Past Event

A Big Thank You for CRECCHKI’s Visit

We were honoured to welcome Prof. Charles LAM, Permanent Honorary President, Ms Natasha HO, President, Mr Raymond SOO, Vice President and members of China Real Estate Chamber of Commerce Hong Kong and International Chapter (CRECCHKI) on 22 April 2025. The visit began with a warm welcome and an introduction to the Department by Prof. Michael YAM, Head of BRE. Prof. Daniel CHAN, Programme Leader of the Doctor of International Real Estate and Construction (DIREC), then captivated the guests with an overview of DIREC’s innovative curriculum. In addition, DIREC graduates, Dr Kelvin WONG and Dr Joseph HO shared their learning experiences and how the programme shaped their careers. A highlight of the visit, elaborated by Prof. CHI Hung Lin of BRE, was the opportunity for guests to engage in VR experiences using our CAVE System and Motion Simulator. A big thank you to CRECCHKI for their visit. We hope everyone had an enjoyable time with us. We look forward to hosting another wonderful event with them in the future.

New Executive Committee of BREDAA

The new Executive Committee of the Building and Real Estate Departmental Alumni Association (BREDAA) was successfully elected during the Extraordinary General Meeting last evening. The election was witnessed by a representative from the Alumni Affairs Office of PolyU. The Committee Members include Ir Cr Phyllis CHEN, Sr Carmen LAI, Ir Dr David KWOK, Ir Cr Amy SIU, Mr Marco LEUNG, Sr Fiona LEUNG, Ms Michele LUI, Sr Daniel Ng, Sr Westing TSOI and Cr Dr Angela YUEN. The new Executive Committee will count on the support of all BRE alumni. The BREDAA is dedicated to fostering strong connections among the members. By facilitating networking opportunities and the exchange of knowledge, it strengthens the bond between alumni and BRE, ensuring a vibrant and supportive community for years to come. More about the BREDAA Executive Committee: https://polyu.hk/AtUmF

BSc (Hons) Architectural Studies Workshop

This month, we had the privilege of hosting an engaging workshop for secondary schools to introduce our upcoming BSc (Hons) in Architectural Studies programme. The fruitful day was filled with a captivating talk, demonstrations and hands-on experiences. The participating students got a preview of this new programme and engaged in an interactive architecture game. During their visit, the students also had the opportunity to immersethemselves in virtual reality experiences using our Cave Automatic Virtual Environment (CAVE) System and Motion Simulator, and explore Building Information Modelling (BIM). These activities offered valuable insights into the application of cutting-edge technologies in the construction industry. The BSc (Hons) in Architectural Studies programme is hosted by BRE and co-hosted by the PolyU School of Design, for the 2025/26 cohort. The programme aims to provide quality education to familiarise architectural students with the latest advanced technology such as Artificial Intelligence, Building Information Modelling and advanced construction technology relating to architecture, construction, building materials and building services to respond to issues of sustainable development in the built environment. The uniqueness of the programme lies in the integration of knowledge and analytical tools, digital skills and transferable skills with design capabilities for the needs of the architecture profession. Stay tuned for more exciting events!

Campus Visit by Santa Laurensia High School (Indonesia)

Thank you to Santa Laurensia High School (Indonesia) for spending a morning with us this month. The visit was designed to help them explore our undergraduate offerings, learning opportunities and latest development to assist in their academic selection. Prof. Charles WONG, Associate Dean (Teaching & Global Engagement) of the Faculty of Construction and Environment, kicked off the morning with a briefing. The highlight of the visit was the hands-on experience we provided. Students immersed themselves in cutting-edge virtual reality using our Cave Automatic Virtual Environment (CAVE) System and Motion Simulator, etc. They gained firsthand insight into the advanced technologies shaping the construction industry. We look forward to welcoming them back to our campus again!

