News

BEEE PhD Students Won First Prize in Arup Research Competition 2025

The Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering (BEEE) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is delighted to announce that our PhD students, Mr. Cheung Wai Kit (team representative), Ms. Zhou Yuxin, and Mr. Zhang Lei, supervised by BEEE Associate Professor Prof. Huang Xinyan, have been awarded First Prize in the Arup Research Competition 2025 hosted by Arup Hong Kong.   This year’s competition theme was “Empowering the Future: Energy Transition and Urban Development”. The winning project, titled “Multi-Modal Sensor Fusion for Early Thermal Runaway Prediction in Large-scale Battery Energy Storage Systems”, focuses on using multi-modal sensing technologies to predict battery thermal runaway before venting or thermal runaway occurs. This innovative research has strong potential for future application in Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), which help to prevent thermal runaway incidents and enhance the safety and reliability of BESS.   The Arup Research Competition was held in three rounds with 42 submissions from research postgraduate students across Hong Kong, Macau, and Mainland China. This competition sought interdisciplinary and forward-thinking research papers that explore how energy transition can drive equitable, resilient, and smart urban development. Mr. Cheung and his team stood out and won the First Prize in the competition.   The Department of BEEE congratulates Mr. Cheung Wai Kit, Ms. Zhou Yuxin, and Mr. Zhang Lei on their outstanding achievement and wishes them continued success.  

BEEE Undergraduate Students Honoured with Prestigious ASHRAE Scholarships

The Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering (BEEE) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is proud to announce that two outstanding students have been awarded prestigious scholarships from the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) for the 2026-2027 academic year. Ms Lan Yufei has been selected as the recipient of the Society’s Undergraduate James R. Bullock Jr. Scholarship. This award recognizes Yufei’s exceptional academic achievements, dedication to the field, and commitment to advancing sustainable engineering in the built environment. Ms Xie Jingxuan has received the ASHRAE General Scholarship, one of two one-year undergraduate engineering scholarships awarded annually. This scholarship is granted in recognition of Jingxuan’s outstanding scholastic and leadership abilities, exemplary character and potential service to the HVAC&R profession.   These awards highlight the remarkable talent and dedication of BEEE students and underscore the department’s commitment to nurturing future leaders in the HVAC&R industry. Congratulations to Ms Lan Yufei and Ms Xie Jingxuan on their well-deserved achievements!  

MScHPB Student Gathering Brings Students and Staff Together

The MSc in High Performance Buildings (MScHPB) Programme hosted a warm and engaging student gathering on 3 February 2026 at PolyU. Organized under the leadership of Professor Du Yaping, Programme Leader, the event provided a wonderful opportunity for students to connect, share experiences, and celebrate together ahead of the New Year.   The afternoon began with a welcome speech from Professor Du, who encouraged students to make the most of their time in the programme and to support one another throughout their academic journey. Professor Jiang Liming and Ir Dr Lui Che Heng Gigi also joined the event and shared their insights, enriching the experience for all participants. This was followed by a lively self-introduction session, where students shared their names, nationalities, hobbies, and study backgrounds, fostering a strong sense of community and camaraderie.   A student sharing session allowed participants to exchange insights and experiences, further strengthening the bonds within the cohort. The gathering continued with an informal staff-student interaction over a light lunch, creating a relaxed atmosphere for meaningful conversations.   The event concluded with a group photo session, capturing the memorable moments shared by all attendees.   The MScHPB Student Gathering was a resounding success, bringing together students and staff in a spirit of friendship and collaboration. We look forward to more opportunities to connect and grow as a community in the future.   The photo gallery can be found here.  

