News

Hang Seng X HKSTP X Wofoo Future Ecopreneur Programme - Visit to CEE Laboratories

CEE welcomed a group of 20 enthusiastic university students and young innovators as part of the Future Ecopreneur Programme, co-organized by Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) and Wofoo Social Enterprises, on 14 March 2025 (Friday). The programme is designed to foster innovation and entrepreneurship within the Green Technology and Sustainable Development in Hong Kong. Through a series of training and activities, the programme tends to empower a community of young changemakers who innovate and drive collective impacts on sustainability, and combating climate change. As one of the integral parts of the bootcamp, participants had the opportunity to visit our Air Pollution Laboratory and Water and Waste Laboratory. Guided by Prof. Hai Guo, Professor of CEE, students were introduced to advanced lab facilities and technologies aimed at mitigating air quality challenges and promoting sustainable development. Whilst the visit to Water and Waste Laboratory provided the participants with a comprehensive overview of sewage treatment processes, emphasizing the significance of these procedures in protecting human health and the environment.  The insights gained from the visit empowered the participants with practical knowledge and a deeper understanding of how engineering solutions can lead to significant environmental impacts. CEE is dedicated to nurturing the next generation of changemakers and encouraging them to pursue careers that contribute to a sustainable future. Together, with initiatives like the Future Ecopreneur Programme, we can cultivate a vision of innovation and responsibility towards our planet.  

CEE PhD Student Received “Best Postgraduate Poster Presentation Award” at the 7th Conference on Environmental Health Risks and Control of New Pollutants

Congratulations to Mr Shihao Wang, CEE PhD Student supervised by Prof. Ling Jin, on receiving the “Best Postgraduate Poster Presentation Award” at the 7th Conference on Environment Health Risk and Control of New Pollutants. The conference took place on 14 – 16 March 3036 in Nanjing, aiming to foster the collaborative innovation in the field of environmental health risk prevention and control of emerging pollutants, green alternative technologies were also promoted. Mr Wang’s award-winning presentation, titled “Identification of pathway-perturbing toxicants in PM2.5”, showcases his exceptional research contributions and commitment to addressing critical environmental challenges.  The conference brought together experts and scholars to discuss various themes, including exposure identification and monitoring of pollutants, environmental behavior and exposure assessment, toxicological effects and mechanisms, risk monitoring and assessment, health effects and risk management, and degradation and prevention technologies. It also provided a valuable platform for graduate students to learn, exchange ideas, and showcase their research through a graduate poster exhibition. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Mr Wang for this remarkable achievement. His success not only reflects his hard work and dedication but also highlights the continued excellence of our department in the field of environmental engineering. We look forward to seeing his future contributions to the field and the positive impact of his research on global environmental health.  

CEE Departmental Visit - Tak Sun Secondary School (12 March)

A group of 24 students from Tak Sun Secondary School visited CEE on 12 March 2025 (Wednesday). They first visited Air Pollution Laboratory, where they had more understanding on the impact of air pollution to the wellbeing of the community. The demonstrations of laboratory equipment and experiments allowed the students to see how air quality data is collected and analyzed. Following the laboratory tour, Prof. Andy Y. F. Leung, Associate Head of CEE, provided an introduction to the admission information of BEng (Hons) in Civil Engineering and BEng (Hons) in Environmental Engineering and Sustainable Development and shared his experience and the latest trend of the civil engineering industry to the students.  In order to gain more hands on experience regarding civil engineering, the students competed in the Tower Challenge: Engineering with Straws, Tape and Imagination where they were required to use their innovation to build a tower with only straws and tape. The winning team had set a record by creating a 60 cm-high tower. The visit provided the students with valuable insights into both academic and practical aspects of civil engineering, and they found the activities enriching and inspiring.  

Research of Professor Tao Wang’s Team Published on Nature Communications

The latest research article by Dr Yanan Wang, CEE Postdoctoral Fellow, and Prof. Tao Wang, Chair Professor of CEE, has been published in Nature Communications. The article, titled “Increasing Soil Nitrous Acid Emissions Driven by Climate and Fertilization Change Aggravate Global Ozone Pollution” delves into the significant impact of soil emissions on air quality. The study underscores the important role of soil reactive nitrogen emissions in global ozone and its impact on vegetation. As we face ongoing challenges of climate change and food security, understanding and managing soil emissions will be crucial for sustainable development of society. Nature Communications is an open access, multidisciplinary journal dedicated to publishing high-quality research in all areas of the biological, health, physical, chemical, Earth, social, mathematical, applied, and engineering sciences. Papers published by the journal aim to represent important advances of significance to specialists within each field. Review the full article: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-57161-6   

PolyU Ranked 17th in Civil and Structural Engineering in QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025

In the recent announcement of QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025, PolyU has achieved commendable results in attaining 17th for Civil and Structural Engineering! This accomplishment reflects CEE’s ongoing commitment to academic excellence, impactful research, and industry partnerships as well as highlighting our dedication to advancing knowledge and expertise in the field of Civil and Structural Engineering. The QS World University Rankings by Subject features fifty-five subjects across five broad subject areas. Universities are scored based on various criteria including academic reputation, employer reputation, research citations per paper, the H-index and international research network. More details can be found at https://www.topuniversities.com/university-subject-rankings/civil-structural-engineering. We extend our heartfelt appreciation to all our staff, scholars, and students whose hard work and commitment to excellence have made this achievement possible. As we continue to strive for innovation and improvement in civil engineering education and research, we look forward to further enhancing our contributions to the field.  

