News

CEE Departmental Visit - Tak Sun Secondary School (12 March)

A group of 24 students from Tak Sun Secondary School visited CEE on 12 March 2025 (Wednesday). They first visited Air Pollution Laboratory, where they had more understanding on the impact of air pollution to the wellbeing of the community. The demonstrations of laboratory equipment and experiments allowed the students to see how air quality data is collected and analyzed. Following the laboratory tour, Prof. Andy Y. F. Leung, Associate Head of CEE, provided an introduction to the admission information of BEng (Hons) in Civil Engineering and BEng (Hons) in Environmental Engineering and Sustainable Development and shared his experience and the latest trend of the civil engineering industry to the students.  In order to gain more hands on experience regarding civil engineering, the students competed in the Tower Challenge: Engineering with Straws, Tape and Imagination where they were required to use their innovation to build a tower with only straws and tape. The winning team had set a record by creating a 60 cm-high tower. The visit provided the students with valuable insights into both academic and practical aspects of civil engineering, and they found the activities enriching and inspiring.  

Research of Professor Tao Wang’s Team Published on Nature Communications

The latest research article by Dr Yanan Wang, CEE Postdoctoral Fellow, and Prof. Tao Wang, Chair Professor of CEE, has been published in Nature Communications. The article, titled “Increasing Soil Nitrous Acid Emissions Driven by Climate and Fertilization Change Aggravate Global Ozone Pollution” delves into the significant impact of soil emissions on air quality. The study underscores the important role of soil reactive nitrogen emissions in global ozone and its impact on vegetation. As we face ongoing challenges of climate change and food security, understanding and managing soil emissions will be crucial for sustainable development of society. Nature Communications is an open access, multidisciplinary journal dedicated to publishing high-quality research in all areas of the biological, health, physical, chemical, Earth, social, mathematical, applied, and engineering sciences. Papers published by the journal aim to represent important advances of significance to specialists within each field. Review the full article: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-57161-6   

PolyU Ranked 17th in Civil and Structural Engineering in QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025

In the recent announcement of QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025, PolyU has achieved commendable results in attaining 17th for Civil and Structural Engineering! This accomplishment reflects CEE’s ongoing commitment to academic excellence, impactful research, and industry partnerships as well as highlighting our dedication to advancing knowledge and expertise in the field of Civil and Structural Engineering. The QS World University Rankings by Subject features fifty-five subjects across five broad subject areas. Universities are scored based on various criteria including academic reputation, employer reputation, research citations per paper, the H-index and international research network. More details can be found at https://www.topuniversities.com/university-subject-rankings/civil-structural-engineering. We extend our heartfelt appreciation to all our staff, scholars, and students whose hard work and commitment to excellence have made this achievement possible. As we continue to strive for innovation and improvement in civil engineering education and research, we look forward to further enhancing our contributions to the field.  

CEE Departmental Visit - Pok Oi Hospital Tang Pui King Memorial College (4 Mar)

A group of 24 students from Pok Oi Hospital Tang Pui King Memorial College visited CEE on 4 March 2025 (Tuesday). Prof. Siwei Liu, Assistant Professor of CEE, provided an introduction to the admission information of BEng (Hons) in Civil Engineering and BEng (Hons) in Environmental Engineering and Sustainable Development and shared insights into latest developments of the civil engineering industry to the students.  Following the programme talk, the group visited the Transport and Highway Engineering Laboratory and the Noise and Safety Laboratory, where they had more understanding of road building materials and impacts of noise and vibration to the wellbeing of the community through the demonstration of laboratory equipment and experiments.  They enjoyed the visit so much and expressed great interest on our department.  

PolyU CEE Webinar Series: Inverted Pavement-Paving the Way for a Sustainable and Decarbonizing Hong Kong

Dr Xi JIANG delivered a seminar with the topic of “Inverted Pavement-Paving the Way for a Sustainable and Decarbonizing Hong Kong” on 19 February 2025. It was co-organized with HKIE Civil Division. Find the full version of the webinar in the below link: https://youtu.be/EwptKJKxRlY  

CEE Site Visit - Po Shan Drainage Tunnel - Landslide Sci-Tech Chamber

Led by Prof. Chao Zhou, Associate Professor of CEE, a group of 22 CEE undergraduate students visited Po Shan Drainage Tunnel - Landslide Sci-Tech Chamber on 1 March 2025 (Saturday). Designed by the Geotechnical Engineering Office (GEO)of the Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD), the Po Shan Tunnel is one of the most iconic landslip prevention and mitigation projects in Hong Kong, it plays a crucial role in controlling groundwater levels in the Po Shan hillside. The Landslide Sci-Tech Chamber features four thematic galleries, including Po Shan memorial Gallery, Climate Change Impression Gallery, Landslide Wisdom Gallery and Drainage Tunnel Expression Gallery. Through Augmented Reality (AR) applications and historical photographs, students were able to explore the innovations of the groundwater regulation system and the landslide history of Hong Kong, gaining insights of the practical engineering applications and challenges faced in urban planning. CEE aims to cultivate a new generation of civil engineers who are not only technically proficient but also socially responsible and environmentally conscious. We believe that through site visits and experiential learning, we can significantly enhance students' academic journeys and equip them for successful careers.  

