News

BRE Connected – June 2026 Issue

《BRE Connected – June 2026 Issue》 The newest edition of ‘BRE Connected’ is out now! Discover a vibrant collection of stories that brings you closer to our community, featuring the latest updates on our research, teaching, and collaborative partnerships. (Full Version:https://polyu.hk/Hfsse ).

Renaming of the Department of Building and Real Estate (BRE) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

《Renaming of the Department of Building and Real Estate (BRE) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University》 We are pleased to announce that, effective 1 July 2026, the Department of Building and Real Estate (BRE) will be renamed the Department of Construction Management and Intelligence (CMI) [建設管理及智能學系]. Approved by the Senate, this milestone marks an important step in our continued evolution. Building on our legacy since 1993, the new name reflects our commitment to innovation, industry advancement, and leadership in shaping the future of the built environment through excellence in education, research, and professional practice. Our Bachelor’s and postgraduate programmes will remain unchanged while we embed AI, digital construction, and smart technologies across our curriculum and research initiatives. We remain dedicated to delivering top-tier education, advancing impactful research, and serving the wider community. Thank you for your continued support as we enter this exciting new chapter.

Congratulations to Sr LAI Carmen on Receiving the Outstanding Alumni Award of PolyU BRE 2026

《Congratulations to Sr LAI Carmen on Receiving the Outstanding Alumni Award of PolyU BRE 2026》 Sr Carmen LAI, a graduate of our BSc (Hons) in Building Surveying programme, has received the Outstanding Alumni Award of PolyU BRE 2026. This award recognises her exceptional professional achievements and vital contributions to the Department, PolyU and the wider community. Her dedication and impact have earned her the very well-deserved honour. Join us in congratulating Sr Lai on her success!

Prof. CHI Hung Lin Shared Insights on GenAI in Assessment

《Prof. CHI Hung Lin Shared Insights on GenAI in Assessment》 Prof. CHI Hung Lin, our Associate Head (Research), has been recently invited by the University’s Educational Development Centre to discuss his forward-thinking work on GenAI-in-assessment innovations. In the interview, Prof. Chi shared his valuable experience in redesigning assessments to integrate GenAI, fostering active learning and boosting student engagement. He also highlighted the encouraging feedback received from his students. This paves the path forward to shape the future of education. Check out the full interview here: https://polyu.hk/uCwFb

BRE Retreat

《BRE Retreat》 Against a perfect backdrop of a stunning sky, the BRE Retreat was a great success last week. As an important part of our agenda, the two-day retreat provided a valuable platform for colleagues to share achievements for the academic year and engage in productive discussions on key topics across partnership, teaching and research for our forward planning. In a supportive atmosphere, colleagues presented ideas and exchanged insights which made the days both fruitful and enjoyable.

《BRE Distinguished Lecture》

《BRE Distinguished Lecture》 Last evening marked a significant chapter for our signature event, the ‘BRE Distinguished Lecture’ series. The comprehensive presentation by Ir Prof. Thomas HO On-sing, JP, on ‘Be the Excellence for Future Construction Industry’ was met with resounding applause. As the Chairman of the Construction Industry Council and the recipient of both the Outstanding PolyU Alumni Award and the Outstanding Alumni Award of PolyU BRE, Ir Prof. Ho delivered an inspiring lecture, taking us on a journey through the realms of AI and digitalisation in construction. We hope the participating students, alumni, colleagues and industry professionals enjoyed a rewarding evening.

PolyU JUPAS Admissions Q&A 2026

《PolyU JUPAS Admissions Q&A 2026》 A huge thank you to the students, parents and teachers who joined us for ‘PolyU JUPAS Admissions Q&A’ last Saturday! It was wonderful to see many of you engaging in our face-to-face consultations and admissions talk. We hope our session provided you with a clearer picture of our admissions updates and a glimpse into campus life. Still have questions? Don't hesitate to reach out to us directly. We are here to support you on your academic journey!

BRE Distinguished Lecture by Ir Prof. Thomas HO

《BRE Distinguished Lecture by Ir Prof. Thomas HO》 Are you ready for the future of construction? Join us for a BRE Distinguished Lecture with Ir Prof. Thomas HO, Chairman of the Construction Industry Council (CIC) and an outstanding alumnus of PolyU! From AI and Robotics to Modular Integrated Construction (MiC), Prof. Ho will offer insights into the technologies and leadership strategies that will define the next generation of the construction industry. Whether you are a student or a professional, this lecture will give you a roadmap to excellence in a tech-enabled and safety-focused world. Date: 9 June 2026 (Tue) Time: 6:30pm-8:00pm (Sign in from 6:00pm) Venue: PolyU campus Register NOW: https://polyu.hk/xVJOx

Big News from BREDAA AGM 2026

《Big News from BREDAA AGM 2026》 The Executive Committee (ExCo) of the Building and Real Estate Departmental Alumni Association (BREDAA) was successfully elected during the AGM last night where the new constitution was formally adopted by members in attendance. The whole process was conducted in the presence of representatives from BRE. The BREDAA remains dedicated to fostering strong connections among the members. By facilitating networking opportunities and knowledge exchange, it aims to strengthen the bond between alumni and BRE while cultivating a vibrant and supportive community for years to come. To encourage greater participation, membership fees for Student, Life, Associate and Honorary members are now officially waived under the new constitution. The ExCo includes Ir Cr Phyllis CHEN, Sr Carmen LAI, Ir Dr David KWOK, Ir Cr Amy SIU, Ms Ivy LAM, Mr Marco LEUNG, Sr Fiona LEUNG, Ms Michele LUI, Sr Daniel Ng, Sr Westing TSOI and Cr Dr Angela YUEN. They will count on the support of all BRE alumni. The ExCo highlighted an exciting lineup of upcoming activities including industry sharing talk, site visit, sports activity and reunion dinner. Stay tuned for more updates! More about the BREDAA Executive Committee: https://polyu.hk/AtUmF  

Press Coverage on Prof. Tarek ZAYED’s Research on Intelligent Sewer Systems

《Press Coverage on Prof. Tarek ZAYED’s Research on Intelligent Sewer Systems》 To protect public health, Prof. Tarek ZAYED and his research team at BRE are leading the way with a new approach to urban infrastructure. By combining Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT), they developed a multi-tiered model for sewer system management. This innovation enables more cost-effective and intelligent solution by predicting exfiltration severity, pinpointing leakage-prone zones, monitoring and forecasting overflows in high-risk areas. Explore more details about the research in the press coverage below: o Wen Wei Po (Print A14) - https://polyu.me/3OjGn8a; o Wen Wei Po Education Tech - https://polyu.me/41WeB4V o Ta Kung Pao (Print A05) - https://polyu.me/3OrIxmm o Mirage - https://polyu.me/41nOG64 More about Prof. Tarek ZAYED: https://www.polyu.edu.hk/.../academic.../prof-tarek-zayed/