News

Dr Yong Tao Secures Grant from PROCORE - France/Hong Kong Joint Research Scheme 2025/26

Congratulations to Dr Yong Tao, Research Assistant Professor of CEE, for securing HK$61,200 from the PROCORE - France/ Hong Kong Joint Research Scheme 2025/26 introduced by the Research Grants Council (RGC) and the Consulate General of France (CGF) in Hong Kong. Under the scheme, Dr Tao will collaborate with Prof. Roland J.M. Pellenq, Director of Research at CNRS, French National Centre for Scientific Research, for 2 years. Dr Tao’s research project, titled “Cementitious Optimization Against Seawater Threats (COAST)”, aims to enhance the long-term durability of concrete infrastructure in harsh marine environments. By combining experimental research at PolyU with advanced computational modeling at CNRS, the research team will investigate the fundamental degradation mechanisms of cementitious materials under seawater attack. Ultimately, the project seeks to develop predictive durability models and engineer next-generation, resilient cement formulations, directly contributing to global decarbonization and sustainability goals in the construction sector. The PROCORE scheme is designed to promote high-quality research collaboration between Hong Kong and France. It provides one to two year travel grants to support researchers from both sides in conducting joint studies, exchanging expertise, and distributing new research outcomes. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Dr Tao and we look forward to seeing the impactful research outcomes generated through this international collaboration. For more details about the funding results of the PROCORE, please visit: https://www.ugc.edu.hk/eng/rgc/funding_opport/fr_hk_jrs/funding_results/frhk2526.html

CEE Members Excel in International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva 2026

We are thrilled to announce that CEE members have excelled at the 51st International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva, securing 4 awards including 3 Gold Medals and 1 Silver Medal. The winning projects demonstrate breakthroughs across advanced construction, sustainable materials and smart system. These accolades serve as a strong testament to CEE’s commitment to translating innovative solutions into impactful research, addressing the world’s most pressing problems. The 51st International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva attracted over a thousand entries from 40 countries. CEE members have truly shone on the global stage, highlighting their perseverance in the field of civil and environmental engineering. Congratulations again to all the CEE members for their accomplishments, we look forward to seeing how their pursuit of research innovation will pose a transformative impact to the built environment. To learn more about their impactful projects, please visit:  https://www.polyu.edu.hk/kteo/knowledge-transfer/innovations-and-technologies/award-winning-innovations/geneva2026/ Project (in alphabetical order of project title) Principal Investigator(s) Award Construction Robot for Modular Integrated Construction (MiC) and Steel Structure Dr Xiao-Zhou Han Postdoctoral Fellow Gold Medal Green Energy-driven Electrochemical Upcycling of Urban Solid Wastes Prof. Shipeng Zhang Assistant Professor Prof. Chi Sun Poon Distinguished Research Professor Gold Medal Latching-based Smart Control System for Mitigating Ultralow-frequency Vibrations: Inspired by Wave Energy Converters Prof. Songye Zhu Interim Head Mr Hao Wang PhD Candidate Gold Medal Nanocarbon-coated Conductive Aggregates (NCCA) for Smart, Sustainable Asphalt Pavement Prof. Zhen Leng Professor Silver Medal  

CIHT Technical Seminar

CEE was proud to support the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation – Hong Kong (CIHT-HK) in hosting a successful technical seminar on “Trunk Road T4 and Tseung Kwan O Promenade Southern Bridge” on 13 March 2026. The seminar engaged around 40 participants from government, industry, and academia, facilitating an insightful exchange of knowledge on transport infrastructure in Hong Kong. A big thank you to the distinguished speaker, Ir Carrie Leung, Deputy Project Manager (East) of CEDD, or her inspiring presentation. Her talk highlighted how engineering excellence, innovation, and technology are being utilized to overcome complex construction challenges in Hong Kong. We would also like to express our appreciation to CIHT Hong Kong in organizing this event and bridging the gap between academia and industry professionals. Stay tuned for more upcoming technical seminars in the coming months as we continue to explore the exciting developments shaping Hong Kong.

Prof. Shao-Yuan Leu Secures Innovation and Technology Fund

Congratulations to Prof. Shao-Yuan Leu, Professor of CEE, for securing HK$910,000 from the Innovation and Technology Fund (ITF) under the Innovation and Technology Support Programme (ITSP), administered by the Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC) of the HKSAR Government.  Prof. Leu’s research project, titled “Development of Sensor-based Air VOCs Analyzer for Non-invasive Testing (SAVANT) for Early Diagnosis of Tree Brown Root Rot Disease”, aims to develop an innovative instrument, “Sensor-based Air VOCs Analyzer for Non-invasive Testing (SAVANT)”, for the early diagnosis of Brown Root Rot Disease (BRRD). BRRD is a difficult-to-detect tree disease that affects the roots and causes irreversible damage to tree health. The transmission mechanism of this disease and its ability to spread between diseased and healthy trees are not fully understood, posing a safety hazard. The development of SAVANT will help establish a long-term, real-time tree disease detection system, offering tree management solutions for Hong Kong and preventing BRRD outbreaks. The ITF is designed to enhance the added value, productivity, and competitiveness of Hong Kong’s economic activities. Through the ITF-ITSP, the Government seeks to support applied research and development (R&D) projects undertaken by R&D Centres or designated local public research institutes in collaboration with companies. We again extend our heartfelt congratulations to Prof. Leu. His research into early diagnosis of tree diseases will significantly enhance tree health management, ultimately fostering greener urban environments and improving the overall quality of life in the living community.  

