News

CEE Member Awarded Humboldt Research Fellowship

We are delighted to announce that Dr Lu Zhu, CEE Postdoctoral Fellow supervised by Prof. Chi Sun Poon and Prof. Shipeng Zhang, has been awarded the 2025 Humboldt Research Fellowship. This accolade recognizes the innovative impact of Dr Zhu’s proposed project titled "Novel Ultrahigh-temperature High-Entropy Ceramic Coatings", which aims to develop a greener and more sustainable future. The Humboldt Research Fellowship, granted by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation in Germany, is recognized as one of the most prestigious international honours for researchers. This highly competitive fellowship provides outstanding scientists with a unique opportunity to engage in groundbreaking research in Germany, fostering academic exchange and innovation on a global scale. Dr Zhu’s achievement reflects CEE’s commitment to conducting impactful and innovative research that addresses pressing global needs. His pioneering work on durable coatings holds great promise for advancing civilian industries and promoting environmental sustainability. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Dr Zhu for these remarkable achievements. His success not only showcases his dedication and excellence but also underscores the continued prominence of our department on the global research stage. We look forward to his future contributions to the field and the positive impact of his research on global sustainable development.  

Prof. Tony Sze Featured on Metro Radio Programme

Prof. Tony Sze, Associate Professor of CEE, was featured on Metro Finance’s “Good Sunday Talks” (新城財經台《香港有偈傾》) on 20 July 2025. The segment addressed the increasingly relevant topic of online ride-hailing services in Hong Kong. Prof. Sze presented a comprehensive overview of Hong Kong’s regulatory framework for these services, emphasizing the importance of balancing the needs of passengers, drivers, the taxi industry and platform operators. He also elaborated how emerging driving and smart mobility technology can help mitigate human errors and resolve disputes between passengers and drivers. Full Version of the Radio Broadcast (Starting from 9:50):  https://www.metroradio.com.hk/MetroFinance/Multimedia/wmpopup_archive2.asp?https://arch.metroradio.hk/104/20250720/104_202507201900.mp3     

Prof. Shipeng Zhang Featured on Asian Power

Prof. Shipeng Zhang, Assistant Professor of CEE, was recently invited by Asian Power, a quarterly publication for the power generation, transmission and distribution industry in the Asia Pacific region, for an online interview. The discussion focused on the significance of waste-to-energy technologies in Hong Kong, including current government policies and regulations. The article titled “Waste-to-energy ties with mainland key to Hong Kong's green goals”, was published on 8 July 2025. Prof. Zhang emphasized how collaboration with Mainland China’s waste-to-energy incinerators can support Hong Kong in achieving its zero-waste goal. As the city aims to phase out landfills by 2035, leveraging these facilities is crucial for a sustainable future. For a recap of Prof. Zhang’s insights, please visit:  https://hongkongbusiness.hk/exclusive/waste-energy-ties-mainland-key-hong-kongs-green-goals  

Research Centre for Design for Safety – Workshop on Artificial Intelligence in Construction Safety

The Research Centre for Design for Safety (RCDfS) Workshop themed “Artificial Intelligence in Construction Safety: Design and Practical Applications” was successfully held on 11 July 2025 (Friday). The event attracted over 50 participants including CEE students, alumni, and industry partners. It was sponsored by the Construction Industry Council, and supported by The Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (Safety Specialist Committee), Hong Kong Institute of Construction Managers, Hong Kong Federation of Occupational Safety and Health Associations, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Industrial Centre Safety Course Alumni Association, Hong Kong Association of Risk Management and Safety and the Society of Registered Safety Officers. Hosted by Ir Dr Nicole Yiu, Director of RCDfS, the workshop explored how artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming construction by enhancing safety, efficiency, and productivity. Ir Dr Yiu introduced several AI tools, such as project management software and safety monitoring systems, and showcased real-world examples that highlighted how AI improves site inspections and operational effectiveness. To further connect CEE students with industry partners, two CEE students studying Environmental and Occupational Safety and Health (EOSH), Mr Harry Lau and Mr Leo Sham, shared their academic projects and perspective on real-life safety practices during the workshop. This workshop offered a glimpse into a future where technology and innovation drive safer and more efficient construction practices. By leveraging AI's potential, we look forward to fostering a culture of safety and paving the way for a safer construction environment.  

