SenseShield wins top prize at 3rd Lingnan–Yuanpei STEM Summer Academy, turning human‑centred tech into real‑world social impact

Jointly organised by Lingnan University and Yuanpei College of Peking University (PKU), the onsite seven-day intensive training camp (held from 2 to 8 July 2026) amid the third Lingnan-Yuanpei STEM Summer Academy concluded on the Lingnan University campus, showcasing how the next generation of Beijing-Hong Kong talents seamlessly blends cutting-edge scientific innovation with a profound humanistic spirit, and empowering student entrepreneurs to transform creative ideas into socially responsible and real-world business solutions.

The culminating STEM Roadshow Competition saw around 30 students forming five teams pitch viable, tech-driven business models that prioritised social value alongside commercial feasibility.

After rounds of prototyping, pitching and assessment, the team “SenseShield” won the championship. SenseShield is a pioneering menstrual leak emergency system integrated with inclusive design. The “3-in-1” emergency kit is as compact as a pocket-sized tissue pack, making it exceptionally portable. It features three innovative essentials for women: a stylish emergency camouflage half-skirt, a leak-proof sanitary seat mat, and an odour-resistant disposable seal bag. By addressing a previously unmet market need for “post-leak self-rescue”, the project aims to alleviate women’s hidden anxieties and advance equality through accessible products. The team was mentored by Mr Adrian Lo Chun-kwong, Chief Design Lead of the UNU Hub on Humanitarian Innovation and Technology at Lingnan University.

Sharing her joy upon winning the award, Leta Li Xinying, the leader of the champion team and a Lingnan graduating student from the Master of Arts in Social Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management programme, expressed, “We are all incredibly thrilled to win this competition, and we are delighted that our hard work has been recognised. I believe the key to our success was teamwork - every team member approached the competition with dedication and actively shared ideas with one another. Moving forward, we hope to obtain international standards and various certifications for our product, discover investment partners, and bring this project to fruition.” The winning team was awarded a cash prize of HKD$50,000 sponsored by Lingnan Foundation, along with eligibility to receive up to HKD$500,000 from the Lingnan Foundation Prototype Fund to productise their idea.

Other award-winning projects included:

• First runner-up - Fluency Auditor: A Multimodal AI-Driven Linguistic Assessment Platform

• Second runner-up - AI Cognitive Training Device for Elderly with Mild Cognitive Impairment

• Merit awards - Darlink (AI Matching)

• Low-Cost Intelligent Device and System for Real-Time Mosquito Monitoring

Embodying Lingnan’s motto, “Education for Service”, this year’s summer academy focused heavily on human-centric technology. Elite students from diverse academic backgrounds, including artificial intelligence, data science, arts, business, social sciences, and interdisciplinary studies, formed inter-institutional teams to tackle pressing community, health, and environmental challenges. It was attended by Prof Raymond Chan Hon-fu, Vice-President (Academics) cum Provost and Lam Man Tsan Chair Professor of Scientific Computing at Lingnan University, and Mr Chai Teng, Executive Deputy Secretary of the CYL Committee of PKU’s Yuanpei College, with the judging panel comprising Dr Daniel Chun, Vice President of the Smart City Consortium, Ms Lillian Li, Executive Director of the Social Impact Partners, and Mr Edmond Lam, Senior Manager (AI & Data) of the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation.

Reflecting on the overall performance of participants, the judging panel remarked, “What set this year’s cohorts apart was their ability to look past pure profitability but code for a cause. We were thoroughly impressed by how these young innovators didn’t just showcase technical brilliance, but deeply researched the human element of their chosen problems. The synergy between Lingnan University and PKU was palpable. They seamlessly combined high-level data intelligence with a practical and community-first mindset.”

Prof Raymond Chan Hon-fu, Vice-President (Academics) cum Provost and Lam Man Tsan Chair Professor of Scientific Computing at Lingnan University, commended the participants and organisers during his closing remarks of the STEM Roadshow Competition, “It has been a privilege to witness the dedication, creativity, and perseverance of every participant. This cross-institutional collaboration between Lingnan University and Peking University’s Yuanpei College succeeded because of the seamless coordination of our staff and project advisors. To our students: you are all winners in our eyes. You have demonstrated how to harness technology and human values for the betterment of our world. Go forward and become the socially responsible leaders of tomorrow.”

Addressing the competition’s closing with a pre-recorded message, Mr Li Zhe, Chair of the PKU’s Yuanpei College Council, remarked that over the past week, students from both universities had brilliantly integrated the embracement of naturalism and human-centric liberal arts philosophy. They had proven that true innovation is never just about piling up technologies; it is a profound response to the genuine needs of human society. Mr Li hopes that this friendship spanning two cities continues to plant seeds of innovation, and looks forward to seeing these students evolve into visionary leaders equipped with both technological prowess and humanistic literacy.

