News

e-Bulletin Issue 178

Bachelor’s Degree Scheme in Construction and Environment welcomes first cohort

The Bachelor’s Degree Scheme in Construction and Environment (BDSCE), newly launched in the 2025/26 academic year, is set to welcome its first cohort in September 2025. This innovative scheme is designed to provide students with a flexible educational pathway, empowering them to align their academic pursuits with their personal interests and career aspirations. To support students in making a smooth transition to university life, an engaging orientation session was held on 25 August 2025. This comprehensive session offered students an overview of the Common Year One curriculum, which lays a solid foundation across multiple disciplines in construction and environmental studies. The session also introduced students to the nine specialised Majors available for selection at the end of their first year, helping them make informed decisions about their academic paths. These Majors include: BEng (Hons) in Building Sciences and Engineering BSc (Hons) in Architectural Studies BSc (Hons) in Building Engineering and Management BSc (Hons) in Surveying BEng (Hons) in Civil Engineering BEng (Hons) in Civil Engineering (Smart Mobility) with a Secondary Major in AIDA BEng (Hons) in Environmental Engineering and Sustainable Development BSc (Hons) in Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics BSc (Hons) in Urban Informatics and Smart Cities During the orientation, students had the opportunity to connect with their peers and meet the BDSCE Team, including the Scheme Leader and their Academic Advisors, who are committed to supporting students throughout their academic journey. This interaction fostered a sense of community among the inaugural cohort and prepared them for an exciting and rewarding university experience.

Call for Nominations: Outstanding Alumni Award of PolyU Faculty of Construction and Environment 2025

The Outstanding PolyU Alumni Award aims to give recognition to distinguished graduates of PolyU for great distinction in their respective areas, dedicated support to their alma mater, as well as impactful contributions to the wider community. Recognition is also given to outstanding young alumni. Nomination and Selection The Award is organised at three levels, i.e. Department level, Faculty/School level, and University level. Department Award The nomination and selection of the Outstanding Alumni Award of PolyU Department will be organised by the respective departments. Nominations have been open since June 2025. Please refer to the department webpages for details: Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering Department of Building and Real Estate Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics   Faculty Award Recipients of Department Awards and graduates who have completed programmes offered at the Faculty level are eligible for nomination to the Outstanding Alumni Award of PolyU Faculty of Construction and Environment. FCE is now calling for nominations for the Outstanding Alumni Award of PolyU Faculty of Construction and Environment 2025. The nomination period is from now to 23 September 2025 (Deadline: 23 September 2025 11:59PM HKT). Please submit the nomination* with all required supplementary documents to angela.hm.lee@polyu.edu.hk. Nominate a PolyU FCE Alumnus  *FCE only accepts direct nomination for graduates who have completed programmes offered at Faculty level.    Eligibility The nominated candidate must be a graduate who has successfully completed full-time or part-time programme offered by PolyU (or its forerunners: Hong Kong Government Trade School, Hong Kong Technical College, and Hong Kong Polytechnic) that led to an academic award accredited by the respective Institution. The proposer can be a PolyU graduate, Honorary Graduate, University Fellow, PolyU staff, PolyU Council and Court member and Advisory Committee member. There is no limit to the number of nominations to be submitted by each proposer. However, the proposer cannot be the candidate himself/herself.    Selection Criteria and Achievement Areas The selection for the Award considers two major criteria: (1) Support and Contribution to PolyU and (2) Achievement in respective area. Three specific achievement areas would be assessed, they include Professional Achievement, Entrepreneurial Achievement and Scholarly Achievement. Alumni who are aged at/under 40 in the award selection year would be eligible for the Outstanding Young Alumni Award. Achievement Areas Description Professional Achievement This category recognises alumni who have attained distinguished achievements, demonstrated exemplary leadership, and made a strong impact on their profession/industry/society. Entrepreneurial Achievement This category recognises alumni who have demonstrated outstanding innovation and entrepreneurship, as well as founded or advanced business or technology ventures with impact. Scholarly Achievement This category recognises alumni scholars who have made notable scholarly or research contributions in their disciplines, with proven track record and excellent reputation in the field. Selection Committee A Selection Committee, comprising both internal and external members, will be formed at respective levels to examine the nominations and assess candidates' qualifications and performance for the awards. Enquiry Ms Angela Lee Faculty of Construction and Environment Email: angela.hm.lee@polyu.edu.hk Tel: 3400 3406

