News

New joiner – Prof. Charles Chunbao Xu

We are pleased to announce that Prof. Charles Chunbao Xu has been appointed Chair Professor of Advanced Biorefinery in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) and the Director of the Research Centre for Resources Engineering towards Carbon Neutrality (RCRE) of the PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research (PAIR), with effect from 2 July 2026.  Prof. Xu earned his first PhD in Metallurgical Engineering from the University of Science and Technology Beijing, China in 1998, followed by his second PhD in Chemical Engineering from the University of Western Ontario, Canada in 2005. Prior to joining PolyU, he served as Chair Professor of Advanced Biorefinery at the City University of Hong Kong.   Prof. Xu is an acclaimed expert in the resource-efficient valorisation of biomass and organic solid wastes for the production of eco-friendly biofuels, green chemicals, and biopolymer materials. With over 20 years of research experience, he holds 12 patents in the United States, Canada, Europe, and China and has published more than 400 journal articles, accumulating over 29,000 citations. His outstanding engineering achievements have been recognised with fellowships from the Chemical Institute of Canada, the Canadian Academy of Engineering, and The Engineering Institute of Canada. Furthermore, he has received numerous prestigious accolades worldwide, including the Humboldt Research Award from the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation and the Changjiang Scholars Chair Professorship. Please join us in welcoming Prof. Xu.

New joiner – Dr Ran Deng

Dr Ran Deng obtained his Ph.D. degree in Civil Engineering from Chongqing University in 2021. Before being appointed as a Research Assistant Professor, Dr Deng worked as a Postdoctoral Fellow at PolyU. His research focuses on the development of high-performance steel and composite structures, with particular emphasis on advanced testing, modelling and design methods, to enhance the resilience and sustainability of wind energy infrastructure. Dr Deng has reported on 1 July 2026.

U.S News & World Report Best Global Universities Ranking 2026-2027

We are proud to announce that PolyU has achieved outstanding global recognition in two key research areas in the U.S. News & World Report Best Global Universities Rankings 2026-2027. PolyU is ranked 2nd in Civil Engineering and 29th in Environmental Engineering globally, while also secures the top spot in Hong Kong in both disciplines. This milestone reflects CEE’s unwavering dedication to the excellence in research, teaching and innovation, reaffirming our leading position in civil and environmental engineering within the region. The Rankings by U.S. News & World Report examines 51 subject areas and evaluates 2,250 universities across 105 countries. The Rankings focus exclusively on institution’s overall academic research and reputations, using 13 ranking indicators which includes global and regional research reputation, total citations, international collaboration and more. Congratulations to all CEE members whose dedication and perseverance have made this success possible. We look forward to the continued success of CEE’s ground-breaking research and the constant pursuit of academic excellence! For the full version, please visit: https://www.usnews.com/education/best-global-universities/rankings   

Prof. Ling Jin Featured on RTHK Radio Programme

Prof. Ling Jin, Assistant Professor of CEE, was featured on RTHK’s radio programme “World in a Nutshell” (十萬八千里) on 13 June 2026. The segment elaborated on the microplastic pollution issue and the plausibility of using extracts from moringa oleifera seeds to remove microplastics from water. Prof. Jin’s research bridges environmental chemistry, toxicology, and microbiology to address the ecological and health impacts of air and marine pollution, as well as solid waste. He also created a global atlas of plastic-associated bacteria and introduced the “microplastome” concept, deepening our understanding of plastic pollution’s multifaceted impacts. A revisit of the interview can be found here (Starting from 2:45 of Part 2): https://polyu.me/4xHVMRQ

CEE Departmental Visit – AD & FD POHL Leung Sing Tak College (26 May)

CEE welcomed 30 Secondary students from AD & FD POHL Leung Sing Tak College on 26 May 2026 (Tuesday) for a joyful afternoon of exploration and practical learning. The visit started with a programme talk hosted by Ir Chung-Lim Kwan, Senior Teaching Fellow of CEE, who gave students an overview of the recent developments in civil and environmental engineering. During the talk, Ir Kwan also shared the admission procedures and career prospects for BEng (Hons) in Civil Engineering and BEng (Hons) in Environmental Engineering and Sustainable Development. The highlight of the day was our exciting Tower Challenge: Engineering with Straws, Tape and Imagination. Equipped with only straws and tape, students used their creativity and problem-solving skills to build freestanding towers. The winning team reached a fantastic height of 123 cm!  The group also visited the Transport and Highway Engineering Laboratory. Through a series of interesting experiments and demonstrations, they knew the latest innovative materials for road surface and gained some practical insights into highway engineering in Hong Kong. Big thanks to all students and teachers for their passionate participation. We look forward to greeting more young generation to discover the world of civil engineering with us!

