HKU Hosts International Week on Geotechnology: Advancing Landslide Safety and Slope Innovation
HKU and Geotechnical Engineering Office of CEDD hosted the International Week on Geotechnology, a week-long series of events dedicated to advancing landslide risk assessment, mitigation strategies, and slope safety. From June 2 to 7, 2025, activities included the 4th Innotech Forum on Geotechnology, the LARAM International School, and a field trip showcasing real-world mitigation efforts across Hong Kong. The event was supported by the Construction Innovation and Technology Fund (CITF) through the Construction Industry Council, and the Geotechnical Division of HKIE.
Nestled among steep hills and densely populated areas, Hong Kong has long grappled with the challenge of limited flat space and severe landslide risks. Historical tragedies, such as the 1972 Sau Mau Ping landslide and the Po Shan Road disaster, underscore the devastating consequences of slope instability. Today, with approximately 300 landslides occurring annually, Hong Kong has established itself as a global leader in slope safety. This achievement stems from decades of pioneering research, innovative engineering, and close collaboration between academia and government.
Since the 1960s, HKU’s geotechnical engineering group—guided by trailblazers like Prof. Peter Lumb and Prof. C.F. Lee—has revolutionized practical approaches to slope stability. Landmark contributions include advanced methods for water table prediction and soil nail technology, which now form the backbone of slope stabilization in Hong Kong. Today, HKU continues to lead in this field. Our geotechnical colleagues (i.e., Prof. Jun Yang, Dr. Sergio Lourenco, Dr. Fiona Kwok, and Dr. Clarence Choi) are pushing the boundaries further by developing advanced debris flow hazard mitigation strategies, utilizing cutting-edge prediction tools and innovative design methods.
A Warm Welcome and Historical Reflection
Prof. Wei Pan, Head of the Civil Engineering Department at HKU, opened the week with inspiring remarks, emphasizing Hong Kong’s enduring commitment to engineering excellence and innovation, he said that “115 years ago, the foundation of the Main Building, where we are now, was laid. Just 109 years ago, the first batch of engineering undergraduates at HKU graduated here, including seven in civil engineering. Today, as we gather for this international event, we continue that proud legacy of pioneering engineering solutions”. Displayed below is a photo of Prof. Wei Pan delivering an opening remark.
Event Highlights
June 2, 2025: The 4th Innotech Forum on Geotechnology brought together over 300 local practitioners, international experts, and academics. The forum served as a platform for sharing innovative solutions to landslide mitigation and fostering collaboration between research and practice. Displayed below is a photo of Guests of honours including Permanent Secretary Ir Ricky Lau, Acting Director of CEDD Ir Harry Ma, Head of GEO Dr. Raymond Cheung, Executive Director of CIC Ir Albert Cheung.
June 3–6, 2025: The LARAM International School trained more than 60 early-career scientists and practitioners from 10 difference countries, focusing on landslide risk assessment and mitigation, emphasizing real-world applications and innovative strategies. Displayed below is a photo of international and local researchers and practitioners participating in the LARAM course.
June 7, 2025: A field trip ended the week with visits to historic landslide sites like Po Shan Road, demonstrating the practical application of mitigation structures such as soil-nailed slopes and drainage systems in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong’s Global Leadership
Hong Kong’s expertise in slope stability has made it a living laboratory for geotechnical innovation. The International Week on Geotechnology not only celebrated this legacy but also reinforced HKU and Hong Kong’s role as a vital hub for knowledge exchange—where ground-breaking research transforms into life-saving engineering solutions.
By uniting global minds and fostering international collaboration, this event underscored HKU and Hong Kong’s unwavering commitment to advancing slope safety worldwide—a mission rooted in its history, driven by HKU’s ingenuity, and sustained through close partnership among academia, government, and industry. Please access via these newspaper links for details: Mingpao, Hong Kong Commercial Daily, Singtao and RTHK
The HKIE Structural Division Structural Excellence Award 2025 – Grand Award in R&D Branch
Dr. Ray Su (right) and Dr. Lijie Chen (left) have been awarded the HKIE Structural Division Structural Excellence Award 2025 – Grand Award in R&D Branch for the paper titled “Service life modelling of carbonated reinforced concrete with supplementary cementitious materials considering early corrosion propagation”.
