News

LSGI 35th Anniversary Gala Dinner

This year marks the 35th anniversary of LSGI. As the Head of Department, I have witnessed the steady growth of LSGI. Embracing the vision to become a leading geomatics department in the world, LSGI has ridden out numerous challenges. Over the past three and a half decade, LSGI has made numerous achievements in education, research and service. Generations of students, scholars, staff members, alumni, friends and partners of LSGI have each done their part in building the LSGI family.   In celebration of our anniversary, LSGI has launched a series of celebratory events. The highlights include the 2nd International Conference on Urban Informatics (ICUI 2019), Advance Training in Smart Cities, 35th Anniversary Distinguished Lecture Series, and most importantly, the Gala Dinner which will be the culmination of a year of celebration. It is also an opportune time for all of us to share the joy and to renew our efforts to propel the Department further into the future.   I am delighted to invite you to join the 35th Anniversary Gala Dinner on 16 December 2019, where you can meet your old friends, teachers and generations of fellow students; where you can recall the good old days; and where you can share your reminiscence with us.   LSGI 35th Anniversary Gala Dinner   Date : Monday, 16 December 2019 Time : 6:00-7:00pm Distinguished Lectures on Smart Cities    7:00-10:00pm Gala Dinner Venue : Silverbox, Hotel ICON,        17 Science Museum Road, Tsim Sha Tsui East, Kowloon, Hong Kong Fees : HK$500/ head    HK$5,500/table (12 persons per table) *Save $500 per table!    (Limited capacity on a first-come-first-served basis) On-line registration: https://www6.polyu.edu.hk/lsgi/35thanniversary/reg/ To enjoy the reunion of 35 years of LSGI graduates and to meet new friends, we would appreciate if you can spread this news to any alumni you know and bring your family or friends to join. The 35th anniversary website (https://www.polyu.edu.hk/lsgi/35thAnniversary/) provides you with the most updated information about our anniversary activities. Please visit the website and join us in our celebration. For enquiry or corporate purchasing, please contact Ms Anna Choi at 34008158 or anna.choi@polyu.edu.hk.   We look forward to welcoming you at our joyous event.     Shi Wen-zhong, John DNatSc, FRICS, FHKIS, FHKIES Head, Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Professor in Urban Informatics Chair Professor of GISci and Remote Sensing Director, Laboratory for Smart City and Spatial Big Data Analytics    

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LSGI Researchers Gleaned Two Best Paper Awards from the Top GNSS International Conference

In the very recent 2019 Annual Forum of the International Association of the Chinese Professionals of Global Positioning Systems (CPGPS) held at Wuhan, China, during 20-22 July 2019, two PhD students from the Department of Land Surveying & Geo-Informatics (LSGI), PolyU, Mr. Yangzhao Gong and Mr. Shiwei Yu, won the “1st-order Best Paper Award” and the “2nd-order Best Paper Award”, respectively. Both of them are under Dr. George Zhizhao Liu’s supervision at the Micro-Laboratory of Atmospheric Research and Geomatics Engineering (Micro-LARGE), LSGI, and both papers were coauthored with Dr. Liu.   Yangzhao’s paper titled “Investigation of Attenuation Impact of High Speed Train Window Glass on GNSS Signals” for the first time analyzed the signal quality and positioning performance of Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) under the impact of window glass of High Speed Train. This knowledge will be very valuable as the High Speed Railway network has the potential to serve as a dynamic multi-function platform for Earth Observation System (EOS), particularly for the Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS)-based Earth Observations (EO).   Shiwei’s paper titled “Study of ionosphere-related parameters’ variation based on GNSS data under the impact of the 2012 tropical cyclone Tembin in Hong Kong region” studied the correlation between tropical cyclones and the ionospheric disturbance. This work aimed to study tropical cyclone properties based on the abundant GNSS signals. Hong Kong, a typical coastal city, on average experiences 5 to 6 tropical cyclones each year and suffers significant threats to the residents’ safety and security, not to mention the enormous economic losses and property damages.   The 2019 CPGPS Annual Forum attracted more than 200 participants from universities, research institutions, and industry in Mainland China, Hong Kong, and the overseas. The CPGPS, established in 2001 and headquartered in Canada, is an international association consisting of worldwide Chinese professionals aiming to promote the art and science of navigation, particularly the satellite-based Global Navigation Satellite Systems, including the U.S. Global Positioning System and Chinese Beidou Navigation Satellite System.