CEDD Safety Stand-down Workshop 2026

The CEDD Safety Stand-down Workshop 2026, organized by the Civil Engineering and Development Department of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and supported by the Research Centre for Design for Safety of PolyU CEE, was successfully held on 3 June 2026. The event brought together senior management from the HKSAR Government, along with collaborators from consultants and contractors, to share best practices and insights on site safety management. Prof. Songye Zhu, Interim Head and Professor of CEE, represented the Department at the workshop. His participation underscored the university’s ongoing commitment to advancing construction safety research and fostering deeper industry collaboration. CEE has long been dedicated to promoting safety within the construction sector, and strives to advance the science and practice of safety by integrating cutting-edge research from engineering, environmental science, and systems design.  We welcome industry partners to collaborate with us not only to equip future generations with skills and knowledge but also to translate research findings into practical, actionable solutions. Together, let’s establish a safe and risk-free environment in the construction industry.

CEE PhD Student Receives Best Poster Award at China Rock International Symposium (CRIS) 2026

Congratulations to Mr Qiwu Xie, CEE PhD student co-supervised by Prof. Jianhua Yin, Dr Peichen Wu, and Prof. Chao Zhou, on receiving the “Best Poster Award” at the inaugural China Rock International Symposium (CRIS) 2026. Mr Xie’s award-winning poster, titled “Novel FBG-based Sensor for In-situ Investigation of Marine Soft Soil”, highlights his innovation and dedication to the field of marine geotechnics. The symposium, themed “Intelligent Geotechnics for Resilient Coastal Cities”, was held from 8 – 10 May 2026 at the University of Macau. The event brought together 116 scholars and practitioners from 10 countries and regions to share the latest scientific insights, exchange practical engineering experiences, and foster international collaboration.  We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Mr Xie on this remarkable achievement and look forward to seeing his continued contributions to the intelligent geotechnics and resilient coastal cities.  

CEE Departmental Visit – Cheung Sha Wan Catholic Secondary School (8 May)

CEE was delighted to welcome 28 secondary students from Cheung Sha Wan Catholic Secondary School On 8 May 2026 (Friday) for a wonderful afternoon of exploration and hands-on learning. The visit commenced with an interactive session hosted by Prof. Andy Leung, Associate Professor of CEE, who provided students with a comprehensive overview of recent developments in civil and environmental engineering. Prof. Leung also shared valuable information regarding admission procedures and career prospects for our two undergraduate programs, BEng (Hons) in Civil Engineering and BEng (Hons) in Environmental Engineering and Sustainable Development. We were deeply honoured to have Ir Dr Goman Ho, ARUP Fellow and Outstanding Alumni of both CEE and Cheung Sha Wan Catholic Secondary School, joined us for an inspiring sharing session. Dr Ho generously shared his industry insights and encouraged the students to boldly pursue their aspirations. Another highlight of the day was the exciting Tower Challenge: Engineering with Straws, Tape and Imagination. Students showcased their creativity and problem-solving skills by designing and building freestanding towers using only straws and tape. The winning team achieved an impressive height of 76 cm. The visit concluded with a tour to the Structural Engineering Research Laboratory. Through a series of engaging demonstrations, students gained some practical knowledge into structural engineering and its applications in buildings and infrastructure. We extend our sincere thanks to all the participants for their enthusiastic support. We look forward to welcoming more young talents in the future as we work together to explore the world of civil and environmental engineering!  

FCE Dean’s Award for Outstanding Achievement in Research Funding 2026

Nine exceptional CEE members have been awarded the 2026 FCE Dean’s Award for Outstanding Achievement in Research Funding. This prestigious award acknowledges and appreciate the valuable contributions and accomplishments of their endeavor in securing external competitive research funding. This success highlights their commitment to driving technological innovation and their continuous dedication to research excellence.  Congratulations to the award recipients. Their ground-breaking research will continue to make a profound impact and shape the future of civil and environmental engineering.  Find the complete list of projects in the below link: https://www.polyu.edu.hk/fce/eBulletin/public/issue187/Dean's%20Award%20for%20Outstanding%20Achievement%20in%20Research%20Funding%202026_updated.pdf  

CEE Departmental Visit – Christian Alliance S C Chan Memorial College (8 May)

CEE welcomed 23 secondary students from Christian Alliance S C Chan Memorial College on 8 May 2026 (Friday) for a fruitful morning of exploration and hands-on learning. The visit began with an interactive session led by Prof. Tony Sze, Associate Professor of CEE, who provided students with an engaging overview of the latest developments in the field. Prof. Sze also shared the admission procedures and career prospects for BEng (Hons) in Civil Engineering and BEng (Hons) in Environmental Engineering and Sustainable Development. The highlight of the day was the exciting Tower Challenge: Engineering with Straws, Tape and Imagination. Armed with just straws and tape, students channelled their creativity and problem-solving skills to build impressive freestanding towers. The winning team achieved a height of 62 cm. Following the challenge, the group visited the Noise and Safety Laboratory.  Through a series of interactive experiments and demonstrations, they gained practical insights into noise control and environmental safety for Hong Kong. We extend our gratitude to all students and teachers for their enthusiastic participation. We look forward to welcoming more young generation to explore the world of civil engineering with us!