News

New joiner - Dr Kai ZHOU

Dr Zhou received his B.S. and M.S. in automotive engineering from Chongqing University in 2007 and 2010, respectively, and received his Ph.D. degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Connecticut (UCONN) in 2015. After graduation, he worked in the industry as a research engineer and then returned to academia as a postdoctoral researcher in the advanced manufacturing research group at UCONN. Prior to joining PolyU as an Assistant Professor in May 2023, he was a Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Engineering Mechanics at Michigan Technological University (MTU). Dr Zhou has a broad research interest, ranging from structural dynamics and vibrations, structural health monitoring, machinery fault prognosis and health management, smart materials and sensors, to advanced manufacturing processes. He has strong expertise in data-driven design optimization, uncertainty quantification and reliability analysis, machine learning, and modeling and simulation of multi-physics systems and processes. He has published over 50 refereed journal articles and conference proceedings in relevant technical areas. He has served as a session chair for the 2022 ASME IDETC/CIE, 2022 MECC, and 2023 ASME IDETC/CIE. He also has served as a lead guest editor for Frontiers and MDPI journals. He is currently a member of the Technical Committee on Vibration, Dynamic Systems, and Control Division ASME.  Dr Zhou has joined us on 2 May 2023.

PolyU CEE Webinar Series: Human-Robot Collaboration in the Construction Industry

Dr Jacqueline Lo delivered a seminar with the topic of “Human-Robot Collaboration in the Construction Industry” on 26 April 2023. It was co-organized with HKIE Civil Division.

New joiner - Dr Ahmad Muhammad Riaz

Dr Ahmad obtained his Ph.D. from Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU), Shanghai, China in 2021. He completed his master's and bachelor's degrees from the University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore Pakistan, in 2017 and 2013, respectively. From 2013 to 2017, Dr Ahmad served as a lecturer at MNS University of Engineering and Technology, Multan, Pakistan. He joined PolyU as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in 2021 and worked in this capacity until 2023. During this period, he also served as a Visiting Research Fellow at the University of Tokyo in 2022-2023. Dr Ahmad research interests are primarily focused on the development of geopolymer and cement binders-based artificial aggregates, bio-composites, supplementary cementitious materials, and waste utilization.   Dr Ahmad has joined us on 27 April 2023.

PolyU Taster Programme 2023

The PolyU Taster Programme 2023 was successfully held on 22 April 2023 (Saturday). 31 students from different secondary schools joined the programme to learn more about CEE and the industry. Dr Andy Y.F. Leung, Associate Head of CEE, introduced the admission information and career prospects of BEng (Hons) Scheme in Civil Engineering and Sustainable Development. Students then formed groups to compete in the “Plastic Bridge Challenge”, which involved design, fabrication and testing of a bridge structure. Apart from the programme talk and workshop, students also visited our Structural Engineering Research Laboratory and Noise and Safety Laboratory. 

CEE Departmental Review 2023

CEE Departmental Review (DR), which aimed to review all Departmental activities for developmental purposes and international benchmarking, was successfully held on 3 and 4 April 2023.  Prof. Xiangdong Li (Dean of FCE, PolyU), Prof. Farhard Ansari (UIC Distinguished Professor, Department of Civil, Materials and Environmental Engineering, University of Illinois Chicago), Prof. Julia Stegemann (Professor of Environmental Engineering, University College London) and Prof. Charles Wong (Professor, Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics, PolyU) have formed the Panel of this exercise. During the visit, the DR Panel met with CEE management team, staff and student representatives, industry representatives and alumni. CEE’s planning and strategy, academic programme updates and research achievements were deliberated. Laboratory tours to Concrete Materials Laboratory, Structural Engineering Research Laboratory and Railway Corner were also arranged for the two overseas panel members, namely Prof. Ansari and Prof. Stegemann.  

