e-News

January

Vol 2

2010

Message from the

Department Head

01

02-03

04-07

08

09-11

12-14

15-16

17

Special Features

Event Spotlights

Recognition-Staff

Recognition-Students

Research Highlights

Student Corner

Alumni Arena

18 Upcoming Event

---

01

Message from the Department Head

Dear All,

As another busy year draws to its close, we at COMP can look back with satisfaction to the many

achievements of our staff and students, with successes in international competitions, in collaborative

research and teaching and learning, as well as truly rewarding involvements in community activities

in Hong Kong and China.

Early success came this year when our Dr Allan Wong received Polyu’s PteC Highest Growth

Consultant Award (merit) for consultancy activities. This was followed by Dr Lou Wei and his team

receiving a grant from Zhejiang University's State Key Lab of Industrial Control Technology for their

proposal for secure localization schemes for wireless sensor networks.

The middle of the year saw a further flurry of awards for staff. Prof. Jiannong Cao and his team

received a grant from the Nokia Research Center (Beijing) for a collaborative project on a ubiquitous

searching and browsing framework. My own team, including Dr Lei Zhang and Dr Ajay Kumar,

received a grant from the EU Commission for a collaborative project involving six

EU countries, the USA, India, and China. The work of Dr Jane You and her team

was rewarded with the maximum possible grant under the Tier 3 of the Innovation

and Technology Support Programme (ITSP) of the Innovation and Technology

Fund (ITF) while Dr Henry Chan, too, has had a successful year, also receiving

grants from the ITF Internship Programme and from the Office of the

Telecommunications Authority. In addition, Dr Vincent Ng and his team received

an award from the Beat Drugs Fund Association that genuinely exemplifies the

idea of technology in the service of humanity, for their "No Drugs" Web-based

Interactive Platform project.

Our students also continued to excel in local, regional, and international

competitions. Lau Hiu Fung, now with the Advanced Enterprise Infrastructure Lab,

took the second runner up award in the Amway Pan-PRD Region Universities IT

Project Competition for his project supervised by Dr Henry Chan, and then went

on to take a Gold Award in the subsequent Grand Competition involving

universities and tertiary institutions from nine mainland provinces, Hong Kong,

Macau, and Taiwan. Certificates of Merit in this same competition also went to two

other teams of COMP students working in the Advanced Enterprise Infrastructure

Lab under the supervision of Dr Henry Chan and Ms Cupid Chow. Finally, Mr. Liu

Yang, a PhD student co-supervised by Dr Liu Yan and Prof. Keith Chan, received the Best

Student Paper Award at the ACM’s Internet Multimedia Computing and Service 2009.

For some years now COMP has also been part of the local and mainland communities in both

educational and service roles. Activities such as the iLearn summer camps and the virtual reality

camps encourage the interest of local primary school children in computing and are always very

popular. The value of our community service has been recognized in a number of awards, including

an unprecedented two of the three top awards in the Community Service Learning Programme

Competitions: the Gold Award for a project to provide teaching and IT support to an orphanage in rural

Gansu and the Bronze Award for a project providing IT training, tutoring, and extracurricular activities

for refugee children in Hong Kong, as well as a Merit Award providing IT training and activities for

special needs children. The department is very proud of these achievements and we congratulate and

thank everyone involved.

Individual members of the COMP staff have also received recognition from the University for their

outstanding personal contributions, with Prof. Jiannong Cao receiving the President's Award for

Research and Scholarly Activities (Individual) and Dr Henry Chan receiving the President's Award for

Services (Individual). We at COMP all know how well deserved these awards are.

On a more personal note, I might also mention my own elevation to a fellowship of the IEEE. Of

course, I am very gratified to receive this honor, but I should also say that in my opinion awards reflect

not just the efforts of individuals but also the support and friendship of colleagues. None of us can

achieve anything alone. All of our achievements ultimately depend on “fellowship”.

Prof. David Zhang

Head of the Department of Computing

---

02

Special Feature

Faculty Dean, Dr Henry Chan, and Dr Korris Chung posing with graduates Chiu Chi Hang, Lau Hiu

Fung, and Cheng Kin Wai and their families at the graduation ceremony.

