Twenty-one student teams from CUHK received awards at the Hong Kong University Student Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition 2019, held on 25 and 26 May, eighteen of which was formed by students of the Faculty of Engineering. 

The University, with the largest number of awards among tertiary institutions in Hong Kong, has also received the Outstanding Institution Award and completed a sweep of all ten Mathematics and Physics / Mechanics and Control Systems awards under the Innovation category, which exemplified CUHK’s research and innovation excellence in these areas.

Innovation First-class Award: Multi-modality Digital Holography-based Two-photon Excitation Microscope

Ren Mindan and his team members, who are PhD students from the Department of Mechanical and Automation Engineering, won the first-class award with “Multi-modality Digital Holography-based Two-photon Excitation Microscope”. The system combines a powerful Digital Micromirror Device (DMD) random-access scanner with high-speed resonant galvo-scanners to realise many new functionalities that no current commercial solutions can provide, especially the optical imaging functions such as video-rate fluorescent imaging with simultaneous multi-point optical stimulation, ultrafast axial scanning, multi-plane imaging, and curved plane imaging.

Ren Mindan said they developed the mechanical units and operating software in a year and a half, under the supervision of Prof. Shih-Chi Chen, Associate Professor from the Department of Mechanical and Automation Engineering. The team is now working with the Hong Kong Eye Hospital, using this new invention to find out the molecular mechanisms of optic nerve diseases and degeneration.

The Hong Kong University Student Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition 2019 was organised by the Hong Kong New Generation Cultural Association.  A total of 676 students from 16 local tertiary institutions submitted 203 projects for the two categories of the competition, namely “Innovation” and “Entrepreneurship”.  Winning teams will represent Hong Kong at the biennial “Challenge Cup” National College Students’ Extracurricular Academic Science and Technology Contest, the China College Students’ “Internet Plus” Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition and the Beijing-Hong Kong Youth Innovation and Entrepreneurship Cup.

The following is the list of CUHK awarded projects:

This article was originally published on CUHK Communications and Public Relations Office website and edited by the Faculty of Engineering.

The CUHK Faculty of Engineering and SenseTime Group Ltd jointly held an AI Competition for Secondary Schools at the CUHK campus on 11 May 2019, with over 30 teams from 22 schools participated.

The event resulted in the team from St. Paul’s Co-educational College winning the first prize with their project “Cantonese lip reading”.  Lip reading has been a hot topic with well-developed models for English and Mandarin, but non-existent for Cantonese yet.  The Judging Panel was impressed by the sophistication of the team’s work on the topic, the presentation skills of the team members, and the way they handled the Q&A.

After the Competition, the winning teams were presented with cash prize and certificates.  Additionally, the first prize team will receive continuous guidance and support from senior researchers of SenseTime during the coming year aiming for possible participation in national and world-class competitions.  The first and second prize teams will have the opportunity to visit SenseTime and the collaborating universities for internships and summer training. All members of the winning teams will be eligible for receiving scholarships from the Haitong International Securities Group Ltd when they enroll in AI-related programs in their university studies.

The event this year is only the beginning of collaboration between CUHK Engineering and SenseTime. As Professor Martin D. F. Wong remarked in his opening speech of the Competition: “By this first event with Sensetime on AI competition for secondary schools, we aim to begin promoting AI education and cultivating a new generation of AI talents for the future. We will extend our collaborative efforts to more activities on stimulating the interest of our next generation in advanced engineering technologies.”

The results of the CUHK Engineering x SenseTime AI Competition 2019 for Secondary Schools:

The 5th Annual International Mathematical Modeling Challenge - Mainland, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau Regional & International Finalist Presentation Competition was held on 26 and 27 April by the Faculty of Engineering of The Chinese University of Hong Kong.

The teams went through the Autumn and/or Winter seasons, and International Round before they entered the finalist presentation round. They were selected among more than 580 teams from the 4 areas of China after their papers were presented in front of the Grand Jury.

There were more than 30 countries and regions registering in IMMC 2019. From the top 50 finalist teams in Greater China, the best 2 papers each from Mainland, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau will be selected and recommended to the International Expert Panel by the IMMC Committee (Greater China). (Other participating countries or regions will each select the best one or two papers for the International Expert Panel's Judgement). All of the recommended papers will be examined in the beginning of June in Florence in Italy.

