News

CEE PhD Students Receive Best Presentation Award

In the recent 5th Academic Conference of Young Scholars on Disaster Prevention and Mitigation in Civil Engineering co-hosted by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University and Huazhong University of Science and Technology on 21 – 23 November 2025, two CEE PhD students, Mr Hao Wang and Mr Zeyu Gao, received the Best Presentation Award for their reports on disaster prevention and mitigation for engineering structures.  Supervised by Prof. Songye Zhu, Mr Wang presented his paper titled “Ultra-long Period Vibration Control Using Latching-based Smart Dampers”, while Mr Gao, supervised by Prof. Tao Yu, showcased his work titled “Structural Performance and Repair of Precast FRP-Reinforced Concrete Components”. This conference aims to provide a platform for young scholars to exchange ideas, showcase their latest research findings and advancements, and engage in academic discussions on topics such as structural health monitoring, wind engineering, earthquake engineering, and disaster prevention and mitigation in civil engineering.  Our PhD students demonstrated exceptional expertise in disaster prevention studies, achieving remarkable recognition by winning the Best Presentation Award at the conference. We look forward to their continued hard work and success, which will undoubtedly have a positive impact to the society. For more information about the conference, please visit: https://fzjzys2025.aconf.cn/    

CNERC-Rail Research Team Wins Excellence Award at the 2nd International Innovation Competition on Structural Health Monitoring for Railway Systems

CNERC-Rail research team, led by Prof. Yi-Qing Ni, Chair Professor of Smart Structures and Rail Transit of CEE and Director of National Rail Transit Electrification and Automation Engineering Technology Research Centre (Hong Kong Branch) (CNERC-Rail), and composed of Dr Vincent Wai Kei Ao, Dr Yao Hu, Mr Jiahao Lu, and Mr Yuhang Lu won the Excellence Award at the 2nd International Innovation Competition on Structural Health Monitoring for Railway Systems. This recognition attests the high capability and significant achievements of CNERC-Rail in developing advanced structural health monitoring technologies for modern railway systems.  The competition, held on 17 November, 2025, was guided by the China Railway Society and CRRC Co., Ltd., and jointly organised by CRRC Qingdao Sifang Co., Ltd. and Central South University. It attracted global innovation personnel to present advance research and application in data mining, damage diagnosis, and life-prediction technologies for rail transit structural health monitoring. The event emphasised the development of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG)-oriented digital solutions as its core concept. During the competition, the team developed a neural network approach utilising an ensemble model that integrated a one-dimensional Convolutional Neural Network, Attention mechanism, and Voting strategy (ECAV), enabling accurate prediction of impact locations and energy levels. The achievements made in this project provide robust technical support for developing lightweight design and intelligent, safety-focused whole life cycle management of rail facilities. We look forward to their future contributions to the field and the positive impact of their research on structural health monitoring for railway systems.  

Prof. Zhen-Yu Yin Appointed Editor of The International Journal for Numerical and Analytical Methods in Geomechanics

Prof. Zhen-Yu Yin, Professor of CEE, was recently nominated as one of the editors of the International Journal for Numerical and Analytical Methods in Geomechanics (IJNAMG), a prestigious Q1 journal with a high impact factor. Notably, Prof. Yin is the only Asian academic editor on the Editorial Board, highlighting his international standing and leadership in geomechanics. IJNAMG is renowned for publishing high-quality research that advances the understanding of the mechanical behaviour of geomaterials, such as soils, rocks, concrete, ice, snow, and powders. It features innovative experimental techniques and cutting-edge numerical or hybrid modelling approaches, with a strong emphasis on addressing energy and environmental challenges. The journal is committed to a rigorous and fair review process, rapid publication, and broad visibility for authors.  This appointment reflects Prof. Yin’s significant contributions to the field and reinforces the global recognition of Asian scholars in geomechanics. We look forward to seeing the impact of his expertise on the advancement of geomechanical knowledge and its applications in addressing the society’s critical challenges. Editorial Board of the Journal https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/page/journal/10969853/homepage/editorialboard.html  

ShanghaiRanking’s Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2025

The recent announcement by the ShanghaiRanking revealed CEE’s significant achievements in the Global Ranking of Academic Subjects (GRAS) 2025. CEE has achieved remarkable positions globally in three key research areas, securing 1st in Transportation Science and Technology, 3rd in Civil Engineering, and 44th in Environmental Science and Engineering, while also ranking at the top in Hong Kong for the first two disciplines. These accolades highlight our international standing and reaffirm our commitment to excellence in academic and research. The GRAS uses a range of objective academic indicators and third-party data to evaluate the performance world universities across various criteria, including research output, research impact, international collaboration, research quality, and international academic awards. Among the listed 2,000 universities from 92 countries and regions, CEE stands out for its consistent dedication to advancing knowledge and research in the field.  Heartfelt congratulations to all CEE members whose persistent efforts have led to these commendable positions.  For the full version of GRAS 2025, please visit:  https://www.shanghairanking.com/rankings/gras/2025   