Bridging Students and Industry: Success of the BEEE Engineer Pop-up

The Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering (BEEE) successfully hosted the “Engineers of the Future: BEEE Engineer Pop-up” on 2 February 2026 at PolyU. The event brought together students and representatives from leading professional engineering societies for an evening of insightful sharing, networking, and career exploration.   The evening began with a warm welcome speech by Dr Hilda Cheung, Undergraduate Programme Leader and Lecturer, who encouraged students to actively engage with the professional community and embrace opportunities for growth.   Throughout the event, representatives from six prominent engineering societies—including ASHRAE Hong Kong Chapter, BSOMES, CIBSE Hong Kong Region, CIPHE Hong Kong Branch, HKIE Building Services Division, and the Society of Operations Engineers (Hong Kong Region) —delivered informative briefings. Each society introduced their mission, activities, and the pathways they offer for students to pursue professional qualifications and industry recognition.   The event concluded with a lively Q&A session and networking opportunity, allowing students to interact directly with society representatives, ask questions, and gain valuable insights into the engineering profession.   The BEEE Engineer Pop-up provided an excellent platform for students to connect with industry leaders, broaden their understanding of the engineering landscape, and take meaningful steps toward their future careers.   Thank you to all the representatives, students, and guests who contributed to the success of this event. We look forward to more opportunities to inspire and empower the engineers of tomorrow!   The photo gallery can be found here.    

BEEE Community Night – BE Elevated & Excellent: A Night of Connection and Celebration

The BEEE Community Night – BE Elevated & Excellent was successfully held on 30 January at Ju Yin House, PolyU, bringing together students, alumni and academic advisors for an evening of sharing, recognition, and networking.   The event kicked off with a warm welcome and opening remarks from Professor Ni Meng, Head of BEEE, who highlighted the importance of community and excellence within the department. This was followed by an inspiring sharing session from Dr Jackie Ng, President of the Alumni Association of Building Services Engineering (AABSE), who reflected on the achievements and growth of the BSE alumni community.   Current student and MC for the evening, Ms Karen Cheung, shared her own journey and experiences under BEEE, offering encouragement to fellow students to strive for excellence and stay connected with the BEEE family.   A highlight of the evening was the certificate presentation ceremony, where Professor Ni, Associate Head (Teaching), Professor Vivien Lu and Associate Head (Partnership), Professor Jiang Liming, recognized the dedication and contributions of the BEEE Students’ Society Committee Members and Class Representatives. The moment was captured with a group photo, celebrating the spirit of teamwork and leadership.   The night continued with a lively quiz game organized by the BEEESS – Amor, engaging participants in a fun and interactive way. Guests then enjoyed a delicious dinner, providing a perfect opportunity for networking and reconnecting with old friends and new faces alike.   Excitement peaked during the lucky draw, with prizes presented by the Ug programme leader Dr Hilda Cheung, the department’s Associate Heads, the AABSE President, and Professor Ni. Congratulations to all the lucky winners!   The event concluded with more dinner and networking, leaving everyone with fond memories and a renewed sense of community spirit.   Thank you to all who attended and contributed to making the BEEE Community Night a memorable success. We look forward to more opportunities to connect, celebrate, and elevate excellence together!   The photo gallery can be found here.    

BEEE Researcher Receive the President’s Awards for Outstanding Achievement 2025

Congratulations to Professor Wei Minchen Tommy, Associate Head (Research) and Professor, Director of the PolyU-Qianhai Technology and Innovation Research Centre, and Limin Young Scholar in Colour and Imaging Science, for being awarded the President’s Awards for Outstanding Achievement 2025. This is the highest institutional accolade, recognizing the outstanding achievements of our staff.   Category of Award: Individual Awards – Research & Scholarly Activities (Early Career Researcher)   Please join us in extending our warmest congratulations to Professor Wei on his exceptional achievements!  

BEEE PhD Student Awarded Silver Award in the Hong Kong Techathon+ 2026

The Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering (BEEE) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is proud to announce that our PhD student, Mr. Wong Ho Yin, supervised by BEEE Associate Professor Prof. Huang Xinyan, has won the Silver Award in the Digital Economy & Smart City Open Group Division at the Hong Kong Techathon+ 2026.   In January 2026, Mr. Wong continuously promoted his fire safety engineering research outcome initiated in the PolyU Maker Fund Programme 2021 to the audience in the Hong Kong Techathon+ 2026. His project, titled ‘GABES Smart Fire Management,' is an Internet of Things (IoT) system comprising a wireless detector mesh network and dynamic exit signs. The fire detector system, which utilizes artificial intelligence technology, can significantly reduce the number of false alarms and provide an early warning, while the dynamic exit sign system guides evacuees towards the safest evacuation paths, reducing evacuation time. This project will be a crucial component of the novel smart firefighting technology developed at PolyU (the SureFire Project), and this will be applied to the next generation of smart and resilient buildings that will help Hong Kong achieve the status of the world's leading smart city.   Co-organised by HKSTP and 15 leading universities and institutions in Hong Kong, Hong Kong Techathon+ encourage innovators to embrace the challenge with innovative vibes! This isn’t just any tech event – it’s a collaborative playground for the brightest minds to come together, share ideas, and push the boundaries of what’s possible. This year, the competition cumulated 7,000+ students and 2,400+ ideas. Competing with such a large number of participants, Mr. Wong and his team stood out and won the Silver Award in the Digital Economy & Smart City Open Group Division.   The Department of BEEE congratulates Mr. Wong Ho Yin and his team on their outstanding achievement and wishes them continued success.  