SCMs (such as GGBS and PFA) are widely used to reduce concrete's carbon footprint, but they lower carbonation resistance. This paper proposes a new service life model of carbonated SCM concretes, considering early corrosion propagation. This model, validated by Hong Kong field data, can improve durability design of concrete. Besides, this model has been applied in real projects of Urban Renewal Authority of HKSAR. It is the first to provide a performance-based model and practical equations for service life design of carbonated SCM concrete, enhancing sustainability without compromising durability.
HKU scholars secure top spots in Asia across disciplines in Research.com rankings 2025
Prof. Chuyang Tang is one of the twelve HKU scholars to secure top spots (52nd globally, 9th in China for the subject of Engineering and Technology) in Research.com rankings 2025. Please access via this links for details: HKU Media
Prof. Wei Pan delivered an Invited Speech at the Policy Research Seminar Organized by the Chief Executive's Policy Unit of the HKSAR Government
The Chief Executive's Policy Unit (CEPU) of the HKSAR Government held the “Public Policy Research Funding Scheme (PPRFS) and Strategic Public Policy Research Funding Scheme (SPPRFS) Policy Research Seminar 2025” on April 1, 2025. The theme of this seminar was “Innovation Leading High-Quality Development and Deepening International Exchanges and Cooperation”, with over 130 representatives from universities, think tanks, experts from various sectors, and Legislative Council members participating on-site and online.
Prof. Wei Pan, Head of Department of Civil Engineering, Director of MiCLab and Executive Director of CICID, HKU was invited to deliver a speech on the recently completed research project, which is titled “Enhancing Modular Integrated Construction (MiC) Supply Chain in the Greater Bay Area (GBA) for Hong Kong (HK) Development” and funded by the SPPRFS, with Prof. Pan as the Principal Investigator of the project. In the speech, Prof. Pan first reviewed MiC developments in Hong Kong, then reported the major findings of the research project, especially on MiC supply and demand analysis and policy roadmap with an action plan, and finally provided recommendations for achieving demand stability, process integration, and supply sustainability, as well as for enhancing systematic MiC cost-effectiveness and MiC eco-system. Displayed below is a photo taken during the invited speech on an SPPR project on MiC at the Policy Research Seminar organized by the CEPU.
Please access via this link for details:
https://www.cepu.gov.hk/en/PUEG/expertGroup_events/20250401.html
HKU MiCLab Hosted International Conference on Modular Integrated Construction
Modular Integrated Construction (MiC) is an innovative approach to 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 HKU hosted the “International Conference on Modular Integrated Construction: New Paradigm” on June 26, 2025 at HKU. The conference brought together over 400 local and international experts from government, industry, and academia to share ground-breaking advancements in MiC and exchange insights into innovative modular construction practices and knowledge. Displayed below is a group photo at the International Conference on Modular Integrated Construction.
Prof. Richard Wong, Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor of HKU, delivered the welcome address, he mentioned that “HKU developed MiC together with the Development Bureau of the HKSAR Government in 2017. Supported by the systematic research conducted by HKU MiCLab, MiC has made significant impacts on policy, society, and industry development.”
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.”
Displayed below is a group photo of Distinguished Guests at the Conference (From Left: Ir Prof. Thomas Ho, Chairman, Construction Industry Council; Ir Prof. Chai-kwong Mak, Vice Chairman, CICID, HKU; Ir Ricky Lau, Permanent Secretary for Development (Works); Prof. Y.C. Richard Wong, Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor, HKU; Ms Bernadette Linn, Secretary for Development; Mr Wei Wang, Level I Bureau Rank Official, Department of Standards and Norms, MOHURD; Ms. Linfeng Wen, General Director, Center of Science and Technology and Industrialization Development, MOHURD; Ir Chi-keung Hon, Chairman, Building Technology Research Institute; Prof. Wei Pan, Head of Department of Civil Engineering, Director of MiCLab, Executive Director, CICID, HKU).
