News

The HKIE Safety Specialist Committee Student Project Competition 2015

The Department of Building Services Engineering (BSE) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is pleased to announce that two of our PhD BSE students have been awarded in the HKIE-SSC Student Project Competition 2015, which is organized by Safety Specialist Committee (SSC) of The Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (HKIE). Under the Doctorate Degree Group, Dr. LAU Kwai Wing won the Champion of the Construction Industry Council (CIC) Award for his project titled “A Study on Installing Water Curtain System at Refuge Floor of Supertall Buildings in Hong Kong” and Dr. PANG Chi Leung won the Runner-up of the CIC Award for his project titled “A Study on Fire Detection Systems for Supertall Buildings”. Both of the awardees were supervised by Professor W.K. CHOW.

ASHRAE Fellowship on 29 January 2016

As announced during the Plenary Session on 23 January 2016, Professor W.K. Chow JP FHKEng is named as a Fellow of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), in recognition of his contributions to education, research, engineering design and consultation, publications and mentoring in this profession. The presentation was held at ASHRAE’s 2016 Winter Conference in Orlando, Florida, USA. Recognition is in the form of a plaque with a medallion and a lapel pin. Professor Chow is one among the 17 recipients all over the world awarded with this honor this year. The following citation is copied from the Plenary Session booklet: Wan Chow is chair professor of Architectural Science and Fire Engineering, Department of Building Services Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China. A researcher on architectural science and fire engineering for more than 30 years, his contributions focus on building fire safety, fire suppression systems and atrium fire engineering. He developed an experimental full-scale burning facility, the State Key Laboratory of Fire Science, University of Science and Technology of China, for the study of atrium smoke movement and the associated fire protection systems. The project sought to determine whether overseas standards are suitable to be applied in the Asia-Oceania regions. Consequently, a hot smoke test scheme proposal on evaluating the performance of atrium smoke management systems was accepted to use in Hong Kong. More information on this award is available on ASHRAE website: https://www.ashrae.org/membership--conferences/honors--awards

BSE Mentorship Programme 2015-16 Kick-off Meeting on 22 January 2016

The Department of Building Services Engineering (BSE) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) held its Mentorship Programme 2015-16 Kick-off Meeting on 22 January 2016. A total of 57 mentees and 18 mentors enthusiastically participated in the event.   The Head of Department, Professor W.K. CHOW extended a warm welcome to all mentors (practitioners from the BSE industry) and mentees (BSE students) at the beginning of the meeting. To begin with, a concise introduction of the programme was given by Professor C.M. MAK, the leader of the BSE Mentorship Programme.   The Mentorship Programme has been established since 2002 in the BSE Department. The programme aims to allow each full-time BSE student to have the opportunity to learn from a mentor, who is a mature, wise and sensitive practitioner. Mentoring is a structured relationship between the mentee and the mentor, such mentor-mentee relationship is expected to last until the graduation of the mentee. The kick-off meeting gave a good chance for mentees and mentors to have face-to-face interaction. Certainly, the regular and constant contacts between the two parties were also encouraged in future. The objectives for such interaction are: • to foster a caring and supportive relationship • to encourage the mentee to develop to his/her fullest potential • to help the mentee develop his/her vision and aspiration for the future • to help groom the mentee to be a "preferred graduate"   To express gratitude for the mentors’ support to the Mentorship Programme, Professor CHOW presented the souvenirs and certificates of appreciation to the mentors as recognition of their contribution and efforts to the programme. Immediately after presenting the certificates, a lively sharing session was held between the mentors and mentees. The mentors shared their valuable learning and working experience. The mentees showed strong interest in knowing more about the challenges that they might encounter in the work place.

PolyU Info Day for Taught Postgraduate Programmes on 9 January 2016

The PolyU Info Day for Taught Postgraduate Programmes was successfully held on 9 January 2016. The Department of Building Services Engineering (BSE) participated actively in the Info Day to provide prospective taught postgraduates with up-to-date and comprehensive information of master programmes and curriculum. After an overview of the Postgraduate Scheme in Construction and Environment by the Scheme Chairman, break-out sessions on individual postgraduate programmes were conducted. Postgraduate programmes offered by BSE included MSc in Building Services Engineering, MSc in Facility Management, MSc in Fire and Safety Engineering and MSc in High Performance Buildings which were under the programme leadership of Professor DU Yaping, Dr. Joseph LAI, Dr. N.K. FONG and Dr. C.K. CHAU respectively.

Info Day (MSc in Fire Safety Engineering) on 9 January 2016

BSE Visited by the Salesian English School on 8 January 2016

The Department of Building Services Engineering (BSE) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) was visited by Salesian English School (SES) (慈幼英文學校) on 8 January 2016. The SES students and teachers enjoyed a meaningful afternoon tour full of sharing.   Dr. Vivien LU, Associate Professor of BSE Department, officially started the Visit by welcoming all SES students and teachers at the introduction session. Dr. LU introduced the World University Rankings of PolyU as well as the roles, objectives, accomplishments, facilities and recent developments of BSE.   The presentation was followed by Professor S.K. TANG’s overview of building services and academic programmes offered by the Department. In particular, BSE undergraduate programmes were introduced to the students. Professor TANG highlighted BSE’s endeavours to provide its students with the knowledge and training needed for the industry and discussed the importance of building services engineering in a wider context. Lastly, he encouraged the SES students to study hard in their HKDSE and secure the opportunity of getting into PolyU BSE programmes.

Happy new year greetings from BSE Department Head on 1 January 2016

Dear BSE colleagues, students and friends,   Happy New Year! I send my best wishes to all of you who are celebrating the start of a wonderful year.   2016 will surely bring us the opportunity of more success. As we enter 2016 and look forward to the year ahead, I would like to acknowledge and appreciate all the efforts made by BSE staff, alumni and students in 2015.   The prosperous New Year has reached us along with new objectives, new challenges and changes. I thank all academic staff for their valuable contribution to applied research and quality teaching as well as other colleagues for their assistance either in administrative or technical aspect throughout 2015. As we are mindful that none of our goals can be accomplished without your assistance, we ask for your continuing support and cooperation in 2016.   Every end is just a new beginning. I hope all BSE students keep your spirits and determination unshaken in your study life. With courage, faith and efforts you shall conquer everything you desire.   Let’s give a warm welcome to the year that kicks off a new mission, enjoy this year with new hopes and make the most of this year to achieve success in all your endeavors. Wish you happy New Year from the bottom of my heart.     Best wishes, W.K. Chow Head of Department