VTech Innovation & Sustainability Award Recognized Outstanding Final Year Projects

Group photo of representatives from VTech and HKUST, the judging panel and award-winning student teams at the 2026 VTech Innovation & Sustainability Award [Download Photo]

Generously sponsored by VTech Corporate Services Ltd., the 2026 VTech Innovation & Sustainability Award recognized three outstanding final year undergraduate projects focused on sustainable energy engineering from the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering (CBE) under the School of Engineering and the Division of Integrative Systems and Design (ISD) under the Academy of Interdisciplinary Studies. Student presentations and an award presentation ceremony were held on July 20, 2026, with adjudication jointly conducted by representatives from VTech and HKUST. The award celebrates creativity, innovation and dedication in advancing sustainability, while highlighting the importance of academia-industry collaboration in nurturing future engineering talent.

The winners are as follows:

Champion
LEUNG Kin-Chiu, MA Wing-Hei, and TANG Tsun-Ting
Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering
Project title: Developing an Electrolyzer to Convert Carbon Dioxide into Hydrocarbon Fuels
Supervisor: Prof. SHAO Minhua

First Runner-up
CHAN Kei-Ching, Shalini KANDASAMY, Saanvi Ravi KATYAYAN, and Seojin PARK
Division of Integrative Systems and Design
Project title: FireEye: Computer Vision and VLM-Based Fire Safety Detection for Construction Sites
Supervisor: Dr. Jac LEUNG and Prof. Tristan BRAUD

Second Runner-up
HE Xiaoying and YAU Yuet
Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering
Project title: Ginger-Derived Activated Carbon for Li-S Battery Development
Supervisor: Prof. Frank LAM

Prof. Shao Minhua, Head and Chair Professor of the CBE Department, expressed sincere appreciation to Dr. Allan WONG, Chairman and Group CEO of VTech Group of Companies, and the VTech team for their generous support, and to Prof. Frank Lam together with the judging panel for their time and thoughtful evaluation. He extended heartfelt congratulations to the winning teams and thanked all those involved in organizing the award for their dedication in nurturing the next generation of innovators.

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