FCE Build a Smart City Competition 2025 inspires next generation of innovators

The FCE Build a Smart City Competition 2025 is the flagship event organised by the Faculty to engage secondary students in Smart City concepts and encourage innovative solutions for transforming Hong Kong into a smarter, more sustainable city. Since registration opened in March 2025, the competition has attracted an enthusiastic response, with 175 students from 45 local secondary schools participating. The competition began with a two-day workshop held on 28 June and 5 July 2025. It opened with a ceremony, where Prof. Linda XIAO, Associate Dean (Partnership) of Faculty, welcomed participants and outlined the competition details. Prof. Charles WONG, Associate Dean (Teaching & Global Engagement) of Faculty, introduced FCE and its academic programmes, sparking contestants’ interest in pursuing their studies at FCE. The contestants were divided into four groups according to their assigned projects and delved into tailored activities designed by the respective FCE departments. Over the course of the two-day workshop, they explored the project concepts through lectures, laboratory sessions, site visits to relevant infrastructures and a government department, and guided discussions. This combination of theoretical knowledge and practical applications deepened their understanding of Smart City concepts and their real-world implications. The four projects, each reflecting the distinctive focus and strengths of the respective FCE departments, are as follows.  Project Name Department Recycling for a Sustainable North Dept of Building Environment and Energy Engineering A Smart Approach to Urban Renewal in To Kwa Wan: Old Communities in Transformation Dept of Building and Real Estate Shaping a Smart Environment through Carbon-Neutral Vision:Starting from Your Campus Dept of Civil and Environmental Engineering Spatial Data Challenge in Smart City Dept of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics After the workshop, the competition groups would have about seven weeks to develop their projects, applying the knowledge and skills acquired. All groups will present their projects to an adjudicating panel on 22 August 2025, in their preferred presentation format. Stay tuned for the creative ideas these talented young minds will showcase on the presentation day!

FCE hosts international forum to chart bold course for architectural education in AI era

FCE is renowned for its leadership in construction and environmental studies. Building upon this strength, the new Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Architectural Studies is set to launch in the 2025/26 academic year. Hosted by the Department of Building and Real Estate (BRE) and co-hosted by the School of Design (SD), the new programme integrates knowledge and analytical tools, digital skills and transferable skills with design capabilities to meet the evolving needs of the architectural profession. In anticipation of this significant academic initiative, FCE hosted the landmark event “International Forum on Architectural Education for the AI Era” on 6 June 2025. The forum gathered key stakeholders in architectural education, including international scholars, industry experts, representatives from professional bodies, and government officials, to exchange insights and visions for architectural education in an artificial intelligence (AI)-driven world. During the one-day forum, the keynote sessions delivered by internationally acclaimed speakers offered unique perspectives on the intersection of architecture and AI. The round-table discussion sessions sparked lively exchanges on how emerging technologies are reshaping design thinking, educational paradigms, and professional practice. In addition to the forum, a private meeting was held on 5 June 2025, during which experts and stakeholders from academia and industry shared their views on the development roadmap of architectural education at PolyU.  FCE extends its sincere gratitude to the keynote speakers, session chairs, panellists, and participants for their visions and perspectives. Their contributions have laid the groundwork for ongoing dialogue and collaboration, ensuring that architectural education provided by FCE will remain at the forefront of innovation in the AI era.

FCE and CEDD renew MoU to advance sustainable infrastructure development

In a continued effort to foster a safe, green, and sustainable environment, FCE and the Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD) of the Hong Kong Government have renewed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 29 April 2025. FCE and CEDD entered into the first MoU back in May 2023 when the two parties joined hands to explore further innovative research in materials, technologies, and novel solutions for infrastructure and land formation. Marking a significant step forward in the collaborative journey, a new MoU was signed by Mr Michael FONG, Director of Civil Engineering and Development, and Prof. Xiang-dong LI, Dean of Faculty. The achievements brought by the collaboration in the past two years were also showcased at the same occasion, including projects on the development of design guidelines for Glass Fibre Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) for marine structures, the world's first S960 ultra-high strength steel footbridge, and the use of hyperspectral images and machine learning technology for tree management. As outlined in the MoU, FCE will continue to support CEDD by providing technical advice and sharing research findings, while CEDD will facilitate the application of these results in public works projects, transforming impactful research into tangible benefits to address new and pressing issues.

