Awards

Asia Smart App Awards 2024 - Certificate of Merit (Public Sector and Social Innovation)

The PolyU Library Mobile App won the Certificate of Merit in the Public Sector and Social Innovation category at the Asia Smart App Awards 2024. This recognition highlights the app’s effective use of information and communication technology to enhance efficiency and improve access to quality services within the community.

The Asia Smart App contest, celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2024, is organised by the Hong Kong Wireless Technology Industry Association (WTIA) in collaboration with 16 regional organisers and sponsored by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA) of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

The PolyU Library Mobile App offers a seamless and intuitive experience for using our collections, services, and facilities. Key features include:

  • Search and locate book collections and facilities with Augmented Reality (AR) indoor navigation
  • Find the real-time availability of computers, group rooms, studios, seats, and study space
  • Make reservation for Library facilities, manage iBooking records and onsite check in/out the reserved rooms
  • View personal Library records of requested items and loans, and receive alert messages for borrowing and returning records, due date reminders and pick-up notifications for requested items
  • Listen to the audio guide of students sharing sessions and learning experiences when visiting the Outstanding Work by Students Showcase on the Library Podium Floor.

The Hong Kong Institute of Architects - 2023 HKIA Special Award (Interior Design)

The Library Extension and Revitalisation (LER) Project won the 2023 HKIA Special Award (Interior Design) in recognition of its architectural excellence. Organised by the Hong Kong Institute of Architects (HKIA), the HKIA Annual Award is one of the most prestigious architectural awards in Asia.

The LER Project is a government-funded capital works project that aims to extend and refurbish the Library of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU). The Project was approved by the Legislative Council in July 2020 and is set to be completed by the 4th quarter in 2023. Major construction and revitalisation works include:

  • Construction of an additional floor (6/F) on top of the University Library, providing an extra 2,080 m2 in net operational floor area of library space.
  • Revitalisation of existing floors (G/F to 5/F) of the Library building to improve various facilities and learning spaces, with a total affected area of about 14,600 m2.

The new top floor (6/F) opened on 4 July 2022, providing a student-centred space for collaborative learning and quiet study. Incorporating a contemporary design, the new 6/F combines indoor spaces with skylights and outdoor areas to provide a stimulating and dynamic learning environment. Various library facilities are provided to foster students’ academic presentation experience.

The Architect’s Newspaper (AN) - 2022 Best of Design Awards in Library Category

The Library Extension and Revitalisation (LER) Project won AN’s 2022 Best of Design Awards in the Library category.

The Best of Design Awards is a unique project-based award programme that showcases great buildings, building elements, interiors and installations from around the world. Entries are judged by renowned architectural experts according to presentation, evidence of innovation, creative use of new technology, sustainability and, most importantly, good design.

Library 6th Floor (1)
Library 6th Floor (2)
Library 6th Floor (3)

“This rooftop addition creates a landscape of floor finishes, desks, chairs, and lighting to support studying in groups of varying sizes. I like how the space lends agency to its users, and I wonder what it would be like in the busy days leading up to final exams.”

—Jack Murphy, Managing Director, The Architect’s Newspaper 

QS Reimagine Education 2023 (Shortlisted) - PolyU Outstanding Work by Students Project

The Library’s project “Empowering Lifelong Learning: Outstanding Work by Students Portal and Exhibition” was shortlisted for the Lifelong Learning Award at Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) Reimagine Education Awards 2023.

The Outstanding Work by Students (OWS) project is the Library's ongoing commitment to showcase and build pride in outstanding work by students. Feature stories about award-winning work and inspiring social innovation projects by students, as well as videos capturing their learning experiences, are showcased on the Library Podium Floor and the PolyU OWS Portal to recognise the achievements that students attained in their intellectual pursuits at PolyU. The project also provides an opportunity for students to share their learning experiences with their peers.

The QS Reimagine Education Awards 2023, being the 10th anniversary edition, was exceptionally competitive with more than 1,200 submissions across 17 awards categories from around the world. After rigorous evaluations performed by over 600 international expert judges, the OWS project secured a spot on the QS Reimagine Education Awards 2023 shortlist. The accolade recognises the innovative approach and exceptional quality of the project that enhances student learning outcomes and promotes lifelong learning. The project was presented at the QS Reimagine Education Awards & Conference 2023 which was held from 11 to 13 December 2023 in Abu Dhabi.

QS Reimagine Education 2019 - Regional Silver Award in Asia-Pacific and Cultivating Curiosity Bronze Award (Library’s i-Space Project)

The Library’s project “i-Space: A Makerspace and Community for Students of All Backgrounds at the University Library” received the Regional Silver Award in Asia-Pacific and Cultivating Curiosity Bronze Award in the Wharton-Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) Reimagine Education 2019.

The QS Reimagine Education Awards are designed to reward the most successful educational innovations that enhance student learning outcomes and employability. Over 1500 educators from across the world contested this year’s Awards. Over 250 educators from across the world submitted judging candidacies, from which 194 of the most authoritative and experienced were selected.

PolyU Library set up the i-Space in 2017, the first learning space of its kind among academic libraries in Hong Kong to promote the equality of opportunity for students to access digital equipment. The i-Space is an experimental learning space zoned for inspiration, ideation and implementation where students can experience emerging technologies, explore knowledge in new formats and share ideas with their peers. The Digital Makerspace of i-Space allows students from diverse disciplines and family backgrounds to try out and explore entry-level digital equipment which may otherwise be inaccessible and unaffordable to them, including Internet of Things (IoT) tools, Virtual Reality (VR) equipment, 3D scanners and printers, laser cutters, vinyl cutters, poster printers, and video recording and editing equipment.

