Past Event

A Big Thank You for CRECCHKI’s Visit

We were honoured to welcome Prof. Charles LAM, Permanent Honorary President, Ms Natasha HO, President, Mr Raymond SOO, Vice President and members of China Real Estate Chamber of Commerce Hong Kong and International Chapter (CRECCHKI) on 22 April 2025. The visit began with a warm welcome and an introduction to the Department by Prof. Michael YAM, Head of BRE. Prof. Daniel CHAN, Programme Leader of the Doctor of International Real Estate and Construction (DIREC), then captivated the guests with an overview of DIREC’s innovative curriculum. In addition, DIREC graduates, Dr Kelvin WONG and Dr Joseph HO shared their learning experiences and how the programme shaped their careers. A highlight of the visit, elaborated by Prof. CHI Hung Lin of BRE, was the opportunity for guests to engage in VR experiences using our CAVE System and Motion Simulator. A big thank you to CRECCHKI for their visit. We hope everyone had an enjoyable time with us. We look forward to hosting another wonderful event with them in the future.

New Executive Committee of BREDAA

The new Executive Committee of the Building and Real Estate Departmental Alumni Association (BREDAA) was successfully elected during the Extraordinary General Meeting last evening. The election was witnessed by a representative from the Alumni Affairs Office of PolyU. The Committee Members include Ir Cr Phyllis CHEN, Sr Carmen LAI, Ir Dr David KWOK, Ir Cr Amy SIU, Mr Marco LEUNG, Sr Fiona LEUNG, Ms Michele LUI, Sr Daniel Ng, Sr Westing TSOI and Cr Dr Angela YUEN. The new Executive Committee will count on the support of all BRE alumni. The BREDAA is dedicated to fostering strong connections among the members. By facilitating networking opportunities and the exchange of knowledge, it strengthens the bond between alumni and BRE, ensuring a vibrant and supportive community for years to come. More about the BREDAA Executive Committee: https://polyu.hk/AtUmF

Campus Visit by Shung Tak Catholic English College

A warm welcome was extended to the students and a teacher from Shung Tak Catholic English College in early April. During their visit, to provide them with a comprehensive overview of our undergraduate programmes, Mr. KONG Wai Kei, our Admission Officer, delivered an informative presentation. They were also captivated by the opportunity to engage with our advanced technologies, including the CAVE system and building information modelling. The interactive experiences offered them valuable insights into the innovative tools and methodologies that are shaping the future of construction and engineering. We hope their visit inspired curiosity and excitement about the possibilities within these fields.

Visit by Students of Youth Mentorship Scheme

Organised by the Building Healthy Kowloon City Association and supported by the Home Affairs Department of Kowloon City District Office, a group of secondary school students and mentors from the Youth Mentorship Scheme, paid a visit to BRE in April. They were warmly welcomed by Prof. CHI Hung Lin, Associate Professor of BRE. They explored our department's undergraduate programmes and cutting-edge facilities, including the CAVE system, motion simulator and 3D printing technology for construction. The hands-on experiences provided them with valuable insights into the exciting possibilities within the field of construction. We hope this visit inspired these young minds to pursue studies and careers in construction innovation and technology.

DIREC Alumni Reunion Dinner

Recently, we have hosted an alumni reunion dinner for graduates of Doctor of International Real Estate and Construction (DIREC) programme. Attended by Prof. Michael YAM, Head of BRE, Prof. SUN Yi, Associate Head (Partnership), Prof. Daniel CHAN, DIREC Programme Leader and other BRE colleagues, this dinner provided an opportunity for alumni to reconnect, celebrate their achievements, and reflect on their shared experiences. This programme has united a diverse group of professionals from finance, investment, construction, real estate, project management, and building management. We are incredibly proud of their academic and personal accomplishments and are eager to see how they will continue to make impact in the field of real estate and construction.

BSc (Hons) Architectural Studies Workshop

This month, we had the privilege of hosting an engaging workshop for secondary schools to introduce our upcoming BSc (Hons) in Architectural Studies programme. The fruitful day was filled with a captivating talk, demonstrations and hands-on experiences. The participating students got a preview of this new programme and engaged in an interactive architecture game. During their visit, the students also had the opportunity to immersethemselves in virtual reality experiences using our Cave Automatic Virtual Environment (CAVE) System and Motion Simulator, and explore Building Information Modelling (BIM). These activities offered valuable insights into the application of cutting-edge technologies in the construction industry. The BSc (Hons) in Architectural Studies programme is hosted by BRE and co-hosted by the PolyU School of Design, for the 2025/26 cohort. The programme aims to provide quality education to familiarise architectural students with the latest advanced technology such as Artificial Intelligence, Building Information Modelling and advanced construction technology relating to architecture, construction, building materials and building services to respond to issues of sustainable development in the built environment. The uniqueness of the programme lies in the integration of knowledge and analytical tools, digital skills and transferable skills with design capabilities for the needs of the architecture profession. Stay tuned for more exciting events!

Campus Visit by Santa Laurensia High School (Indonesia)

Thank you to Santa Laurensia High School (Indonesia) for spending a morning with us this month. The visit was designed to help them explore our undergraduate offerings, learning opportunities and latest development to assist in their academic selection. Prof. Charles WONG, Associate Dean (Teaching & Global Engagement) of the Faculty of Construction and Environment, kicked off the morning with a briefing. The highlight of the visit was the hands-on experience we provided. Students immersed themselves in cutting-edge virtual reality using our Cave Automatic Virtual Environment (CAVE) System and Motion Simulator, etc. They gained firsthand insight into the advanced technologies shaping the construction industry. We look forward to welcoming them back to our campus again!

Unlocking Insights into Real Estate Market at BRE Distinguished Lecture

To ring in the Chinese New Year, last Thursday’s BRE Distinguished Lecture came with our incredible speaker, Prof. Abdullah YAVAS from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Prof. Yavas shared his words of wisdom on the topic, ‘Real Estate Bubbles and an Update on US Real Estate Markets’ on 13 February. His insights are particularly timely as we navigate the complexities of the current real estatelandscape. We are grateful to Prof. Yavas and all participants. This signature event aims to strengthen the connections among BRE, academia and industry. It serves as a key to unlocking fresh ideas, providing an ideal platform for industrial professionals, alumni, colleagues and students to engage in advanced learning.

Gathering with Inbound Exchange Students

We have recently hosted a warm and welcoming gathering for five inbound students from Aston University, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, and South China University of Technology. Prof. Michael YAM, Head, Prof. SUN Yi, Associate Head (Partnership), and Prof. YI Wen, Student Exchange Officer from BRE, were delighted to welcome the students, providing them with a briefing and ensuring they feel at home. This event also offered anideal opportunity for connection. We hope they have settled in well and are excited to support them during their stay in Hong Kong!

Career Talk by Rating and Valuation Department

We were glad to host a career talk by the Rating and Valuation Department of the HKSAR Government in late January. The event began with greetings from Prof. Ivy WONG, Award Co-ordinator of the BSc (Hons) in Surveying programme, and Prof. Michael SING, Assistant Professor of BRE. A heartfelt thank you to our speakers, Ms CHEUNG Yuen Kei and Ms CHENG Wing Ka, both Valuation Surveyors, and Ms HUI Sin Yee, a Valuation SurveyingGraduate, for sharing their expertise and experiences with us. Our students from the BSc (Hons) in Surveying programme and the BSc (Hons) in Property Management programme, particularly, the final-year students, gained valuable insights into the dynamic world of valuation and the exciting career opportunities that lie ahead. Stay tuned for more events!