News

BEEE Alumna Advances Indoor Air Quality Research with Best Poster Award at Indoor Air 2026

The Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering (BEEE) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University is delighted to announce that Ms Junran Yang, an alumna of the Master of Engineering in Building Services Engineering programme and former student of Ir Professor Niu Jianlei, has received the Best Poster Award at Indoor Air 2026, one of the world's premier conferences on indoor air quality and healthy built environments.   Indoor Air 2026 was held in Singapore from 14–18 June 2026 and brought together more than 900 scientists, engineers and policymakers from over 40 countries. Convened by the International Society of Indoor Air Quality and Climate (ISIAQ) and organised by the Singapore Green Building Council together with the National University of Singapore, the conference serves as a leading global platform for advancing research and innovation in indoor environmental quality.   The award-winning poster, entitled “Perceptual Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Endurance in Built Environments: Defining the Concepts and Directions for Future Research”, was co-authored by Ms Yang, Prof. Hilde Breesch, Prof. Douaa Al-Assaad, Prof. Mariya Bivolarova and Prof. Pawel Wargocki. The work introduces the concept of Perceptual IAQ Endurance, a novel framework describing occupants' ability to tolerate and adapt to indoor air quality stressors over time.   The proposed framework aims to advance the understanding of human responses to environmental challenges and their implications for building design and operation. By integrating concepts such as subjective IAQ resilience and environmental adaptation, the work contributes to the development of healthier, more sustainable and more resilient indoor environments.   Ms Yang is currently pursuing her PhD at KU Leuven, Belgium, where her research focuses on human perception and resilience in indoor environments, particularly under heat and air pollution exposure.   This achievement represents meaningful international recognition of Ms Yang's research and reflects the strong academic foundation she developed during her studies at PolyU. BEEE congratulates Ms Yang on this well-deserved honour and wishes her continued success in her future research endeavours.  

Teaching and Learning Exchange: Teaching Research Salon Series 4

The Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering (BEEE) successfully held Teaching Research Salons – Series 4 on 23 June 2026 (Tuesday) in Room Z405, 4/F, Block Z.   This session featured a sharing by Ir Professor Yuen Anthony Chun Yin, recipient of the Departmental Teaching Award 2024/25. Prof. Yuen shared his insights and practical experience in teaching, offering colleagues valuable perspectives on effective pedagogical strategies and classroom practices.   The salon provided a relaxed and engaging platform for academic staff to exchange ideas, reflect on teaching approaches, and discuss ways to enhance student learning and engagement. In particular, Prof. Yuen shared his recent developments in flipped-learning classes and tutorials (i.e. pre-class content) to facilitate students’ learning in computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and fire models software skills. Additionally, the application of AI technologies to develop flipped learning adaptive tutorials with enhanced interactivity, link-to-lecture content, video and visual-aided functions. Colleagues actively participated in the discussion, contributing thoughtful questions and experiences that enriched the sharing session.   Light refreshments were provided, adding to the warm and collegial atmosphere of the event. The Department would like to express sincere thanks to Prof. Yuen for his insightful sharing and to all colleagues for their enthusiastic participation and support.   Teaching Research Salons continue to serve as an important platform for peer learning and pedagogical exchange within the Department. We look forward to welcoming colleagues to the next session.  

BEEE Research Student Received Sheldon Tieszen Student Award at IAFSS 2026

The Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering (BEEE) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is delighted to announce that BEEE PhD student Yifei Ding has won the prestigious Sheldon Tieszen Student Award for the excellence of research paper presented in the 15th International symposium on fire safety science (IAFSS 2026, top conference of the field).   The award was presented by the Chairman of the International Association for Fire Safety Science (IAFSS) and are sponsored by the International FORUM of Fire Research Directors (https://iafss.org/awards/sheldon-tieszen-student-awards/). The International Symposium on Fire Safety Science, a triennial event organized by the IAFSS since 1985, is widely recognized as the most important academic gathering in the field of fire safety science. The Sheldon Tieszen Student Awards were established to recognize the excellence in an IAFSS symposium paper in fire safety science by a student making a significant contribution to that paper. Each Sheldon Tieszen Student Award consists of a plaque and a cash payment.   The award-winning research paper is titled ‘Coupling Computer-Vision House Field Load Estimation with Fire Spread Simulation in the Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI)’, which introduces a novel WUI fire spread risk evaluation strategy considering houses’ discrepancy. This research was advised by Professor Xinyan Huang (his chief supervisor) with the help from Professor Negar Elhami-Khorasani (University at Buffalo) and Professor Thomas Gernay (Johns Hopkins). The research was based on PolyU’s recent investigations on WUI fire risk modelling, and proudly supported by the PolyU International Collaborative Research Fellowship (ICRF).   Congratulations to Yifei Ding on this remarkable milestone! To learn more about this study, you can access the full publication via https://doi.org/10.1016/j.firesaf.2026.104713.     