IMMC Greater China Regional is an independent contest; and it is also the selection platform for the international round IMMC. The problems of IMMC 2019 continue to align with the idea of STEM Education so as to integrate Mathematics with Science, Technology and Engineering and to apply mathematics in social and economic development and daily life. Taking account that Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been playing significant role in all aspects of the society in recent years and AI is an important domain in applying mathematical modeling, IMMC 2019 set AI as the theme of one of the problems (Problem A). The problem of the international round provides an opportunity for students to think as a global citizen and to express their planet concern through mathematical modeling in addressing the challenges our mother Earth is facing when raising the humankind in this planet.

IMMC 2019 Problems (Greater China):

Problem A: Nurturing Chatbot for Chatting about the History of Artificial Intelligence

Problem B: The Self-Control Mechanism in Online Gameplaying

Problem C: Calibrating Accelerometers

Problem D: Positioning and Treatment of Air Pollution Sources

Self-Chosen Problem: proposed by teams themselves

IMMC 2019 - Problem(International): What is the Earth’s carrying capacity for human life?

The top 50 teams represent the quality of IMMC 2019 in Greater China. After the presentation and judgement by the Grand Jury, 20 teams were awarded Outstanding Awards among whom 12 teams are for the Greater China Regional Contest and 8 teams, the International Round. They are the teams from The High School Affiliated to Southwest University, St. Paul's Co-educational College, Taipei Municipal Zhongshan Girls High School, Escola Hou Kong among other schools.

International Mathematical Modeling Challenge (IMMC or IM2C), co-founded and co-sponsored by the Consortium for Mathematics and its Applications (COMAP) and NeoUnion ESC Organization (NeoUnion), is an innovative mathematical contest in modeling for secondary school students around the world. The IM2C aims to promote mathematical modeling education and enhance secondary school students’ core competences in mathematics and innovation by encouraging its participants to explore the applications of mathematical modeling in solving significant real-world problems. IM2C for the Greater China region is an inclusive platform for all secondary school students at both local and international level to experience the benefits of mathematical modeling and share their learning experience.

Based on the contest platform, IMMC carries out extended teaching series, Advanced Innovation Program(AIP) and regional or international joint school mathematical modeling activities to advocate STEM  education and to nurture creativity and innovation. All of the endeavors converge for students to experience the value of mathematical modeling, and its relevance with their current studies, university studies and even the future career so as to create values for students' lifelong development.

IMMC2019 Greater China Finalist Teams and Distinguished Guests

IMMC2019 International Finalist Teams and Grand Jury

Finalist Presentation is the yearly highlight of IMMC Greater China Region. In IMMC 2019, we have the honor to get the support from the top universities, leading technology companies and international professional organizations.

The organizing chairman and VIP guests who attended the opening ceremony included:

Prof. Martin D.F. Wong,
Dean of Faculty of Engineering,
The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Mr Leo Liu,
General Manager of Alibaba Cloud(Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan & Korean Region)

Dr. Michael Zhang,
Senior Researcher of Theory Lab of Huawei in Hong Kong Research Center.

Mr. Steven Deng
IEEE - Chinese Business Development Manager
(IEEE is the co-organizer of IMMC Greater China)

IMMC2019 distinguished guests, Organizing Committee and Grand Jury members

Mr. Leo Liu emphasized that mathematical modeling is not only about mathematics knowledge, but also concerns interdisciplinary integration, computational thinking and creativity. Mr Leo Liu said, "We are in the Era of Digital and Artificial Intelligence where Cloud Computing, Big Data and Artificial Intelligence are developing rapidly. Because of the fast development of the intelligent technology, many types of job will disappear in the coming future. Some jobs with repeatable duties may be replaced by AI. But, the problem-solving ability and creativity is specific and precious competency that human beings possess. Therefore, IMMC is a valuable platform which provides a place not only to test your basic knowledge, but also for you to solve the real problems with the knowledge and skills you have. This will practice your computational thinking and creativity."

He remarked "Alibaba pays much attention on nurturing mathematical talents. Alibaba Cloud as the cloud computing platform, we work for promoting the innovative change in society through using technology. We combine data analytics, AI, machine learning and Internet of Things (IoT) to help our customers to realize digitalization."

Mr Liu added that Alibaba Cloud promotes the cooperation with schools for assisting the youth innovation and fostering the technological talents to satisfy the needs nowadays and for the future as well. He said, "Promoting the digitital transformation and Smart City is a continuous process of efforts. We hope that the students participating in IMMC will join us in the future."

