong Polytechnic was officially started. Its goal was to train skilled workers for different jobs. The Polytechnic started offering its first degree programs in 1983. It also began offering advanced research degrees (MPhil and PhD) in the late 1980s.
Becoming a University (1994–Present)
In 1994, the school was allowed to create its own degree programs. Because of this, on November 25, 1994, it officially became "The Hong Kong Polytechnic University."
PolyU Campuses
Main Campus in Hung Hom
PolyU's main campus is in Hung Hom, Kowloon. It was designed in 1972 and has over 20 buildings with red-brick walls. Many buildings are connected and raised above the ground. This creates open spaces for different activities. The campus is one of the largest and busiest university campuses in the world.
Block Z is a newer part of the campus. It is across the road from the main campus. You can reach it through a special tunnel or a long footbridge.
Besides classrooms and labs, the university has many other facilities. These include a large auditorium, places to eat, medical services, a bookstore, and banks. The Jockey Club Auditorium, opened in 2000, can hold over 1,000 people. It is used for conferences, shows, and performances.
There are also many sports facilities. These include two swimming pools, indoor sports halls, an outdoor sports field with basketball and soccer areas, tennis courts, and a jogging track.
- Main Campus, PolyU
- Li Ka Shing Tower (Faculty of Business), Main Campus, PolyU
- Block Z (Faculty of Construction and Environment), Main Campus, PolyU
Pao Yue-kong Library
The PolyU Library opened in 1972. It was named after a generous person named Yue-Kong Pao in 1995.
The library has millions of books and digital resources. It has 3,900 study spaces and a 24-hour study center. In 2017, parts of the library were updated to "i-space." This area has cool new technologies like VR, 3D printing, and video production tools.
- Pao Yue Kong Library, Main Campus, PolyU
Innovation Tower
The Innovation Tower is a unique building designed by Zaha Hadid. It is 15 stories tall and has a modern, curvy shape. This building is home to the School of Design. It has exhibition areas, classrooms, studios, and workshops. The School of Design is known as one of the best design schools in the world.
- '''Jockey Club Innovation Tower (School of Design), Main Campus, PolyU'''
Teaching and Research Hotel
The Hotel Icon opened in 2011. It is owned by the university and used as a teaching hotel for the School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM). This school is one of the top hotel and tourism management schools globally.
- Hotel Icon (School of Hotel and Tourism Management)
Other Campuses
PolyU also has the Hung Hom Bay Campus and West Kowloon Campus. These campuses are home to the College of Professional and Continuing Education (CPCE). CPCE includes the Hong Kong Community College (HKCC) and the School of Professional Education and Executive Development (SPEED). These offer programs for students who have finished high school.
What Students Study
University Structure
As of 2020, PolyU had over 26,000 students. This includes students studying for diplomas, bachelor's degrees, and postgraduate degrees.
The university offers more than 150 programs through its 8 main departments and schools:
- Faculty of Applied Science and Textiles
- Faculty of Business
- Faculty of Construction and Environment
- Faculty of Engineering
- Faculty of Health and Social Sciences
- Faculty of Humanities
- School of Design
- School of Hotel and Tourism Management
The PolyU Graduate School, started in 2020, helps manage research programs for advanced students.
The College of Professional and Continuing Education (CPCE) is another part of the university. It offers different types of programs for students.
Research at PolyU
PolyU focuses on research in many important areas. These include:
- Aerospace and aviation
- Big data and artificial intelligence (AI)
- Food safety
- Health science
- Smart cities and sustainable living
The university has many research labs and centers. For example, it has the Aviation Services Research Centre, which works with Boeing. The Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel also helps develop new technologies for the clothing industry.
PolyU's Reputation and Rankings
Global University Rankings
PolyU is known as a top university around the world.
- It was ranked #54 globally by QS World University Rankings in 2026.
- It was ranked #84 globally by Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings in 2025.
- It was ranked #58 globally by US News Best Global Universities Rankings in 2025–2026.
PolyU was also named the 6th most international university in the world by THE in 2023. This means it has many students and staff from different countries.
Rankings for Young Universities
PolyU is also highly ranked among newer universities.
- It was ranked #6 worldwide in the QS "Top 50 Under 50" list for young universities in 2021.
- It was ranked #7 worldwide in the Times Higher Education's Young University Rankings in 2024.
Top Subject Areas
PolyU is especially strong in certain subjects. Here are some of its top rankings in 2024 (QS Subject Rankings):
- Hospitality and Leisure Management: #11 in the world
- Architecture & Built Environment: #14 in the world
- Civil & Structural Engineering: #14 in the world
- Art & Design: #19 in the world
- Marketing: #19 in the world
- Nursing: #31 in the world
- Data Science & Artificial Intelligence: #32 in the world
The School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM) is ranked #1 in the world for hospitality and tourism research. The School of Design is also considered one of the top design schools globally.
Job Prospects for Graduates
PolyU graduates are highly sought after by employers.
- PolyU graduates were ranked #71 worldwide in the QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022.
- They were ranked #133 worldwide in the Times Higher Education's Global University Employability Ranking 2022.
- Employers in Hong Kong often choose PolyU graduates.
University Leadership
The university is led by a Council. The President and Deputy President are part of this group. There are also members from businesses, staff, alumni, and students.
Past Presidents
Here are some of the past leaders of PolyU:
- Keith Legg (1972–1985)
- John Clark (1985–1991)
- Poon Chung-kwong (1991–2008)
- Timothy W. Tong (2009–2018)
- Philip C. H. Chan (2019)
- Teng Jin-guang (2019 – present)
Working with Others
PolyU works with over 280 universities and organizations in 39 countries. They have many agreements for student exchanges and joint research projects.
Student Life at PolyU
Student Organizations
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Students’ Union (HKPUSU) is run by students. It works to support and help full-time undergraduate students.
Sports Teams
PolyU has many sports teams for students to join:
- Athletics
- Badminton
- Basketball
- Fencing
- Handball
- Karate-do
- Rowing
- Rugby
- Soccer
- Squash
- Swimming
- Table Tennis
- Taekwondo
- Tennis
- Volleyball
- Woodball
Student Housing
PolyU offers two main student halls (dormitories) in Hung Hom Bay and Ho Man Tin. These halls provide places for students to live. There are also three off-campus housing sites in other parts of the city. These are mainly for students from outside Hong Kong.
- Student Halls, PolyU
Important Events
Campus Events in 2018
In October 2018, there was a disagreement at the university about messages posted on a student bulletin board. Some students were disciplined by the university for their actions during this event. Many student groups and teachers protested these decisions.
Campus Situation in 2019
In November 2019, the university campus became a central point during large protests happening in Hong Kong. There were confrontations between protesters and the police. The police surrounded the campus, and many people inside were injured or arrested. The university campus was significantly affected during this time.
Famous Alumni
Many successful people have studied at PolyU. Here are a few:
- Li Qiang, the Premier of China
- Leung Chun-ying, a former leader of Hong Kong
- Wong Kar-wai, a famous film director
- Gigi Leung, a popular singer
- Vivienne Tam, a well-known fashion designer
- Notable Alumni of PolyU
Images for kids
See also
In Spanish: Universidad Politécnica de Hong Kong para niños
- Education in Hong Kong
- Hong Kong