CEEAA Scholarship 2022 Award Presentation

The Civil and Environmental Engineering Alumni Association (CEEAA) Scholarship recognizes and honours individual students with outstanding extra-curricular activity achievements and active participation in the events organized by CEEAA. Congratulations to  the following students who were being awarded CEEAA Scholarship 2022! The award presentation ceremony was successfully held on 19 April 2023.   Name Award Study Programme Mr SHYNGGYS Abylai CEEAA Scholarship Awardee – Scholarship Award Certificate Year 2, BEng (Hons) in Structural & Fire Safety Engineering Mr CHEN Zhanhao CEEAA Scholarship Awardee – Scholarship Award Certificate Year 4, BEng (Hons) in Civil Engineering Ms CHAN Tsz Tung CEEAA Scholarship Awardee – Scholarship Award Certificate Year 3, BEng (Hons) in Civil Engineering Mr KWONG Wang Kit Certificate of Participation Year 4, BEng (Hons) in Structural & Fire Safety Engineering

Visit to China Resources Electric in Hezhou, Guangxi Province

On April 14, 2023, Prof. Chi Sun Poon, Head of CEE, with his research team visited China Resources Electric in Hezhou, Guangxi Province. The purpose of the visit was to launch the China Resources-PolyU Joint Research Centre for Utilization of CO2 and Solid Wastes (Hezhou) (華潤-香港理工大學二氧化碳與固廢利用聯合研究中心賀州實驗基地). The two sides also discussed the implementation of an RMB2.5M joint project to explore advanced carbonation technologies for the efficient and sustainable recycling of solid waste and sequestrate CO2. Key people in photo from third left: Mr Yanjie Sun (PhD student of CEE), Dr Peiliang Shen (Research Assistant Professor of CEE), Prof. Chi Sun Poon (Head of CEE), Mr Peng Guangmin (Vice General Manager of China Resources), Mr Yang Cheng (Manager of China Resources), Mr Li Jiaqi (Manager of China Resources), Mr Li Jun (Manager of China Resources) and Mr Guo Ruilai (Manager of China Resources)

The "Dali Cup" 9th "Creating Youth" Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Youth Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition

Congratulations to Dr Grace Mingjing He, CEE PhD graduate supervised by Prof. Dan Tsang, whose startup company BioCharttery have been awarded Rural Revitalization – Class 2 (鄉村振興賽道(團體組)二等獎) in The "Dali Cup" 9th "Creating Youth" Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Youth Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition (“大瀝杯”第九屆“創青春”粵港澳大灣區青年創新創業大賽). The competition project demonstrates the keen insight into technological innovation and the practical ability to apply technology to real life.   BioCharttery Ltd was established at the laboratory led by Prof. Dan Tsang in CEE and was formally registered and incorporated in Hong Kong in June 2022. The startup was supported by PolyU MicroFund scheme and HKSTP Incubation Fund.

Achievement in Field-scale Application of Innovative Way to Recycle Sediment Waste with Hong Kong Electric

Led by Prof. Chi Sun Poon, Head of CEE, Prof. Dan Tsang, Professor, and Dr D.X. Xuan, Laboratory Manager, CEE has jointly developed a recycled fill material using by-products from the LPS Navigation Channel Improvement project and coal-fired power generation at Lamma Power Station (LPS) with Hong Kong Electric. The new recycled fill material was successfully applied in multiple locations during construction on Lamma Power Station Extension (LMX) during 2021. This important development is consistent with the commitment to prioritize waste reduction and recycling by diverting waste from waste disposal.

CEE Departmental Visit - Tsang Pik Shan (Sung Lan) Secondary School (29 Mar)

A group of 38 students from Tsang Pik Shan (Sung Lan) Secondary School visited CEE on 29 March 2023 (Wednesday). Apart from introducing the latest development of the civil engineering industry and the admission information of BEng(Hons) Scheme in Civil Engineering and Sustainable Development, the newest technology regarding artificial intelligence and smart mobility was also demonstrated to the group.   Students visited the Noise and Safety Laboratory in CEE and the Building and Construction Workshop in Industrial Centre, the 3D printing and robotic technology were explained to them. All students found the visit fruitful and enjoyable.