With a view to cultivating curiosity and a can-do mindset, MakerMindset@i-Space Programme was launched in 2018 with the sponsorship from Shun Hing Education and Charity Fund. The Programme enriches students’ learning experience through creative and insightful hands-on workshops and seminars, and encourages students to explore inspirational use of emerging technologies in creative work.

The Digital Makerspace embraces Culture Tech concept by bringing culture, technology and interdisciplinary collaboration together. To facilitate knowledge transfer to the community, PolyU Library and the Department of Electronic and Information Engineering co-organised the “Inter-secondary School Virtual Reality Contest” with the theme "Stories from Ancient China". The Contest challenged secondary students from diverse disciplines to turn stories and fables from ancient China into immersive Virtual Reality games.

QS Reimagine Education 2018 (Shortlisted) - InfoLit for U Project

The InfoLit for U Project (2015-2018) was a self-paced, non-credit bearing MOOC designed by the libraries of all eight UGC-funded universities in Hong Kong. The project was funded by the University Grant Committee and led by PolyU Library. It aimed to enhance information literacy among students in UGC-funded universities by developing and implementing a shared interactive multimedia courseware, so as to foster their capacity to use information to learn, and to build students’ awareness of themselves as informed learners.

In order to support the development of the key project deliverable InfoLit for U MOOC and ensure the content to be relevant to students and their context, two sub-projects, namely Assessment of Information Educational Needs of Undergraduate Students and  Research Readiness Self-Assessment (RRSA-HK) Questionnaire Instrument, were conducted to assess and form a knowledge base of the MOOC development. Besides, capacity building programme for librarians and course enhancement funds scheme were implemented to enhance librarian-faculty collaboration on designing and embedding relevant information literacy components into courses.

The InfoLit of U Project was shortlisted for Hybrid Learning Awards by the Steering Committee of the Wharton-Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) Reimagine Education 2018 (https://www.reimagine-education.com).  The annual Reimagine Education Awards honour innovative initiatives aimed at enhancing student learning outcomes and employability, also known as the ‘Oscars’ of Education. The team had the opportunity to pitch the InfoLit project to over 500 delegates at the Gala Award Ceremony in San Francisco on 29-30 November 2018.

Web Accessibility Recognition Scheme (WARS) 2016-2023

The Library won three awards in the Web Accessibility Recognition Scheme (WARS) 2023. The Library homepage was once again awarded the Triple Gold Award, the highest accolade in the WARS. The Library also garnered Gold Awards for its PolyU Open Educational Resources Portal and Digital Collections Portal websites respectively for the first time. The adoption of user-friendly and easy-to-navigate web features enables all users, including those with disabilities and special needs, to obtain information easily.

The WARS is organised by the Hong Kong Internet Registration Corporation Limited and co-organised by the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer, with the Equal Opportunities Commission as the independent advisor.

Triple Gold Award: to Library Homepage
Gold Award: PolyU Open Educational Resources (OER) Portal
Gold Award: Digital Collections Portal

The Library obtained six WARS awards over the past few years and its award-winning websites include:

2023

2021

2019

2016

The WARS is organised by the Hong Kong Internet Registration Corporation Limited and co-organised by the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer, with the Equal Opportunities Commission as the independent advisor.

Interactive Media Award 2015 - Best in Class in University Category

The Library website won the Interactive Media Awards (IMA) 2015 Best in Class in the University category in recognition of excellent website planning, execution and overall professionalism.

PolyU Library launched the revamped Library website with responsive web features optimised for viewing in desktops, tablets and mobile phones in December 2014, which was the first-of-its-kind among university libraries in Hong Kong. 

The IMA is an international competition aiming to raise the standard of excellence in website design and development. All submitted website entries are evaluated based on five criteria, namely design, content, feature functionality, usability, and standard compliance. The Best of Class Award is the highest honour given to websites through evaluation by leading web-related professionals.

Special Award in the First National Case Study Competition 2015 - READ@PolyU Common Reading Programme

On 16 October 2015, the READ@PolyU Common Reading Programme won the Special Award in the First National Case Study Competition on Promoting Reading in China Academic Libraries. The competition was organised by the Ministry of Education of China, Steering Committee for Academic Libraries - Reader Service Innovation and Promotion Working Group. A total of 456 academic libraries participated in the event. Among them were some of the most prestigious universities in China. The Special Award recognised our focused effort in promoting a reading culture via a multi-pronged approach to reach our target audience.

Special Award in the First National Case Study Competition 2015 - READ@PolyU Common Reading Programme

READ@PolyU, first launched in 2011, is a campus-wide reading programme that aims to foster an enduring love for reading on campus. Our vision is to build an empathetic, creative, and courageous community of learners and global citizens for whom reading is a source of knowledge and creativity. 

With our partnerships across PolyU units, the programme each year rallies the student population to read a common book, and brings readers together through a series of events, including book distributions, reading groups, author talks, book exhibitions, and integration into the university curriculum. Since its inception, READ@PolyU has reached over 17,925 participants in our programme between 2011-22, cultivating a life-enhancing reading habit among our students.

Our sincere thanks to the Shun Hing Education and Charity Fund for their generous donation and tremendous support, which has ensured the sustainable development of the READ@PolyU Common Reading Programme.