News

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/  

Dr Jianxin Lu Secures Innovation and Technology Fund

Congratulations to Dr Jianxin Lu, Research Assistant Professor of CEE, for securing HK$800,000 from the Innovation and Technology Fund (ITF) under the Partnership Research Programme (PRP), administered by the Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC) of the HKSAR Government. Dr Lu’s research project, titled “High-value-added Utilization of Recycled Fibreglass in Fibre Reinforced Spray Mortar for Infrastructure Rehabilitation”, aims to develop an eco-friendly fibreglass reinforced spray mortar (FGRSM) to repair seawater and bacteria induced concrete deterioration. By recycling waste fibreglass into a high-performance and eco-friendly construction material, the project promotes sustainable infrastructure rehabilitation and local waste reduction in Hong Kong. It also supports circular economy and reduces maintenance costs for public works. The ITF is designed to enhance the added value, productivity, and competitiveness of Hong Kong’s economic activities. Through the ITF-PRP, 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 extend our heartfelt congratulations to Dr Lu and we look forward to the positive impacts his research will bring to the sustainable development of Hong Kong’s construction industry.  

CEE Spring Reception 2026

The CEE Spring Reception, held on 6 February 2026 (Friday), was a resounding success. Welcoming more than 300 CEE staff members, former heads, distinguished alumni and research personnel, the event celebrated our strong sense of community and connection, creating a festive atmosphere filled with joy, laughter, and togetherness. Graced by Prof. Songye Zhu, Interim Head CEE, the event unfolded with great warmth and excitement. The highlight of the day came as 20 lucky participants won attractive prizes in the lucky draw, adding an extra layer of enjoyment to the celebration. Embraced by the festive spirit, CEE extends its warmest wishes for a joyful and prosperous Year of the Horse!  

CEE Departmental Visit – STFA Tam Pak Yu College & FDBWA Szeto Ho Secondary School (23 January)

A group of 54 students from STFA Tam Pak Yu College and FDBWA Szeto Ho Secondary School visited CEE on 23 January 2026 (Friday). The visit began with an opening programme talk by Prof. Tony N. N. Sze, Associate Professor of CEE, who introduced recent developments of civil engineering in Hong Kong. This was followed by an energetic Q&A quiz that provided students with an engaging overview of the profession. The group also learned about the admission procedures and career pathways for the BEng (Hons) in Civil Engineering and the BEng (Hons) in Environmental Engineering and Sustainable Development programmes. The highlights of the day included the Tower Challenge: Engineering with Straws, Tape and Imagination. Using a limited supply of straws and tape, students showcased their creativity and basic engineering principles to construct freestanding towers. The winning team set a new department record with a tower reaching 142 cm. After the challenge, the two schools toured our laboratories, the Structural Engineering Research Laboratory and the Hydraulics Laboratory separately. Students had the opportunity to observe cutting-edge technologies used in construction research and fluid mechanics experiments. We extend our gratitude to the students and teachers for their enthusiastic participation. We look forward to welcoming more young talent to discover the world of civil engineering with us!  

Prof. Ling Jin Featured on BBC Wildlife

Prof. Ling Jin, Assistant Professor of CEE, was recently interviewed by BBC Wildlife for a feature on the plastisphere, an ecosystem of microbes, algae, fungi and invertebrates, alongside other leading scholars in the field.  The article “‘It’s a disease superhighway.’ The shocking new ecosystem that’s evolving in our oceans” explores the plastisphere, a unique ecosystem that forms on plastic debris in oceans and waterways. When plastics enter the environment, they quickly become colonized by a variety of microorganisms. Prof. Jin emphasizes that the plastisphere is not merely waste but a living habitat with unique microbial communities, including pathogens, that aid species dispersal across oceans. This habitat significantly impacts ecological functions and poses risks of spreading harmful microbes, highlighting urgent research needs to assess plastic's effects on ocean health. Prof. Jin’s research focuses on human health impacts of air pollution, wildlife health impacts of marine pollution, and ecohealth impacts of solid waste. He actively engages in interdisciplinary research at the intersection of environmental chemistry, toxicology, microbiology, and data science, addressing critical challenges in planetary health. Recently, Prof. Jin was honored with the 2026 James J. Morgan Early Career Award for the Asia Pacific region, recognizing his pioneering contributions to environmental science and technology. Online Coverage of Prof. Jin’s Interview: https://www.discoverwildlife.com/environment/plastiphere  

Prof. Kwok-Fai Chung’s Project Receives the Winner Award in Excellence in Innovation and Technology Adoption from the Development Bureau