Since its inception in 2024, the Lingnan-Yuanpei STEM Summer Academy has grown into a vital platform for deep cross-institutional collaboration and talent cultivation. It targets to further enhance the integrated development combining education, technology, and high-calibre talent cultivation, and actively promote the “Study in Hong Kong” brand. The winning projects elegantly addressed real social pain points, proving out students’ ability to root STEM knowledge in real-world scenarios.

The champion team “SenseShield” celebrates their victory at the signature competition under Lingnan-Yuanpei STEM Summer Academy 2026 with Prof Raymond Chan Hon-fu, Vice-President (Academics) cum Provost and Lam Man Tsan Chair Professor of Scientific Computing at Lingnan University (first right), Mr Chai Teng, Executive Deputy Secretary of the CYL Committee of Yuanpei College, Peking University (first left), and the competition judges.

The champion team, “SenseShield”, presents their pioneering menstrual period leakage emergency system, filling a gap in the market for “post-leakage self-rescue” and dedicating themselves to eliminating women’s anxiety.

The champion team, “SenseShield”, presents their pioneering menstrual period leakage emergency system, filling a gap in the market for “post-leakage self-rescue” and dedicating themselves to eliminating women’s anxiety.

The “Fluency Auditor: A Multimodal AI-Driven Linguistic Assessment Platform” team notches up the first runner-up prize from Dr Daniel Chun, Vice President of the Smart City Consortium (first left).

The “AI Cognitive Training Device for Elderly with Mild Cognitive Impairment” team receives the second runner-up prize from Ms Lillian Li, Executive Director of the Social Impact Partners (first left).

Mr Edmond Lam, Senior Manager (AI & Data) of the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (first left) presents merit awards to two teams, namely, “Darlink (AI Matching)” and “Low-Cost Intelligent Device and System for Real-Time Mosquito Monitoring”.

Mr Edmond Lam, Senior Manager (AI & Data) of the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (first left) presents merit awards to two teams, namely, “Darlink (AI Matching)” and “Low-Cost Intelligent Device and System for Real-Time Mosquito Monitoring”.

Prof Raymond Chan Hon-fu, Vice-President (Academics) cum Provost and Lam Man Tsan Chair Professor of Scientific Computing at Lingnan University speaks at the STEM Roadshow Competition.

Mr Li Zhe, Chair of the Yuanpei College Council of Peking University delivers a closing video remark.

In the evening, Canton Tower illuminated a congratulatory display celebrating Lingnan’s achievement of retaining the world’s No. 1 position in SDG 4: Quality Education in the Times Higher Education (THE) Sustainability Impact Ratings 2026, screening the achievements of Hong Kong’s higher education sector to communities across the Greater Bay Area.

Lingnan University organises a seminar titled “The Present and Future of Liberal Arts Education through the Lens of Lingnan History” at Yuanzhi Business School in Guangzhou. From left: Ms Zhu Ke, Head and Chief Correspondent (Hong Kong SAR) of the Communication Centre of Guangdong Radio and Television Station; Prof S. Joe Qin, President and Wai Kee Kau Chair Professor of Data Science; Prof Xu Zidong, Senior Lingnan Scholar of the Lingnan University Institute for Advanced Study; Prof Lau Chi-pang, Special Advisor to the President on Publicity cum Director of Communications and Public Affairs of Lingnan University.

The event was attended by Mr Patrick Chong Kong-sang, Deputy Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Guangdong of the HKSAR Government, who took part in the exchange session. The seminar featured Prof S. Joe Qin, President and Wai Kee Kau Chair Professor of Data Science of Lingnan University; Prof Lau Chi-pang, Special Advisor to the President on Publicity cum Director of Communications and Public Affairs of Lingnan University, and Chairman of the Legislative Council Panel on Education; Prof Xu Zidong, Senior Lingnan Scholar of the Lingnan University Institute for Advanced Study; and Ms Zhu Ke, Head and Chief Correspondent (Hong Kong SAR) of the Communication Centre of Guangdong Radio and Television Station. Drawing on perspectives from history, culture, and educational development, the speakers discussed how liberal arts education could meet the talent development needs of the digital era.

Mr Patrick Chong Kong-sang, Deputy Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Guangdong of the HKSAR Government said: “With the Government's full commitment to developing Hong Kong into an education hub, coupled with the support of a series of policy measures, Hong Kong's higher education system has again excelled. According to the latest 2027 World University Rankings published by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), an international higher education institution, the eight universities funded by the University Grants Committee (UGC) have achieved outstanding results, with five of them maintaining their positions among the world's top 100, fully demonstrating the international outlook and excellence of Hong Kong’s higher education sector. The HKSAR Government is actively advancing the ‘Study in Hong Kong’ brand, with the aim of developing Hong Kong into an international higher education hub and attracting more outstanding students to pursue their studies in Hong Kong. The Government will also continue to strengthen cooperation with cities in the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area, facilitating the two-way flow of talents within the region. We welcome Lingnan University’s continued active participation and effort in the educational collaboration and talent exchange within the Greater Bay Area.”