The

Sweetness of Success

Albert Einstein once told his admirers that success is 99 per

cent perseverance and one per cent inspiration. If that genius

were alive today, he would undoubtedly be pleased to know

that Lau Hiu Fung, a 25-year old computing graduate with

first-class honours from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University,

is now reaping the fruits of success from his relentless

perseverance and intelligence – despite the constraints of the

Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy disease.

“Perseverance is very important – many people have ideas, but

rarely do they persist and work on their ideas until they bear

fruit,” Lau Hiu Fung said wisely, at the graduation ceremony of

the engineering faculty, where he and two of his friends, all

graduates from the faculty, were mobbed by friends, family,

faculty staff, and the media.

Few would doubt the grain of truth in Lau Hiu Fung words, as

the life of the 25-year-old has been a story of constant struggle

and success. Diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

disease at the age of eight, he had since been confined to

wheelchair and suffered from deteriorating

health which virtually robbed his limbs of

strength, leaving him barely able to

type or turn a leaf of book.

However, persistence seems to

be a trait that runs in his family

– Lau Hiu Fung completed his

final year project by hitting the

keyboard with chopsticks, letter

by letter. This project, entitled

Lau Hiu Fung and his supervisor Dr Henry Chan.

“RFID/SMS-based Flight Information and Advertisements

System” involves the innovative use of information technology

to develop a practical application. It won a Gold Award in the

2009 Amway Pan-Pearl River Delta Region Universities IT

Project Competition, beating nearly 40 teams from more than

200 universities. Furthermore, his project was awarded a Gold

Award in the Hong Kong RFID Awards U-21 RFID Awards 2009

(see another article on page 09). In his three years of university,

his mother escorted him to school and back home, and helped

her son flip through the pages of his textbooks as he studied.

Dr Henry Chan, Associate Professor of the Department of

Computing and supervisor of Lau Hiu Fung final year project,

said that Lau Hiu Fung is one of the cleverest and the most

hard-working students he has ever taught. “He is never late for

class. And when I was his supervisor, he always finished every

single task I gave him, alongside extra work he did on his own.”

Dr Chan said, “It is clear that this young man has a passion for

what he is doing.”

After graduating, Lau Hiu Fung has been working in the

Department of Computing as a project assistant, putting his

knowledge to good use.

“PolyU is a very nice place to study and work – there are lots of

scholars and students from different backgrounds, and the

facilities are good. I want to continue my work here and bring

more innovations in computing. And I know I am now moving

along the right path.”

Outstanding computing graduate Lau Hiu Fung

in front of the Department of Computing after

three years of fruitful study.

---

03

Special Feature

Smart Decisions -

Graduates Double their Opportunities with a

Computing and Management Double Degree

IT professionals are in great demand in Hong Kong and abroad.

Whether in finance, government, retail, engineering, marketing, or

a thousand other fields, a wide world of career opportunities

awaits any young person with skills in areas such as software

development and programming, commercial system development

and applications, and computer system construction and system

integration.

The Department of Computing offers a Double Degree in

Computing and Management that provides future professionals,

managers, executives, and entrepreneurs with a well-balanced

understanding of both the core elements of computing and

essential knowledge related to management and corporate

administration. The modern worlds of management, commerce,

marketing and finance now depend on IT-enabled technologies

and approaches that every manager must understand. The

flexibility of a double degree in Computing and Management,

graduating with two degrees after four years of study, makes a

great deal of sense both now and for the future.

Rick Tong, a current student in the double degree programme,

says, “The programme covers both computing

and management. It has definitely improved

my problem-solving skills as well as

teaching me technical skills. I am sure that

the skills I have learnt in the programme

will continue to open many more doors in

my future career.”

Dr Hong-va Leung, Associate Professor and

Programme Leader of the department said, “Hong Kong

Polytechnic has a long tradition of striking the right balance

between giving students the theoretical knowledge they need to

grow as future professionals and the technical skills that are in

demand in today’s competitive workforce. And we also

understand that students need programmes that are flexible,

diversified, and up-to-date.”

