Celebrating 35 years of WMG's partnership with PolyU
Thursday 27 November 2025
Celebrating 35 years of WMG's partnership with PolyU
2025 marks the 35th anniversary of the partnership between WMG, University of Warwick, and Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU)Link opens in a new window. Initiated in 1990, the partnership was the first of its kind in WMG history and remains an exemplary model of international academic collaboration.
To mark this milestone, representatives from both institutions came together for a special celebration dinner at PolyU. The event honoured two anniversaries: 35 years of the Integrated Graduate Development Scheme (IGDS), which marked WMG’s first-ever overseas programme, and 65 years of the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISE), the PolyU department that helped start it all.
Dean of WMG, Professor Kerry Kirwan, was in attendance, as well as PolyU’s Professor H. C. ManLink opens in a new window, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering; Professor Xiaowen Fu,Link opens in a new window Head of ISE; and WMG Engineering Doctorate alumnus, Dr Daniel YipLink opens in a new window, Deputy Council Chairman.
Professor Kirwan said: “Having been part of WMG for over 30 years — from my days as a student through to my current role as Dean — I have had the privilege of witnessing first-hand the strong and enduring relationship between WMG and PolyU.
“Over the decades, our collaborations through ISE and IGDS have brought together students, academics, and industry leaders, creating opportunities for shared learning and innovation that have benefited both our institutions and the wider community.
“These anniversaries are not just milestones for PolyU; they also mark many years of friendship, partnership, and mutual growth between our universities. It is inspiring to see how ISE and IGDS have evolved to meet the needs of industry and society, and how they continue to nurture talented individuals who go on to make a real difference in the world.”
Since 1993, over 4,000 students have graduated from the IGDS at both postgraduate and EngD level. The success of the partnership has led to the introduction of similar programmes in China, Cyprus, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand, helping nurture WMG’s global community and international relationships.
218 students graduated from the 2024-25 IGDS earlier this month, expanding the scheme’s flourishing alumni community. Mujthaba (Mosh) Ahtamad, International Academic Director for Hong Kong at WMG, shared his admiration for this year’s graduates: “I am incredibly proud of our graduates emerging from this prestigious programme. With their hard work and levels of commitment, I am confident that they will make a positive impact in their chosen career paths.”
As another year draws to a close, WMG and PolyU are looking to the future. Together, they aim to grow their teaching portfolio through co-created courses and develop new research opportunities between the two departments.
Find out more about WMG’s partnership with PolyU through our international partners webpage.