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FCE major academic restructuring and leadership updates |
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Effective 1 July 2026, FCE will embark on transformative academic restructuring and leadership changes. Together, these developments usher in a new era of innovation, excellence, and global impact for FCE.  |
Establishment of Department of Architecture |
The Faculty is delighted to announce the official establishment of the Department of Architecture (ARCH) [建築學系] on 1 July 2026, a milestone that marks a major step forward in rendering FCE’s academic structure a more integrated whole.
Building upon FCE’s long-standing reputation in Architecture & Built Environment and Civil & Structural Engineering (ranked 2nd and 1st in Hong Kong, respectively, in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026), the new department bridges architectural studies with FCE’s existing core disciplines, creating powerful synergies for research and education. The foundation for ARCH was successfully laid in the 2025/26 academic year with the launch of the Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Architectural Studies. The programme garnered widespread acclaim for its pioneering integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced digital technologies throughout the curriculum. The new department is strategically positioned to redefine global architectural education, equipping a new generation of visionaries to shape an AI-driven, climate-resilient, and sustainable future. As the fifth department under FCE, ARCH will bolster PolyU’s academic foundation in this field, elevating its standing and influence both in Hong Kong and on the global stage.
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| BRE retitled Department of Construction Management and Intelligence |
To align with the evolving landscape of the global construction industry and to better reflect its core competencies and focus areas, the Department of Building and Real Estate (BRE) will be retitled the Department of Construction Management and Intelligence (CMI) [建設管理及智能學系] with effect from 1 July 2026.
Over the years, the department has progressively expanded its academic offerings and research capabilities in response to rapid industry transformation. Its curricula have been updated to incorporate cutting-edge fields such as digitalisation and automation, alongside advanced technologies including Building Information Modelling (BIM), robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), and smart surveying techniques. The new name positions “intelligence” at the heart of the department's educational and research framework, strengthening its identity and fostering stronger synergy with key stakeholders: students, academics, employers, professional bodies, and funding agencies. Moving forward, CMI will continue to deliver world-class education and pioneering research, driving impactful innovations for Hong Kong and beyond.
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| LSGI retitled Department of Land Surveying and Geospatial Science |
To reflect global developments in geospatial technology, the Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics (LSGI) will be retitled the Department of Land Surveying and Geospatial Science (LSGS) [土地測量及地理空間科學系] with effect from 1 July 2026.
The transition from "Geo-Informatics" to "Geospatial Science" represents a strategic progression, reflecting the department’s evolution into areas such as geospatial data science, GeoAI, big data analytics, digital twins, extensive applications of satellite remote sensing and smart city development. By integrating "Geospatial Science" into its name, the department positions itself at the forefront of global industry trends, helping attract tech-savvy students, foster international collaborations, and enhance competitiveness for research funding. The renaming also aligns with emerging initiatives in education and research, alongside the evolving demand for talent in local and global markets.
This new identity underscores the department’s commitment to addressing contemporary challenges—including urban planning, environmental monitoring, climate change, and planetary exploration—through interdisciplinary research and innovation.
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| New Associate Dean (Research) of FCE |
Prof. Tao YU, Professor of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE), will assume the role of Associate Dean (Research) of Faculty with effect from 1 July 2026.
Prof. Yu completed his Bachelor’s degree at Zhejiang University in 2001 and obtained his PhD at PolyU in 2007. Before joining PolyU in 2019, he was a full professor at the University of Wollongong, Australia. Prof. Yu has a proven track record of securing research funding from the Research Grants Council, as well as industry partners and public bodies. His research interests include infrastructure applications of Fibre-Reinforced Polymer Composites, multiscale modelling and physics-informed artificial intelligence (AI) for predictive structural assessment, and climate-resilient infrastructure. He also currently serves as the Director of PolyU-Wenzhou Technology and Innovation Research Institute.
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Prof. Meng NI, Head and Chair Professor of Energy Science and Technology of the Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering (BEEE), will cease to be Associate Dean (Research) of Faculty with effect from 1 July 2026. The Faculty would like to thank Prof. Ni for his dedicated service to FCE since July 2021.
Prof. Charles WONG, Professor of the Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics (LSGI), and Prof. Linda XIAO, Professor of the Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering (BEEE), continue to be the Associate Dean (Teaching and Global Engagement) and Associate Dean (Partnership) of Faculty, respectively.
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| ARCH Head Designate and Interim Head |
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| Prof. Puay Peng HO will assume the roles of Head and Chair Professor of Architectural Heritage Conservation of the Department of Architecture (ARCH) with effect from 3 August 2026. Prof. Tristance KEE, Associate Professor in the Department of Building and Real Estate (BRE), will be transferred to ARCH on 1 July 2026 and will concurrently serve as Interim Head of ARCH.
