Research

School of Science and Technology Computing About Us Research

Research Areas

HKMU Computing has a small staff focusing on several core research areas.


Meta-heuristic and Evolutionary Algorithms

Our focus is on the family of multi-objective optimization algorithms and its adaptation for tackling challenging problems. For example, we studied Multi-Objective Particle Swarm Optimizer (MOPSO), which is an effective swarm intelligence algorithm simulating social behavior of birds within a flock, and improved its performance.

List of projects carried out in this area:

  • Leader selection strategies for improving convergence and diversity
  • Multiple objective data clustering
  • Mechanism for balance of exploration and exploitation
  • Cluster merge-split modelling in temporal clustering
  • Student performance modelling for learning analytics

Improved convergence with adaptive inertia weight and dynamic search space

Adaptive student performance clustering


Educational Uses of Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality

Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) technologies offer an highly-configurable context for learning scenarios of which the effectiveness rests on the authenticity of the learning context.

Our research and development direction is on studying effective design principles for applying VR/AR in different subject areas and scenarios. One example is hospital ward orientation for nurse education. A VR environment ensures students can explore in a safe manner, and in particularly no real patient would be threatened. A virtual hospital ward with interaction support was developed for nurse students to have some experience with the environment before their actual practice in a hospital ward. Students could interact with objects that are relevant to their practicum.

A ward and the floor plan in the virtual hospital

Various objects that are relevant to students when they attend their practicum


Applications of Radial Basis Functions (RBFs)

The RBFs were originally devised for scattered geographical data interpolation by Hardy, who introduced a class of functions called multiquadric functions in the early 1970’s. The basic idea of the RBF interpolation is to approximate an unknown function by an interpolant at a set of N distinct data points, and the interpolant depends on the Euclidean distance from the origin. One powerful use of RBFs is to solve partial differential equations. RBFs have been successfully applied in many different problems like stress problems, fluid mechanics etc. Here we present how the famous Motz’s problem can be solved using RBFs.

The the L shape region with various governing equation and boundary conditions

A plot of the solution found by RBFs

 

Videos for Teaching and Learning

For many years, we have developed expertise in using computing technologies to enhance teaching and learning. Video has been heavily used in instructional contexts since the thriving days of distance learning education. Nowadays, the educational use of video has not limited to instructional videos (talking-heads and class recordings). A number of innovations have been attempted and studied such as video modelling, and digital storytelling.

List of projects carried out in this area:

  • Video modelling for business etiquette
  • Student generated video for meta-cognitive assessment
  • Video team project for fostering sense of belonging
  • Gesture based interaction for seamless delivery of video lectures

Gesture based interaction for seamless delivery of video lectures

Video modelling for business etiquette

Video modelling for business etiquette

Internet-of-Things (IoT)

Our work in this area includes algorithm and application development.

List of projects carried out:

  • Indoor positioning augmented with environmental landmark detection
  • Health related applications of IoT
  • Internet-of-Things based serious games
  • Campus IoT for fostering sense of belonging
Jonathan Chiu
Marketing Director
3DP Technology Limited

Jonathan handles all external affairs include business development, patents write up and public relations. He is frequently interviewed by media and is considered a pioneer in 3D printing products.

Krutz Cheuk
Biomedical Engineer
Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital

After graduating from OUHK, Krutz obtained an M.Sc. in Engineering Management from CityU. He is now completing his second master degree, M.Sc. in Biomedical Engineering, at CUHK. Krutz has a wide range of working experience. He has been with Siemens, VTech, and PCCW.

Hugo Leung
Software and Hardware Engineer
Innovation Team Company Limited

Hugo Leung Wai-yin, who graduated from his four-year programme in 2015, won the Best Paper Award for his ‘intelligent pill-dispenser’ design at the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineering’s International Conference on Consumer Electronics – China 2015.

The pill-dispenser alerts patients via sound and LED flashes to pre-set dosage and time intervals. Unlike units currently on the market, Hugo’s design connects to any mobile phone globally. In explaining how it works, he said: ‘There are three layers in the portable pillbox. The lowest level is a controller with various devices which can be connected to mobile phones in remote locations. Patients are alerted by a sound alarm and flashes. Should they fail to follow their prescribed regime, data can be sent via SMS to relatives and friends for follow up.’ The pill-dispenser has four medicine slots, plus a back-up with a LED alert, topped by a 500ml water bottle. It took Hugo three months of research and coding to complete his design, but he feels it was worth all his time and effort.

Hugo’s public examination results were disappointing and he was at a loss about his future before enrolling at the OUHK, which he now realizes was a major turning point in his life. He is grateful for the OUHK’s learning environment, its industry links and the positive guidance and encouragement from his teachers. The University is now exploring the commercial potential of his design with a pharmaceutical company. He hopes that this will benefit the elderly and chronically ill, as well as the society at large.

Soon after completing his studies, Hugo joined an automation technology company as an assistant engineer. He is responsible for the design and development of automation devices. The target is to minimize human labor and increase the quality of products. He is developing products which are used in various sections, including healthcare, manufacturing and consumer electronics.

Course Code Title Credits
  COMP S321F Advanced Database and Data Warehousing 5
  COMP S333F Advanced Programming and AI Algorithms 5
  COMP S351F Software Project Management 5
  COMP S362F Concurrent and Network Programming 5
  COMP S363F Distributed Systems and Parallel Computing 5
  COMP S382F Data Mining and Analytics 5
  COMP S390F Creative Programming for Games 5
  COMP S492F Machine Learning 5
  ELEC S305F Computer Networking 5
  ELEC S348F IOT Security 5
  ELEC S371F Digital Forensics 5
  ELEC S431F Blockchain Technologies 5
  ELEC S425F Computer and Network Security 5
 Course CodeTitleCredits
 ELEC S201FBasic Electronics5
 IT S290FHuman Computer Interaction & User Experience Design5
 STAT S251FStatistical Data Analysis5
 Course CodeTitleCredits
 COMPS333FAdvanced Programming and AI Algorithms5
 COMPS362FConcurrent and Network Programming5
 COMPS363FDistributed Systems and Parallel Computing5
 COMPS380FWeb Applications: Design and Development5
 COMPS381FServer-side Technologies and Cloud Computing5
 COMPS382FData Mining and Analytics5
 COMPS390FCreative Programming for Games5
 COMPS413FApplication Design and Development for Mobile Devices5
 COMPS492FMachine Learning5
 ELECS305FComputer Networking5
 ELECS363FAdvanced Computer Design5
 ELECS425FComputer and Network Security5