Prof. Shipeng Zhang Received RGC Early Career Award 2025/26

The Research Grants Council (RGC) held an award presentation ceremony on 3 November 2025 to honor 98 academics from the eight UGC-funded universities for their distinguished research accomplishments and significant contributions to the higher education sector. We are proud to announce that Prof. Shipeng Zhang, Assistant Professor of CEE, has won the Early Career Award 2025/26 in recognition of his achievements in research. Prof. Zhang’s research, titled “Development of Lightweight Water-foamed Concrete with Ultrafine Pores using Ultrasonic Carbonation” employs ultrasound-assisted carbonation technology to engineer the flocculation structure of cement paste and develop water-foamed concrete that achieves carbon sequestration. The project has been granted HKD$931,084 under the RGC Early Career Scheme (ECS) 2025/26 exercise. Among the 195 projects funded by the ECS in 2025/26, eight early-career scholars received the Early Career Awards, and Prof. Zhang is one of them. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Prof. Zhang for this accomplishment. This recognition underscores Prof. Zhang's dedication to advancing sustainable technologies in construction and highlights the importance of innovative research in addressing environmental challenges. His work contributes significantly to both academic knowledge and practical solutions in the field, paving the way for a more sustainable future.  Official Announcement by UGC: https://www.ugc.edu.hk/eng/ugc/about/press_speech_other/press/2025/pr20251103.html Interview by Headline Daily: https://www.stheadline.com/ad-edu/3516900/%E5%82%91%E5%87%BA%E9%9D%92%E5%B9%B4%E5%AD%B8%E8%80%85%E8%A8%88%E5%8A%83%E5%8F%8A%E4%BA%BA%E6%96%87%E5%AD%B8%E5%8F%8A%E7%A4%BE%E6%9C%83%E7%A7%91%E5%AD%B8%E5%82%91%E5%87%BA%E5%AD%B8%E8%80%85%E8%A8%88%E5%8A%83-%E6%8E%A8%E5%8B%95%E7%A0%94%E7%A9%B6%E7%99%BC%E5%B1%95-%E5%A3%AF%E5%A4%A7%E9%A6%99%E6%B8%AF%E4%BA%BA%E6%89%8D%E5%BA%AB  

2025 International Joint VOCs Conference

The 12th Annual National Conference on the Prevention and Control of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), the 5th International Symposium on Catalytic Science and Technology in Sustainable Energy and Environment (5th EECAT), and the 2025 International Expert Symposium on Volatile Organic Compounds (collectively referred to as the 2025 Joint VOCs Conference) were successfully held from 6 to 8 November 2025 in Guangzhou. The event was co-organized by the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Jinan University, South China University of Technology, and the VOCs Pollution Prevention and Control Committee of the Chinese Society for Environmental Sciences. Nearly 600 experts, scholars, industry professionals, and research students from over ten countries and regions attended the conference. Initiated by Prof. Hai Guo, Professor of CEE in November 2023, the first International Expert Symposium on Volatile Organic Compounds was successfully held at PolyU. As the second international expert seminar on volatile organic compounds, this conference was jointly organized with domestic VOCs-related conferences, aiming to extend its international influence while deepening academic exchange within China. The conference featured 10 plenary speeches delivered by leading VOCs experts, including Prof. Donald R. Blake from the University of California, Irvine, and Prof. Mathew Evans from the University of York, UK. As one of the five co-chairs of the organizing committee, Prof. Guo delivered keynote speeches in two sessions, focusing on indoor VOCs and VOCs impacts across different bay areas. The conference recognized outstanding student research, with Dr Enyu Xiong, PhD graduate supervised by Prof. Guo, receiving the Outstanding Student Presentation Award. Participants shared cutting-edge research findings and strategic insights on VOCs pollution mechanisms, monitoring technologies, and control strategies etc. The event provided a high-level platform for academic exchange and aimed to advance VOCs pollution control technologies and global air quality management.  