Prof. Ho obtained his Master of Arts in Architecture from The University of Edinburgh and his PhD in Art and Architectural History from the University of London. During his 25-year tenure at The Chinese University of Hong Kong from 1992 to 2017, he served as the University Dean of Students, the Chair of the Department of Architecture, and the Founding Director of the School of Architecture. He joined the National University of Singapore in 2017, where he was the Head of the Department of Architecture till 2022.
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Prof. Ho’s research focuses on Buddhist art and architecture, Chinese architectural history, vernacular architecture and the history of modern architecture in the Chinese Mainland and Hong Kong. He has directed more than 100 conservation projects in the Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong, and Singapore as a conservation consultant, winning accolades such as the Award of Distinction at the 2023 UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation, the Medal of the Year of Hong Kong and the Special Architectural Award for Heritage and Adaptive Re-use from The Hong Kong Institute of Architects multiple times. Prof. Ho is an Honorary Fellow of the Singapore Institute of Architects, a member of the Heritage and Identity Partnership, and the Chairman of the Heritage Advisory Panel in Singapore. He is also an advisor to the International Dunhuang Project of The British Library and holds the UNESCO Chair on Architectural Heritage Conservation and Management in Asia since 2020.
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| New Head of CEE |
Prof. Songye ZHU, Professor of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE), will assume the role of Head of CEE with effect from 1 July 2026. He will cease to be Interim Head of CEE on the same day.
Prof. Zhu obtained his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Tongji University and his PhD from Lehigh University, USA. He joined PolyU in 2008. He served as CEE’s Associate Head (Research) from July 2022 to June 2025 and was appointed Interim Head in July 2025.
He was a recipient of the Second-class Award (Basic Science Category) of the Science and Technology Award presented by the Chinese Society for Vibration Engineering in 2020, and the Grand Award (R&D Award) in the Structural Excellence Award 2022 presented by the Structural Division of The Hong Kong Institution of Engineers. In recognition of his outstanding achievements in research and knowledge transfer, Prof. Zhu has been awarded the Dean’s Award and Faculty Award multiple times since 2019, and the President’s Award in 2023.
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Prof. Zhu’s research interests include smart materials and structures, smart dampers for vibration control, vibration-based energy harvesting, advanced seismic-resistant structures, performance-based bridge health monitoring, vibration impact assessment and monitoring, wind energy, and artificial intelligence (AI).
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PolyU signs MoU with HKIE to support development of “EngSeeds” programme |
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PolyU has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with The Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (HKIE) to collaborate on the development of the “EngSeeds” programme. The programme aims to provide junior secondary school students with authentic exposure to the engineering profession, foster early interest in STEAM, support career planning, and promote awareness of the diversity and value of engineering disciplines among young people.
Witnessed by Prof. Daniel SHEK, Associate Vice President (Undergraduate Programme) of PolyU, and Ir Rupert LEUNG, Vice President of the HKIE, the MoU was signed by Prof. Xiang-dong LI, Dean of FCE and Prof. H.C. MAN, Dean of Faculty of Engineering, alongside Ir Alice CHOW, President of HKIE, at a ceremony held at the HKIE Headquarters on 28 May 2026. Representatives from other higher education institutions in Hong Kong also attended the ceremony and signed the MoU with HKIE.
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FCE Public Lecture: Prof. Dirk van Gameren on Architecture of Housing |
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Housing design is once again at the centre of attention in both architectural practice and education, amid rapid global urbanisation and growing challenges such as inequality, affordability, and climate change. At the FCE Public Lecture held on 16 June 2026, the Faculty welcomed Prof. Dirk VAN GAMEREN, Professor of Architecture and Housing Design at Delft University of Technology (TU Delft), to share his perspectives on “The Architecture of Housing, a Dutch perspective.”
Drawing on both academic research and professional practice, Prof. van Gameren discussed how rapid global urbanisation, rising inequality, and climate change have brought housing design back to the forefront of architectural practice and education. He reflected on how contemporary housing design continues to draw from traditional spatial and material patterns, while questioning how these can evolve to address present and future needs.
The lecture offered valuable insights into the balance between innovation and continuity in housing architecture, and sparked thoughtful discussion among attendees on how design can contribute to more accessible, affordable, and inclusive cities.
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FCE Three Minute Thesis Competition 2026 |
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As a prelude to the PolyU Three Minute Thesis Competition (3MT®) 2026, the FCE 3MT® competition was successfully concluded on 3 June 2026. Six contestants delivered their research presentations within three minutes, supported by a single static PowerPoint slide, to the adjudicating panel and the audience. The adjudicating panel chose three winners, while the audience voted for the People’s Choice Award.