In his opening remarks, Prof S. Joe Qin mentioned that Lingnan’s origins can be traced back to Guangzhou, making it particularly meaningful to discuss the future of education on this special anniversary, saying “The National 15th Five-Year Plan calls for the coordinated advancement of our strengths in education, science and technology, and talent development. This reflects society’s growing need for research talent equipped with cultural literacy, innovative capabilities, and a strong sense of social responsibility. Universities should encourage younger generations to study history and strengthen their cultural foundations. This helps them build critical thinking and discernment in an increasingly complex and rapidly changing digital age, allowing them to anchor themselves in Hong Kong while developing a true understanding of our nation’s development.”

Prof Lau Chi-pang, who is also Professor of the Department of History, said that Lingnan University’s development bears witness to the long-standing and close cultural and educational ties between Guangzhou and Hong Kong, adding “Lingnan’s historical origins can be traced back to the Christian College in China, founded in Guangzhou in 1888. During its 138-year history, the University was forced to relocate three times during the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression before eventually being re-established in Hong Kong, and undergoing successive stages of development. Even in the most challenging circumstances, generations of faculty members and students remained steadfast in their pursuit of knowledge and commitment to education, and this spirit remains worthy of our appreciation and inheritance today.”

Canton Tower illuminates a congratulatory display celebrating Lingnan retaining the No. 1 position globally in SDG 4: Quality Education in the THE Sustainability Impact Ratings 2026, and screening the achievements of Hong Kong’s higher education sector to communities across the Greater Bay Area.

Canton Tower illuminates a congratulatory display celebrating Lingnan retaining the No. 1 position globally in SDG 4: Quality Education in the THE Sustainability Impact Ratings 2026, and screening the achievements of Hong Kong’s higher education sector to communities across the Greater Bay Area.

Prof Xu Zidong, said “The historical origins and intellectual continuity between Lingnan University in Hong Kong today and the original Lingnan University founded in Guangzhou over a century ago are not sustained by the legacy of any single eminent scholar. Nor are they defined solely by Prof Chen Yinke’s distinctive historiographical approach of mutual illumination between poetry and history, which integrates literary imagination with historical enquiry. Rather, what continues to sustain the Lingnan academic tradition is the enduring spirit of ‘independence of mind and freedom of thought’, which, in the contemporary age of artificial intelligence, is finding renewed resonance and intellectual vitality.”

Every half hour, from 7:00 to 9:30pm, Guangzhou Tower illuminated the message: “Lingnan University retains World No. 1 in Quality Education in the THE Sustainability Impact Ratings 2026.” The display highlighted the strength of Hong Kong’s higher education sector, demonstrating the city’s unique advantages of “enjoying strong support of the Motherland and being closely connected to the world” and “One Country, Two Systems”, while contributing to China’s endeavour to becoming a leading nation in education, science and technology, and talent development.

From left: Prof Qiu Xueqing, President of Guangdong University of Technology; Prof S. Joe Qin, President and Wai Kee Kau Chair Professor of Data Science at Lingnan University; Prof Wang Hengyin, Secretary of the CPC Committee of South China Normal University; Prof Zhang Hong, Vice President of Jinan University.

From left: Prof Qiu Xueqing, President of Guangdong University of Technology; Prof S. Joe Qin, President and Wai Kee Kau Chair Professor of Data Science at Lingnan University; Prof Wang Hengyin, Secretary of the CPC Committee of South China Normal University; Prof Zhang Hong, Vice President of Jinan University.

Ms Zhu Ke, said "Originating in Guangzhou and now deeply implanted in the Greater Bay Area, Lingnan University finds immense significance in preparing for the future of liberal arts education on this HKSAR Establishment Day. The special illumination of Canton Tower to celebrate Lingnan ranking first internationally for Quality Education is not only an important milestone for the University, but also a testament to the cultural and educational strength of the GBA. As a media professional, I firmly believe that our responsibility lies in connecting the GBA through vibrant and compelling narratives, and I look forward to exploring more communication channels, so that the younger generation can see the continuity of the Lingnan heritage and the infinite possibilities of the GBA higher education in the digital era."

Lingnan achieved another historic breakthrough in the THE Sustainability Impact Ratings 2026, rising to 63rd place globally and entering the top 100 for the first time. The University also retained its world No. 1 position in SDG 4: Quality Education for the second consecutive year. In addition, Lingnan ranked first in Hong Kong in six Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), while seven SDGs were placed among the top 100 worldwide.

In recent years, Lingnan has actively promoted the integration of “Liberal Arts Education + Technology”. It was among the first universities in the world to provide free access to generative artificial intelligence tools for all students and staff, and to make AI literacy a compulsory course to support equal learning. Lingnan also encourages interdisciplinary research and humanitarian innovation and technology to address pressing societal challenges and reach the United Nations SDGs. In this manner, Lingnan is cultivating a new generation of research talent equipped with innovative capabilities and a universal outlook for the digital age.

Canton Tower illuminates a congratulatory display celebrating Lingnan retaining the No. 1 position globally in SDG 4: Quality Education in the THE Sustainability Impact Ratings 2026, and screening the achievements of Hong Kong’s higher education sector to communities across the Greater Bay Area.