Hong Kong Students Win 12 Awards at National Innovation Contest

Students across Hong Kong just proved their ideas can change the world, taking home 12 awards at the inaugural Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Contest of China's National E-commerce Innovation Competition.

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University hosted the competition on June 12, welcoming 29 teams who made it through university-level rounds. These weren't solo efforts—students teamed up across different schools, cities, and even countries to tackle challenges in healthcare, technology, and social services.

The winning projects showcase how young people are addressing real needs. One team developed an AI system that uses retinal imaging to screen for eye diseases in communities, creating a complete cycle of screening, risk assessment, and follow-up care. Another created a smart therapy system for children with autism using interactive sandplay technology.

Other winners built solutions ranging from moisture control systems that prevent mold in warehouses to AI-powered facial restoration platforms that help families honor loved ones who have passed away. Each project demonstrated how innovation can serve society while building viable businesses.

The competition drew participants from 32 higher education institutions spanning Hong Kong, Macau, mainland China, and overseas universities like the University of Toronto. This cross-border collaboration let students learn from different perspectives while tackling shared challenges.

The Ripple Effect

Beyond the awards, these students are tapping into a growing innovation network. Hong Kong Polytechnic University has established 15 research centers across mainland China, giving winners access to incubation support, market resources, and pathways to turn their prototypes into real products that serve millions.

This marks Hong Kong's first participation in the national competition, which now includes 34 provinces, municipalities, and special administrative regions across China. The winning teams will advance to the National Finals later this month, where they'll compete against the best student innovators from across the country.

Professor Dong Cheng, who oversees knowledge transfer at PolyU, emphasized how the competition helps young people unlock their entrepreneurial potential while contributing to broader development goals. The platform brings together remarkable talents who inspire each other, learn together, and ultimately create solutions that benefit everyone.

These 12 winning teams represent more than academic achievement—they're proof that when universities break down barriers and students collaborate across borders, innovation flourishes and communities benefit.