BEEE Student Honoured at REC Engineering Company Limited Scholarship Presentation Ceremony

The Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering (BEEE) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is pleased to share that the REC Engineering Company Limited Scholarship Presentation Ceremony took place on 20 December 2025 at the Goodman Kwai Chung Logistics Centre. The event was graced by Guest of Honour Ir Dr Conrad Wong, BBS, JP, Vice Chairman of Yau Lee Holdings Limited.   Our student, Wong Hei Ka , a Year 3 student in the BEng (Hons) Scheme in Building Sciences & Engineering, was recognized as the scholarship awardee for 2024/25. Ir Professor Wong Ling Tim also joined the ceremony to celebrate this special achievement with our awardee.   Congratulations to Wong Hei Ka on this well-deserved recognition! We are proud of his accomplishment and wish his continued success in her academic and professional journey.  

BEEE Community Celebrates Achievements at 2026 Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon

Staff and students from the Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering (BEEE) proudly participated in the 2026 Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon, joining tens of thousands of runners in one of the city’s most iconic sporting events. Our Head of Department, Prof. Ni Meng, successfully completed the half marathon, while other BEEE staff—including Professor Christopher Chao (PolyU Senior Vice President), Prof. Horace Mui (PolyU Dean of Students), Prof. Jiang Liming (Associate Head), and Dr He Zhichao (Research Assistant Professor)—along with a number of BEEE students, took part in the 10km race. Particularly, our BEEE alumna, Ms. Lam Ka Yan, has won the Women’s Master 1 category in the 10km challenge race.   Congratulations to all our runners on their outstanding effort and achievements! We look forward to seeing even more members of the BEEE family join us for future wellness and engagement activities.  

BEEE Students Embark on Study Tour to Harbin Institute of Technology

From 16 to 22 December 2025, fifteen undergraduate and three postgraduate students from the Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering (BEEE) participated in a memorable study tour to Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT), Harbin, China. The tour was led by Ir Professor Lu Lin Vivien, Prof. Hou Cynthia, and Dr Tsang Tsz Wun, Hayley, and was generously sponsored by the PRC Ten Thousand People’s Scheme (內地與港澳高等學校師生交流計劃項目, 簡稱萬人計劃) of the PRC Ministry of Education (教育部) and BEEE.   A highlight of the visit was the technical seminar held on 17 December, where BEEE students and staff joined HIT students and professors for an engaging session on solar energy and deep space cooling. Prof. Lu delivered a presentation titled “Steering the Solar Photons for Building Energy Transition,” while Prof. Edwin Tso from CityU also delivered a keynote address. Both professors shared their research on harnessing solar energy and the coldness of deep space for building energy efficiency. Representatives from both universities exchanged insights on their research and student life, further fostering academic collaboration and cultural understanding.   The hospitality extended by HIT staff, students, and local residents made the trip especially memorable. HIT representatives organized a warm welcome event, hosted campus tours, and arranged lab visits and meetings with faculty and students to facilitate research exchanges and mentorship. Students also had the opportunity to visit museums highlighting the history of HIT, its contributions to space research, and the rich heritage of Harbin.   This study tour provided a valuable blend of academic exchange and cultural immersion, strengthening the partnership between BEEE and HIT and forging lasting personal and professional connections. The experience not only broadened students’ horizons but also inspired future collaboration and innovation in building environment and energy engineering.   The photo gallery can be found here.