The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has achieved remarkable international recognition in both academic research and space exploration, reaffirming its position as a global leader in innovation, discovery and technology.
PolyU has attained outstanding results in the latest list of the World’s Top 2% Most-cited Scientists 2025, compiled by Stanford University. A total of 428 PolyU scholars were recognised this year, including 259 who were listed for their career-long citation impact.
This achievement places PolyU second among Hong Kong’s universities in terms of the number of scholars recognised, underscoring the University’s international standing in research excellence.
The career-long citation impact reflects decades of influential research, with PolyU leading globally in several cutting-edge fields. The University’s strong presence across diverse disciplines and its globally ranked scholars underscore its leadership in innovation and advanced technologies.
Moreover, PolyU is the only university in Hong Kong with scholars listed in the subfields of Criminology, Strategic, Defence and Security Studies and Social Work, based on career-long citation impact.
Compiled by Stanford University, the World’s Top 2% Most-cited Scientists list evaluates scholars using a composite of publication impact indicators, including total citations, single-authored citations and H-index across 22 subject fields and 174 sub-fields.
The distinction highlights PolyU’s unwavering commitment to pioneering research, cultivating talent and contributing to the global advancement of knowledge. The University will continue to leverage its impactful research to address pressing global challenges for the benefit of Hong Kong, the nation and the world.
In parallel, PolyU’s excellence in scientific research and engineering innovation has also earned international acclaim in the field of space exploration. The Chang’e-6 lunar mission team, which included a PolyU research team, was honoured with the 2025 World Space Award by the International Astronautical Federation (IAF) for its successful lunar farside sampling mission using a PolyU-developed aerospace engineering payload.
The award, presented at the 76th International Astronautical Congress in Sydney, is regarded as one of the highest accolades in the global aerospace community, often referred to as the “Oscars of Space”.
Led by Professor Yung Kai-liang, Sir Sze-yuen Chung Professor and Chair Professor of Precision Engineering, the PolyU team developed a surface sampling actuator that played a crucial role in the Chang’e-6 mission.
As the only Hong Kong university with an aerospace payload aboard the mission, PolyU contributed to the world’s first-ever lunar farside regolith sampling and packaging, highlighting Hong Kong’s growing contribution to national and international space exploration.
PolyU also received the 3G+ Excellence in Diversity Award, becoming the first higher education institution in China and East Asia to be recognised for promoting diversity, equity and inclusion in scientific research and aerospace development.
Professor Zhao Ruheng, Senior Vice-President (Research and Innovation), said the honours recognise both PolyU’s research strength and its dedication to diversity.
“PolyU will continue to promote innovative research and cultivate diverse talent, contributing to Hong Kong, the nation and the global community,” he affirmed.
PolyU has been a consistent contributor to China’s space programme since 2010, providing key technologies for the Chang’e-3, Chang’e-4, Chang’e-5 and Chang’e-6 lunar missions, as well as the Tianwen-1 Mars mission. In recent years, the University has further strengthened its deep space research through the establishment of the Deep Space Exploration Research Centre.
Since joining the IAF in 2023, PolyU has actively participated in the International Astronautical Congress, this year showcasing nine innovative space research projects spanning low-Earth orbit navigation, planetary remote sensing and spacesuit design, among others.
PolyU’s dual achievements, the recognition of 428 of its scholars among the world’s top 2% most-cited scientists and its pivotal role in the Chang’e-6 mission, exemplify the University’s dedication to advancing knowledge, innovation and discovery on both Earth and beyond.
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