EdUHK Wins Grand Prize at iCAN 2024 Achieves the Best Performance among Hong Kong Universities
The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK) made history at the 9th International Invention Innovation Competition in Canada (iCAN 2024), becoming the first university in Hong Kong to receive the Grand Prize. EdUHK won a total of 18 awards for its 9 projects, including the Grand Prize, five Gold Medals, four Silver Medals, the Organiser’s Choice Award, the Jury’s Choice Award, the Top 20 Best Invention Award and five Special Awards. This achievement highlights EdUHK's outstanding innovative capabilities in health technology, educational technology and sustainable development technology.
“Automatic Screening System for Mild Cognitive Impairment and Dementia with Auditory Tasks” led by Dr Anna Kam Chi-shan, Associate Professor at the Department of Special Education and Counselling, won the Grand Prize, the highest honour at iCAN 2024, and the Gold Medal. The project is a healthcare system designed to conduct hearing checks and screening for mild cognitive impairment and dementia among elders in the community.
The Social Robot project led by Professor Susanna Yeung Siu-sze, Associate Vice President (Quality Assurance) and Professor of the Department of Psychology, won the Jury’s Choice Award and the Gold Medal. The Top 20 Best Invention Award and Gold Medal went to ‘I-well Home’ led by Professor Leung Chi-hung, Professor (Practice) of the Department of Special Education and Counselling. These awards show wide recognition for EdUHK’s expertise and significant innovation in promoting smart cities, educational development and enhancing quality of life.
Professor Chetwyn Chan Che-hin, Vice President (Research and Development) of EdUHK, congratulated the award-winning teams and individuals. “EdUHK’s research teams have made a historic success in Hong Kong with their accomplishments in this innovation competition. The remarkable achievements of EdUHK’s research teams encourage us to continue pursuing excellence in innovative technology research but also serve as a precious gift to celebrate the University’s 30th anniversary. EdUHK remains committed to advancing innovative technologies, contributing to the development of Hong Kong SAR and the country.”
The 9th International Invention Innovation Competition in Canada (iCAN) attracted 756 innovative projects from over 50 countries and regions, making it the most competitive year in history. Since its inception in 2016, iCAN has gradually become an influential platform for innovation competitions. Award winners not only gain honours but also have the opportunity to promote their innovative achievements and enhance their influence in related fields.
List of EdUHK awarded projects and related awards:
| Project Name | Investigator(s) | Abstract of the Project | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Automatic Screening System for Mild Cognitive Impairment and Dementia with Auditory Tasks | Principal Investigator: Dr Anna Kam Chi-shan, Associate Professor of the Department of Special Education and Counselling | A system enabling the screening of hearing loss, mild cognitive impairment, and dementia as a routine elderly healthcare examination in the community. |
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| I-well Home | Principal Investigator: Professor Leung Chi-hung, Professor (Practice) of the Department of Special Education and Counselling | This project integrates scientific learning systems into an all-in-one furniture, providing an engaging and convenient learning environment for children with special educational needs. |
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| Social Robot | Principal Investigator: Professor Susanna Yeung Siu-sze, Associate Vice President (Quality Assurance) and Professor of the Department of Psychology | An AI-powered storytelling robot designed to enhance cognitive and linguistic development among children through personalised interacting experiences. |
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| Artificial Mussel: A Novel Device for Monitoring Heavy Metals and Radionuclides in Global Aquatic Environments | Principal Investigator: Professor Rudolf Wu Shiu-sun, Advisor (Environmental Science) of Department of Science and Environmental Studies | Artificial Mussel (AM) is a passive sampling device invented for monitoring metals/radionuclides in freshwater, marine water and wastewater. It can concentrate 16 different metals/radionuclides (by 4000 to 6000 times), and reach equilibrium within 8 weeks without being interfered by other metal ions and physical factors. |
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| Digital Puppetry System: Connecting Young Generation and Cultural Heritage with Novel Technology | Principal Investigator: Professor Hung Keung, Professor of the Department of Cultural and Creative Arts | The system uses interactive graphic animation to modernise traditional puppetry performance and reactivates cultural heritage to a new artistic experience. |
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| A+Sleep: Personalized Acoustic Control Pillow | Principal Investigator: Dr Steve Mung Wai-yin, Assistant Professor of Research and Development Office
Co-investigators: Professor Chetwyn Chan Che-hin, Vice President (Research and Development)
Mr Liao Jason Ken, (Research Assistant of Dr Steve Mung Wai-yin, Assistant Professor of Research and Development Office) | A serenity pillow with an intelligent acoustic control platform to ensure sleep quality by adjusting sound interference. |
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| EdUAI: Personalized Math Learning | Principal Investigator: Mr Wong Chi-on, (Alumni of BSc (AIET))
Co-investigator: Dr Henry So Chi-fuk, Senior Lecturer I of Department of Mathematics and Information Technology | EdUAI integrates computer vision and advanced language models to provide personalized feedback and support to students learning mathematics. It allows students to photograph their work and receive targeted assistance. |
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| Make-Play Station | Principal Investigators: Dr Hu Xinyun and Dr Vivienne Leung Wai-man, Assistant Professor of the Department of Early Childhood Education | A transformative and multifunctional all-in-one station for children’s STEAM learning. The classroom-fit station blends creativity, exploration and maker play to spark curiosity and nurture a passion for learning. |
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| Portable Aeroponic Culture Unit | Principal Investigator: Professor Wong Ming-hung, Advisor (Environmental Science) of the Department of Science and Environmental Studies
Co-investigators: Associate Professor of the Department of Science and Environmental Studies | An aeroponic planting unit which allows users to explore plant-microbe symbiosis, and can produce symbiotic microbes practically. Equipped with a real-time monitoring function, users can observe and manage planting remotely. |
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EdUHK Wins Grand Prize at iCAN 2024 Achieves the Best Performance among Hong Kong Universities
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