BEEE Student Wins Gold Award in IFMA 2026 Student Competition for Best Facility Management Project

The Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering (BEEE) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University is delighted to announce that Mr CHAN Chun Kit, a BEEE Master student, has won the Gold Award in the IFMA 2026 Student Competition for Best Facility Management Project.   Under the guidance of Professor Hou Cynthia, Mr Chan presented a project titled “Smart Facilities Management and its Current Development Status in Hong Kong” and demonstrated outstanding academic and practical insights in the field of facility management.   The recognition reflects Chan’s dedication, creativity, and strong research capability, as well as the valuable support and mentorship provided by Professor Hou. This achievement also highlights BEEE’s commitment to nurturing talented students and promoting excellence in professional practice and innovation.   Congratulations to Mr Chan Chun Kit on this remarkable accomplishment!  

BEEE Student Awarded ASHRAE Hong Kong Chapter Scholarship 2025–26

The Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering (BEEE) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University is pleased to announce that our student, Mr. Wong Hui Lok, has been awarded the ASHRAE Hong Kong Chapter Scholarship 2025–26.   This scholarship recognises outstanding students who have demonstrated strong academic performance, enthusiasm for the HVAC&R profession, and active engagement in ASHRAE-related activities. Mr. Wong’s achievement is a testament to his dedication and potential as a future professional in the building services and HVAC&R industry.   The BEEE Department extends its heartfelt congratulations to Mr. Wong on this well-deserved recognition and wishes him continued success in his academic and professional journey.  

BEEE Research Team Develops Smart Window Film to Regulate Light and Humidity, Reducing Building Energy Consumption and Promoting Low-Carbon City Development

On behalf of the Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering (BEEE) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, we are delighted to share that a research team at the International Centre of Urban Energy Nexus (UEX) has developed an innovative smart window film that can automatically regulate indoor light and humidity in response to environmental changes. This breakthrough offers a promising solution for reducing building energy consumption and supporting the development of low-carbon cities.   As global warming intensifies, window technologies that can adapt to changing environmental conditions are increasingly important. The newly developed smart window film is designed to lower indoor temperatures during the day while absorbing moisture and reducing transparency at night, thereby enhancing energy efficiency, indoor comfort, and privacy. Antibacterial, durable, and cost-effective, the innovation is particularly suitable for humid regions such as Hong Kong and holds strong potential for green building applications.   Known as the “Moisture-responsive and Light-regulating” (MRLR) film, this PolyU innovation was led by Prof. YAN Jinyue Jerry, Chair Professor of Energy and Buildings, and Dr LIU Junwei, Research Assistant Professor of BEEE. The team has transformed traditional window film design by adopting a dual-layer structure composed of a hydrophilic polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofiber layer and a transparent polyacrylamide (PAAM) hydrogel with excellent water retention. By leveraging the water absorption and evaporation characteristics of these materials, the film is able to regulate light, heat, and humidity simultaneously.   This innovative development demonstrates the research excellence and commitment of BEEE and PolyU in advancing sustainable building technologies and contributing to a greener, more resilient urban future.   BEEE congratulates Prof. YAN, Dr LIU, and the entire research team on this outstanding achievement. For details, please refer to https://www.polyu.edu.hk/media/media-releases/2026/0610_polyu-develops-smart-window-film-to-regulate-light-and-humidity/  

BEEE research team wins CVU Innovation Award of Excellence 2026

The Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering (BEEE) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University is delighted to announce that a research project led by Associate Professor Jiang Liming and BEEE PhD student Ms Zeng Wenxin has received the CVU Innovation Award of Excellence 2026 from the Council on Vertical Urbanism (CVU).   The award recognises outstanding projects, concepts and initiatives that exemplify new directions in vertical urbanism across the globe. This year, CVU announced 73 award recipients from 20 countries, spanning 20 categories and subcategories, highlighting work with strong emphasis on adaptability, interdisciplinary thinking and long-term urban value.   The awarded project, “A Novel Active Opening Window Module for Fire Safety,” reflects the team’s innovative research in enhancing building safety and performance through intelligent design. The work was primarily carried out by Prof. Jiang and Ms Zeng Wenxin, whose efforts have contributed to advancing practical solutions for safer and more resilient built environments.   This achievement is a meaningful recognition of the team’s research excellence and its contribution to the development of future-ready urban living. BEEE congratulates Prof. Jiang and Ms Zeng Wenxin on this well-deserved honour.   For more information, please visit the official announcement by CVU: https://verticalurbanism.org/resources/award-recipients/a-novel-active-opening-window-module-for-fire-safety/  

