Modular Integrated Construction (MiC) is an innovative approach revolutionising the construction industry. To advance the sustainable development of MiC and align with the government’s strategic vision for high-quality development and the creation of "better houses", MiC Laboratory (MiCLab) of The University of Hong Kong (HKU) hosted the International Conference on Modular Integrated Construction: New Paradigm on 26 June 2025 at the Rayson Huang Theatre, HKU. The conference brought together over 400 local and international experts from government, industry, and academia to share groundbreaking advancements in MiC and exchange insights into innovative modular construction practices and knowledge.
The Guest of Honour, Ms. Bernadette Linn, JP, Secretary for Development of the HKSAR Government, delivered the opening address. She said that “HKU has been a crucial partner of the government, driving progress in modular construction through innovation and technology. This conference gathers experts from around the world to strengthen partnerships, leverage expertise, and embrace cutting-edge innovations.” Mr Wei Wang, Level I Bureau Rank Official, from the Department of Standards and Norms, Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development (MOHURD) delivered the special remarks. He said that “Hong Kong has made remarkable achievements in promoting MiC. MOHURD will support Hong Kong further to develop MiC, actively promote exchanges and cooperation between Mainland and Hong Kong, jointly promote the transformation and upgrading of China’s construction industry, and provide significant support for the construction of better houses.”
During the conference, HKU MiCLab signed the Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) with the Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD) of the HKSAR Government and the Authority of Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Cooperation Zone of Shenzhen respectively. These MoUs aim to expand collaboration networks, fostering the promotion of innovative MiC applications in Hong Kong and beyond.
Professor Wei Pan, Head of Department of Civil Engineering, Director of MiCLab and Executive Director of Centre for Innovation in Construction and Infrastructure Development (CICID), HKU, introduced the New Paradigm for MiC Research and Development (R&D) with cutting-edge research outcomes from HKU MiCLab. Prof Pan launched the Guidebook for Safe Heavy Lifting in Modular Integrated Construction for High-Rise Buildings, together with Ir Ricky Lau, Permanent Secretary for Development (Works) of the HKSAR Government. The Guidebook aims to equip industry stakeholders with the knowledge and tools necessary to ensure safer and more efficient practices. Prof Pan also announced the launch of the International Association for Modular Construction (IAMC). The IAMC envisions a smart, sustainable and resilient built environment through continuously pushing outward the knowledge boundary of modular construction technology and innovation, and gathers leading modular construction research units worldwide, in order to drive knowledge creation and sharing, champion technology breakthroughs, and facilitate industry application of modular construction.
Along with the conference, there was a tour to the MiCLab held on the afternoon of 25 June, Prof Wei Pan and the researchers introduced the latest research focuses and achievements of MiCLab to the invited guests. On the morning of 27 June, MiCLab led the invited guests to visit the public housing project of the Hong Kong Housing Authority at Kwu Tung North and the High West Development Project of HKU, on site.
A seminar, jointly organized by the Department of Civil Engineering, CICID and MiCLab, was held successfully at HKU main campus on 3 April 2025. The seminar was chaird by Professor Wei Pan, Head of the Department of Civil Engineering, Executive Director of CICID and Director of MiCLab, and Prof M.M. Kumaraswamy, the Founding Director of CICID delivered the Welcome and Closing remarks.
We are honoured to have Dr Jim Mason, Associate Professor of Construction Law at University of the West of England, Bristol, UK, delivered a speech for the seminar, entitled “How can Construction and Engineering Smart Contracts help streamline contract administration?”. Dr Mason provided an overview of smart contract, and presented different initiatives around the regulation of AI before reality-checking its claims for enhancing smart contracts in present usage. This seminar facilitates knowledge exchange on innovations in construction management.
The Centre for Innovation in Construction and Infrastructure Development (CICID) and MiC Laboratory (MiCLab) of the Department of Civil Engineering of The University of Hong Kong (HKU) held a Strategic Public Policy Forum via a Webinar and launched the Booklet entitled "Modular Integrated Construction Supply Chain in the Greater Bay Area for Hong Kong Development: Supply-Demand Analysis and Policy Roadmap” on November 14, 2024, funded by the Chief Executive’s Policy Unit under the Strategic Public Policy Research (SPPR) Funding Scheme. The event gathered distinguished speakers from government, industry and academia to discuss the latest advancements and insights in MiC supply chain policies and practices with an audience of over 280 stakeholders.
