News

Donation of land surveying equipment to Survey Store

Engineering Surveys Limited (ESL) has kindly donated eight total stations and eight digital levels, with a total cost of around HKD$750,000, to the Survey Store of Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics to support various teaching activities. Indeed, business partners of ESL include excellent LSGI alumni, including Mr. Paul Chan (BSc '08) and Mr. Mike Au (BSc '08), and both of them have a strong tie with the department. They previously served as visiting instructors in a number of courses, sharing hands-on experience in operating hydrographic surveying, UAV, and laser scanning equipment. The department is thrilled to see our alumni coming home, supporting the department, and passing torch to the next-generation of land surveyors. Thank you Paul, Mike, and ESL.

LSGI Scholars Gain Accomplishments in the 48th International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva

We are proud to announce that innovations of LSGI scholars are awarded in the 48th International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva (Geneva Inventions Expo), a prestigious global event that showcases groundbreaking innovations and inventions from around the world. Making significant contributions to society, inventions from PolyU researchers and supported startups garner 31 prizes in this event, including 2 from LSGI research teams. Led by Prof. John SHI, Chair Professor of Geographical Information Science and Remote Sensing in LSGI & Director of Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Smart Cities Research Institute (SCRI), the project "Advanced Real-time Prediction and Early Warning System for the Spread of Emerging Pathogens," receives Gold Medal in this event because of its groundbreaking advancement inrisk prediction of emerging pathogen. With its ability to provide daily risk predictions and active early warnings for high-risk locations, this innovative platform leverages patented spatiotemporal epidemic prediction models and automated data collection to deliver real-time insights with remarkable accuracy. Since its launch in 2020, the system has played a crucial role in tracking SARS-CoV-2 variants and informing COVID-19 control measures globally. Its recognition by the World Health Organization and extensive media coverage underscore its vital contribution to enhancing public safety and guiding effective responses to emerging health threats. Additionally, another LSGI project "One-Stop Solution with AI Visual Object Recognition for 3D Model Generation," receive Silver Medal in the event because it marks a significant advancement in making 3D virtual experiences more accessible and cost-effective. It is led by Dr. Yaxin LI, Postdoctoral Fellow in LSGI & CEO of Micro Dimension Limited (a PolyU startup), and Prof. Wu CHEN, Head of LSGI & Chair Professor of Satellite Navigation. By streamlining the traditionally complex and expensive process of 3D mapping, this innovative technology eliminates the need for specialized software and hardware, allowing users to create and explore immersive virtual tours with just a standard electronic device. This nearly fully automated workflow not only democratizes access to 3D modeling but also sets the stage for realizing the metaverse's potential in art, entertainment, and education. As this technology continues to evolve, it promises to transform how we interact with virtual environments, making them an integral part of our everyday lives. Congratulations to the above scholars for these honourable achievements!

LSGI Alumni Association paid a visit to a class of LSGI

The LSGI Alumni Association (LSGIAA) and the Department have close connection in the bond. Each year, the Alumni Association and LSGI co-organize different events, e.g. career talk, admission seminars and home-coming activities. In the last week of Dr Yin Tiangang’s class “Digital Terrain Modelling” on April 15, 2023, representatives from LSGIAA gave an introduction of LSGIAA by sharing membership privileges, activities and enrolment methods. Sr Paul Tsui, President of LSGIAA, Rebecca Tse, Mandy Tang, Vice Presidents of LSGIAA presented the association to greet and interact with our students. LSGIAA is an important association for students to get connected to their alumni to know more about their fields. It is a golden opportunity for them to develop network in the industry by making alumni friends and gain more knowledge in their careers, along their studies. This visit to the last class of Dr Yin Tiangang’s course “Digital Terrain Modelling” is a new breakthrough to introduce more on the Alumni Association to LSGI students. We expect more graduates from LSGI will join LSGIAA and keep close contact with their alma mater.