CEE Members Received HKIE Geotechnical Division Prizes

HKIE Geotechnical Division Prize Award Presentation Ceremony 2025 were successfully held on 3 July 2025. We are proud to announce that 5 CEE members have been recognized with prestigious awards, including the AECOM Prize, Geotechnical Contractors Scholarship, Ringo Yu Prize for Best PhD Thesis in Geotechnical Studies and Fugro Prize established by the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (Geotechnical Division). These achievements highlight the dedication and passion of our students and scholars in the field of geotechnical engineering. AECOM Prize for Best Students of the Year Awardee: Mr Pui Yam Mang, CEE Graduate Geotechnical Contractors Scholarship Scheme Awardee: Ms Tsz Tung Chan, CEE Student Ringo Yu Prize for Best PhD Thesis in Geotechnical Studies  Awardee: Dr Lujia Yu, CEE Postdoctoral Fellow supervised by Prof. Zhenyu Yin Fugro Prize Awardee: Dr Ze-Jian Chen & Dr Pei-Chen Wu, CEE Research Assistant Professors Award: 1st Runner-Up Title of Paper: Reclamation and Settlement Prediction of Hong Kong Marine Deposits with Horizontal Drains We sincerely congratulate Mr Mang, Ms Chan, Dr Yu, Dr Chen and Dr Wu on this outstanding accomplishment. Their success underscores CEE’s ongoing commitment to excellence in geotechnical engineering. We eagerly anticipate their future contributions to the field and their positive influence on global environment.  

Thirteen CEE Project Secured General Research Fund (GRF) and Early Career Scheme (ECS) 2025/26

We are pleased to share that 13 CEE projects have been awarded a total grant of HK$15 million from the Research Grants Council’s General Research Fund (GRF) and Early Career Scheme (ECS) 2025/2026. Remarkably, CEE accounts for 11 projects among 38 funded PolyU projects from GRF under the field of “Civil Engineering, Surveying, Building & Construction”, amounting to HK$13.1 million.  The General Research Fund (GRF) and the Early Career Scheme (ECS) are both competitive funding programs administered by the Research Grants Council (RGC) in Hong Kong. They share the common goal of supporting high-quality academic research across a wide range of disciplines in local universities. Both schemes use a rigorous, peer-reviewed selection process to ensure the excellence of funded projects. By providing financial support for research, the GRF and ECS aim to promote academic excellence and advance knowledge within Hong Kong’s higher education sector. Congratulations to all CEE scholars whose dedication to research excellence has made this milestone possible. Looking ahead, CEE remains committed to conducting high-quality research and making meaningful contributions to the society.

CEE Departmental Visit (3 July)

Two groups of students from Christian Alliance S.C. Chan Memorial College and Fanling Kau Yan College visited CEE on 3 July (Thursday). They jointly attended the programme talk hosted by Prof. Andy Y. F. Leung, Associate Head of CEE. They were being introduced the admission process for BEng (Hons) in Civil Engineering and BEng (Hons) in Environmental Engineering and Sustainable Development programmes and recent developments of the civil engineering industry. Christian Alliance S.C. Chan Memorial College  The group of 31 students visited the Noise and Safety Laboratory and Water and Waste Research Laboratory, where they gained a deeper understanding of the latest technology and research activities in noise elimination and water purification process through demonstrations of laboratory equipment. They all enjoyed the visit and found it was informative and cultivating. Fanling Kau Yab College The group of 18 students visited the Water and Waste Research Laboratory. 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 new record by creating an 92 cm-higher tower. The visit concluded with a sense of accomplishment and inspiration among the students from both schools. We look forward to hosting more such visits in the future, fostering a greater understanding of the vital role engineers play in shaping a sustainable world.   

PolyU CEE Webinar Series: Risk Assessment Strategies for the Environmental Impact of Dredging and Mining in Coastal Areas

Prof. Alessandro Stocchino delivered a seminar with the topic of “Risk Assessment Strategies for the Environmental Impact of Dredging and Mining in Coastal Areas” on 25 June 2025. It was co-organized with HKIE Civil Division. Find the full version of the webinar in the below link: https://youtu.be/UaaKN3_1Rfs

Dialogue with CEE – JUPAS Admission Strategies

The Dialogue with CEE – JUPAS Admission Strategies held on 23 June 2025 (Monday) was a resounding success. The online seminar brings together over 30 students from various secondary schools, providing them an invaluable opportunity to gain first-hand insights into the programme information and to explore the exciting academic journey that awaits in CEE. The seminar commenced with an informative session hosted by Prof. Andy Leung, Associate Head of CEE and Dr Barbara Siu, Senior Lecturer of CEE, who shared the latest updates on JUPAS admission criteria and offered a comprehensive overview of the CEE programme structure. To have a closer interaction with secondary school students, two current CEE students took the stage to share their university experiences and future aspirations. Their candid stories gave attendees a glimpse into the vibrant campus life and the wealth of opportunities available at CEE, inspiring many to envision their own futures in the field. We hope the activity has sparked students’ curiosity and passion for engineering, and we look forward to supporting their academic journey in the years to come.  

New joiner – Dr Liangfu Ge

Dr Liangfu Ge earned his Ph.D. from Tongji University in 2022, following his Bachelor's degree from Southwest Jiaotong University in 2017. Before joining PolyU as a Research Assistant Professor, he completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Western Ontario from 2023 to 2025. His research focuses on developing cutting-edge methodologies for infrastructure assessment and management in smart cities, utilizing computer vision, robotics, and artificial intelligence. Dr Ge has joined us on 2 July 2025.