The awardees distinguished themselves through their concise and captivating presentations. Ms Shihui YANG from the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE), as the Champion, will represent FCE at the PolyU 3MT® on 6 July 2026.
| Award |
Name
Department |
3MT® Title |
| Champion and People’s Choice Award |
Ms Shihui YANG
Dept of Civil and Environmental Engineering |
Food Waste Valorization Through the Carboxylate Platform |
| First Runner-up |
Mr Angxi XIE
Dept of Building and Real Estate
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When Self-Driving Cars Meet Urban Nature－Cooling Cities Better! |
| Second Runner-up |
Ms Tian LU
Dept of Civil and Environmental Engineering |
When Traffic Meets Corrosion: How Long Can Our Bridges Survive? |
The 3MT® competition was developed by The University of Queensland to cultivate PhD students’ academic, presentation, and research communication skills.
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Welcome new staff to FCE |
The Faculty extends a warm welcome to Prof. Zongping SHAO, who will join the Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering (BEEE) as Chair Professor of Sustainable Energy Technology with effect from 17 July 2026. Prof. Shao obtained his PhD in Physical Chemistry from the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences in 2000. Before joining PolyU, he was the John Curtin Distinguished Professor and the Director for Curtin Centre for Advanced Energy Materials and Technologies (CAEMT) at Curtin University.
Prof. Shao specialises in Energy Materials and Technologies. He has published more than 1,000 papers in top-tier journals, including Nature and Science, and his publications have received over 100,000 citations. He has been recognised as one of Clarivate’s Highly Cited Researchers for ten years, specifically in the fields of Chemistry, Environment and Ecology, and Materials Science. Prof. Shao holds over 100 patents, primarily in China and the United States. He also contributes actively to the scholarly community, and he serves as the Deputy Editor for Materials Reports: Energy and an Associate Editor for Energy & Fuels. Prof. Shao is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry of the United Kingdom, the Royal Australian Chemical Institute, and a Member of the European Academy of Sciences. His accolades include the Australian Research Council Future Fellowship and the appointment as a Changjiang Scholars Distinguished Professor.
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FCE welcomes Prof. Charles XU, who will join the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) as Chair Professor of Advanced Biorefinery with effect from 2 July 2026, and assume the role of Director of the Research Centre for Resources Engineering towards Carbon Neutrality (RCRE) under the PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research (PAIR) on the same day.
Prof. Xu earned his first PhD in Metallurgical Engineering from the University of Science and Technology Beijing, China in 1998, followed by his second PhD in Chemical Engineering from the University of Western Ontario, Canada in 2005. Prior to joining PolyU, he served as Chair Professor of Advanced Biorefinery at the City University of Hong Kong.
Prof. Xu is an acclaimed expert in the resource-efficient valorisation of biomass and organic solid wastes for the production of eco-friendly biofuels, green chemicals, and biopolymer materials. With over 20 years of research experience, he holds 12 patents in the United States, Canada, Europe, and China and has published more than 400 journal articles, accumulating over 29,000 citations. His outstanding engineering achievements have been recognised with fellowships from the Chemical Institute of Canada, the Canadian Academy of Engineering, and The Engineering Institute of Canada. Furthermore, he has received numerous prestigious accolades worldwide, including the Humboldt Research Award from the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation and the Changjiang Scholars Chair Professorship. |
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Staff promotions |
Congratulations on the promotions of the following academic staff of FCE with effect from 1 July 2026!
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Promotions to Chair Professor |
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Prof. Hai GUO
Chair Professor of Atmospheric Chemistry and Modelling
Dept of Civil and Environmental Engineering
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Prof. Yong XIA
Chair Professor of Structural Health Monitoring
Dept of Civil and Environmental Engineering
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| Promotion to Professor |
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Prof. You DONG
Dept of Civil and Environmental Engineering
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Promotions to Associate Professor |
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Prof. Ling JIN
Dept of Civil and Environmental Engineering
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Prof. Ying FAN
Dept of Building and Real Estate
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BEEE scholar joins prestigious ranks of Royal Society Fellows |
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Prof. Qingyan CHEN, Chair Professor of Building Thermal Science from the Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering (BEEE), has been elected a Fellow of the Royal Society, the United Kingdom's prestigious national science academy established in 1660.
Prof. Chen has been elected for his pioneering inverse design theory and modelling methods for indoor environment, which have significantly enhanced air quality and energy efficiency in both buildings and commercial aircraft, effectively mitigating health risks and transforming industry standards. His research on airborne disease transmission has been instrumental in shaping public policy and driving innovation in ventilation systems. Furthermore, his design guidelines and strategies have become industry benchmarks, fostering healthier, more energy-efficient environments that prioritise occupant well-being.
The conferment of this prestigious academician title serves as an inspiration for other FCE members to strive for excellence in their research and academic pursuits.
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Long-serving staff |
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After more than three decades of dedicated service to PolyU, Prof. Hongxing YANG, Professor of the Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering (BEEE), will retire on 1 July 2026. Prior to his departure, Prof. Xiang-dong LI, Dean of Faculty, presented him with a commemorative gift in recognition of his invaluable contributions to the University.
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