CEE China GBA Study Tour 2026

Led by Prof. Andy Leung, Mr Hoi-yung Lin, and Dr Pei-Chen Wu, the CEE China GBA Study Tour, held from 5 to 8 January 2026, provided our UG students a distinctive tour to explore Guangzhou and Heyuan. The tour immersed students in the latest advancements in geotechnical engineering while fostering meaningful connections with peers from Guangzhou University.  Highlights included visits to the Earthquake Engineering Research & Test Center of Guangzhou University, Guangzhou Urban Planning Exhibition Center, Xinfeng River Flood Control Levee, Huanglong Cave, and Xinfeng River Hydropower Station. These experiences offered our students valuable insights into geotechnical engineering practices and their applications in large-scale infrastructure projects. We sincerely appreciate the hospitality and support from our hosts at Guangzhou University. This enriching study tour has broadened our students' horizons and deepened their passion for civil and environmental engineering.  

CEE Departmental Online Programme Talk – St. Paul’s Convent School (27 February)

A group of 16 students from St. Paul’s Convent School joined the CEE Departmental Online Programme Talk on 27 February 2026 (Friday). Prof. Tony N. N. Sze, Associate Professor of CEE, kicked off the session with a fun and interactive Q&A quiz, offering an exciting glimpse into the world of civil engineering. The students also explored the admission procedures and career pathways for our flagship programmes, BEng (Hons) in Civil Engineering and BEng (Hons) in Environmental Engineering and Sustainable Development. A huge thank you to the enthusiastic students and their teacher for joining us with such energy and curiosity! We look forward to welcoming more young talents to discover the impact of civil & environmental engineering with CEE!  

HKIE-CIHT Joint Technical Seminar - Transport Strategy Blueprint

A technical seminar, themed "Transport Strategy Blueprint", was successfully held on 25 February 2026 (Wednesday). This event was jointly organized by the Chartered Institute of Highways and Transportation (CIHT) Hong Kong and The Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (Logistics & Transportation Division) (HKIE-LTD), with support from CEE. The seminar featured Ir Clarence Cheng, Chief Engineer from the Transport Department. The talk, focused on the HKSAR Government’s forward-looking “Transport Strategy Blueprint” attracted over 200 participants from across the government, industry, and academic sectors.  During the seminar, Ir Cheng introduced the blueprint’s key strategies and shared valuable insights on smart and green mobility, infrastructure connectivity, and people-centric design.  A big thank you to CIHT, HKIE, and Ir Cheng for an enlightening evening. We look forward to continuing this collaboration to drive the future of infrastructure development in Hong Kong!  

New joiner – Dr Yifei Xu

Dr Yifei Xu received his Ph.D. degree in Geotechnical Engineering from Zhejiang University in 2023. Working at the interface of structural and geotechnical engineering, his research centers on metamaterial-based wave manipulation for low-frequency vibration mitigation in civil infrastructure. Before being appointed as a Research Assistant Professor, Dr Xu worked as a Postdoctoral Fellow at PolyU for over two years. His current research bridges fundamental wave physics and practical applications, with the emphasis on analytical modeling of elastic metamaterials and metamaterial-based sensing for infrastructure maintenance and assessment. Dr Xu has joined on 1 March 2026.  

CEE Chinese New Year Carnival 2026

The CEE Chinese New Year Carnival was a vibrant success on 12 February 2026 (Thursday). Organized by the CEE International Student Taskforce, the event brought together a diverse mix of local and international students to celebrate the festive season and explore Chinese culture. Activities included a hands-on Chinese calligraphy workshop, engaging live music performances, and opportunities for mingling and cultural exchange. The carnival highlighted the department’s commitment to fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment for international students while strengthening cross-cultural connections among students from different backgrounds. By creating spaces for interaction, collaboration, and celebration, the event helped deepen the sense of community within CEE. Looking ahead, we anticipate many more opportunities for our students to engage, learn from one another, and thrive together throughout the academic year. Stay tuned for more student activities!  

Prof. Tony Sze Secures Smart Traffic Fund

We are thrilled to announce that Prof. Tony Sze, Associate Professor of CEE, has been awarded approximately $7.04 million funding from the 23rd batch of the Smart Traffic Fund. His innovative project, titled “Bus Automatic Emergency Braking System Designed for Hong Kong Road and Traffic Conditions”, aims to design an Automatic Emergency Braking System (AEBS) for buses tailored to Hong Kong’s road and traffic conditions.  Prof. Sze’s project will analyze traffic accident records and real-time bus trajectory data collected during shadow tests to evaluate AEBS performance and its effectiveness in reducing collisions while ensuring passenger safety. The research deliverables include providing empirical evidence for bus operators to formulate AEBS deployment strategies in Hong Kong and the enhancement of overall bus safety. The Smart Traffic Fund provides financial support to local organizations and enterprises to carry out innovative research, with the aims of enhancing commuting convenience, improving the efficiency of the road network and road space, and strengthening driving safety. Congratulations to Prof. Sze on this outstanding achievement and we look forward to the meaningful impact his work will bring to the enhancement of transportation efficiency and driving safety in Hong Kong For more details about the funding results of the Smart Traffic Fund, please visit: https://stf.hkpc.org/psri-131-2512-pr/