CEE Departmental Visit - Pok Oi Hospital Tang Pui King Memorial College (4 Mar)

A group of 24 students from Pok Oi Hospital Tang Pui King Memorial College visited CEE on 4 March 2025 (Tuesday). Prof. Siwei Liu, Associate Professor of CEE, provided an introduction to the admission information of BEng (Hons) in Civil Engineering and BEng (Hons) in Environmental Engineering and Sustainable Development and shared insights into latest developments of the civil engineering industry to the students.  Following the programme talk, the group visited the Transport and Highway Engineering Laboratory and the Noise and Safety Laboratory, where they had more understanding of road building materials and impacts of noise and vibration to the wellbeing of the community through the demonstration of laboratory equipment and experiments.  They enjoyed the visit so much and expressed great interest on our department.  

PolyU CEE Webinar Series: Inverted Pavement-Paving the Way for a Sustainable and Decarbonizing Hong Kong

Dr Xi JIANG delivered a seminar with the topic of “Inverted Pavement-Paving the Way for a Sustainable and Decarbonizing Hong Kong” on 19 February 2025. It was co-organized with HKIE Civil Division. Find the full version of the webinar in the below link: https://youtu.be/EwptKJKxRlY  

CEE Site Visit - Po Shan Drainage Tunnel - Landslide Sci-Tech Chamber

Led by Prof. Chao Zhou, Associate Professor of CEE, a group of 22 CEE undergraduate students visited Po Shan Drainage Tunnel - Landslide Sci-Tech Chamber on 1 March 2025 (Saturday). Designed by the Geotechnical Engineering Office (GEO)of the Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD), the Po Shan Tunnel is one of the most iconic landslip prevention and mitigation projects in Hong Kong, it plays a crucial role in controlling groundwater levels in the Po Shan hillside. The Landslide Sci-Tech Chamber features four thematic galleries, including Po Shan memorial Gallery, Climate Change Impression Gallery, Landslide Wisdom Gallery and Drainage Tunnel Expression Gallery. Through Augmented Reality (AR) applications and historical photographs, students were able to explore the innovations of the groundwater regulation system and the landslide history of Hong Kong, gaining insights of the practical engineering applications and challenges faced in urban planning. CEE aims to cultivate a new generation of civil engineers who are not only technically proficient but also socially responsible and environmentally conscious. We believe that through site visits and experiential learning, we can significantly enhance students' academic journeys and equip them for successful careers.  

CEE Departmental Visit – United Christian College (Kowloon East) (26 Feb)

A group of 47 students from United Christian College (Kowloon East) visited CEE on 26 February 2025 (Wednesday). Prof. Andy Y.F. Leung, Associate Head of CEE, introduced the admission information and the recent developments of the civil engineering industry to the students. To arouse the students’ awareness on environmental issue, Prof. Qianjie Chen, Assistant Professor of CEE, led a session focused on air pollution control. He discussed practical ways to reduce air pollution in daily life, encouraging students to develop a passion for environmental protection. Following the presentations, the students had the opportunity to explore our Air Pollution Laboratory and Waste and Water Laboratory and to participate in an Air Purifier Model DIY Workshop, where they engaged in hands-on activities, monitoring the concentration of air pollutants using specialized devices and observing the intricate waste-water management process up close.  We hope the visit not only reinforced the students’ understanding on environmental protection but also empowered them to take actionable steps in their daily lives.   

Research Centre for Design for Safety Train-the-trainer Workshop

The Research Centre for Design for Safety Train-the-trainer Workshop themed “Applying VR/Mixed-reality Interventions in Construction Safety Trainings” was successfully held on 22 February 2025 (Saturday). This event was co-organized with The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Civil and Environmental Engineering Alumni Association (CEEAA) and supported by the Industrial Centre of PolyU, the Society of Registered Safety Officers, and the Hong Kong Association of Risk Management and Safety. Attracting over 40 enthusiastic participants, including CEE students, alumni, and industry partners, the workshop focused on the integration of virtual and mixed-reality technologies in construction safety education and training. Dr Nicole Yiu, Programme Leader of BSc (Hons) in Environmental and Occupational Safety & Health, addressed the latest safety training criteria as outlined in the Code of Practice on Safety Management. Participants also had the unique opportunity to participate in on-site demonstrations, where they experienced firsthand the immersive training scenarios created by VR/MR technologies. This interactive workshop not only deepened their understanding of crucial construction safety protocols but also equipped them with practical skills essential for their future careers in the industry. We believe that this workshop successfully inspired our students and industry partners to embrace innovative learning methods and prioritize safety in their professional journeys. Together, we are fostering a culture of safety and paving the way for a safer construction industry through cutting-edge practices.