“Our undergraduate programmes teach

advanced technical skills for solving

the kinds of knowledge management

and decision-making problems that

modern executives and business

people deal with every day. The

technical skills include basics like

software development or programming,

but students also study in more

advanced areas such as commercial decision support systems

and quantitative finance. The marketing and management

content of our courses mean that in the corporate world our

students can play a strategic intermediary role between

departments or as managers. Our courses include a BSc

(Hons) in Computing, BSc (Hons) in Enterprise Information

Systems and BSc (Hons) in Information Technology.”

The Department also offers undergraduate internships in local

or overseas corporations. Kenneth Lo, a student in our BSc

(Hons) in Enterprise Information Systems programme, took up

an internship at the Microsoft Development Centre in

Copenhagen Denmark and is pleased

that he chose our programme. “The

subjects are practical and real world,

and the programme also provides

great opportunities like the

internship programme that gave

me overseas experience with one of

the world’s top IT companies.”

---

04

Event Spotlights

After some serious discussions, it’s

time for some nice refreshments.

Our department gathering together,

looking up, looking forward!

Our academic and administrative staff review the overall programmes and strategies in a

relaxing atmosphere at Dameisha.

Departmental Retreat

of the Department of Computing

The Department of Computing organized a departmental retreat on 28 and 29 August 2009 at

Dameisha, China. In a relaxing atmosphere, over 40 academic and administrative staff gathered

together to review the department’s overall programmes and strategies, and to discuss the future

work of teaching and learning, and research. The purpose of this review is to enhance the

department’s general teaching standards and to facilitate the department’s operations as a whole.

Major items for discussion were the challenges brought forth by the new 3-3-4 curriculum in 2012,

teaching and learning issues in relation to outcome-based education, research strategies that lead

to technology transfers, and research competence that attracts external funding or grants.

Hong Kong Electronics Fair 2009

Staff members discussing ideas on how to present their

latest projects at the Hong Kong Electronics Fair 2009,

Asia's biggest electronics trade event.

The Department of Computing has showcased its

latest projects such as the Palmprint Identification

System, Automated Tongue Image Acquisition &

Analysis Systems, and Heterogeneous Advanced

Wireless networks at the Hong Kong Electronics

Fair 2009, Asia's biggest electronics trade event.

Organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development

Council, the fair was held in October, and PolyU

was allocated a booth to introduce its latest

creations to an international audience. Over

50,000 buyers from more than 150 countries and

regions every year were attracted to the fair,

making it the largest fair of its kind in Asia and the

second largest in the world.

PolyU's booth at the fair to introduce its latest creations to an

international audience.

---

05

Event Spotlights

Cherishing this memorable occasion.

Prof. Alexander Wai

Ping-kong, Associate Vice

President and Dean of the

Faculty of Engineering, PolyU,

presented souvenirs to Mr Kenneth

Chen Wei-on and Mr Li Ling.

(from right to left) Mr Li Ling,

Deputy Director-General of the

Education, Science and Technology

Department, Liaison Office of The

Central People's Government in the

HKSAR; Mr Kenneth Chen Wei-on, Hong

Kong Under Secretary for Education; Prof.

David Zhang, Head of the Department of

Computing, Poly U.

The 12th Forum of Department Heads

of Computing Discipline is a big success

with more than 130 participants from

China, Hong Kong, and Macau.

Forum of Department Heads of

Computing Discipline Successfully Organized

Aimed at promoting the long-term development of information technology and the related educational endeavours, the

Department of Computing organized the 12th Forum of Department Heads of Computing Discipline, which was co-organized

by seven other universities in China, and held on 6-7 November 2009.

Acting as a platform for the sharing of views and experiences on teaching and learning issues, this two-day forum was

honoured with the presence of the computing department heads from universities in mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau.

Prof. Zhao Wei, President of the

University of Macau, delivered a

talk on the forum.

