News

Dr Benjamin OLULEYE Awarded at CIB Best Doctoral Dissertation Award 2024

We are delighted to announce that Dr Benjamin OLULEYE, a BRE PhD graduate, was named one of the runners-up at the ‘CIB Best Doctoral Dissertation Award 2024’ this month. His dissertation titled ‘Assessment Model and Decision Support System for the Adoption and Implementation of Circular Economy in the Building Construction Industry in Nigeria’ highlighted noteworthy research in sustainable construction practices. A special thank-you to his supervisor, Dr Daniel CHAN, Associate Professor of BRE, for his invaluable guidance and support. Join us in celebrating this outstanding achievement! *CIB stands for International Council for Research and Innovation in Building and Construction.

Prof. Michael YAM’s Team Awarded at ASCCS 2024

Join us in congratulating Prof. Michael YAM and his research team on their outstanding achievement at ASCCS 2024! Prof. Michael YAM, Professor and Head of BRE, together with Dr Qun HE and Dr Yuchen SONG, Postdoctoral Fellows of BRE, were honoured with the 'Best Steel Structures Paper Award' at the 13th International Conference on Advances in Steel-Concrete Composite Structures (ASCCS 2024). Their paper, titled ‘A Novel Self-Centring Steel Column Base Connection Utilising SMA Shear Bars’, was recognised for their remarkable research and contribution to the field. ASCCS 2024, hosted by the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at PolyU, with support from the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers and the Hong Kong Institute of Steel Construction, brought together international experts and leaders to share the latest research findings in structural steel, composite, and hybrid structures in December 2024.

Prof. Daniel CHAN’s Team Awarded at COSVARD 2024

A paper co-authored by Prof. Daniel CHAN, Associate Professor of BRE, his recent PhD graduate, Dr Nimesha JAYASENA and Prof. Mohan KUMARASWAMY from The University of Hong Kong, has recently been awarded the Second Best Paper Prize at the 7th International Conference on Smart Villages and Rural Development (COSVARD 2024). The COSVARD 2024 was organised by the Smart Villages Lab at the University of Melbourne in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Technology Madras in December 2024. The paper, titled ‘Boosting the Circular Economy and Smart Villages through PPP: A Global Literature Review,’ provided valuable insights into leveraging public-private partnerships for sustainable development. This recognition underscored their commitment to advancing global sustainability initiatives. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Prof. Chan, Dr Jayasena, and Prof. Kumaraswamy on this remarkable achievement. We greatly look forward to the continued impact of their work.

Invitation to Online Info Seminars on Taught Postgraduate Programmes

Enhancing your career development and aspiration fulfillment with us! What better way to learn more about our Taught Postgraduate Programmes than by joining our coming Online Info Seminars? Applications are now invited to our taught postgraduate programmes in construction and real estate (Sept 2025 entry): o Doctor of International Real Estate and Construction (DIREC)(Pioneer in Hong Kong) o MSc in Construction and Real Estate (CRE) o MSc in Intelligent Construction (IC) o MSc in Project Management (PM) Sign up for DIREC Online Info Seminar now: https://polyu.hk/HQvbJ Sign up for Online Info Seminars (Master Programmes) now: https://polyu.hk/HjjDy

Join Us for Online Info Seminar on MSc in Intelligent Construction Programme on 14 Dec, 11:00am-12:00nn

Discover a wealth of knowledge on digitalization in the construction industry! MSc in Intelligent Construction Programme, a pioneering initiative in Hong Kong, is designed to address the urgent need for digital transformation in the construction sector, as outlined in the Hong Kong SAR Government's 'Construction 2.0 - Time to Change' document. This programme aims at equipping construction professionals with advanced knowledge in the realm of Intelligent Construction Technologies (ICT) and essential management skills. They will explore cutting-edge ICT approaches, including robotics, visualization and interactive technologies, machine learning, 3D printing, BIM, and more. Join us to help shape the future of construction in Hong Kong! Sign up for Online Info Seminar (14 Dec, 11:00am-12:00nn) now: https://polyu.hk/HjjDy

Join Us for Online Info Seminar on MSc in Project Management Programme on 14 Dec, 4:00pm-5:00pm