Innovating for the future: Designing Climate‑Resilient and Livable Cities

The Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering (BEEE) is pleased to share this inspiring research initiative led by Ir Prof. Niu Jianlei. The project highlights how innovative urban design and advanced technologies can help address the growing challenges of heat, comfort, and sustainability in cities.   As global heatwaves become more frequent, the urban heat island effect is intensifying, making cities increasingly uncomfortable. Higher temperatures reduce outdoor activities while driving up reliance on air conditioning. To address these challenges, Ir Prof. Niu Jianlei, Associate Director of the Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Smart Cities Research Institute and Chair Professor of Building Environment and Energy at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, has led the research project “A Healthy and Resilient City with Ubiquitous Outdoor Thermal Comfort Hubs.”   The team focuses on creating localised outdoor comfort hubs that enable pleasant outdoor environments even in hot, humid, and densely built cities. The research integrates big data analytics, artificial intelligence, Geographic Information Systems, and Building Information Modelling, supported by advanced modelling and simulation of wind, heat, and moisture. This approach enables self optimising urban design and building forms from the early planning stage, facilitating systematic creation of localised comfort environments.   This approach supports the creation of healthier, more resilient, and sustainable cities, where outdoor comfort and environmental performance are enhanced through intelligent design.   BEEE is proud to support and celebrate research efforts that contribute to building a more liveable and climate-resilient future for our cities.   Watch video   

BEEE Industry Day Celebrates Student Achievement, Alumni Contributions, and Innovation

The Building Environment and Energy Engineering (BEEE) Industry Day was successfully held on 6 June 2026 at PolyU’s Block Z, bringing together industry partners, alumni, staff, and students for a memorable morning of celebration, knowledge exchange, and academic achievement.   The event featured a poster exhibition and award ceremony highlighting the latest capstone projects and research achievements of BEEE research and degree students in the field of Building Sciences and Engineering. Guests were invited to explore the diverse and innovative work presented by students, reflecting the Department’s commitment to advancing excellence in building environment, safety, resilience, and energy.   The ceremony began with welcoming remarks from the Head of Department, Professor NI Meng, followed by speeches from Professor JIANG Liming and Ir Professor YUEN Chun Yin, Anthony, who commended the students for their dedication and accomplishments in research and project development. A highlight of the ceremony was the presentation of the PolyU BEEE 2025 Outstanding Alumni Award to Ir CHENG Wai Lung, Brian, as well as the Certificate of Appreciation for Outstanding Contribution to Ir Dr TSUI Suk Chong, Fiona, Ir CHENG Wai Lung, Brian, Ir Fong Chi Sum, Carmen, Ir KWAN Ho Sum, Chris, and Ir Prof. LO Chi Wah, Anthony, in recognition of their valuable contributions to the Department and the wider industry.   The event also celebrated outstanding student achievements through the Industry Day Presentation and Awards, where research students and degree students were recognized across multiple award categories, including Special Citation, Merit Award, Grand Award, and Pioneer Award. Ir Professor LU Lin Vivien also joined the award presentation alongside Professor Ni, Professor Jiang, and Professor Yuen. The award presentations showcased the breadth of talent and innovation within the BEEE community.   Following the ceremony, attendees gathered for a group photograph before visiting the poster exhibition and enjoying the tea reception, where students had the opportunity to introduce their projects and engage with guests in meaningful discussions.   The BEEE Industry Day once again demonstrated the Department’s strong ties with industry and its dedication to nurturing the next generation of building sciences and engineering professionals. The event provided an excellent platform for students to present their work, receive recognition, and connect with alumni and industry practitioners.   The photo gallery can be found here.  

