November 4, 2024, HONG KONG— The Guangdong OPPO Mobile Telecommunications Corp., Ltd. (commonly known as OPPO) and The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) have entered a new phase in their collaborative efforts. They recently held a formal signing ceremony to renew and deepen their partnership, which was initially established in 2022. This collaboration aims to bolster the technological integration within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), with a particular focus on advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) imaging technology.
The renewed agreement was ceremonially signed at the PolyU campus on November 1, with key figures such as Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, the President of PolyU, and Mr. Jason LIAO, President of the OPPO Research Institute, in attendance. The agreement itself was signed by Prof. Christopher CHAO, PolyU’s Vice President for Research and Innovation, and Mr. Zheng QIN, OPPO’s Head of Industry-Academia Affairs. As part of this renewed commitment, the existing "PolyU-OPPO Joint Innovation Lab" will be upgraded to the "Joint Innovation Research Centre." OPPO has pledged to invest no less than 30 million RMB over the next five years to support this initiative. This investment will fund the expansion of co-trained PhD and postdoctoral researchers, aiming to drive further advancements in imaging algorithms and deepen the ties between OPPO and PolyU in the AI imaging sector.
Jason LIAO shared insights on the collaboration, highlighting the substantial technological progress and achievements in talent cultivation that have been made possible through the Joint Lab. He emphasized OPPO’s mission of "Technology for Mankind, Kindness for the World," underlining OPPO’s dedication to advancing academia-industry cooperation in AI. This renewal is expected to bring innovative intelligent imaging experiences to users worldwide.
In a related statement, Prof. TENG noted that to effectively address the opportunities and challenges presented by the AI era, PolyU will establish the Faculty of Computer and Mathematical Sciences in January 2025. This strategic move aligns with the university’s innovation development strategy to meet evolving technological needs and support talent development. The Department of Computing, home to the Joint Innovation Research Centre, will be part of this new faculty, promoting deeper collaboration and impactful outcomes among research teams. Prof. TENG expressed confidence that the enhanced cooperation with OPPO will enable PolyU to seize new opportunities and actively drive technological innovation and knowledge transfer.
In 2022, OPPO and PolyU initiated their partnership with the establishment of the "PolyU-OPPO Joint Innovation Lab" to promote collaboration within the GBA. Within a relatively short span of three years, the Joint Lab has achieved several notable milestones, including the development and application of leading imaging algorithms. A prime example is the AI super-resolution technology, which has significantly enhanced the image quality of telephoto photography in various OPPO products. The integration of HDR imaging algorithms has also allowed users to capture high-quality photos across different lighting conditions, improving the overall photography experience.
Beyond these achievements, the Joint Lab has been actively exploring cutting-edge technologies, such as image restoration and detail enhancement using generative models and interactive image and video editing technologies. These efforts have not only improved the quality and stability of image generation but also opened up new possibilities for post-processing images and videos. Additionally, the lab has made significant contributions to talent cultivation by nurturing several PhD and postdoctoral researchers who are actively contributing to OPPO’s advancements in AI imaging technology. This talent pool provides a robust driving force for ongoing technological innovation.
Looking ahead, the collaboration between OPPO and PolyU is set to further drive the development of AI imaging technology, offering new impetus for technological innovation and talent development in the GBA. Both parties are committed to strengthening academia-industry cooperation, fully exploring, and promoting the innovative applications of AI imaging technology.
About The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is committed to being a world-class institution with a strong sense of social responsibility. Guided by its motto, "To learn and to apply, for the benefit of mankind," PolyU focuses on holistic education to nurture socially responsible leaders with a global perspective and strong national identity. The university is dedicated to impactful innovation and interdisciplinary research to address the most pressing challenges faced by the world. A cornerstone of PolyU’s mission is its robust culture of knowledge transfer and entrepreneurship, ensuring that its technologies are transformed into practical, real-world applications.
PolyU’s unwavering commitment to excellence has earned it a place among the top 100 universities globally. Building on this solid foundation, the university aims to continue making positive contributions through collaborations with strategic partners, benefiting Hong Kong, the Nation, and the world.
For further details, you may visit the original announcement on the official website of OPPO.
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