The Inaugural LUXY Lab Concludes with Great Success
—— A twin-city initiative of Lingnan University and Tsinghua University in fostering cultural creativity and digital innovation
The first LUXY Lab, co-organised by Lingnan University (LU) and Tsinghua University’s Xinya College (XY), perfectly ended on 9 August 2026. This twin-city initiative took place successively in Hong Kong and Beijing starting from 27 July 2026, with a participation of 24 students and student mentors from Lingnan University and Xinya College, all of whom were required to form mixed teams to transform innovative concepts into actual prototypes pertaining to the integration of cultural creativity and digital arts. Sponsored by the Lingnan Education Organization, the LUXY Lab aims to forge interdisciplinary and cross-cultural exchange between students from two iconic cities of China. It was also designed to cultivate more leaders with creative thinking and social responsibility through the global practice of the Arts-Technology-Business (ATB) model.
At the LUXY Lab’s kick-off ceremony held in Hong Kong, Professor S. Joe QIN, President and Wai Kee Kau Chair Professor of Data Science of Lingnan University remarked, “Our partnership with Xinya College of Tsinghua University in this innovative programme highlights the multifaceted nature of interdisciplinary education. It allows students to expand their horizons and foster creativity through meaningful cross-cultural exchange and mutual intellectual learning.”
During the product roadshow staged in Beijing, four teams presented their prototypes and defended their concepts before a judging panel composed of faculty and staff of Lingnan University and Tsinghua University. The panel awarded the “Best Prototype Design Award” to Team FRIDAY for “XinXin”, an AI travel companion robot inspired by the ceremonial festive creature “dancing lion”. The robot integrates intelligent dialogue, itinerary planning, and personalised memory to provide customised companionship throughout users’ journey. The “Best Design Concept Award” went to Team 10086 for “Swap My Life”, an interactive blind box inspired by the team’s field research in Hong Kong and Beijing. The product features creative IP characters representing “a hundred people with a hundred professions” from both cities, allowing users to swap scenes with the characters, record their travel footprints, and generate personalised souvenirs.
In the individual awards category, XU Ziteng, a postgraduate student from the Academy of Arts and Design at Tsinghua University and ZENG Xuke, an undergraduate student from the Department of Translation at Lingnan University, received the “LUXY Star Player Award” each, selected by all participating students. The award recognises their outstanding contributions to teamwork and leadership. The “Best Presenter Award” was crowned to DAI Siyu, an undergraduate student of Xinya College, in recognition of her professional and engaging pitching skills.
At the closing of the product roadshow, Professor MEI Ciqi, Dean of Xinya College of Tsinghua University, stated, “I hope that the LUXY Lab inspires you to actively connect with the world. You began as strangers, developed an idea together, and produced a tangible product - all within ten days! This means you can replicate many spectacular moments in your lives and continue creating meaningful things with great values.”
The successful launch of the LUXY Lab actualises an impactful and forward‑looking educational platform that has deepened academic exchange and strengthened institutional partnerships. Leveraging Hong Kong’s role as an international education hub, the LUXY Lab will continue to cultivate outstanding talent, reinforce academic ties between Beijing and Hong Kong, and promote students’ holistic development.
LUXY Lab delegation visited the only operational sea salt pans at Yim Tin Tsai, Sai Kung, Hong Kong.
LUXU Lab delegation visited Hung C Lau to experience the traditional lion head paper crafting technique.
LUXU Lab delegation visited The Palace Museum in Beijing, China.
LUXY Lab delegation visited the Fundamental Industry Training Center (iCenter) at Tsinghua University.
Team Friday, the awardee of the Best Prototype Design Award.
From left to right: Miss Dai Siyu, the awardee of the Best Presenter Award and Ms Irene Ng, Director of Student Affairs of Lingnan University.
From left to right: Professor Jiao Yang, Assistant Professor of the Future Laboratory of Tsinghua University; Mr Xu Ziteng, the awardee of the LUXY Star Player Award (from Tsinghua University); Miss ZENG Xuke, another awardee of the LUXY Star Player (from Lingnan University); and Ms Irene Ng, Director of Student Affairs of Lingnan University.
Team 10086, the awardee of the Best Design Concept Award.