We were grateful to have the following people give speeches of welcome: Mr Kenneth Chen Wei On,

Hong Kong Under Secretary for Education; Mr Li Ling, Deputy Director-General of the Education,

Science and Technology Department, Liaison Office of The Central People's Government in the

HKSAR; and Prof. Alexander Wai Ping Kong, Associate Vice President and Dean of the Faculty of

Engineering, PolyU. Prof. David Zhang, Head of the Department of Computing, Poly U, hosted the

event. Prof. Zhao Wei, President of the University of Macau; Prof. Xiaodong Zhang, Chair of

Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Ohio State University; and other computing

department heads delivered talks throughout the day.

With the discussion focusing on China’s computing research and development, the training of

talent, and opportunities and challenges for technology and society; the forum attracted more

than 130 enthusiastic participants.

---

06

Event Spotlights

Our computing students and

academic staff received many

enquiries about our undergraduate

and double degree programmes.

A full house of prospective applicants concentrated on the in-depth details given at the information seminars.

IT is Full of

Opportunities - Education Info Day

The PolyU Education Info Day was successfully held on 11

October 2009. The campus and our laboratories were open

for visits from the public, including secondary school students,

principals, teachers, and parents. Information technology is

always a hot choice for students, and our department

attracted tens of thousands of visitors to our booth.

Most notably, the two information sessions that gave

prospective applicants in-depth details on the programmes,

namely “IT is Full of Opportunities – Pursuing Studies and

Careers in IT”, were very well attended, with many visitors

queuing up to learn more details. We also received an

enormous number of enquiries about our undergraduate and

double degree programmes.

Apart from the seminars, exhibitions, video shows, and

demonstrations, we also gave our visitors laboratory tours,

including of our biometrics research centre, internet and

mobile computing lab, intelligent home, and e-toy

lab. The success of Info Day would not have

been possible without the great help of many

student helpers and academic staff.

---

07

Event Spotlights

Congregation

Congregation is truly a moment of celebration, the culmination of many years of hard work and study.

On 3 November 2009, a total of 571 students graduated at the Jockey Club Auditorium. Session 1 commenced at 10:30 am and

Session 2 started at 3 pm.

The Guests of Honour included Mr Jeremy Richard Godfrey, Government Chief Information Officer, The Government of the

HKSAR, and Mr Charles Mok, Vice Chairman, The Professional Commons, who gave the Congratulatory Addresses for the

undergraduates and postgraduates, respectively. Miss Li Kin Ling delivered the Valedictory Speech for the undergraduates and

Miss Law Lai Ming gave the Valedictory Speech for the postgraduates.

The Department of Computing’s new, vastly improved and highly interactive website.

Launch of a New Website and Video

Technology means change. The Department of Computing has taken the initiative to inject new life into its website as a proactive

response to the increased importance of the web as a crucial medium. With this insightful approach, the website has been

transformed into a one-stop source for all information about the Department.

The improved website includes a dynamic photo album, with lively pictures for each section. Different thematic images were also

added, along with a motto for each theme. The improved, super-friendly user interface is now equipped with maximum of three

levels, complete with a crystal-clear structure.

Another feature added to the website is an embedded Corporate Video, which allows for a better understanding of the

Department.

---

David Zhang’s

Professor

team awarded an EU research grant

Prof David Zhang’s team has received approximately HK$730,000 worth of funding from the

Commission of European Communities, the European Union. The grant, awarded to the Biometrics

Research Centre, will be mainly used to organize "The 3rd International Conference on the Ethics and

Policy of Biometrics and International Data Sharing" to be held in Hong Kong next year.

Nokia Research Center Grant to

Professor Jiannong Cao’s team

Prof. Jiannong Cao and his team were awarded a RMB$200,000 grant by the Nokia Research

Centre, Beijing. The grant fund Professor Cao’s research on a “Wireless Sensor Network-based

Context Pub/Sub Framework for Mobile Applications”.

Anti-drugs project by

Dr Vincent Ng’s team won a government grant

Dr Vincent Ng and his team have been granted a sum of HK$459,000 by the Beat Drugs Fund

Association of the Government for their anti-drugs project, "SunShine Pioneer - A "No Drug"

Web-based Interactive Platform". The aim of the project, spanning from October 2009 to February

2011, is to establish a digital channel that passes anti-drugs messages to students through the

effective use of Web 2.0 technologies that engage students, teachers, social-workers, and parents in

an interactive way.

