News

Congratulations to the 2025 Graduates of Doctor of International Real Estate and Construction (DIREC) Programme

On 20 November, PolyU honoured the graduation of the 2025 class of the Doctor of International Real Estate and Construction (DIREC) programme. We had the honour of witnessing their graduation at the Congregation, a truly significant milestone in their academic journey. This moment marked the culmination of their hard work and perseverance. Congratulations to all 2025 DIREC graduates on reaching this remarkable milestone! Since its launch in September 2020, DIREC has set a new benchmark as Hong Kong’s first professional part-time taught doctorate in both real estate and construction. This pioneering programme empowers ambitious professionals with advanced theoretical, technical expertise, and a global outlook to thrive in today’s dynamic industries. Applications are now open for the 2026/27 DIREC intake cohort. Join our Online Information Seminar on 20 December (Saturday), 11:00 am to 12:30 pm, to learn more about this distinguished programme. Sign up for DIREC Online Info Seminar now: https://polyu.hk/RRMEE

Sr Dr James TSUI Honoured as Recipient of Outstanding Alumni Award of PolyU FCE 2025

We are excited to share that our alumnus, Sr Dr James TSUI Siu Lung, MH, has been honoured as a recipient of the Outstanding Alumni Award of PolyU FCE 2025! Presented by the Faculty of Construction and Environment (FCE) at PolyU, this prestigious award recognises alumni who have demonstrated exceptional professional achievements and made significant contributions to the community and their alma mater. Sr Dr Tsui is a distinguished graduate, having earned his Doctor of International Real Estate and Construction from PolyU in 2024, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Building Surveying in 1992. Earlier, his dedication and impact in the field have also earned him the Outstanding Alumni Award of PolyU BRE 2025 at the department level. Congratulations to Sr Dr Tsui on his remarkable accomplishments! His achievements and commitment to excellence in the construction industry continue to inspire both current students and fellow alumni. We are proud to celebrate his success.

Symposium on Smart Construction cum the Opening Ceremony of the Centre for Future Technologies in Construction

The Symposium on Smart Construction cum the Opening Ceremony of the Centre for Future Technologies in Construction took place in November 2025. This milestone event marked an important step towards a smarter, greener and more sustainable future for the construction industry. In his welcome address, Prof. Xiang-dong LI, Dean of the Faculty of Construction and Environment at PolyU, remarked, “The global construction industry is currently at a crossroads of profound transformation. The shift from 'traditional manufacturing’ to ‘smart construction’ has become an industry-wide consensus. PolyU is always committed to promoting sustainable urban development. The Centre for Future Technologies in Construction is a significant initiative by PolyU to serve the industry and look ahead to the future.” A highlight of the occasion was the plaque unveiling ceremony for the Centre for Future Technologies in Construction, officiated by Prof. Xiang-dong LI, Prof. Michael YAM, Head of Department of Building and Real Estate (BRE), and Prof. Heng LI, Chair Professor of Construction Informatics at PolyU and Director of the Centre. Led by Prof. Heng LI, the Centre aims to create an open platform that brings together expertise, focuses on research and nurtures talent, with the ultimate goal of transforming cutting-edge technology into new productive forces for industrial development. The establishment of the Centre also provides a solid foundation for enhanced collaboration between Hong Kong and Shenzhen in the field of smart construction. Against this backdrop, another key moment of the event was the signing of a strategic cooperation agreement between Prof. Heng LI and Dr Zeyu ZHAO, representing BRE at PolyU and the Shenzhen Green and Intelligent Construction Association, respectively, paving the way for future collaboration. As the finale, co-hosted by both BRE and the Shenzhen Green and Intelligent Construction Association, the Symposium on Smart Construction: Shenzhen-Hong Kong Integration and Innovative Applications brought together distinguished speakers, including Mr Hangyu SONG, General Manager, Shenzhen Keehang Tech Co., Ltd , Mr Shaojun LIU, Deputy General Manager, LETS Technology Group Co., Ltd. and Chengdu Technology Research Institute, and Ms CHEN Biting, Guangdong Tendfine Information Technology Development Co., Ltd. who shared their research and insights on pressing topics such as smart construction, AI-driven control robotics and digital construction supervision.

