News

PolyU Info Day 2023 Exceeds Expectations in Showcasing BEEE Programmes

PolyU Info Day, held on October 21, 2023, was a resounding success, with the Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering (BEEE) actively providing prospective students with the latest information about BEEE programs and curriculum. The Senior Management’s Tour kicked off the day's events in the morning. Head of Department, Professor Asif Sohail Usmani, and all BEEE teachers/students ambassadors warmly welcomed students, parents, and members of the public.  Info Day featured various activities, including information seminars on Undergraduate (Ug) and Taught Postgraduate (TPg) Programmes, a consultation booth, and guided laboratory visits. These activities aimed to deepen visitors' understanding of BEEE programs and provide an immersive experience. The consultation booth showcased the unique features of BEEE programs, such as innovative teaching and learning methods, student activities like WIE and student exchange programs, and the state-of-the-art laboratory facilities available. Three information seminars offered interested candidates, parents, and secondary students an in-depth understanding of the department, building sciences and engineering, and the BEEE program. The presentations highlighted the professionalism and promising career prospects associated with studying BEEE. During the Ug information seminars, Undergraduate Programme Leader Ir Dr WONG Ling Tim and Deputy Undergraduate Programme Leader Dr Cheung Hiu Dan Hilda provided an introduction, followed by guest speakers Ir Gary Chiang and Ir Keith Yue, esteemed BEEE graduates, who shared their experiences and perspectives, emphasising the exciting career opportunities available. Admission arrangements were also explained, and questions from visitors, mainly secondary school students and parents, were addressed on the spot. Professor Du Yaping Patrick delivered the TPg information seminar, introducing the six Taught Postgraduate Programmes. TPg programme leaders, including Ir Professor Lu Lin Vivien, Dr Cao Sunliang, and Ir Dr Lui Che Heng Gigi, joined the seminar to answer audience questions. A current master student, Ms. Leung Tze Ying, who was previously an undergraduate student in BEEE, shared her U-life and career planning during the FCE thematic talk. In addition to the seminars, physically guided tours of the BEEE laboratories were arranged, allowing the public to witness firsthand the advanced equipment used in the Department. BEEE extends its sincerest gratitude and appreciation to all colleagues, alumni, guests, and student ambassadors who wholeheartedly participated in Info Day. The event successfully facilitated prospective students' understanding of the department and its academic programs. BEEE eagerly looks forward to welcoming them to join the program in the near future, confident that they will thrive in the dynamic field of building environment and energy engineering.  The photo gallery can be found here.    

BEEE Alumnus Honored with IFMA Distinguished Author Award

The Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering (BEEE) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is delighted to announce that Mr. Roger Law, an esteemed alumnus of PolyU, has been honored with the 2023 IFMA Distinguished Author Award: Research Paper. This esteemed recognition was bestowed upon him by the International Facility Management Association (IFMA) on September 28, 2023, in Denver, Colorado, USA. Mr. Law, a dedicated engineering professional and proud recipient of a Master's degree in Facility Management and a Bachelor's degree in Building Services Engineering from PolyU, has consistently demonstrated the value of his education through his remarkable achievements. His unwavering commitment to his field, combined with his continuous research collaboration with BEEE, particularly with Ir Professor Lai Hung Kit Joseph, has made a significant impact on his professional success. The IFMA Distinguished Author Award acknowledges outstanding contributions to the field of facility management, specifically through the publication of high-value research papers. The selection process is rigorous, evaluating not only the research's impact but also the candidate's career trajectory, accomplishments, and overall contributions to the broader facility management community. Mr. Law's receipt of this award serves as a testament to his unwavering dedication to facility management and reflects the exceptional standard of education provided by PolyU. His achievement is further amplified as he becomes the first Asian recipient of this prestigious award, marking a significant milestone in his career and enhancing global recognition for our alumni. Since its establishment in 1980, IFMA has remained the world's largest and most renowned international association for facility management professionals, fostering a strong network of over 24,000 members across more than 100 countries. Mr. Law's accomplishment serves as an inspiration to our current and prospective students, highlighting the potential of our graduates to excel on the global stage. Source: IFMA News - 2023 Awards of Excellence Winners, Other Honorees Announced  

Engineers of the future: BEEE Engineer Pop-up on 5 October 2023

The Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering (BEEE) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) successfully organized the highly anticipated event "Engineers of the Future: BEEE Engineer Pop-up" on 5 October 2023. The event aimed to provide valuable insights and networking opportunities for BEEE students.   This event brought together five professional engineering societies:   ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers) - HK chapter; BSOMES (Building Services Operation and Maintenance Executives Society); CIBSE (Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers) – HK Region; CIPHE (The Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering); and HKIE (Hong Kong Institution of Engineers) – Building Services Division.     The “Engineers of the future: BEEE Engineer Pop-up” was a valuable opportunity for our BEEE students interested in their future engineering careers to connect with the professional engineering societies closely related to their field.  Students had the chance to learn about the latest information and speak with the representatives from each professional body to discuss their professional status, engineering communities, express route to be qualified as a corporate member, registered professional engineers (RPE), and CEng, etc. The Department also sponsored the first-year membership fee of any society of students’ choice.   BEEE would like to extend our gratitude to all representatives for their voluntary participation in the “Engineers of the future: BEEE Engineer Pop-up”. BEEE believes that this experience will inspire and guide our students as they embark on their engineering journeys.   The photo gallery can be found here.