ITF internship fund granted to

Dr Henry Chan’s team

Last year, Dr Henry Chan obtained an Innovation and Technology Fund (ITF) grant of over $4 million

for the project entitled, "Enhancing the Competitiveness of the Hong Kong Air Freight Forwarding

Industry Using RFID and Software Agent Technologies". This year, two internships totaling

HK$261,144 from the ITF Internship Programme have been granted to Dr Henry Chan and his team

to support two interns for the project.

OFTA funding and industry initiatives

in support of Dr Henry Chan’s team

The Office of the Telecommunications Authority (OFTA) has conferred HK$400,000 of funding to

Dr Henry Chan and his team in support of their project, "SMS-based Services for Airport Travellers

and Tourists". This project has also attracted over HK$80,000 of sponsorship in cash and in-kind

from the industry.

HK$1million of ITF funding for

Dr Jane You’s team

08

Recognition-Staff

The Innovative and Technology Fund (ITF) has granted HK$1,000,000, the maximum amount

possible from the Tier 3 of the Innovation and Technology Support Programme (ITSP), to Dr Jane You

and her team in support of their project entitled, "The Development of a New High Performance Funds

Camera for Automated Medical Diagnosis and Monitoring".

President’s Awards for

Excellence/Achievement

2008/09

Prof. Jiannong Cao and Dr Henry Chan were presented the

President's Awards for Excellence/Achievement in 2008/2009.

Nominations were made based on the two scholars’ outstanding

performance and achievements in their fields. Professor Cao

received the President’s Award in Research and Scholarly

Activities, and Dr Chan the President’s Award in Services. An

awards presentation ceremony was held on 27 November 2009 at

the Jockey Club Auditorium.

---

09

Recognition-Students

Ms Anna Lin, Chief Executive of GS1

Hong Kong, presenting the U-21 RFID

Awards Certificate of Merits to student,

Liu Yudi.

Dr Henry Chan, Lau Hiu Fung, and

Miss Janet Wong, JP, Commissioner

for Innovation and Technology, HKSAR

Government, posing for a picture.

President of China and South East Asia of

One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) Asia Pacific,

Mr Anthony Wong, presenting the U-21

RFID Awards Certificate of Merits to

student, Lam Pak Chuen Burton.

Achievements of COMP Students in

Hong Kong RFID Awards U-21 RFID Awards 2009

Hard work pays off! The RFID/SMS-based Flight Information and Advertisements System of The Hong

Kong Polytechnic University's Department of Computing was awarded a Gold Award in the Hong Kong

RFID Awards U-21 RFID Awards 2009.

Amidst fierce competition, Mr Lau Hiu Fung, won a Gold Award in the Hong Kong RFID Awards U-21 RFID

Awards 2009 with his final year project. Two teams of COMP students participating in the competition also

received Certificates of Merit.

One Certificate of Merit was awarded to a project entitled, "Intelligent Information Provider" and its project

creators, Cheung Tsz Hung, Chiu Chi Hang, Chu Hau Shing, Lam Pak Chuen Burton, and Zhao Chu. The

other Certificate of Merit was awarded to Choi Hin Kwong, Liu Yudi, Wong Cho Tak, and Yang Fan's project

entitled, "Airport Passenger Tracking System Using RFID and SMS".

The award and certificates were presented in November. Lau Hiu Fung and other students were

supervised by Dr Henry Chan and Ms Cupid Chow.