Join the Election Together We Create the Future

Mark your calendars! The 2025Legislative Council General Election in Hong Kong will be held on 7 Dec (Sunday).  This election marks an important step in our city's journey towards ‘advancing from stability to prosperity.’ It is crucial for driving economic growth and enhancing the quality of life for all residents. Mr Kevin SIU Ka Yin, JP, Commissioner of Rating and Valuation, Rating and Valuation Department of the HKSAR Government, and Chairman of the BRE Departmental Advisory Committee (DAC), together with the DAC Members, encourage everyone to gather with friends and family to make your voices heard on election day. Let’s fulfill our civic responsibility and vote for Legislative Council members who truly represent us.   Join the Election Together We Create the Future – Vote on 7 Dec!   

Prof. Geoffrey SHEN Once Again Recognised Amongst the World’s Most Highly Cited Researchers by Clarivate Analytics

Prof. Geoffrey SHEN Once Again Recognised Amongst the World’s Most Highly Cited Researchers by Clarivate Analytics Prof. Geoffrey SHEN, Associate Vice President (Global Partnerships), Director of Global Engagement, Chair Professor of Construction Management, and Master of the STARS Residential College of PolyU, has been honoured as one of the Highly Cited Researchers for 2025 by Clarivate Analytics. This marks the third consecutive year that Prof. Shen has received this prestigious accolade, showcasing his enduring influence and exceptional contributions to the academic community. Also, his remarkable achievement underscores the profound impact of his research, as reflected by the frequent citations of his scholarly work by peers worldwide. This houour is bestowed upon the world’s top 1% scientists and social scientists whose academic endeavors have demonstrated significant influence within their respective research fields and whose work has been widely cited by international scholars. This year, twenty distinguished scholars from PolyU have been included on the list, further highlighting the University’s unwavering commitment to advancing research excellence and fostering positive societal change through innovation and collaboration.

BREDAA Homecoming Gala cum the Award Presentation Ceremony of the Outstanding Alumni Award of PolyU BRE

  What a wonderful evening of joy, laughter and cherished memories for over 200 alumni and distinguished guests!   In celebration of the 30th Anniversary of the Building Real Estate Departmental Alumni Association (BREDAA), BREDAA and BRE jointly hosted the ‘BREDAA Homecoming Gala cum the Award Presentation Ceremony of the Outstanding Alumni Award of PolyU BRE’ on campus last Friday.   Ir Phyllis CHEN, President of BREDAA, warmly welcomed all alumni and guests to this special occasion as well as introduced the executive committee. Shortly after, Prof. Michael YAM, Head of BRE, expressed his gratitude to everyone who supported the event. The evening provided an opportunity for alumni to reconnect, reminisce and celebrate the achievements of the BRE community.   A highlight of the evening was the Award Presentation Ceremony of the Outstanding Alumni Award of PolyU BRE for 2024 and 2025. BRE hououred two distinguished alumni, Sr Dr James TSUI, MH (2025 Awardee) and Ir Dr David KWOK (2024 Awardee). The awardees received their trophies from Mr Kevin SIU, JP, Commissioner of Rating and Valuation, Rating and Valuation Department of the Government and Chairman of BRE Departmental Advisory Committee, Prof. LI Xiang-dong, Dean of the Faculty of Construction and Environment of PolyU, Prof. Michael YAM and Ir Phyllis CHEN. Both awardees expressed sincere thanks to their proposers, families, friends and judges for their support.   In addition, Prof. Christopher CHAO, Senior Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU and proposer of Ir Dr David Kwok, delivered heartfelt remarks about his nomination and encouraged alumni to actively engage with and support their alma mater, PolyU.   The evening’s ambience was further enhanced by musical performances from Mr KONG Wai Kei (BRE Academic), Mr Duncan YUNG (BRE Alumnus) and Miss Vicky HU (BRE Student). It showcased the strong connection among the Department, alumni and students.   The Gala began earlier in the afternoon with a guided campus tour to the University Gallery and the BRE Department, etc. which allowed alumni to revisit familiar places and witness the latest developments at PolyU. The evening continued with game and lucky draw during the dinner.   We look forward to many more years of success, connection and shared achievements within the BRE community!   More pictures are available in the BRE website (Photo Gallery).  