Result Announcement - Outstanding Alumni Award of PolyU BEEE 2026

The Outstanding Alumni Award of PolyU Department aims to give public recognition to outstanding graduates of the Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering (BEEE) for their significant contributions to their profession and community, as well as to their alma mater. The Award was first presented in 2010, and this year marks the 11th round of the selection process. We are pleased to announce the two distinguished awardees for 2026: Outstanding Alumni Award of PolyU BEEE 2026 Ir Sr LEE Man Kwong Jonathan Ir Sr Jonathan Lee, a market leader in building services, green building, energy management, ESG, property and facility management, and building maintenance. With over 30 years of experience, Jonathan brings exceptional leadership to his current role as Deputy General Manager of Well Born Real Estate Management Limited, a member of the Henderson Land Group. He oversees housing, facility operations, sustainability, and engineering across more than 200 properties, including office towers, residential estates, luxury villas, and industrial buildings. Previously, as former Deputy Managing Director of Savills Property Management Limited and Assistant General Manager of Hutchison Property Management Limited, he was responsible for technical support, ESG, safety, project consultancy, engineering contract, value-added service sales, and property & facility management. He managed an impressive portfolio of 190 million square feet of GFA, 220,000 residential units, 2,100 blocks, and 80,000 parking spaces, leading 15,000 direct staff.   Jonathan holds three master’s degrees with outstanding performance in Building Services Engineering & Facility Management, and distinction in Construction & Real Estate. He is a Fellow of multiple professional bodies, including HKIE, HKIS, CIBSE, RICS, BSOMES, HKIFM, HKGBC, and BEAM Society. Actively contributing to public life, he serves as Chairperson of the EMSD Lift & Escalator Safety Advisory Committee, and as a member of the ICAC Corruption Prevention Advisory Committee, the Board of the Hong Kong Housing Authority, and the Hospital Authority Committee—supporting policy, design, and operational advancements. Over the past 20 years, he served over 30 appeal boards, disciplinary boards, technical committees, advisory committees and working committees in Government Departments, Professional Institutions and Universities.   In 2024, Jonathan received The Most Outstanding Green Achiever award from the Environment and Ecology Bureau. He has served as President of The Hong Kong Institute of Facility Management (2023–2025), President of the Building Services Operation and Management Executives Society (2013–2014), and Vice Chairman of the Property and Facility Management Division of The Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors (2021-2023).   A devoted PolyU alumnus for over 30 years, Jonathan earned five diplomas, degrees, and master's certificates from the University, then served as mentor, part-time lecturer, external examiner, and programme advisory board member. His extraordinary contributions to the University, the profession, and society is really a role model to the industry.   Outstanding Young Alumni Award of PolyU BEEE 2026 Professor MA Tao Prof. MA Tao obtained his PhD in Renewable Energy from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University in 2015. He is now a Full Professor at Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU) and serves concurrently as Associate Dean of the School of Engineering at Tibet University.   Prof. Ma leads the Laboratory for Advanced Photovoltaics and System Integration (LAPSI) at SJTU, with research focusing on the fundamental mechanisms and engineering applications of solar photovoltaic technologies. Particularly he pioneered innovative studies on colored photovoltaics for building-integrated photovoltaics, achieving aesthetically enhanced colored PV modules with efficiencies exceeding 21% and only 2–3% relative performance loss compared with conventional black modules, representing a breakthrough beyond previous state-of-the-art results. His core patented technology was successfully commercialized and has since been deployed in demonstration projects across Shanghai, Nanjing, and other cities.   Prof. Ma has served as Principal Investigator for over 20 projects funded by the Ministry of Science and Technology of China, the National Natural Science Foundation of China, and industry collaborations. He has published more than 150 papers in leading journals including Nature Communications, Joule, ACS Nano, ACS Energy Letters, and iScience, accumulating over 15,000 citations with an h-index of 67. His publications include 15 ESI Highly Cited Papers and 2 ESI Hot Papers, alongside two Chinese monographs and three English book chapters. He currently serves as the editorial board member of several journals including ‘Applied Energy (IF: 10.1)’, ‘Solar Energy Materials & Solar Cells (IF: 6.3)’ and Photovoltaics.   Prof. Ma has received numerous prestigious awards throughout his career, such as ‘Clarivate Highly Cited Researchers 2025 in Engineering’, ‘Most Cited Chinese Researcher by Elsevier (2021-2025)’, ‘World’s Top 2% most-cited Scientists (2020-2025)’, ‘Highly Ranked Scholar (Top 0.05%) in Photovoltaic & Energy’, ‘National Teaching Achievement Award (2nd Prize)’, ‘First Prize of China Construction Science and Technology Award’, ‘Young Scientist Award of Chinese Renewable Energy Society’, ‘Excellent Young Scientist Award in Energy and Built Environment’ etc..   The Department is proud to recognize the outstanding achievements of these two awardees in the building services engineering industry and their contributions to the community and PolyU. We extend our gratitude to all the Selection Panel members for their excellent volunteer work in the selection process.