---

Computing Scholarship Awardees

2008-2009

10

Recognition-Students

John von Neumann Scholarship for Outstanding Academic Performance

Student Name Programme Year

ID

08132926D WONG Nim Sang BSC (Hons) Scheme in Computing 1

06227909D CHOI Hin Kwong Double Degree in Computing and Management 3

06244098D TONG Yu Ming Double Degree in Computing and Management 3

06153158D CHU Hau Shing BSC (Hons) in Computing 3

07610530T WONG Ho Yan BA (Hons) in Computing 2

Alan Turing Entrance Scholarship for Undergraduate Computing Students

Student Name Programme Year

ID

08087999D CHAN Sin Lun Thomas BSC (Hons) Scheme in Computing 1

08037554D CHEUNG Tsz Kin BSC (Hons) Scheme in Computing 1

08193205D LAM Pak Chuen BSC (Hons) Scheme in Computing 1

08539153D TSE Kim Chung BSC (Hons) in Computing 1

08571116D SHUM Chi Ho BSC (Hons) in Computing 1

08343575D TSE Yat Sen BSC (Hons) Scheme in Computing 1

Donald Knuth Subject Scholarship for Principles of Programming

Student Name Programme Year

ID

08345444D Cheung Ka Yan BSC (Hons) Scheme in Computing 1

08250821D Chu Tun Yin Gary BSC (Hons) Scheme in Computing 1

08365511D Cheuk Chun Ho Michael BSC (Hons) Scheme in Computing 1

08137380D Wong Ke Fang BSC (Hons) Scheme in Computing 1

08211320D Wong Pak Hei BSC (Hons) Scheme in Computing 1

Edsger Dijkstra Subject Scholarship for Data Structures & Algorithms

Student Name Programme Year

ID

08502621D Tong Man Kin BSC (Hons) in Computing 1

08137380D Wong Ke Fang BSC (Hons) Scheme in Computing 1

08356792D Tang Yee Man BSC (Hons) Scheme in Computing 1

08237922D Fung Ka Kit BSC (Hons) Scheme in Computing 1

08250821D Chu Tun Yin Gary BSC (Hons) Scheme in Computing 1

Alan Turing Entrance Scholarship for Part-time Undergraduate Computing Students

Student Name Programme Year

ID

08656277T LEUNG Wing Ho BA (Hons) in Computing 1

08669760T TSANG Yip Wang BA (Hons) in Computing 1

08601868T LI Man Kam BA (Hons) in Computing 1

08663705T CHAN Chi Ho Geo BA (Hons) in Computing 1

08639963T CHENG Man Chun BA (Hons) in Computing 1

08616974T LOO Ka Hing BA (Hons) in Computing 1

08608267T WONG Kwok Ho BA (Hons) in Computing 1

08663324T CHEUNG Ka Keung BA (Hons) in Computing 1

08600386T WONG King Yee BA (Hons) in Computing 1

08601567T CHENG Nang Wai BA (Hons) in Computing 1

E.F. Codd Scholarship for Outstanding Students

Student Name Programme Year

ID

06186741D WAN Hok Man Double Degree in Computing and Management 3

07824415D GUO Tingliang BSC (Hons) Scheme in Computing 2

08087999D CHAN Sin Lun Thomas BSC (Hons) Scheme in Computing 1

07856150D LIU Zhengzhong BSC (Hons) Scheme in Computing 2

06034390D LAU Yin Mei BSC (Hons) in Enterprise Information Systems 3

06874758D LE Danni BSC (Hons) in Computing 3

07870014D LIU Yong BSC (Hons) Scheme in Computing 2

07319644D TANG Hiu Nam Double Degree in Computing and Management 2

08137380D WONG Ke Fang BSC (Hons) Scheme in Computing 1

07037155D LAM Pui Shan Double Degree in Computing and Management 2

---

11

Recognition-Students

The Dean’s Honours List of

Outstanding Students for 2008-2009

The following students in the Department of Computing have satisfied the criteria (based on outstanding academic performance)

for being included in the Dean’s Honours List in the 2008/2009 academic year.

Honours Degree Programmes

CHAN Hon Keung

CHAN Yin On Simon

CHIU Chi Hang

CHU Ka Chun

CHUNG Chi Pang

FENG Ziqiang

HO Wing Hong

IP Ka Shing

LAM Pang Fai

LAM Sze Mei

LAU Chi Wah

LEE Chin Cheung

LI Kin Ling

LIU Yong

LIU Zhengyang

LOO Ka Hing

NG Hon Chung

NG Yik Fei Sapphire

SHEK Wang Hon

SHI Chao

TAM Ka Kin

TAN Yizhi

TSO Tin Lok

TSOI Ka Wai

WAI Hang Kit

WAN Hok Man

WANG Xinchao

WEN Yisi

WONG Ho Yan

WONG Hoi Yi

WONG Nim Sang

WONG Siu Chung

XU Ruifeng

YANG Fan

YIP Wai Yan

---

12

Research Highlights

Palmprint

Identification

System

The Palmprint Identification System jointly developed by the

Hong Kong Polytechnic University and Harbin Institute of

Technology provides a better option to the existing biometric

personal authentication systems.

