PolyU Fashion Show
Promoted by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Hong Kong Polytechnic University: A launch pad for career success

Achieving career success is one of the many objectives The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) prepares students for, and nowhere is this more relevant than in the Faculty of Applied Science and Textiles (FAST).

The Faculty is committed to offering quality programmes with curriculum on experiential learning and application-oriented teaching, thereby preparing students to flourish in the workplace.

PolyU’s innovative approach of combining professional knowledge with real-world experience has earned them the impressive ranking of 17th best university in Asia according to Times Higher Education. The Faculty itself also holds impressive accolades, being ranked in the top 100 in the world for Mathematics and Chemistry, and top 44 for Statistics and Operation, according to QS Top Universities.


As a pioneer of fashion and textiles education, the FAST’s world-class teaching has also been acknowledged by Business of Fashion as the 43rd best undergraduate course in the world, with the Master’s degree ranking an impressive 21st. With credentials like these, PolyU and FAST carry a valuable brand name to graduate’s resume.

FAST is comprised of four leading departments, including: the Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, Department of Applied Mathematics, Department of Applied Physics, and the Institute of Textiles and Clothing. FAST provides comprehensive programmes in areas of Applied Biology with Biotechnology, Chemical Technology, Food Safety and Technology, Investment Science, Engineering Physics, as well as Fashion and Textiles. The Faculty offers a range of programmes with levels from Higher Diplomas, Undergraduate to Postgraduate studies, so prospective students are bound to find something that suits their passion.

The hands-on learning that FAST taking pride is core to all programmes. “The emphasis on application is always at the core of our academic programmes as well as research activities,” says Dean of FAST, Professor Wing-tak Wong.

“The four academic departments, unique in its own disciplines, share the common objectives: Offering of quality programmes which are application-oriented within a holistic education context, thereby preparing students to serve the industries; Fostering a symbiotic teaching and learning culture between staff and students; and Enhancing the quality and quantity of research/ scholarly outputs.”

PolyU Overseas Learning Experience Tour

Source: The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

To fulfil their objective of producing outstanding research, FAST has invested in state-of-the-art facilities and equipment to ensure its best and brightest students are working with the advanced tools possible to reach their goals and execute those ground-breaking research outputs.

The Food Safety and Technology Research Centre , the Lo Ka Chung Centre for Natural Anti-Cancer Drug Development , the Materials Research Centre , and University Research Facility in Materials Characterization and Device Fabrication (UMF) Clean Room are carrying out significant research that impact people and communities throughout Hong Kong and the world. The cutting-edge technologies used in these facilities allow students, with the guidance and mentorship of distinguished faculty, to carry out pioneering research works.

To capitalise on the rise of the Mainland, FAST has also established State Key Laboratories in China, these are the State Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine and Molecular Pharmacology (Incubation), and the State Key Laboratory of Chirosciences.

PolyU science facilities

Source: The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

It’s not just the science students who have access to first-rate facilities, students on the Fashion and Textile courses get to put theory into practice in FAST’s Fashion Design Studio, 3D Coloration Laboratory, 3D Body Scanning Laboratory, 4D Visual Fashion Retailing Theatre,  Nano Smart Material Fabrication Research Laboratory and various laboratories, to provide an interactive and stimulating learning environment where students turn their creativity and innovation into reality.

Having the chance to put theory into practice and apply the skills learnt in the classroom has a profound and lasting impact on students, improving their confidence and challenging them to find practical solutions to real-life problems. This is best represented in FAST’s work placements and internships scheme.

“One of the biggest attractions of PolyU is its curriculum which focuses on practical learning in addition to theoretical learning”, says Shilpa Gurung from the UK, alumni of BSc in Applied Biology with Biotechnology. “Because my field is technical, this attribute really stands out”.

FAST students are required to take 80-120 placement hours before graduation, and the Faculty offers support in the form of Sponsorship for Internship Enhancement Programme to ensure students get to fulfil their ambitions of completing a placement locally or overseas including mainland China, Australia, Canada, France, Italy, Japan, Singapore, UK and U.S.A.

PolyU student

Source: The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

A final year student of BSc Investment Science , Chung King Cheuk Kingsley, had the opportunity to work with Yuanta Futures in Taiwan in the Summer of 2016. He affirmed the importance of the internship and recognised the valuable skills he had acquired from his participation in the programme.

“The experience of taking an internship in Yuanta Futures was fantastic,” Kingsley said.

“I not only applied the financial knowledge that I learnt from the University in the workplace, but also gained a deeper understanding of the career in the financial industry, and adopted various new skills…This eight weeks learning experience has enriched both my soft skills and hard skills. My communication skills were improved.”

FAST’s commitment to giving students the opportunity to learn from the best, getting them into the workplace, and identifying students’ talents and boosting their confidence, exercise the skills that are so fundamental and vital, is a recipe for a successful life, and most certainly for their future career.

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