Congratulations to Prof. Tris KEE on HKIA Council Election

  Congratulations to Prof. Tris KEE on her election as Council Ordinary Member of the Hong Kong Institute of Architects (HKIA) for the 2026-2027 term! The HKIA is a prestigious professional body dedicated to advancing the field of architecture.   As the Programme Leader for our BSc (Hons) Architectural Studies, Prof. Kee is honoured to serve the architectural community in this capacity and contribute to the ongoing development of both the HKIA and the wider industry. Her involvement will further strengthen the connection between academia and the profession, ensuring our students benefit from the latest industry knowledge and best practices. This initiative will also foster a dynamic learning environment that bridges the gap between theoretical study and real-world application.   We look forward to a fruitful partnership between the industry and academia!

BRE Scholars Ranked Among Top 2% of Scientists in the World

  Fourteen BRE colleagues are ranked among the world’s top 2% most-cited scientists, by Stanford University in 2025! This recognition highlights the significant impact and research excellence of BRE scholars.   The BRE scholars are (in alphabetical order): 1. Dr ANWER Shahnawaz# 2. Prof. Albert CHAN 3. Prof. Daniel CHAN 4. Dr CHIANG Yat Hung* 5. Dr Patrick LAM* 6. Prof. LI Heng 7. Prof. LU Ming 8. Prof. NI Meng# 9. Prof. Geoffrey SHEN 10. Prof. WENG Yiwei 11. Prof. Michael YAM 12. Prof. YI Wen 13. Dr Ann YU* and 14. Prof. Tarek ZAYED   *retired # with BRE during the assessment year   Stanford University has publicly released a comprehensive database of the world’s top-cited scientists, providing standardized information on citations, h-index, co-authorship-adjusted hm-index, citations by authorship position, and a composite indicator (c-score). Scientists are classified into 22 scientific fields and 174 sub-fields according to the standard Science-Metrix classification.

PolyU Info Day: A Day of Discovery, Inspiration and Innovation

  Last Saturday marked a great success for PolyU Info Day, themed ‘Innovation and Diversity’.   We were delighted to welcome secondary school students, teachers and parents to our campus. It was truly inspiring to see such enthusiasm from our visitors.   Visitors explored displays showcasing our programmes and initiatives, as well as many enjoyed hands-on experiences with cutting-edge technologies at our interactive game counters, making learning both fun and immersive. Our dedicated academic staff provided personalised programme consultations, answering questions and guiding prospective students toward the best possible choices for their futures.   Our Information Seminars offered valuable insights into admission requirements and diverse pathways available in our programmes, BSc (Hons) in Architectural Studies, BSc (Hons) in Building Engineering and Management, and BSc (Hons) in Surveying. Besides, our alumni shared their experiences, inspiring the next generation of leaders. One of the highlights was the Green Architecture Workshop, where participating students engaged in a hands-on and creative model-making activity. We also provided a guided tour of our CAVE Automatic Virtual Environment (CAVE) System to further showcase our commitment to innovation.   Thank you to everyone who visited us and contributed to the day’s success! We look forward to welcoming these students to the campus in future!

BRE Student Received Top 10 Outstanding Tertiary Students Award

  Well-done to Miss Sophie FUNG Wing Sum, a recent Surveying graduate! In recognition of her remarkable academic performance and all-round development, Sophie has been selected as one of the ten awardees in the Top 10 Outstanding Tertiary Students Award 2025.   Organised by the Hong Kong Youth & Tertiary Students Association, this award honours tertiary students with exceptional potential, social awareness and a strong sense of national identity. It aims to inspire students to serve as role models, contribute to society and foster greater exchange between Hong Kong youth and other cities in the Greater Bay Area.