A First for PolyU's School of Design
In a landmark collaboration, Chinat Yu partnered with the School of Design at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) to launch the first-ever hackathon in the school's history — the YU Challenge. This milestone event brought together more than 50 participants, over 10 mentors, and a shared mission to merge design thinking with rapid prototyping for real-world impact.
Why This Hackathon Was Unique
- Institutional First — As the inaugural hackathon for PolyU's School of Design, the YU Challenge set a new precedent for experiential, project-based learning within the institution.
- Cross-Disciplinary Approach — While rooted in design, the event welcomed participants from multiple disciplines, encouraging diverse perspectives and creative problem-solving.
- Mentor-Powered Guidance — A network of more than 10 mentors—from design experts to industry practitioners—ensured every team received expert input and feedback throughout the process.
The Experience
Over an intensive sprint, participants formed eight teams to tackle challenges in areas such as human-centered product design, digital experiences for social good, sustainable design solutions, and AI-integrated concepts. The event created a space to apply design training in fast-paced, collaborative settings, building prototypes that were both imaginative and feasible.
Impact by the Numbers
- 50+ participants
- 8 project teams
- 10+ mentors from academia and industry
- 100% of participants created functional or conceptual prototypes
Workshop sprints, mentor feedback, and team presentations captured across the event.
Key Project Highlights
- Sustainable Smartwear integrating eco—friendly materials with IoT capabilities.
- Urban Mindspace an app and service design to improve mental wellness in dense city environments.
- Design for the Differently Abled — inclusive product concepts developed with direct user input.
Why It Matters for Institutional Partnerships
The YU Challenge demonstrated how a university can amplify its educational impact by integrating hackathon cultureinto programs, leveraging industry mentors for real—world relevance, and encouraging students to test ideas quickly.
For PolyU's School of Design, this event was a statement: design education is not just about theory — it's about creating solutions that matter.
Chinat Yu's Role
As co—organizer and lead facilitator, Yu helped shape the format, recruit mentors, and guide participants through ideation and prototyping. His experience ensured the YU Challenge delivered both an inspiring atmosphere and tangible outcomes.
Call to Action
For institutions seeking to energize academic programs with hands—on, innovation—driven experiences, the YU Challenge model at PolyU's School of Design is a blueprint worth replicating.