During the conference, HKU MiCLab signed the Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) with the Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD) of the HKSAR Government, which was witnessed by Prof. Richard Wong, Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor of HKU and Ir Ricky Lau, Permanent Secretary for Development (Works) of the HKSAR Government. Also, HKU MiCLab signed the MoU with the Authority of Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Cooperation Zone of Shenzhen, which was witnessed by Prof. Richard Wong and Mr Genghui Liu, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Housing and Urban-Rural Development of Guangdong Province. These MoUs aim to expand collaboration networks to foster the promotion of innovative MiC applications in Hong Kong and beyond. Displayed below is HKU MiCLab signed the MoU with the CEDD of the HKSAR Government.
Displayed below is HKU MiCLab signed the MoU with the Authority of Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Cooperation Zone of Shenzhen.
Prof. Pan also 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. This Guidebook aims to equip industry stakeholders with the knowledge and tools necessary to ensure safer and more efficient practices. Displayed below is a photo of Launch of the Guidebook for Safe Heavy Lifting in Modular Integrated Construction for High-Rise Buildings.
Furthermore, Prof. Pan 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 to drive knowledge creation and sharing, champion technology breakthroughs, and facilitate industry application of modular construction. Prof. Pan is the founding President of the IAMC. Displayed below is a photo of Launch of the International Association for Modular Construction (From Left: Prof. Richard Liew, National University of Singapore; Prof. Mohamed Al-Hussein, University of Alberta; Prof. Martin Fischer, Stanford University; Prof. Wei Pan, HKU; Prof. Chris Goodier, Loughborough University; Prof. Tuan Ngo, The University of Melbourne).
Other prominent local and overseas scholars, experts, and industry leaders shared their insights, including Prof. Martin Fischer, Stanford University; Prof. Richard Liew, National University of Singapore; Prof. Mohamed Al-Hussein, University of Alberta; Ms. Linfeng Wen, General Director, Center of Science and Technology and Industrialization Development, MOHURD; Prof. Chris Goodier, Loughborough University; Prof. Tuan Ngo, The University of Melbourne; Prof. Thomas Bock, Technical University of Munich; Mr. Edward Wong, Architectural Services Department, HKSAR Government; Dr. Sherman Yip, Housing Department, HKSAR Government; Mr. Edmond Lo, Chinachem Group; Mr. Allan Tan, United Tec Construction Pte. Ltd.; and Er. Seng Wong, TW-Asia Consultants Pte Ltd.
On the panel discussions, Ir Prof. Thomas Ho, Chairman, Construction Industry Council; Ir Frankie Fung, Principal Assistant Secretary (Project Capability and Strategy), Project Strategy and Governance Office, Development Bureau; Mrs. Foo-Leoh Chay Hong, Director, Construction Productivity and Quality Group, Building and Construction Authority, Singapore; Ir John Kwong, Director, Building Technology Research Institute; Ir Franco Cheung, Director (Projects), Hong Kong Housing Society; Ir Dr. Conrad Wong, Chairman, Hong Kong Modular Integrated Construction Manufacturer Association; Dr. Louis Chu, Associate Director, Estates Office, HKU; and Mr. Baojun Zhao, General Manager, China State Construction Hailong Technology Co., Ltd. also shared their knowledge regarding the technology breakthroughs and industry application of modular construction.
Prof. C.K. Mak, Vice Chairman of CICID, delivered the closing remarks. He expressed his gratitude to all guests, especially for the strong support from the government, research institutions, and industry partners, which will certainly be conducive to the future development of MiC.