Opening Ceremony and Forum of RICRI gathers cross-sector experts to promote infrastructure resilience against climate change

The Otto Poon Research Institute for Climate-Resilient Infrastructure (RICRI), a pioneering strategic research institute focused on global climate change, was officially inaugurated on 2 April 2025 at Hotel ICON under the witness of over 300 participants from PolyU, academia, government departments, and industry.  The establishment of the RICRI was made possible with the staunch support of the Otto Poon Charitable Foundation. Led by Prof. Xiang-dong LI, Dean of Faculty, the institute will collaborate with renowned experts from Mainland China and Hong Kong government departments, as well as industry partners to create an interdisciplinary research platform that fosters deep integration across sectors and research for sustainable development in Hong Kong, the Nation and globally. A Forum co-organised by FCE was held on the same occasion to explore a wide range of topics, including:  High-fidelity Monitoring and Prediction of Extreme Climate Events in Hong Kong and Surrounding Regions Monitoring & Adaptation of Civil Infrastructure Towards Resilience Urban Resilience Enhancement for Energy-Building-Transport-Water Sector Synergization (UREBTW) ToolBox Nature-Based Solutions for Urban Infrastructure Resilience and Water Disaster Management Resilience of Rural Infrastructure and Communities to Climate Change Intelligent Platform & Toolbox for Urban Infrastructure Resilience The establishment of RICRI further strengthens PolyU’s research capabilities in climate adaptation and infrastructure resilience, advancing the pursuit of sustainable development. Press release: English - https://polyu.hk/CyRHg; Chinese - https://polyu.me/4jaIwO1

FCE leaps to No.1 in Hong Kong for Environmental Sciences in QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025

FCE is proud to share its outstanding performance in the newly released Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings by Subject 2025. This year, FCE has made significant strides in the field of Environmental Sciences, climbing an impressive 19 places to secure the 27th position globally, ascending to 1st in Hong Kong, alongside The University of Hong Kong. The rankings of FCE in Architecture & Built Environment as well as Civil & Structural Engineering remain strong at 17th globally and 2nd in Hong Kong. The leap in Environmental Sciences is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the Faculty’s academics, who have been instrumental in driving forward high-impact research and internationally competitive education. The uplifting news reflects FCE's commitment to advancing knowledge in environmental sustainability and resilience and strengthens its reputation as a leading academic entity on the international scene.

Inaugural Architectural Studies degree inspires future architects and ignites passion for built environment

The Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Architectural Studies is set to launch in the 2025/26 academic year. This inaugural programme is hosted by the Department of Building and Real Estate (BRE) and co-hosted by the School of Design (SD), aiming to integrate the strengths of both units with the other three FCE departments. The focus will be on advanced technology, artificial intelligence, humanities, and sustainable design. Prof. Tristance KEE, the Programme Leader and Associate Professor of BRE emphasised the programme's mission to cultivate the next generation of architects who can leverage advanced technologies and innovations to support the growth of the construction industry. “Students will engage with cutting-edge technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Building Information Modelling (BIM), and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) relevant to architecture, construction, building materials, and building services, addressing sustainable development challenges in the built environment,” she shared.  The curriculum prioritises practical learning opportunities, including academic research, international exchanges, and internships. Prof. Kee highlighted that students will explore various fields within architecture, gaining insights into building design concepts while developing traditional skills such as Chinese architecture, architectural conversation, and green building practices. A mentorship scheme will connect students with industry leaders for professional guidance. This programme uniquely integrates knowledge and analytical tools, digital skills and transferable skills with design capabilities tailored to the architecture profession's needs. Looking ahead, Prof. Kee reiterated the commitment to quality education, indicating that the programme will seek accreditation from The Hong Kong Institute of Architects (HKIA) and Architects Registration Board (ARB). Graduates will be well-positioned for employment as professional trainees in architecture firms, construction companies, government departments, and organisations involved in urban planning and architectural development. The programme has garnered interest from international applicants spanning a wide range of countries, showcasing its broad appeal. Click here for full details of the Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Architectural Studies.   Stay tuned for the exciting developments in our undergraduate programmes for the 2025/26 academic year, featuring the new Bachelor’s Degree Scheme in Construction and Environment and the Faculty Common Year One curriculum, which offer expanded admission pathways and greater flexibility for students! 

FCE Magazine - Issue 24