PolyU Taster Programme 2023 – LSGI Session

On April 13, 2023, approximately 30 secondary school students from F4 & 5 participated in a one-day hands-on STEM workshop and tour organized by the Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics (LSGI) at PolyU. The event was kicked off by Ir Dr Wallace Lai, Associate Head (Teaching) & Associate Professor of LSGI, who delivered a STEM talk titled "Unfolding the Lost WWII Heritage in Hong Kong through Technologies and GIS". Following the talk, the students engaged in a hands-on workshop on GIS and had the opportunity to explore the LSGI labs. After lunch, the students were escorted to the Survey and Mapping Office (SMO) of the Lands Department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government in Kwun Tong. The purpose of this visit was to offer the students valuable insights into the career opportunities available to LSGI graduates. Ms. Mavis Lo, a Senior Land Surveyor and Principal of the Training School of SMO, who is also an LSGI graduate, warmly greeted the group and provided an informative introduction to the office. The students were then divided into small groups to learn about various surveying technologies and job roles. Throughout the one-day workshop and tour, the students gained valuable knowledge about the daily operations of the Lands Department and disciplinary expertise. It is evident that the event was highly beneficial for all parties involved.

LSGI and BRE students dominate rowing competitions

Nimbus Kwun Ho TSANG, Year-2 class representative of LSGI higher diploma, and Anakin Chun Hei CHAN, Year-1 undergraduate student of BRE, have dominated various indoor and outdoor rowing competitions on behalf of PolyU SAO Rowing Club. Nimbus and Anakin first earned the 2nd runner-up in the Men’s Double Sculls event final in the Hong Kong Universities Rowing Championships 2022, held on 25th December 2022. (see LSGI News) On 26th February 2023, Nimbus received the championship in Men’s Double Sculls (Men’s 2x) and the 1st runner-up in the Mixed Coxed Quadruple Sculls (Mixed 4x+) partnering with teammates from City University of Hong Kong (CityU) in the 2023 Tolo Harbor Regatta. Nimbus then won the championship, together with teammate Ho Yat Au-Yeung from CityU in Men’s Double Sculls (Open 2x) in the St. James's Place 7th Harbour Regatta on 19th March 2023. A week after, Nimbus served as the captain of PolyU SAO Rowing Club and won three awards in Hong Kong Rowing Indoor Championships (25th to 26th March 2023). These awards include 1st runner-up – Mixed Higher Education Institutions Challenge Team Relay 4x500m (together with Anakin, Phoebe Pui Hei LAU from SO, and Ariel Tsz Wing CHENG from SN), 1st runner-up – Men Higher Education Institutions Challenge Individual 2000 m, and 2nd runner-up – Men (Age 19-29) Lightweight 2000 m. Overall, PolyU SAO Rowing Club ranked 1st in the Higher Education Institutions Challenge Overall Ranking among other rowing clubs from six local universities. On 2nd April 2023, Nimbus and Anakin, together with Sean Chun Yui CHUI from SN and Oscar Yin Cheung LEE from AE, received the 1st runner-up in the Men’s Coxed Four (Men’s 4+), and they together with Bob Chi Hung LUI from CEE, Ryan Man Pan WU from COMP, Stanley Tung Wong CHAN from AE, Christoph Martin HEESS from ISE, took the 2nd runner-up in the Men’s Eight (Men’s 8+) in the Green Regatta 2023 organized by the University of Hong Kong. Both of them were coxed by Anna Ka Wai MOK, an alumni of AF.

PolyU, CUMT, and MUST Establish Remote Sensing and Environment Professional Alliance for Sustainable Development