Admission Application for 2020 Entry of Master Programmes

The entry of taught postgraduates programmes for 2020/21 are open for application! Programmes: Master of Science (MSc) / Postgraduate Diploma (PgD) in Geomatics Master of Science (MSc) / Postgraduate Diploma (PgD) in Urban Informatics and Smart Cities (NEW in 2020/21) Application deadline:30 April 2020 Online application: https://www38.polyu.edu.hk/eAdm/index.jsf Information seminar: Jan 2020 at PolyU (to be announced later)   Programme leaflets: MSc in Geomatics (English / Chinese) MSc in Urban Informatics and Smart Cities (English / Chinese) Websites: MSc in Geomatics MSc in Urban Informatics and Smart Cities Enquiries: MSc in Geomatics – Dr Bo WU (bo.wu@polyu.edu.hk) MSc in Urban Informatics and Smart Cities – Dr Yang XU (yang.ls.xu@polyu.edu.hk)

Summer Exchange and Study Tour from LSGI Partner Universities

During June – July 2019, three LSGI’s partner universities Wuhan University, China University of Mining and Technology and National Cheng Kung University arranged in total 60 students to take part in LSGI summer semesters programme. Besides four weeks undergraduate courses, visits to facilities and different laboratories of LSGI and student sharing were conducted. Students also had the opportunity to take part in the 2 nd International Conference on Urban Informatics, ICUI on 24 June. Students not only can learn from classes, also can understand LSGI’s research development and strength. Prof. John Shi, Head of LSGI, gave a warm greeting and introduction of department to all visiting students.     In the meantime, 19 students were having 4 weeks summer exchange to Wuhan University and National Cheng Kung University. This is the first year of large scale summer exchanges between LSGI and partner universities. We look forward to see more collaborations and different level of exchanges among four universities in the future.   

LSGI scholar received awards from Canadian Academic Society and Institute

We are pleased to share that Dr. Wai Yeung Yan, Assistant Professor of Department of Land Surveying and Geo-informatics, was awarded with the 2020 Bronze Medal Award by the Canadian Remote Sensing Society (CRSS) and the 2020 Dean’s Teaching Award by his former university, Ryerson University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada regarding his outstanding achievements in research and teaching, respectively. The CRSS Bronze Medal Award was established as an early-career achievement award to recognize emerging excellence in remote sensing in Canada. Dr. Yan was granted with the medal with respect to his contributions in “airborne LiDAR data correction, normalization and classification”. He was also the sole recipient of the Dean’s Teaching Award - Contract Lecturers (CUPE 1 and 2), granted by the Faculty of Engineering and Architectural Science of his former university regarding his dedication and innovation in teaching both inside and outside the classroom.

PolyU STEM Day 2018 Dec 18

To promote education in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), the PolyU STEM day was held for local secondary school students and their teachers on 18 December 2018. Organized by the Secondary School Relations Section of PolyU and supported by the government’s Education Bureau (EDB), the event was officiated by Mr Kam Kwong Lee, Principal Assistant Secretary (School Development) of EDB. Prof. Daniel Shek, Associate Vice President (Undergraduate Programme), delivered a welcome address at the opening ceremony, which was followed by a keynote speech from Prof. Kwok-yin Wong, Associate Vice President (Research Support). In attendance were Mr Richard Leung, Council member of PolyU, Prof. Xiaoli Ding, Associate Dean (Partnership) of the Faculty of Construction and Environment (FCE) and Chair Professor of LSGI. Various activities were conducted on the STEM Day, including different lectures and sharing sessions of research experiences, as well as tours and workshops on STEM subjects. Ir Dr Wallace Lai from LSGI provided a talk on undergraduate programmes of the Faculty. A STEM workshop on satellite image processing was delivered by Dr Matthew Pang. The visiting students and teachers were also given tours laboratories of LSGI, namely, the Smart City Lab and the Underground Utility Survey Laboratory. Consultation sessions on further studies were conducted from the all faculties and schools of PolyU. The event was well-received by 400 students and teachers in attendance.