Please access via this link for the press release: https://www.hku.hk/press/press-releases/detail/28459.html
Department of Civil Engineering Outstanding PhD Thesis Award
土木工程系優秀博士論文獎
Department of Civil Engineering has established “Department of Civil Engineering Outstanding PhD Thesis Award” from the academic year of 2024-2025 onwards. This award is given to outstanding PhD students who have submitted a thesis of exceptional quality and have demonstrated outstanding performance in other academic aspects. The reward of each award shall be HK$5,000, plus a certificate. This year, the awards are given to Dr. Qimao Gan and Dr. Haochen Yan, whose supervisors are Prof. C.Y. Tang and Dr. M.F. Guan respectively. They were recommended for the award owing to the excellent quality of their thesis and their publication record.
Dr. Qimao Gan said that “My PhD thesis focuses on tailoring thin film composite (TFC) reverse osmosis (RO) membranes for desalination and water reuse, a research area of critical importance to freshwater production and environment protection. Specifically, the reaction-morphology-performance relationship in TFC RO membranes—an important topic that has been debated by membrane researchers for decades—was systematically investigated. As a result, an innovative “nanofoaming mechanism” was proposed. This novel mechanism allows me to establish a theoretical framework for guiding RO membrane design toward enhanced desalination and water reuse. In my future research plan, I intend to further extend this “nanofoaming mechanism” to another type of TFC membranes—nanofiltration (NF). Such TFC NF membranes offer great potential for not only freshwater production but also resource recovery such as recovering lithium ions from saline lake brine.”
Dr. Haochen Yan said that “My research focuses on short-duration rainfall extremes and resulting flood hazards. While climate warming induces non-stationarity in the long-term statistics, these extremes also exhibit complex spatiotemporal variabilities at the event scale. My research reveals the prominence of non-stationarity in short time scales, moderated by meteorological and land-use factors. I also develop novel tools to capture and reconstruct multiscale spatiotemporal variability of rainfall extremes, and to establish urban flood event catalogs through hydrodynamic simulation. Such a hybrid framework integrates statistical and physical models, which enables us to assess urban flood hazard at street level despite lack of long-term records. My work can assist high-resolution urban flood risk assessment and associated adaptation measures under the changing climate. I am profoundly grateful to my supervisor, Dr. Guan, for his unwavering support and guidance. Moving forward, I aim to enhance urban resilience to extreme climates through deeper process understanding and advanced methodologies.”
Scholarship Presentation Ceremony 2024 - 2025
The Department of Civil Engineering held its highly anticipated Scholarship Presentation Ceremony for the 2024-2025 academic year on April 16, 2025 in the prestigious Convocation Room of the Main Building of HKU. This yearly event celebrated the outstanding achievements of deserving students and recognized the invaluable support of donors, scholarship representatives and distinguished guests. The ceremony was graced by the presence of the esteemed Guest of Honour (“GoH”), Ir Kwok Ting Tony Yau, JP, Director of Highways Department of the Government of the HKSAR.
Displayed below is a group photo of GoH, Prof. Wei Pan, our Head of Department, donors, scholarship representatives, distinguished guests and scholarship recipients.
Prof. Clarence Choi awarded the 2025 Telford Gold Medal
The journal publication of Dr Clarence E. Choi and his team members entitled, Effects of solid fraction of saturated granular flows on overflow and landing mechanisms of rigid barriers, in Géotechnique, has been awarded 2025 Telford Gold Medal - first overall by the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), UK. The Telford Gold Medal is the highest award of ICE and is given to the best civil engineering (i.e., structural, environmental, geotechnical, materials, construction management) paper each year. The award was named after Thomas Telford, the first ICE President.
The medal has been awarded since 1835 to pioneers like Isambard Kingdom Brunel and Ove Arup, whose ground breaking contributions have transformed the industry. The award is recognized globally and celebrates exceptional innovation, originality, and lasting impact in areas such as research, design, and construction, often solving major challenges and influencing engineering practices worldwide.
ICE assesses all papers from industry and academia who are deemed by peers to be of exceptional quality and benefit the entire civil engineering discipline, construction, and materials science community. The medal will be received by Dr Clarence Choi in London at the institution in July later this year.