Initiated by the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), China University of Mining and Technology (CUMT) and Macau University of Science and Technology (MUST), the Remote Sensing and Environment Professional Alliance of Jiangsu-Hong Kong-Macau Universities (referred to as the Professional Alliance) has been established on 22, March 2023 in Xuzhou, China. More than 100 leaders, scholars and students from 18 universities in Jiangsu, Hong Kong and Macau participated in this activity. Prof. Charles Wong, Associate Dean of our faculty, attended the event and congratulated the establishment of the Professional Alliance. The Professional Alliance was approved by the second executive council of the Jiangsu-Hong Kong-Macau University Cooperation Alliance on 5 December 2022. The goal of this alliance is to focus on China’s national strategic needs of Carbon Peak and Carbon Neutral, to continuously enhance the cooperation level among experts and scholars in the field of remote sensing and environment, and to achieve collaborative innovation between Hong Kong, Macau and Mainland. In addition to the primary initiators, this alliance was jointly initiated by Nanjing University, Hohai University, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing University of Technology, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Baptist University, University of Hong Kong, City University of Hong Kong, Jiangsu Normal University, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Nantong University, Jiangsu Ocean University and other universities. During the unveiling ceremony, Prof. Charles Wong, Associate Dean and Professor from Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics (LSGI), PolyU was appointed as Director of the Professional Alliance. Prof. Lu Haitian, Director of the Mainland Development Office of PolyU, said that the Jiangsu-Hong Kong-Macau University Remote Sensing and Environment Professional Alliance is the first professional alliance in which PolyU has contributed to its establishment. He hoped that through the construction of professional alliances, the academic exchanges and scientific research cooperation among university scholars in Jiangsu, Hong Kong and Macao will be further promoted, so as to help the sustainable development of the environment. Prof. Shuncheng Lee from Department of Civil and Environment Engineering (CEE), PolyU presented a keynote speech on “Urban Air Pollution Control and Data Analysis”. After the unveiling ceremony, Prof. Charles Wong, Dr. Guoqiang Shi from LSGI, Prof. Donghai Wang from MUST and outstanding student representatives from CUMT joined a communication salon, which discussed and shared exchanges on future studies and scientific research. Through the in-depth discussions between scholars among different universities in the alliance, more collaborations and exchange opportunities are expected in the near future.

Joint-LSGI Alumni Association and LGSI hybrid Distinguished Lecture by Emeritus Professor Yong-Qi Chen

To celebrate Global Surveyors’ Day, a Distinguished Lecture jointly organized by the Department of Land Surveying & Geo-Informatics (LSGI) and Alumni Association (LSGIAA) was held on March 21, 2023. The Distinguished Lecture was in hybrid mode with over fifty participants from different parts of the world online or face to face. The name of the Distinguished Lecture is entitled as ‘Development of a Monitoring System for Power Cable Tunnels with Optic Fibre Sensors’ delivered by Emeritus Professor Yong-Qi Chen. The Lecture is a presentation that gives a discussion on the features of a power cable tunnel compared with traffic tunnels, the difficulties with the existing monitoring techniques, fiber optic sensors, and the system development for a real project. It was an honour for Professor Yong-Qi Chen to deliver a Distinguished Lecture at PolyU when he was still in Emeritus status. Professor Yong-Qi Chen first joined the University in January 1994 as the Head of Department of LSGI, and Chair Professor of Land Surveying. He had been both Chair Professor and Department Head for fourteen years until June 2008. With him at the helm, LSGI achieved exponential growth to become a leading academic department in the field of geomatics. At the start of the Distinguished Lecture, Prof. George Liu, Associate Head of LSGI, represented LSGI to introduce and greet the speaker – Emeritus Professor Yong-Qi Chen. At the end of the Distinguished Lecture, Sr Paul Tsui, Chairman of LSGI Alumni Association, presented the souvenir to Prof. Yong-Qi Chen.

LSGI Research Seminar by Prof. Dr.-Ing. Christian Heipke

On 7 Feb 2023, the Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics (LSGI) successfully organized a research seminar. Prof. Dr.-Ing. Christian Heipke from Leibniz Universität Hannover, Departmental Academic Advisor of LSGI, was invited to give a presentation on “Photogrammetric Computer Vision”. More than fifty staff, students, and guests from PolyU attended the seminar. Prof. Weng Qihao, a Chair Professor of Geomatics and Artificial Intelligence of LSGI, and Director of JC STEM Lab of Earth Observations at PolyU, introduced the speaker before the seminar. Participating academic staff included Prof. Wu Chen, Head of LSGI, Prof. Xiaoli Ding, Prof. John Wenzhong SHI, Sr Prof. Charles Man Sing WONG, Prof. George Zhizhao Liu, Dr. Xiaolin Zhu, and other academic staff and researchers. Prof. Heipke is a professor of photogrammetry and remote sensing at Leibniz Universität Hannover, where he currently leads a group of about 25 researchers. His professional interests comprise all aspects of photogrammetry, remote sensing, image understanding, and their GIS computer connection to has authored or co-authored more than 300 scientific papers, more than 70 of which appeared in peer-reviewed international journals. He is the recipient of the Otto von Gruber Award 1992, the most prestigious award for young scientists in photogrammetry and remote sensing, the Frederick J. Doyle Award 2012 for outstanding and sustained qualities in the profession, both offered by ISPRS, and the Photogrammetric (Fairchild) Award 2013 from ASPRS. His talk focuses on geospatial applications of photogrammetric computer vision, dealing with aerial images, digital surface and terrain models, digital orthophotos, digital landscape models, and 3D city models. An overview of current sensor systems for geospatial data acquisition and automatic data processing procedures is given during his talk. A particular focus is laid on methods borrowed from machine learning. After his sharing, audiences showed strong interest in how machine learning could be used in image recognition and classification. Participants discussed with Prof. Heipke on the future opportunities for graduates in related fields. Questions were raised on technical issues too. At the end of the seminar, on behalf of the LSGI and JC STEM Lab of Earth Observations, Prof. Weng presented the souvenirs and certificate of appreciation to Prof. Heipke.