CEE Members Secured Funding under NSFC/RGC Research Schemes 2025/26

Two CEE research projects have been awarded funding from the National Natural Science Foundation for China and the Research Grants Council (NSFC/RGC) Exercise in 2025/26. Prof. Tao Yu, Professor of CEE, was funded by the NSFC/RGC Collaborative Research Scheme (CRS), while Prof. Anthony Chen, Professor of CEE, has secured funding from the NSFC/RGC Joint Research Scheme (JRS). The two projects have garnered a total of HK$4.6 million, showcasing the exceptional research capabilities of CEE scholars and their commitment to fostering collaborative research between Hong Kong and the Mainland. The CRS and the JRS are two programs established to strengthen research collaboration between Hong Kong and the Mainland. The CRS aims to support large-scale collaborative research projects across disciplines and/or across universities in the Mainland and Hong Kong, with the objective of increasing research output and impact. Meanwhile, the JRS is designed to encourage partnerships between individual researchers or research teams in Hong Kong and the Mainland on the basis of complementing the existing strengths of both sides. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Prof. Yu and Prof. Chen for their remarkable achievements. Their successful proposals reflect the dedication and hard work they have invested in their respective areas of study. We look forward to the positive societal contributions their innovative research will being to communities both locally and globally. Name of PC Proposal Title Funding Scheme Funding Amount Prof. Tao Yu FRP-Reinforced concrete structures for marine environments: material and structural innovations for ductility enhancement and prefabricated construction Collaborative Research Scheme HK$3,571,920 Prof. Anthony Chen Optimizing multi-modal coordination for urban rail network resilience Joint Research Scheme HK$1,182,527

CEE Field Study cum BBQ Gathering for UG Students

The CEE Field Study cum BBQ Gathering for UG students was successfully held on 7 November 2025 (Friday). The activity welcomed over 100 participants, including undergraduate students from diverse cultural background and academic staff. This highlighted the event's focus on promoting cultural exchange and collaboration, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere that encouraged dialogue and mutual understanding among all attendees. The event featured an eco-tour led by Mr Hoi-yung Lin, CEE Instructor, who provided an insightful overview to the Lung Kwu Tan Chinese White Dolphin Outlook. He discussed key concepts such as rock disintegration and erosion, linking them to real-world implications and fostering a deeper understanding of the local environment. Following the educational segment, participants enjoyed a vibrant BBQ Gathering, where students and staff bonded over delicious food and meaningful conversations. This event not only emphasized the importance of environmental education but also celebrated the cultural diversity within our academic community, creating lasting memories for all who attended. We extend our heartfelt appreciation to all participants for their active involvement and we look forward to organizing more events in the future to maintain connections within the CEE community.  

PolyU Graduate School Outstanding Research Postgraduate Alumni Award 2025

We are proud to announce that Prof. Yuanfeng Duan, a distinguished PhD graduate of CEE, has been awarded the PolyU Graduate School Outstanding Research Postgraduate Alumni Award 2025. Prof. Duan obtained his doctoral degree from CEE in 2004 under the supervision of Professors Jan-ming Ko, Yi-qing NI, and Shi-lin Dong. With his impactful research and contributions to the field of Health Monitoring and Vibration Control of Bridges and Structures, Prof. Duan has been appointed Changjiang Scholar Distinguished Professor in 2024 and is currently serving as Professor in Structural and Bridge Engineering at Guangxi University and Zhejiang University. His pioneering works have been applied to health monitoring or vibration control of more than 60 large-scale structures, including the Main Stadium of FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, China Quanzhou Bay Bridge, Hong Kong's Tseung Kwan O Cross Bay Bridge and Taiwan’s Heart River Bridge, etc. Prof. Duan has also received the National Teaching Achievement Award and four science and technology awards at the provincial and ministerial levels. The PolyU Graduate School Outstanding Research Postgraduate Alumni Award aims to recognize the achievement of research postgraduate (RPg) alumni and promote the excellence of research postgraduate education at PolyU. The award acknowledges distinctive individuals who have demonstrated exceptional accomplishments to the academia, profession and research community. We sincerely congratulate Prof. Duan on receiving this well-deserved honor. We look forward to his continued dedication to research and innovation, and the lasting impact of his work on both academic and industry landscapes. For more details, please visit https://www.polyu.edu.hk/gs/news-and-events/outstanding-rpg-alumni-award-2025/.  

CEE Site Visit – Fanling Bypass Eastern Section

Led by Dr Nicole Yiu, Programme Leader of BSc (Hons) in Environmental and Occupational Safety & Health, a group of CEE UG students embarked on an insightful site visit to Fanling North New Development Area, Phase 1: Fanling Bypass Eastern Section on 4 November 2025 (Tuesday). This visit provided a unique opportunity for them to explore the latest infrastructure developments in the new development area and the cutting-edge technologies utilized in bridge construction. The activity was kicked off with a sharing in the Fanling North Community Liaison Centre, where students learned about features of the Fanling Bypass (Eastern Section), a 4km dual two‐lane carriageway connecting the FLN NDA to Fanling Highway. The students were then guided through the site, allowing them to walk up to the bridge deck and observe the key components and the innovative construction techniques adopted in the project. We extend our gratitude to the Safety and Environmental Advisory Unit of the Civil Engineering and Development Department for their warm hospitality and informative guidance throughout the visit. This experience has undoubtedly contributed to the students' professional growth, preparing them for future development in the field.