Ir Owen LEE

Educational Background

• Certificate in Forensic Accounting, The China University of Political Science and Law
• Professional Certificate in Safety Auditing (Credit), School of Continuing and Professional Education, City University of Hong Kong
•  Professional Diploma in Occupational Safety and Health, School of Continuing Education, Hong Kong Baptist University
•  Postgraduate Diploma in Arbitration and Mediation (Merit), School of Professional and Continuing Education, The University of Hong Kong
• Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Accounting (Merit), School of Professional and Continuing Education, The University of Hong Kong
• Bachelor of Petroleum Engineering (Distinction), China University of Petroleum (Beijing)
• Bachelor of Administrative Management (Distinction), University of Electronic Science and Technology of China
• Bachelor of Laws (Distinction), University of International Business and Economics, Beijing
• Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) in Civil Engineering, The University of Hong Kong
• Master of Arts in Music (Dean's List), The Chinese University of Hong Kong
• Master of Business Administration in International Business (Distinction, Ranking first in class), University of Greenwich
• Master of Science in Construction Project Management (Distinction, Ranking first in class), The University of Hong Kong
  

Industry Sector

• Construction
• Engineering Consultancy
• Higher Education
• Dispute Resolution

Career/Job Position

• Resident Engineer, AECOM Asia Company Limited
• Lecturer (Part-time), Department of Civil Engineering, The University of Hong Kong
• Lecturer (Part-time), Department of Construction, Environment and Engineering, Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong
• Visiting Lecturer, Division of Science, Engineering and Health Studies, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
• Visiting Lecturer, Centre for Continuing Education, University of Macau
• Visiting Lecturer, Department of Design Engineering and Mathematics, Middlesex University London

Key Professional Achievements

Professional Qualification and Membership

• Fellow & Chartered Civil Engineer, Institution of Civil Engineers, UK
• Fellow & Chartered Engineer, Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation, UK
• Fellow & Chartered Engineer, Institution of Materials, Minerals and Mining, UK
• Fellow & Chartered Engineer, Chartered Institution of Civil Engineering Surveyors, UK
• Fellow, The Geological Society of London, UK
• Fellow & Accredited Adjudicator, Hong Kong Institute of Construction Adjudicators
• Member, Hong Kong Institution of Engineers
• Registered Professional Engineer (Civil), Engineers Registration Board
• Member & Chartered Surveyors, Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors
• Member, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, UK
• Member, Hong Kong Institution of Highways and Transportation
• Member, Hong Kong Institute of Building Information Modelling
• Member, Hong Kong Institute of Civil and Building Information Management
• Panel of Adjudicators, Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre
• Associate Member, CPA Australia
• Associate Member, Association of Chartered Certified Accountants
• Practising Associate, The Academy of Experts
• Ordinary Member, BEAM Society, Hong Kong
• BEAM Pro (NB, EB, ND, BI), Hong Kong Green Building Council
• Registered Ground Engineering Professional, UK
• Registered Remote Pilot - Advanced Rating, Civil Aviation Department
• Certified Drone Pilot - Commercial (CDP-C™), THE UAV Academy, UK
• Certified BIM Manager, Construction Industry Council, HK
• Blasting Competent Supervisor (BCS), Mines Division, Civil Engineering and Development Department
• NEC4 Accredited Project Manger, NEC Contracts® UK

Services

• (2026-now) Member, Partnership and Network Development Working Group,  Young Affairs Committee, Construction Industry Council
• (2025) Member, Advanced Diploma Re-Validation Panel, Hong Kong Institute of Construction 
• (2023-now) Honorary Treasurer & Board Member, Hong Kong Institute of Building Information Modelling
• (2023-now) Committee Member, Electrical & Mechanical Services and Construction, Industry Consultative Networks, Employees Retraining Board
• (2021-2023) Head of Training & Board Member, Hong Kong Institute of Building Information Modelling
• (2021-2023) Task Group on BIM Specifications and Agreement, Construction Industry Council
• (2020-now) Honorary Secretary, HKU Real Estate and Construction Postgraduate Alumni Association
• (2017-2019) Board Member, Faculty of Architecture, University of Hong Kong
• (2015-now) Member and Registered Volunteers, Engineers Without Border, HK
• (2024-now) Reviewer, Institution of Civil Engineers, UK
• (2020-now) Review Examiner, Chartered Institution of Civil Engineering Surveyors
• (2019-now) Approved Reviewer, UK Register of Ground Engineering Professionals
• (2019-now) Approved Assessor, Institute of Marterials, Minerals and Mining, UK