ASTRI Team Visited JC STEM Lab of Earth Observations for Potential Collaborations

The core members from Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI) visited the JC STEM Lab of Earth Observations (JC STEM Lab) and discussed with the principal investigator – Prof. Qihao Weng and some major lab members about the potential collaborations on 6th Feb, 2023. ASTRI was founded by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in 2000 with the mission of enhancing Hong Kong’s competitiveness through applied research. Over the years, ASTRI has nurtured a pool of research, I&T talents and received numerous international awards for its pioneering innovations as well as outstanding business and community contributions. ASTRI has recently set up a framework for cultivating the university technology transfer and collaboration ecosystem. Under the initiative, ASTRI will pursue opportunities to apply funding to do joint projects with universities. With the aim of discovering potential collaboration opportunities with our lab, a total of six core members from ASTRI’s University Tech Transfer Committee, led by Ms. Priscilla YEUNG discussed with Prof. Weng and lab members. The project meeting was led by Prof. Qihao Weng, Chair Professor of Geomatics and Artificial Intelligence and Global STEM Scholar at LSGI, and Director of JC STEM Lab at PolyU. Ir Professor Christopher Chao, Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU, Chair Professor of Thermal and Environmental Engineering, attended the meeting and gave an opening speech on behalf of the university. Prof. Wu Chen, Head of LSGI, and Prof. Xiaoli Ding, Director of Research Institute of Land and Space, also attended the meeting. Other participated members included: Dr. Zhiwei Li (Research Assistant Professor), Dr. Cheolhee Yoo (Research Assistant Professor), Dr. Qiming Zheng (Research Assistant Professor), and Dr. Jessie Jia (Postdoc Fellow). Participants introduced their research field and how they can work hand in hand with ASTRI to cultivate a vibrant ecosystem. In the meeting, Prof. Weng introduced the focus areas of the JC STEM Lab with eleven examples of research: (1) Apartment/house vacancy estimation; (2) Building energy efficiency; (3) Nighttime lighting safety; (4) Accident surveillance; (5) Lighting sources discrimination and pollution monitoring; (6) Bird monitoring for biodiversity conservation; (7) Land cover and land use mapping; (8) Vegetation carbon uptake monitoring; (9) Extreme heat waves and vulnerability; (10) Public health concerns constrained by environmental factors; and (11) Urban Flood Hazard Monitoring and risk assessment. The ASTRI members showed sincere interest in the research areas of the JC STEM Lab. Mr. Andy Lam introduced the opportunities for future collaborations. Ms. Priscilla YEUNG explained such collaborations in much detail, e.g., the function that ASTRI plays in the collaborations, the kind of support they can provide, and the expected outcomes, as well as the foci of immediate research collaboration. Other ASTRI members provided additional information related to the collaboration. Through the in-depth discussions between ASTRI’s University Tech Transfer Committee and the JC STEM Lab at PolyU, more collaborations and business opportunities are expected in the near future.

LSGI student shines in the Universities Rowing Championships

Our Higher Diploma (HD) Second Year Student, Nimbus Kwun Ho TSANG, represents PolyU participating the Hong Kong Universities Rowing Championships 2022 held on 25 December 2022. Together with a first-year undergraduate student, Anakin Chun Hei CHAN from BRE, they took the first place in the Heat round, and 2nd runner up in the Final in the Men’s double sculls event. Nimbus is also the class representative of the HD programme in LSGI.