PolyU Nurtures Future Tech Talent Through Fun-Tech 2025

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) successfully concluded the 'Fun-Tech Competition 2024/25,' an initiative designed to nurture future innovation and technology (I&T) leaders by enhancing digital skills among secondary school students. Supported by the Innovation and Technology Commission and organised by PolyU's Department of Applied Social Sciences (APSS), the year-long project engaged over 1,000 students from 29 schools, offering immersive experiences in technologies like VR, AR, and RFID.
The initiative included academic conferences, guided tours, online classes, and workshops, helping students grasp cutting-edge digital tools and apply them creatively. The highlight was a competition where participants created VR videos or developed RFID-based applications, encouraging real-world innovation. Divided into junior and senior secondary levels, the contest focused on applying technology to everyday life and social challenges.
The award ceremony, held at PolyU, was graced by Dr. Jeff Sze, Under Secretary for Education (HKSAR), alongside Prof. Wing-tak Wong, Deputy President and Provost of PolyU, and Prof. Eric Chui, Head of APSS and Co-Director of PReCIT. The event celebrated students' creativity and recognized their potential to drive future I&T breakthroughs.
'Digital tools empower students to explore infinite possibilities,' said Dr. Sze. 'This competition not only sparked their curiosity but helped them build problem-solving skills essential for the future.'
Prof. Wong praised the integration of educational technology with STEAM learning, noting how the competition bridged PolyU's expertise with secondary schools to create a collaborative knowledge-sharing platform.
Prof. Chui highlighted how students used technology to spotlight social issues, aligning with APSS's mission to develop empathetic, socially responsible leaders. Project leader Dr. Rodney Chu commended students' resilience through evaluations, rehearsals, and live Q&A sessions, and noted the competition also supported teacher development through training workshops.
Winning schools included:
VR Video Competition (Senior): SKH Lui Ming Choi Secondary School (Champion), St. Stephen's Church College (1st Runner-Up)
VR Video (Junior): STFA Cheng Yu Tung Secondary School, St. Clare's Girls' School
RFID Application Design (Senior): Po Leung Kuk Ngan Po Ling College and Salesians of Don Bosco Ng Siu Mui Secondary School (Co-Champions), Po Chiu Catholic Secondary School (1st Runner-Up)
RFID (Junior): Chinese Y.M.C.A. Secondary School and Ju Ching Chu Secondary School (Yuen Long) (Co-Champions)
The event concluded with a Teaching and Learning Summit, where Prof. Manuel Castro from Spain's National University of Distance Education shared insights on STEM tools and remote labs, sparking dialogue on educational innovation in schools.
The Fun-Tech Competition 2024/25 has not only helped students master emerging technologies but also fostered collaboration among students, teachers, schools, and industry, cultivating a generation of I&T talent grounded in both technical knowledge and humanistic values.

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