News

Chinese New Year Greetings from Department of Building and Real Estate, PolyU

We wish you a prosperous Chinese New Year filled with happiness, good health and success! (Animated e-card)

Prof. Jeff SHEN’s Success in Securing CEPU PPR Grants

Good things come in pairs! Congratulations to Prof. Jeff SHEN, Assistant Professor of BRE, on being awarded grants from the Public Policy Research Funding Scheme (2024/25) by the Chief Executive’s Policy Unit for his two outstanding projects! Prof. Shen’s two granted projects are entitled ‘Climate Policy Risk and Green Infrastructure Financing in the Belt and Road Initiative: Policy Implications for Infrastructure Loan Securitisation’ and ‘Developing a MiC Data Platform for Reusable Modules in the Transitional Housing Projects: Towards a Circular Economy’. The Public Policy Research Funding Scheme (PPRFS) is dedicated to fostering public policy discussions, enhancing policy formulation to address societal needs, and nurturing the talents essential for future advancements. Congratulations once again to Prof. Shen on his remarkable achievements and contributions to impactful research! More about Prof. Jeff SHEN:https://www.polyu.edu.hk/bre/people/academic-staff/dr-jeff-jianfu-shen/

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 academic journey. 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!

BRE Distinguished Lecture ‘Real Estate Bubbles and an Update on US Real Estate Markets’ – Sign Up Now

We are delighted to announce that Prof. Abdullah YAVAS from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the United States will share his valuable insights on ‘Real Estate Bubbles and an Update on US Real Estate Markets’ during our signature event ‘BRE Distinguished Lecture’. Please join us for this enlightening session on 13 February, from 7:00pm to 8:00pm. Attendees who participate in the entire Lecture will receive certificates of attendance.  ‘BRE Distinguished Lecture’ aims to further strengthen the network between BRE and the industry, providing an ideal platform for industrial professionals, our students, alumni and colleagues to engage in advanced learning. Sign up NOW: https://www.polyu.edu.hk/mysurvey2/index.php/656175?lang=en

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. 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!

Miss Janie CHEN Awarded OSH Best Project Scholarship

Please join us in congratulating our research student, Miss Janie CHEN Junyu, on winning the Occupational Safety & Health (OSH) Best Project Scholarship for the 2023/2024 Academic Year. In January, Janie was invited to present her project, ‘An Accident-enabled Risk Analysis Framework for the Development of Effective Off-site Crane Operator Training’ to the Selection Panel of the OSH Council. Her hard work, under the guidance by her supervisor, Prof. CHI Hung Lin, Associate Professor of BRE, was recognised with the OSH Best Project Scholarship. Janie will receive this honour at the upcoming Award Presentation Ceremony. The OSH Best Project Scholarship aims to inspire post-secondary students in Hong Kong to recognise the significance of occupational safety and health in their academic pursuits.

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 Professor of 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!

Join Us for an Online Info Seminar on MSc in Intelligent Construction Programme on 18 Jan, 11:00am-12:00nn

Discover a wealth of knowledge on digitalization in the construction industry! MSc in Intelligent Construction Programme, a pioneering initiative in Hong Kong, is designed to address the urgent need for digital transformation in the construction sector, as outlined in the Hong Kong SAR Government's 'Construction 2.0 - Time to Change' document. This programme aims at equipping construction professionals with advanced knowledge in the realm of Intelligent Construction Technologies (ICT) and essential management skills. They will explore cutting-edge ICT approaches, including robotics, visualization and interactive technologies, machine learning, 3D printing, BIM, and more. Join us to help shape the future of construction in Hong Kong! Sign up for Online Info Seminar (18 Jan, 11:00am-12:00nn) now: https://polyu.hk/HjjDy

Join Us for an Online Info Seminar on MSc in Intelligent Construction Programme on 18 Jan, 11:00am-12:00nn

Unlock a wealth of knowledge of digitalisation in the construction industry! The MSc in Intelligent Construction programme is a pioneering initiative in Hong Kong, and the first of its kind. The construction sector is rapidly evolving with the adoption of 'Construction 2.0', which emphasizes a technology-driven approach to achieve 'innovation', 'professionalisation', and 'revitalisation'. This programme is designed to meet the growing demand for skilled professionals by equipping students with the knowledge and skills needed to address the sector's evolving needs, with a strong focus on digitalisation and technology. It covers cutting-edge Intelligent Construction Technologies (ICT) and explores the potential of construction engineering managerial skills through both theoretical and applied ICT approaches. Sign up for Online Info Seminar (18 January, 11:00am-12:00nn) now: https://polyu.hk/HjjDy

Join Us for an Online Info Seminar on MSc in Project Management Programme on 11 Jan, 4:00pm-5:00pm

Take a significant step forward in your career by exploring our MSc in Project Management programme. This programme provides opportunities for architects, construction managers, engineers, surveyors, technologists, and related professionals to deepen their understanding of project management. Equip yourself with the skills to analyse challenges comprehensively and develop innovative solutions. Don't miss this chance to elevate your professional expertise! Sign up for Online Info Seminar (11 January, 4:00pm-5:00pm) now: https://polyu.hk/HjjDy