Compared to the existing biometric systems, which authenticate

their users through physical traits like their fingerprints, face, and

iris, the system is highly competitive. First, its accuracy is notably

higher - the Equal Error Rate of the Palmprint recognition system

is 0.03 per cent; compared to a fingerprint recognition system of

one to two per cent; and an iris recognition system of 0.5 per

cent. It is also highly efficient, quickly and accurately identifying a

person at a competitive cost.

The system is applicable for use in high security locations such

as bank vaults and customs check-points, as well as for personal

authentication purposes in connection with such matters as

accessing social security systems, and for personal identity

cards.

The system has already received a clutch of awards, including

the Silver Award from the 34th International Exhibition of

Inventions, New Techniques and Products of Geneva (2006),

and a Special Award and Gold Award at the 14th China National

Exhibition of Inventions, The Korea Invention Promotion

Association (2003).

The Palmprint Identification

System was jointly developed

by the Hong Kong

Polytechnic University and

Harbin Institute of

Technology.

---

13

Research Highlights

Associate Head of Department, Prof. Cao, showcasing the department's research

efforts to the RGC representatives at the Internet and Mobile Computing Lab.

Published academic works by the department staff.

Head of Department, Prof. David Zhang,

demonstrated the department’s latest

research efforts to the RGC representatives

at the Biometrics Lab.

RGC visit to the

Department of Computing

Representatives from the Research Grants Council (RGC) visited PolyU in

June. Staff and research students from the Department of Computing shared

their views and experiences in discussion sessions with the RGC

representatives, as well as in the brief introductory meetings that were held.

Posters and products illustrating the research areas and results of the

department were also displayed.

The spate of research projects funded by RGC

at the department.

---

14

Research Highlights

Prof. David Zhang (right) received the IEEE

Fellow Award from Prof. Paul Cheung (left), Chair

of the IEEE Medal of Honor Committee and

former Chair of the IEEE Awards Board.

(from right to left) Prof. Alexander Wai, Associate

Vice President and Dean of the Faculty of

Engineering, PolyU; Prof. David Zhang; Dr Henry

Chan, Associate Professor, Department of

Computing, PolyU

Congratulations to Prof. David Zhang –

on receiving the IEEE Fellow Award

One of the many pieces of good news we have to report this year! Our

Head of Department, Prof. David Zhang, received the IEEE Fellow

Award at the IEEE’s 125th anniversary banquet on 21 August 2009. He

was elected in recognition of his contributions to biometric identification

and systems.

IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) is the world’s

largest professional association advancing innovation and technological

excellence for the benefit of humanity. IEEE fellowship is a prestigious

recognition for those members who have made outstanding

achievements in the field of engineering. This year, the IEEE’s Board of

Directors elected a total of 302 fellows worldwide; only eight fellows

were elected in Hong Kong.

Better Communications

for the Connected Generation

Professor Jiannong Cao, Associate Head of the Department of

Computing at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University and director of the

Internet and Mobile Computing Lab, alongside with his working team

has won the Bronze Award in the Brussels Innova 2009 for the project

"HAWK: Heterogeneous Advanced Wireless Networks". The awarded

project features a HAWK platform with practical technologies to support

users’ seamless communication and mobility for ubiquitous Internet

access over heterogeneous wireless networks.

Brussels Innova is a yearly event founded by Belgium in 2007. More

than 40 booths from 15 countries in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia

countries were featured alongside PolyU’s booth at Brussels Innova

2009, which was held from 19 - 21 November 2009 in Brussels. The

event included exhibitions and contests, as well as consortiums and

seminars on developing small and medium-sized enterprises. Ideas

were shared about patent and brand issues, and practical tips for

bridging innovations and business.

