News

LSGI Scholars Publish the Book Urban Informatics

The new book entitled Urban Informatics has been edited by Prof. Wenzhong Shi (Chair Professor of LSGI), Prof. Michael Goodchild (University of California, Santa Barbara), Prof. Michael Batty (University College London), Prof. Mei-Po Kwan (The Chinese University of Hong Kong) and Dr. Anshu Zhang (Research Assistant Professor of LSGI), was published on 8 April 2021. This is open access and a milestone book which systematically introduces the principles of emerging urban informatics and its wide applications in enabling cities to function more efficiently and equitably, to become ‘smart’ and ‘sustainable’.

LSGI scholars ranked as the world’s top 2% most-cited scientists by Stanford University

We are glad to share that four academic staff from LSGI are listed among the top 2 % scientists in the world according to a report by Stanford University in early 2021. The listed LSGI scholars are: Prof. John Shi, Chair Professor of LSGI and Director of SCRI, Prof. Zhilin Li, Adjunct Professor of LSGI, Dr. Xiaolin Zhu, Assistant Professor of LSGI, and Dr. Peng Jia, Assistant Professor of LSGI.   

25th & 26th Congregations

The 26th Congregation and the 25th Congregation Make-up sessions were held for the Faculty of Construction and Environment online on 27 March 2021, celebrating the accomplishments of our graduates. Prof. Xiangdong Li, Dean of FCE, presided over the congregation and gave an encouraging address to the graduating classes. In the face of the pandemic, our graduates had to overcome various difficulties in pursuing their studies. Their determination and hard work have culminated in a degree/ diploma, which will set them apart for the rest of their lives. May they fully live up to the university’s motto of “to learn and to apply, for the benefit of mankind” and remain in touch with their alma mater for many years to come.

Sharing on HKIS PASS Conference

On 27 March 2021, Prof. Wu CHEN, Head of Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics (LSGI) was invited to give a talk on “Smart City Talent” in the webinar of HKIS PASS Conference: Evolving Professional Surveying Services in Smart City. Moderating the session was Sr Dr Charles Wong, Associate Head (Academic) and Associate Professor of LSGI. 

LSGI scholars excel at Geneva Inventions Expo

In a special virtual edition of the 48th International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva, the Inventions Geneva Evaluation Days were held from 10 to 14 March 2021. Gold Medals have been awarded to Prof. John Wenzhong Shi and Dr Charles Man-sing Wong of the Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics (LSGI) for their smart city platform and smart monitoring system for urban tree management respectively. Project “Seamless Navigation in Urban Environment” led by Prof. Wu Chen, Head of LSGI, and funded by Logistics and Supply Chain MultiTech R&D Centre (LSCM), received the Silver Medal. They were among the seven PolyU awardees and projects honoured at the virtual event.   

Non-destructive diagnostics for underground utilities

We all take it for granted. We turn on the tap and expect clean water to come out. We flip a light switch and expect the bulb to glow. It all happens as a matter of course and few of us ever wonder how water, electricity, gas and broadband internet are made available to our home. Our city is built upon an intricate network of utility pipes and cables underground. Their proper maintenance and timely repair in case of failure are vital to, not only our comfort, but also our life. However, as such network is buried underground, it’s not always easy to locate where exactly the problem lies, leading to delays and futile efforts.  In this regard, Ir Dr Wallace Wai-lok Lai, Associate Professor of the Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics and the department’s BSc programme leader, works with a research team to envision the unseeable, garnering expertise in 3D mapping and surveying of subterranean utilities network. Not only do they contribute in locating leaks, bursts or voids with various cutting-edge technologies, but they also developed industry standards, criteria for screening service providers, and an accreditation system for related practitioners.  

LSGI scholar Dr. George Liu invited to serve as Associate Editor-in-Chief for the “Journal of Global Positioning Systems”

Recently Dr. George Liu of LSGI was invited to serve as Associate Editor-in-Chief for the “Journal of Global Positioning Systems.” The “Journal of Global Positioning Systems (JGPS)”, founded in 2002, is the only official journal published by the International Association of Chinese Professionals in Global Positioning Systems (CPGPS). The journal publishes high quality papers in all the aspects of research and applications of Global Positioning System (GPS) / Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) and all the submissions have to undergo a highly selective reviewing process. Currently it publishes two issues annually. 

LSGI Career Talk 2021

Graduates’ careers and development is always one of our biggest concerns as an academic department. LSGI is a unique source of graduates in disciplines of land surveying, geo-information systems and utility surveying. We are always delighted to see increase in employment rate and steady growth on salary of our graduates. In 2019 graduate survey, the average salary of our bachelor’s programme increased by 1.8% to $19,210 per month. To share the latest career opportunities in our disciplines for existing students, the Career Talk 2021 was successfully held on 29 Jan 2021 online by LSGI and LSGI Students’ Society. Due to the epidemic, it’s a pity that our guest speakers cannot come to give face-to-face sharing for our students. 

LSGI scholar delivers webinars for industry

As part of the deliverables for an ITF project, Ir Dr Wallace Lai of the Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics (LSGI) gave three webinars recently on underground utility survey standards and specifications for the Hong Kong Council for Certification and Testing (HKCTC), the Mass Transit Railway Corporation (MTRC) and the Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors (HKIS). Attracting nearly 600 attendees online, the webinars promoted better understanding of the six technologies/skills based on LSGI’s standards/specifications and accreditation to be provided by the Hong Kong Accreditation Services (HKAS) under the Hong Kong Laboratory Accreditation Scheme (HOKLAS) in the fourth quarter of 2021. The six standards/specifications include utility locating by electromagnetic induction, ground penetrating radar and laser scanning, as well as utility diagnosis by acoustic methods for leak detection in pressurized water mains, visual inspection and flow survey in gravity drains/sewers. A prime example of knowledge transfer from academia to industry, these standards facilitated procurement and execution in terms of manpower, machine, materials, methods and environment during any type of buried utility survey. 

Smart mobility research of FCE academics exhibited online

A Virtual InnoCarnival was held from 23 to 31 December 2020 by the Innovation and Technology Commission. On exhibit were some projects related to the theme of smart mobility, a distinctive feature of Hong Kong due to its efficient transport infrastructure.