Why not take a significant step forward to reach new heights in your career? Our 'Project Management Programme' provides exceptional opportunities for practicing architects, construction managers, engineers, surveyors, technologists, and related professionals to deepen their understanding of project management. This programme equips students to comprehensively analyse challenges and solve problems with innovative approaches. Sign up for Online Info Seminar (14 Dec, 4:00pm-5:00pm) now: https://polyu.hk/HjjDy  

Sign up for Online Info Seminar on Doctor of International Real Estate and Construction Programme on 14 Dec, 11:00am-12:30pm

Doctor of International Real Estate and Construction Programme (DIREC) is designed to equip you with the essential expertise and skills by integrating comprehensive academic approaches with international practical applications. The programme enables you to meet the demands of innovative and large-scale projects in Hong Kong and beyond. Here are messages from the validation panel members. We hope they will inspire you for your next chapter of lifelong learning journey. Applying to study with us is an important path on your journey of self-fulfillment and career advancement. Because of very limited places, your early application is strongly encouraged to avoid disappointment. Sign up for DIREC Online Info Seminar (14 Dec, 11:00am-12:30pm) now: https://polyu.hk/HQvbJ  

Strengthening Ties with RISM Sarawak

It was our privilege to welcome a delegation from the Royal Institution of Surveyors Malaysia Sarawak Branch (RISM Sarawak), led by the Chairperson, Sr Bong Lee Hong this month. Prof. Michael YAM, Head of BRE, along with Dr Esther YUNG, Associate Head (Teaching), Dr CHI Hung Lin and Dr Michael SING from the Programme Team, were delighted to engage with our esteemed guests. The visit provided a wonderful opportunity to introduce the Department and showcase our diverse programmes. We engaged in enriching discussions about the various divisions within the surveying profession and the requirements for becoming registered professional surveyors. We also explored the differences in admissions and study patterns between Malaysia and Hong Kong. We are excited about the potential for future collaborations and stronger connections!

BRE Students Received RICS Hong Kong Student Awards

Congratulations to the BRE undergraduate and postgraduate students on being selected for the RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) Hong Kong Student Awards! We were delighted to celebrate their exceptional academic achievements at the inaugural RICS Hong Kong Student Awards Ceremony this month. These bright minds were awarded certificates in recognition of their hard work and dedication. This event marked a significant milestone, celebrating the excellence of RICS accredited degree programmes and universities, and above all, honoring our future surveying talents. Postgraduate Programme Awardees: o MSc in Construction and Real Estate - CHAN Ka Man and CHEN Jiamin o MSc in Construction Law and Dispute Resolution - CHAN Xut Kan and WANG Liting o MSc in International Real Estate - YU Tong o MSc in Project Management – CHAN Tin Wai and QI Jingyu Undergraduate Programme Awardees: o BSc (Hons) in Property Management - FUNG Shing Pan o BSc (Hons) in Surveying - CHEUNG Pak Yin Hugo BRE academic representatives including Dr Ether YUNG, Associate Head (Teaching), Dr CHI Hung Lin, Associate Professor, Dr Minhyun LEE, Assistant Professor, and Dr Stanley YEUNG, Adjunct Associate Professor, were also present to congratulate the BRE students on their outstanding accomplishments. 2nd group photo credit: RICS

Prof. Geoffrey SHEN Recognised amongst the World’s Most Highly Cited Researchers 2024 by Clarivate

Prof. Geoffrey SHEN, Associate Vice President (Global Partnerships), Director of Global Engagement and Chair Professor of Construction Management, has been honoured as one of this year’s Highly-Cited Researchers in the cross-field category by Clarivate Analytics. This recognition highlights his significant research impact, as demonstrated by the frequent citations of his work by fellow scholars. Notably, this marked the second consecutive year that Prof. Shen has received this recognition, serving as strong encouragement for his continued dedication to research excellence. Sixteen scholars from PolyU are included on the list, highlighting the University's commitment to advancing research excellence and driving positive societal changes through various channels. In 2024, a total of 6,636 researchers from 59 countries and regions, spanning diverse research fields, were named as highly-cited researchers. These scholars have earned recognition for their influential contributions, demonstrated by their production of numerous papers that rank in the top 1% by citations in their respective fields and publication year, according to the Web of Science™, over the past 11 years. More about Prof. Geoffrey SHEN: https://www.polyu.edu.hk/.../acade.../prof-geoffrey-qp-shen/