BEEE Student Awarded FSICA Award 2023

The Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering (BEEE) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is delighted to announce that our student, Liu Jiahao, has been selected as the recipient of the prestigious FSICA Award for the 2022/23 academic year. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Liu Jiahao for this remarkable achievement. The FSICA (The Association of Registered Fire Service Installation Contractors of Hong Kong Limited) has recognized Liu Jiahao's outstanding contributions and unwavering dedication in the field of Building Services Engineering. This esteemed award serves as a testament to his exceptional academic performance and unwavering commitment to excellence. We were honored to have Ir Professor Mui Kwok Wai Horace and Liu Jiahao in attendance at the FSICA Annual Dinner held on 21 September 2023. It was during this significant event that the FSICA Award was presented to Liu Jiahao. Once again, we extend our warmest congratulations to Liu Jiahao on receiving the FSICA Award. This recognition is a testament to his hard work and dedication, and we are immensely proud of his accomplishments.  

Successful BEEE Non-local Student Gathering 202324 Strengthens Connections and Community

The Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering (BEEE) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is delighted to announce the successful BEEE Non-local Student Gathering 2023/24, organized by the Department. The event, held on 20th September 2023, provided a fantastic opportunity for non-local students in the BEEE BEng programme to connect with their peers and Department staff. The gathering, held at Room ZS869, 8/F Block Z, PolyU, welcomed Year 1 and Year 2 non-local students, along with esteemed guests including Professor Asif Usmani, Head of Unit, Ir Dr Wong Ling Tim, Associate Head & BEng Programme Leader, and Dr Cheung Hiu Dan Hilda, Deputy BEng Programme Leader. The in-person event featured various activities aimed at fostering camaraderie and building relationships. Participants enjoyed a warm welcome speech by the Head of Unit and Programme Leaders, introducing upcoming department events. A casual self-introduction session allowed students to share their names, nationalities, hobbies, and study backgrounds. Representatives of current non-local students shared their experiences, followed by a staff-student sharing session where participants engaged in meaningful conversations over tea and refreshments. The gathering concluded with a memorable group photo session, capturing the spirit of unity among the attendees. We extend our sincere appreciation to all who attended, making the BEEE Non-local Student Gathering 2023/24 a resounding success. We encourage those who couldn't attend to stay connected and participate in future department events. Thank you to everyone for their active participation and enthusiasm. Stay tuned for more exciting opportunities to connect within the BEEE community! To view photos from the gathering, please visit our photo gallery here.  

BEEE’s Associate Professor Awarded the National’s 2023 Excellent Young Scientists Fund on Wildfire Research

The Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering (BEEE) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is delighted to announce that our Associate Professor, Dr Huang Xinyan, has been granted a total funding of RMB 2 million from the National's 2023 Excellent Young Scientists Fund (Hong Kong and Macau). Dr Huang's research focuses on fundamental fire dynamics and the development of smart firefighting technologies to enhance fire safety in buildings and cities. His investigations extend to understanding the complexities of natural fire phenomena and the interaction between humans and wildland fires. The awarded project, "Smouldering Wildfire," specifically examines the burning of decomposed plant litter and organic soils. These large-scale smouldering wildfires lead to significant economic losses, regional haze events, ecological damage, and substantial carbon emissions. Dr Huang's research will involve conducting experiments of varying scales, developing AI-powered computational models to predict smouldering-related wildfire carbon emissions, and proposing a smart firefighting framework for preventing, detecting, and suppressing smouldering wildfires. The National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) Excellent Young Scientists Fund aims to support young scholars (under the age of 38 for males or 40 for females) who have made significant contributions to basic research and demonstrated innovation in their respective fields, fostering their growth as internationally recognized scholars. Each year, only 25 young scholars in Hong Kong and Macau are selected to receive this prestigious funding. The Department would like to extend heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Huang for this outstanding achievement.  