Ir Ricky LAU, JP, Permanent Secretary for Development (Works) of the Development Bureau of HKSAR Government, wrote the Foreword for the Booklet, in which he commented, “The Government has been leading by example and mandating the use of MiC in public works projects... The Centre for Innovation in Construction and Infrastructure Development (CICID)’s dedication to research and development, as well as its knowledge transfer efforts, have been instrumental in advancing MiC development in Hong Kong… I am confident that this research will strengthen the leadership and competitiveness of the Hong Kong construction industry in MiC and construction innovation”.
Professor Wei PAN, Head of Department of Civil Engineering of HKU, Executive Director of CICID and Director of MiCLab, presented the Booklet. He reviewed the MiC developments in Hong Kong, reported the major findings of the research project especially on the MiC supply and demand analysis and policy roadmap with an action plan, and outlined the recommendations.
The Forum also included two panel sessions on the future MiC development in the private and public sectors.
The Centre for Innovation in Construction and Infrastructure Development (CICID) and the MiC Laboratory (MiCLab) of the Department of Civil Engineering, The University of Hong Kong (HKU) held a Strategic Public Policy Forum titled "Modular Integrated Construction (MiC) Supply Chain in the Greater Bay Area for Hong Kong Development: Preliminary Policy Roadmap and Action Plan” on August 30. The event gathered prominent speakers from government, industry and academia to share state-of-the-art research, practices and policies for enhancing the MiC supply chain.
Witnessed by Ir Ricky LAU, Permanent Secretary for Development (Works), and Professor David Srolovitz, Dean of Engineering of HKU, Director of MiCLab Prof Wei PAN and Mr Michael LI, Deputy Director of Architectural Services of HKSAR Government jointly signed the Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen the Government-University collaboration on exploring opportunities to develop and promote the effective use of MiC and to support the research and development of MiC in Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area, followed by the launch of a study on MiC safe lifting supported by the Development Bureau.
Press release: https://www.hku.hk/press/press-releases/detail/26526.html
Twenty years ago, the Centre for Innovation in Construction & Infrastructure Development (CICID) was established in the Department of Civil Engineering of The University of Hong Kong (HKU). The aim of the Centre is to foster continuous improvements and excellence in the construction industry and infrastructure development through innovative strategies and techniques.
To celebrate the Centre’s 20th anniversary, CICID organised the 20th Anniversary Conference themed “Hong Kong 2050 – A City for the People: Capacity, Innovation, Smart and Sustainability”, held on 12 Dec 2022 at HKU. We were honoured to have, as the Guest of Honour of the Conference, Ms. Bernadette Linn, JP, Secretary for Development, HKSAR Government, who delivered the Opening Address. Ms. Linn was joined by Ir Ricky Lau, JP, Permanent Secretary for Development (Works), Professor Richard Wong, SBS, JP, Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor, HKU, and other international and local experts at the One-day Conference.
The Conference contributed to the dissemination of innovative concepts and ideas in the construction industry and infrastructure development, and inspired exchanges between participants who are internationally-renowned experts, government, industrial and academia partners from the UK, the US and Hong Kong.
As CICID celebrates its 20th Anniversary in 2022, the Organising Committee of the CICID 20th Anniversary Conference has decided to launch a competition for a logo design which could reflect the changing focus of CICID over the past 20 years while setting the scene for the next 20 years and more.
The competition is open to HKU Alumni, staff, students and associates of HKU CICID, and submissions shall be made in the Participant's own capacity.
You are cordially invited to participate in the competition, and grateful if you could extend the competition to other potential participants. For more details, please refer to the "Competition Guidelines and Design Brief". We look forward to your participation in this important competition.
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The Centre for Innovation in Construction & Infrastructure Development (CICID), which is in the Department of Civil Engineering of The University of Hong Kong, was established in November 2002.
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