A New Book Planetary Remote Sensing and Mapping

A New Book "Planetary Remote Sensing and Mapping" Published by Taylor & Francis A new book "Planetary Remote Sensing and Mapping" has been published by Taylor & Francis Group/CRC Press. Edited by Dr Bo Wu (PolyU LSGI), Kaichang Di (Chinese Academy of Sciences), Jürgen Oberst (German Aerospace Center), and Irina Karachevtseva (Moscow State University of Geodesy and Cartography), this book offers new insights and timely updates on the research and developments in planetary remote sensing and mapping. The early 21st century marks a new era in space exploration. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) of the United States, The European Space Agency (ESA), as well as space agencies of Japan, China, India, and other countries have sent their probes to the Moon, Mars, and other planets in the solar system. This book introduces original research and new developments in the areas of planetary remote sensing, photogrammetry, mapping, GIS, and planetary science resulted from the recent space exploration missions. The book includes the following sections: • Reference systems of planetary bodies • Planetary exploration missions and sensors • Geometric information extraction from planetary remote sensing data • Feature information extraction from planetary remote sensing data • Planetary remote sensing data fusion • Planetary data management and presentation The book serves scientists and professionals working in the planetary remote sensing and mapping areas, as well as for planetary probe designers, engineers, and planetary geologists and geophysicists. It also provides useful reading material for university teachers and students in the broader areas of remote sensing, photogrammetry, cartography, GIS, and geodesy etc.

Result of LSGI Outstanding Alumni Award 2018

Mr. Ray Leung Kin-wah, one of the first graduates from the 1-year block-release certificate course and the 2-year part-time day release higher certificate course in land surveying offered by the former Division of Construction and Land Use, the then Hong Kong Polytechnic, in 1981 and 1984 respectively. In 1998, he completed the modular post-graduate schemes and was awarded the degree of MSc in Geo-Information Systems by LSGI. Mr. Leung has been the Assistant Director of Lands Department of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region since December 2015. He served at the Land Surveyors Registration Committee since 2015 and was appointed as a Justice of the Peace in 2017. Mr. Leung joined the Government in 1980 as Survey Officer Trainee and worked as Assistant Land Surveyor in 1989. Over his 38-year-experience in the Government, Mr. Leung made significant contributions to both Government and the surveying profession. He has served in various government departments covering a wide range of land surveying functions including the Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department, Civil Engineering and Development Department, Highways Department and now the Lands Department. Mr. Leung is a strong advocate for the development of Geographic Information System (GIS) in Hong Kong. He had active participation in the development of the Computerised Land Information System of the Lands Department in 1995 followed by revamping of the system to the Land Information System in 2008. Mr. Leung is assuredly a role model for our LSGI students and graduates, showcasing how LSGI education shines the way leading to a professional career in the Government. Congratulations to Mr. Leung!

24th Congregation 2018

Prof. You-Lin Xu, Dean of FCE, officiated the ceremony, which not only awarded degrees to graduating students of Higher Diploma, Bachelor degree and Master degree, but also prizes to outstanding staff and alumni of LSGI. Dr Lei Zhang and Dr Yang Xu received the LSGI Awards for Excellent Performance / Achievement in teaching for 2017/18 while Dr Zhu Xiaolin received the Faculty Teaching (Individual) Award. Prof. Wu Chen and Prof. John Shi received Dean’s Awards for Outstanding Achievement in Research Funding. The recipients of 2018 LSGI Outstanding Alumni Awards was Mr Ray Leung Kin-wah, JP, Deputy Director of Lands Department, HKSAR Governemnt. It was our honor to have the guests of honour Prof. Qingquan Li, President of Shenzhen University, addressed the Congregation. LSGI graduate representative, Ms Ma Ki, delivered the valedictory speech to give heartfelt thanks to all professors, teachers, parents and students. It was special occasion for all who attended to remember.