Unlocking Insights into Real Estate Market at BRE Distinguished Lecture

To ring in the Chinese New Year, last Thursday’s BRE Distinguished Lecture came with our incredible speaker, Prof. Abdullah YAVAS from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Prof. Yavas shared his words of wisdom on the topic, ‘Real Estate Bubbles and an Update on US Real Estate Markets’ on 13 February. His insights are particularly timely as we navigate the complexities of the current real estatelandscape. We are grateful to Prof. Yavas and all participants. This signature event aims to strengthen the connections among BRE, academia and industry. It serves as a key to unlocking fresh ideas, providing an ideal platform for industrial professionals, alumni, colleagues and students to engage in advanced learning.

Gathering with Inbound Exchange Students

We have recently hosted a warm and welcoming gathering for five inbound students from Aston University, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, and South China University of Technology. Prof. Michael YAM, Head, Prof. SUN Yi, Associate Head (Partnership), and Prof. YI Wen, Student Exchange Officer from BRE, were delighted to welcome the students, providing them with a briefing and ensuring they feel at home. This event also offered anideal opportunity for connection. We hope they have settled in well and are excited to support them during their stay in Hong Kong!

Career Talk by Rating and Valuation Department

We were glad to host a career talk by the Rating and Valuation Department of the HKSAR Government in late January. The event began with greetings from Prof. Ivy WONG, Award Co-ordinator of the BSc (Hons) in Surveying programme, and Prof. Michael SING, Assistant Professor of BRE. A heartfelt thank you to our speakers, Ms CHEUNG Yuen Kei and Ms CHENG Wing Ka, both Valuation Surveyors, and Ms HUI Sin Yee, a Valuation SurveyingGraduate, for sharing their expertise and experiences with us. Our students from the BSc (Hons) in Surveying programme and the BSc (Hons) in Property Management programme, particularly, the final-year students, gained valuable insights into the dynamic world of valuation and the exciting career opportunities that lie ahead. Stay tuned for more events!

BRE DIREC Graduation Celebration 2025

We recently hosted a memorable graduation dinner on 20 January, Monday, to honor the achievements of the first and second cohorts of graduates from our part-time Doctor of International Real Estate and Construction (DIREC) programme. The event was graced by the presence of Prof. Michael YAM, Head of BRE and Prof. Daniel CHAN, the Programme Leader, who shared inspiring words and congratulated the graduates on their remarkable academicjourney. The graduates come from diverse professional fields, ranging from finance, investment, construction, real estate, project management, building management to digitalisation of construction processes. It was a wonderful evening filled with joy and laughter, with everyone grinning from ear to ear. We extend our heartfelt thanks and deep appreciation to the graduates for organising such a successful graduation dinner this year. We are incredibly proud of their academic achievements and hope this close bond will continue to blossom. Their continued support and engagement are invaluable to us. We also look forward to witnessing their future successes in their professional careers!

BSc (Hons) Architectural Studies Workshop

In January, we had the pleasure of hosting an inspiring workshop to introduce our new BSc (Hons) in Architectural Studies. This workshop offered secondary school students a fantastic opportunity to discover the unique wonders of architecture and explore diverse career paths within this vibrant field. Participants also got a sneak peek at our curriculum and enjoyed an engaging architecture game. TheBSc (Hons) in Architectural Studies programme is hosted by BRE and co-hosted by the PolyU School of Design, for the 2025/26 cohort. The programme aims to provide quality education to familiarise architectural students with the latest advanced technology such as Artificial Intelligence, Building Information Modelling and advanced construction technology relating to architecture, construction, building materials and building services to respond to issues of sustainable development in the built environment. The uniqueness of the programme lies in the integration of knowledge and analytical tools, digital skills and transferable skills with design capabilities for the needs of the architecture profession. Stay tuned for more exciting events!

Visit by the Director and Dedicated Team of Construction Industry Council

We were thrilled to host Mr. Alex HO, Director – Industry Development and Mr. CK WU, Senior Manager - Industry Development and Safety, from the Construction Industry Council, along with the dedicated team on 16 January. The visit kicked off with an enthusiastic welcome from Prof. Michael YAM, Head of BRE and featured an enlightening presentation by Prof. Albert CHAN, Distinguished Research Professorof BRE. Our guests were then immersed in the world of our advanced technologies, including demonstrations of the motion simulator, 3D printing, and exoskeleton in the laboratories. We look forward to future collaborations to continuously push the boundaries of innovation!