Inspiring BEEE Student Video: Miss SHMIDT Arailym's HKIE Journey

The Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering (BEEE) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is delighted to share with you an inspiring piece of news regarding Miss Shmidt Arailym, a recipient of the HKIE Scholarship 2020/21. Miss Shmidt Arailym has recently submitted a video showcasing her active participation in HKIE activities throughout the past year.   This captivating video, which has been uploaded to the department's website, provides a glimpse into Miss Shmidt Arailym's remarkable journey as an aspiring engineer. It highlights her dedication, passion, and notable contributions to HKIE initiatives, demonstrating her commitment to personal and professional growth within the engineering field.   By sharing her experiences, Miss Shmidt Arailym aims to inspire fellow students to actively engage in HKIE activities, pursue excellence in their studies, and embrace the vast opportunities available within the engineering community.   We encourage you to watch Miss Shmidt Arailym's video, as it serves as a testament to the transformative power of education, hard work, and active involvement in professional organizations.   We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Miss Shmidt Arailym for her outstanding achievements and her invaluable contributions to the HKIE community. Her dedication and enthusiasm are truly commendable, and we are confident that she will continue to excel in her academic and professional endeavors.  

BEEE Student Awarded The HKIE Prize for Outstanding Engineering Students 2022/23

The Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering (BEEE) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is pleased to announce that Mr Leung Tsz Hin, a talented and dedicated student, has been honored as the recipient of The HKIE Prize for Outstanding Engineering Students 2022/23.   The award, valued at HK$5,000, is presented annually by the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (HKIE) to recognize exceptional engineering students who have demonstrated outstanding academic performance, dedication, and a passion for their field of study.   Mr Leung Tsz Hin, a BEEE student, has consistently displayed exemplary commitment, innovation, and academic excellence throughout his academic journey. His remarkable achievements and contributions in the field of engineering have earned him this well-deserved recognition.   We congratulate Mr Leung Tsz Hin on this outstanding accomplishment and wish him continued success in his future endeavors.  

Welcome Message from Department Head

The Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering (BEEE) extends a warm welcome to all our students. Established in December 1981, we have been dedicated to serving Hong Kong's building services engineering industry by promoting sustainable, efficient, and healthy indoor and urban living environments. As part of the Faculty of Construction and Environment, we offer a comprehensive range of study programs, from Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) to Masters (MSc and MEng) right up to Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), providing world-class teaching and conducting internationally leading research.   In today's world, providing high-quality living environments to rapidly urbanizing and aging populations while facing the challenges of climate change and environmental pollution is of utmost importance. With the projected global population reaching 9.7 billion by 2050, and 70% of people expected to live in urban areas, there is a critical need to address these challenges. Future building engineers must be data-savvy and work in interdisciplinary teams to deliver optimal solutions for smart urban environments. Our programs are designed to equip students with the necessary skills and knowledge to design high-performance buildings and building systems, leveraging the latest technologies such as sensor networks, AI, IoT, data science, and BIM. This is consistent with our mission, stated as, to imagine, engineer and promote sustainable, salutogenic and safe environments for human habitation.   At BEEE, our full-time academic and teaching staff members are actively engaged in research activities focused on three core themes:   Building Energy: Energy issues in buildings are addressed in the context of both demand and supply to improve the sustainability of the built environment. Building Environment: Optimisation of buildings and built environments for thermal comfort, indoor air quality, visual/spatial and vibration/acoustic aspects to improve occupant health and productivity. Building Safety and Resilience: Protection of building occupants from hazards such as fire and lightning to improve safety and resilience of communities, buildings and built environments.   I sincerely appreciate your interest in our department and programs. By joining us, you embark on a journey to learn and contribute to the promotion of smarter urban environments for a better and more sustainable future for humanity and our planet.   Once again, I extend a warm welcome and look forward to your successful and fulfilling journey with us.   Prof. Asif Usmani Head of Unit Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering  

BEEE Undergraduate Student Awarded ASHRAE Hong Kong Chapter Scholarship for the 2022-2023

The Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering (BEEE) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University is proud to announce that one of our undergraduate students, Mr. Ho Cheuk Him, has been awarded the ASHRAE Hong Kong Chapter Scholarship for the 2022-2023 academic year. This scholarship recognizes Mr. Ho's outstanding academic performance and contributions to ASHRAE. He will be invited to the ASHRAE Annual Dinner for the prize presentation. The ASHRAE Annual Dinner has been held on June 20, 2023, at the Grand Ballroom of the Crowne Plaza Hong Kong Kowloon East, Tseung Kwan O. We congratulate Mr. Ho on this significant achievement and wish him continued success in his academic pursuits. This award is a testament to his hard work and dedication to his studies. We are proud to have him as a member of our BEEE community and look forward to seeing him contribute to the field of building services engineering. We are proud of Mr Ho ‘s accomplishments and wish him continued success in their studies and future careers. Congratulations once again to Ho Cheuk Him.