Shine Bright as a Young Researcher: Noura at PolyU’s JRMP 2026
Massive congratulations to our Year 2 student, Noura, for her brilliant achievement at the PolyU Junior Researcher Mentoring Programme (JRMP) 2026!
Competing alongside 210 high school students from 79 local and international schools across 35 research projects, Noura and her teammates—representing Yew Chung International School, ESF Island School, and ESF West Island School—were one of only two teams selected to present their project at the programme's closing ceremony on 20 August.
Titled “Application of Mobile Robotics with Artificial Intelligence Image Processing,” the team successfully developed a functional handwriting robot—a robotic scribe. The system integrates artificial intelligence (AI) vision, real-time image processing, and high-precision mechanical motion control to track a person's movements through a camera and physically reproduce what they write or draw in mid-air directly onto paper.
Throughout the programme, participants gained hands-on experience in tertiary-level research—from research design and data collection to literature reviews and reporting—under the direct guidance of HK PolyU professors. Students also had the opportunity to tour the University’s state-of-the-art laboratories and research facilities.
"One of the most fascinating things for me was learning how different areas of technology can be integrated into one functioning system," Noura shared. "More than anything, JRMP changed my perception of what research could be. Before this experience, I felt like research was something distant that you only get to do much later in university or your career. Working on a real project with university professors made me realise you don't have to wait until you feel fully experienced or qualified to start exploring an idea that matters to you."
When asked how this experience links to her Experiential Learning (XP) project, Noura explained that the programme inspired her to view robotics as a tool for human impact: robotics becomes far more powerful when designed around a specific human or societal problem rather than just the technology itself. This mindset now shapes her approach to XP—starting with a problem and asking how robotics, AI, and engineering can form a practical solution.
"I would definitely encourage my fellow LPCers to apply for the programme, even if they don't feel like they already have all the technical skills. One of the biggest things I learned is that research is not about already knowing the answer, but about experimenting, failing, troubleshooting, and improving your idea. Being young does not mean you cannot work on something meaningful or contribute ideas that could eventually have an impact. You might not create the perfect solution immediately, but you can still start somewhere, test it, and keep improving it," remarked Noura.
Well done, Noura! We look forward to seeing more of your research projects in the coming days!