Honour and Awards

• Construction Industry Outstanding Young Person 2025, Construction Industry Council (香港建造業傑出青年)
• Civil Engineering Surveyor of the Year, CICES Awards 2025, Chartered Institution of Civil Engineering Surveyors (年度傑出土木工程測量師)
• Finalist, Young Tunneller of the Year, New Civil Engineering Tunnelling Festival 2021
• CIC Young BIMer, Celebration of BIM Achievement 2020, Construction Industry Council (年度建築信息模擬青年專業人員)
• Young BIMer of the Year, Autodesk BIM Awards 2020, Autodesk
• Winner of First Prize of Agorize Business Case Competition for Sustainable and Optimized Housing 2019
• Building Management Prize 2019, Department of Real Estate and Construction, The University of Hong Kong
• Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors Scholarship 2019, Department of Real Estate and Construction, The University of Hong Kong

Reason for Pursuing a Doctorate Programme

With over 13 years of experience in managing sophisticated mega projects, I realised that practical experience alone was no longer sufficient to drive systemic change in the international real estate and construction sector. I pursued the DIREC to research how to bridge the gap between our innovations and academia. I saw an obvious gap in research that combined the discipline of real estate development with construction innovation, sustainability, and policy making.

The doctoral programme provides me with an opportunity to convert all of my years of practical experience into both theoretical foundations and empirical bases for contributions that may lead to the creation of new or updated government regulations/policies, industry-wide standardizations, and international benchmarks. My ultimate goal is to develop knowledge that leads to creating safer, smarter, and more environmentally friendly built environments for future generations of people in Hong Kong and throughout Asia.

Why do you choose PolyU DIREC Programme

I chose PolyU’s DIREC programme because the Department of Building and Real Estate is internationally recognised as a global leader in construction and real estate research, consistently ranked among the world’s top institutions in these fields.

Additionally, the programme’s unique integration of international real estate development with advanced construction management, digital innovation, and sustainability aligns perfectly with my expertise.

PolyU's extensive relationships with major stakeholders in the Construction Industry including the Development Bureau, Construction Industry Council, and Developers, offer opportunities for policy-relevant research.

The international outlook of the programme, combined with its rigorous methodology training and emphasis on bridging academic research with real-world practice, made it the ideal choice for me.

Overall Learning Experience from Studying DIREC Programme

Although I am still in Year 1, the DIREC programme has already given me one of the most valuable and engaging learning experiences I have ever had. The coursework has helped improve my research methodologies and also introduced me to very high-level international views of real estate finance, sustainable construction, digital transformation, and policy development.

Working with world-class professors and a highly diverse group of senior industry leaders, I have been able to engage in many deep interdisciplinary discussions that challenged my thoughts and broadened my global perspective. I really like how the DIREC programme provides both the intellectual rigor of an academic course and the immediate practical application relevant to the real estate strategies and innovative construction approaches.

I especially enjoy the supportive learning culture where I can reflect critically on my own learning, collaborate to create knowledge, and integrate my industry experience with academic enquiry. The structured yet flexible approach has enabled me to balance my demanding professional roles as resident engineer and university lecturer while making meaningful progress on my research direction.

Ultimately, this experience has solidified my desire for continuous learning and reaffirmed my belief that the DIREC is the ideal way to enhance my contribution to the profession.

Outcomes/Expectations from Studying DIREC Programme

I believe the DIREC programme will enable me to develop the research skills, professional networks, and academic qualifications needed to produce high-impact publications, policy recommendations, and industry innovations in real estate and construction. I plan to convert each of my practical innovation successes into original peer-reviewed research that contributes to advancing Hong Kong's Construction 2.0 agenda and best practices throughout the region.

By the time I complete the programme in 2028, I aspire to contribute new knowledge that impacts government policy, improves project delivery efficiency, and supports sustainable solutions to real estate issues. Additionally, the programme will allow me to be better equipped to mentor the future generations of professionals through my lecturing roles.

Overall, I foresee myself becoming a recognised thought leader who bridges academia and industry and is able to bring about digital and sustainable transformation in international real estate and construction, and has a positive lasting impact on built environments in Hong Kong, the Greater Bay Area, and beyond.

Advice for Prospective Candidates

Your strongest point is the rich industrial knowledge you have developed through years of experience - it will be this that makes your research the most significant and impactful.

Choose a research area that closely relates to the real-world problems that you address each day in construction, real estate, and digital transformation. It is often at the interface of practice & academia that the most value-added contributions take place.

You will need to become comfortable working within an academically rigorous framework while remaining grounded in industrial reality. Time management and clear prioritization will be key skills for balancing full-time professional responsibilities with doctoral study.

You should engage actively with Faculty, your cohort, and industry networks from day one - they will enhance your Research and may create new opportunities.

Be curious, resilient, and open to feedback. The journey will be both intellectually and personally challenging. However, it will also enable you to lead meaningful change.

Finally, view every assignment/discussion as an opportunity to refine ideas that can actually benefit society and industry.