Prof. Martin D.F. Wong congratulated and praised the students for their passion and creativity shown in their high quality papers. Prof. Wong quoted from the 18th century great mathematician Carl Friedrich Gauss, “Mathematics is the Queen of Science” and pointed, "Science is the foundation of Engineering. Therefore, mathematical modelling is immensely critical for solving scientific and engineering problems. In fact, applications of mathematical modelling go beyond science and engineering. Today, mathematical modelling is also widely used in economics, business, linguistics, psychology, sociology, political science etc. etc."
  
As a fellow of Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers(IEEE) and a fellow of Association for Computing Machinery(ACM), Prof. Wong used the system of linear equation as an example to illustrate the role of mathematical modeling that "modelling by a system of equations are responsible for keeping commercial airplanes on the sky, satellites in orbit, designing computer chips, keeping your computer runs (operating system), auto-driving cars, robotics, AI, GPS, financial forecasting, study of social behaviour, etc."

Prof. Wong pointed out that mathematical modelling is a useful tool/skill that will open doors for students in many fields. He encouraged young secondary school students to pursue their life as our next generation of scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs as a generation of the future of China.

The Representative of Huawei Hong Kong Research Center - Dr. Michael Zhang told the audience an discovery when he worked in Huawei: "Math is important and mathematical modeling is more important because it provides a bridge that connects various math tools and practical problems. "The tools such as convex optimization, stochastic process, statistical learning, and control theory. Using such tools, they on one hand solve problems in existing products and on the other hand exploit what will happen in the future so as to point directions to the future development of the next‐generation products."

Dr. Zhang shared his personal growth experience driven by curiosity and pointed out, "a lifelong learning attitude is critical to maintain your competence in this fast‐changing world and if you have a dream, stick to it and try your best to work on it." Dr. Zhang emphasized that Huawei has various platforms to help innovators realize their dreams. He concluded, "we believe only through collaboration can we together solve  world‐level problems, break more technology limits, and make more contributions to  the entire human beings.".

Mr. Steven Deng introduced IEEE, the largest professional organizaton in the world, with its development and influence in the advancement of technology for humanity. IEEE is the joint organizer of IMMC in Greater China Regional and the supporting organization of IMMC Advanced Innovation Program (AIP) as well. This program invites the past awardees of IMMC who are now studying in universities around the world to participate in the internship at the technological and financial companies in Hong Kong. This is an precious opportunity for young innovators to practice and develop their talents in STEM on the industry level projects before they enter into the workplace.

Prof. K.F. WONG, Associate Dean (External Affairs), Faculty of Engineering of The Chinese University of Hong Kong, served as the Executive Chairman in the final presentation competition of IMMC 2019. The Grand Jury was formed by the professors from Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan & Mainland. The Jury Chair was served by Prof. Ming-Chih LAI from the Department of Applied Mathematics of Taiwan Chiao Tung University.

IMMC 2019 Grand Jury (In alphabetical order of family name)

Prof Yanping CHEN - South China Normal University
Dr Yan Chi CHOW, Vinci - The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Prof Ming-Chih LAI (Jury Chair) - Taiwan Chiao Tung University
Prof Ieng Tak LEONG - University of Macau
Prof Yan LIU, Fiona - The Polytechnic University of Hong Kong
Prof Liqiang LU - Fudan University
Dr Yong-Hong KUO - The University of Hong Kong
Prof Yu-Chen SHU - Taiwan Cheng Kung University
Prof Yunfeng WU - Xiamen University
Prof Lei ZHANG - Peking University

IMMC is an innovative international contest in mathematical modeling with "Education" as its core values. The aim of IMMC is promoting the educational change and innovation. After the presentation and a closed-door session, led by the chair, Prof. LAI, the Grand Jury convened the participating students and teachers to hold a commentary and sharing conclusion session.

During the commentary and sharing session, Jury members summarized the advantages and disadvantages of the papers during contest seasons and the final presentation. They commented and gave instructions on the basic skills in modeling, research methodology, paper writing, presentation skills, and spirit of science.

Jury members shared their experience in doing research and teaching to illustrate the spirit, attitude and difficulties on the road of scientific and technological pursuance. Such sharing is an enlightenment for the students who participated in IMMC for them to choose their career in the STEM fields. Finally, no matter what award result they achieved, teachers and students can regard the contest as a valuable opportunity for practice and growth.

All teams who submitted papers successfully will be recognized as varied categories of awards. The news release and the list of awardee teams of Outstanding, Finalist and Meritorious could be found at the official website www.immchallenge.org.hk. For other awards, participants can log into the website to view.