CEE Departmental Visit – United Christian College (Kowloon East) (26 Feb)

A group of 47 students from United Christian College (Kowloon East) visited CEE on 26 February 2025 (Wednesday). Prof. Andy Y.F. Leung, Associate Head of CEE, introduced the admission information and the recent developments of the civil engineering industry to the students. To arouse the students’ awareness on environmental issue, Prof. Qianjie Chen, Assistant Professor of CEE, led a session focused on air pollution control. He discussed practical ways to reduce air pollution in daily life, encouraging students to develop a passion for environmental protection. Following the presentations, the students had the opportunity to explore our Air Pollution Laboratory and Waste and Water Laboratory and to participate in an Air Purifier Model DIY Workshop, where they engaged in hands-on activities, monitoring the concentration of air pollutants using specialized devices and observing the intricate waste-water management process up close.  We hope the visit not only reinforced the students’ understanding on environmental protection but also empowered them to take actionable steps in their daily lives.   

Research Centre for Design for Safety Train-the-trainer Workshop

The Research Centre for Design for Safety Train-the-trainer Workshop themed “Applying VR/Mixed-reality Interventions in Construction Safety Trainings” was successfully held on 22 February 2025 (Saturday). This event was co-organized with The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Civil and Environmental Engineering Alumni Association (CEEAA) and supported by the Industrial Centre of PolyU, the Society of Registered Safety Officers, and the Hong Kong Association of Risk Management and Safety. Attracting over 40 enthusiastic participants, including CEE students, alumni, and industry partners, the workshop focused on the integration of virtual and mixed-reality technologies in construction safety education and training. Dr Nicole Yiu, Programme Leader of BSc (Hons) in Environmental and Occupational Safety & Health, addressed the latest safety training criteria as outlined in the Code of Practice on Safety Management. Participants also had the unique opportunity to participate in on-site demonstrations, where they experienced firsthand the immersive training scenarios created by VR/MR technologies. This interactive workshop not only deepened their understanding of crucial construction safety protocols but also equipped them with practical skills essential for their future careers in the industry. We believe that this workshop successfully inspired our students and industry partners to embrace innovative learning methods and prioritize safety in their professional journeys. Together, we are fostering a culture of safety and paving the way for a safer construction industry through cutting-edge practices.     

CEE Industry Partners Networking 2025

The CEE Industry Partners Networking Activity was successfully held on 19 February 2025 (Wednesday), bringing together a diverse group of over 60 industry partners, alumni, academic staff, and enthusiastic students for an evening dedicated to networking and relationship building within the civil engineering community. The event commenced with a warm welcome by Prof. Xiangdong Li, Dean of FCE, followed by an insightful introduction of the department by Prof. Chi Sun Poon, Head of CEE. Prof. Poon highlighted the key initiatives, the latest developments in teaching and research activities, and showcased the department's commitment to excellence and innovation. The activity also featured a student sharing session, with three current students sharing their university experiences and career aspirations. The Industry Partners Networking Activity was a valuable platform for relationship strengthening between academia and the industry. We believe the active participation and engagement throughout the event will definitely emerge meaningful connections and future collaborations. We would like to express our gratitude to all attendees for their continuous support. Together, we are dedicated to shape a vibrant community committed to excellence and innovation in the field of civil engineering.

Prof. Kwok-Fai Chung’s Research on High-Strength S690 Steel in Construction Featured in The Structural Engineers of IStructE

We are proud to announce that 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟. 𝐊𝐰𝐨𝐤-𝐅𝐚𝐢 𝐂𝐡𝐮𝐧𝐠, 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐄𝐄, whole article titled “𝐄𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐡𝐢𝐠𝐡-𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡 𝐒𝟔𝟗𝟎 𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐥 𝐢𝐧 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧” has been featured on the cover story of 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑺𝒕𝒓𝒖𝒄𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒂𝒍 𝑬𝒏𝒈𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒆𝒓𝒔 (February 2025 Issue) of 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐬, 𝐔.𝐊. (IStructE). Being the Founding Director of Chinese National Engineering Research Centre for Steel Construction (Hong Kong Branch), Prof. Chung has spearheaded innovative research in modern steel and steel-concrete composite structures. His efforts have led to impactful advancements in utilizing high-strength S690 and S960 steel in construction projects. The technology developed by Prof. Chung and his research team has been successfully applied to major infrastructure projects, including the Double Arch Steel Bridge of the Cross Bay Link in Tseung Kwan O, and the steel roofs of the East and West Stands of the Yuen Long Stadium etc. “The Structural Engineer” is an exclusive publication for members of The Institution of Structural Engineers, releasing peer-reviewed technical as well as professional guidance and case studies from a fascinating range of structural engineering projects. Download the full version Prof. Chung’s article and explore the cutting-edge research findings of High-strength S690 Steel: https://doi.org/10.56330/WJHB1752