Swinburne and Hong Kong Poly University partner to offer joint PhD program

Swinburne University of Technology has entered into a new partnership with one of Asia’s most prestigious design, research and innovation institutions- Hong Kong Poly University (HKPU).

The partnership will bring together researchers at both HKPU and Swinburne to jointly develop and supervise PhD research students in areas of complimentary research strengths through a Partnered PhD agreement. 

The partnership will also facilitate leading experts from both universities to collaborate on new research projects and joint publications.

Swinburne Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Development), Professor Aleksandar Subic said that the new partnership would foster strong research outcomes of significance to the region.

“We are pleased to partner with HKPU, which has a proven international reputation in design, research and innovation.

“We believe that this partnership will be mutually beneficial for both universities going into the future,” Professor Subic, said.

PhD students who graduate under the agreement will be presented jointly awarded degrees from both Swinburne and HKPU.

Swinburne Acting Executive Dean, Faculty of Health, Arts and Design, Professor Scott Thompson-Whiteside said the joint PhD with Hong Kong Polytechnic University was a strategically important collaboration for Swinburne's School of Design.

“We have had a long standing relationship with the Hong Kong design community and HKPU is the ideal place to collaborate on research and to supervise the next generation is design researchers. As two leading Schools of Design, we have complementary research capabilities and a mutual interest to improve design research,” Professor Thompson-Whiteside said.

Swinburne has long worked with HKPU through research links, especially in the field of Design. The Partnered PhD agreement will help strengthen the links in other areas including business, applied science, engineering, health and social sciences. Formal agreement promoting student mobility at undergraduate level already exists between Swinburne and HKPU that was signed in 2014.

About HKPU

HKPU started as a Government Trade school in 1937 and became a University in 1994. Their research covers a range of areas including design, engineering, construction, business, humanities, health and social sciences.

As per academic Ranking of World Universities 2015, HKPU is ranked 301-400 in the world. They are ranked in 201-225 band in Times Higher Education Rankings 2015 and 162nd in the QS World University Rankings 2014/15.

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