---

15

Student Corner

Participants of the VR Camp stop to

pose for a group picture on the steps of

the Polytechnic University.

Students putting their innovative minds to

work at the IO Camp.

Let me try! The IO Camp offers a unique,

hands-on experience for all of its participants.

Look at me! Students sharing and presenting

their finished work of art.

Students concentrating hard on their projects at

the Robotic Camp

Summer Camps

Dedicated to inspiring young minds! Since 2005, the Department has held various summer camps for local primary and

secondary students, with hopes of developing their future potential and promoting higher-level thinking.

The various camps include the i3Learn Group Summer Camp, the Virtual Reality Summer Camp, and the Innovation Odyssey

Entrepreneurial Challenge Camp.

Proud students getting the award and recognition they deserve.

---

16

Student Corner

Dr Vincent Ng presenting a souvenir to Albert Wong, Manager of Service

Management, Greater China Group, representative of IBM.

IBM Workshop

Knowledge is power! On 17 October 2009, the Department of

Computing, along with IBM, held a Project Management training

course for computing graduates.

The workshop stressed the significance of efficient project

management and its impact on the business world. Presenters

shared essential management techniques based on personal

experience and knowledge.

Workshop participants were given helpful advice and tips on Project

Management by IBM representative.

Visit to the

Hong Kong International Airport

On 24 June 2009, a group of enthusiastic students and staff, led

by Dr Henry Chan and Dr Eric Lo, got the opportunity to visit a

restricted area of the Hong Kong International Airport. The visit

was made possible with special thanks to Cathay Pacific Airways

Ltd and the Hong Kong Airport Services Ltd. The focus of the visit

was to expose attendees to the workings of the RFID-based

baggage processing system and ramp operations.

Orientation Camp 2009

Let’s make friends! A three-day orientation camp for 108

students was held by the Society of Computing studies this

past summer. Sponsored by the Department of Computing,

the camp was a huge success. The camp incorporated

games and team-building activities, encouraging students to

work together and to make new friends.

---

17

Alumni Arena

Excited CAA members take a group photo with HAECO

instructors and trainees in the main lobby during the visit.

CAA HAECO Visit

A GE jet engine being towed to the aircraft hanger for assembly.

Members of the Computing Alumni Association reached for the sky on 5 September, 2009, when

the CAA visited the Hong Kong Aircraft Engineering Company (HAECO).

CAA members were introduced to the premises and the aircraft hangar model by Mr. Fong, the

Training Instructor. Visitors witnessed many fascinating aspects of the operation, including a GE

jet engine being towed to the aircraft hangar for assembly.

At the end of the visit, a CAA flag was presented to Mr. Fong to show the CAA’s sincere

appreciation and gratitude to the HAECO. A group picture with CAA members and HAECO

personnel wrapped up the visit.

CAA members look at a model while listening to

an introduction of the HAECO premises and

aircraft hanger model by Mr. Fong.

CAA members pause for a general briefing by

Mr. Fong, the Training Instructor, in the main

lobby of the HAECO Administration Building.

Wendy, the CAA’s new Public Relationship

Officer, presenting a CAA flag to Mr. Fong and

the trainees after the HAECO visit.

---

18

Upcoming Event

The 3rd International Conference

on the Ethics and Policy of Biometrics and

International Data Sharing

The Department of Computing is organizing the 3rd International Conference on the Ethics and

Policy of Biometrics and International Data Sharing on 4-5 January 2010 in PolyU.

This conference is focused on developing policy recommendations on the use of

personal/biometric data/technologies, with objective of sharing experiences and developing policy

(recommendations) on legal, ethical, cultural, political, and privacy issues. Relevant EU, US, and

Chinese authorities; regulators, lawmaking bodies, and security-related agencies will be engaged.

More information is available at http://www.comp.polyu.edu.hk/conference/iceb/

---

If you are interested to know more about the Department of Computing (COMP), please feel free to contact us.

Tel: 2766 7300 Email: enquiry@comp.polyu.edu.hk Website: http://www.comp.polyu.edu.hk/