We are proud to announce that a project led by Prof. Kwok-Fai Chung, Research Professor of CEE and Former Director of the Chinese National Engineering Research Centre for Steel Construction (Hong Kong Branch) (CNERC-Steel), has received the Winner Award in Excellence in Innovation and Technology Adoption. The award was presented at the Outstanding NEC Team Performance Award 2025s Presentation Ceremony on 30 January 2026. Prof. Chung received the award alongside Ir Michael Fong Hok-shing, Director of Civil Engineering and Development, Ir Joyce Y.Y. Lau, Project Manager of North Development Office, and senior engineers due to the successful application of ultra-high strength S960 steel in two large pedestrian footbridges, Footbridges F4 and F6, located in the Northern Metropolis Area. The Award was presented by Ir Ricky Chun-kit Lau, Permanent Secretary (Works), Development Bureau. The project, titled “The World’s First Ultra-high Strength S960 Steel Footbridges in the Northern Metropolis”, was executed by AECOM Asia Co. Ltd. along with a joint venture of Daewoo E&C, Chun Wo C&E, and Kwan Lee Holding. Given the lack of technical guidance on S960 steel structural design, the team undertook extensive research and development to formulate innovative construction techniques. Under a MOU signed between CNERC and CEDD in June 2023, Prof. Chung contributed significantly to various project deliverables, including effective designs and construction methodologies. The collaboration among project team members resulted in substantial material and cost savings, as well as reduced construction time. The Outstanding NEC Team Performance Awards, organized by the Development Bureau, recognize exceptional project teams in Hong Kong's construction industry, promoting a culture of excellence and innovation. The Excellence in Innovation & Technology Adoption category specifically honors teams that integrate innovative solutions through collaborative partnerships. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Prof. Chung and his team for this remarkable achievement. Their dedication to innovation and collaboration has set a new standard in the construction industry, showcasing the potential of advanced technologies in promoting sustainability. We look forward to their continued contributions to the field.  

Prof. Ling Jin Secures RGC Collaborative Research Equipment Grant 2025/26

The RGC recently announced the funding results of the Collaborative Research Fund (CRF) including Collaborative Research Project Grant (CRPG), Collaborative Research Equipment Grant (CREG) and Young Collaborative Research Grant (YCRG) in 2025/26 exercise. We are proud to announce that Prof. Ling Jin, Assistant Professor of CEE, has been awarded the Collaborative Research Equipment Grant 2025/26 for his project. The project details are as follows: Proposal Ref. No.: C5081 – 25EF Name of PC: Prof. Ling Jin Proposal Title: Advanced Single-Particle Mass Spectrometer to Uncover Hidden Aerosol Complexity Impacting Health and Climate Amount Awarded: $3,400,000 The project aims to develop a single-particle mass spectrometry platform to precisely show aerosol mixing states and assess their impacts on health, toxicity, and climate, improving predictions for policymaking. In 2025/26 CRF Exercise, the RGC received a total of 31 preliminary CREG proposals, of which 8 were ultimately supported. The CRF supports multi-investigator, multi-disciplinary projects to encourage more researchers to engage in creative and high-quality cross-disciplinary projects.  Congratulations again to Prof. Jin, we believe this funding will enable him to engage in cross-disciplinary research and collaborate with multiple scholars to produce innovative and impactful outcomes. For more details about the funding results of the Collaborative Research Fund 2025/26, please visit: https://www.ugc.edu.hk/eng/rgc/funding_opport/crf/funded%20research/25-26.html

CEE Student Receives The HKIE Scholarship 2025-26

We are delighted to announce that Miss Shenin Tasnim Hasan, a Year 2 undergraduate student in the BEng (Hons) in Civil Engineering programme, has been awarded The Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (HKIE) Scholarship 2025-26. The scholarship was presented at the HKIE Prize Presentation Ceremony cum New Members’ Reception held on 17 January 2026.  The HKIE Scholarship recognizes engineering undergraduate students who demonstrate outstanding academic performance, leadership skills, and a commitment to community service, alongside a passion for pursuing a career in engineering. Each year, the scholarship is awarded to up to three students who major in HKIE-accredited engineering programs in any local university. Congratulations to Ms Tasnim Hasan on receiving this recognition. This scholarship not only highlights her academic achievements but also underscores her potential as a future leader in the engineering field. We wish her continued success in her academic journey. Please visit HKIE's official website for the awardee list. https://www.hkie.org.hk/en/membership/award_detail/25/