I-Connect-U Forum and CIVL Industry Engagement cum Alumni Day
The School of Engineering’s third “Industry Connects University” (I-Connect-U) biannual forum and the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering’s (CIVL) Industry Engagement cum Alumni Day on November 14, 2025, attracted over 100 industry partners, faculty members, alumni and students to explore the Northern Metropolis development, a topic of great significance not just in civil engineering but also for Hong Kong’s future.
The forum kicked off with a warm welcome from Prof. Hong K. LO, Dean of Engineering and Chair Professor of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. He stated that the objective of the I-Connect-U series is to strengthen the School’s connection with the industry as engineering relies on context, data and application to generate real-world impact. He hoped that by opening the School’s labs to the industry and facilitating insight exchanges at these events, further mutual understanding could be built, which eventually leads to strong partnerships that forge new projects. He believed that such connections are helpful to build an ecosystem where students will become future employees of partner companies.
Prof. ZHANG Limin, Head and Chair Professor of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, also welcomed the audience. He highlighted the department’s substantial size, its role in talent cultivation, and its impactful research, including a newly established state key laboratory and space-based projects for CO2 and methane detection and global wind field monitoring. He also introduced some recent achievements, such as major faculty awards in teaching, research and entrepreneurship.
The welcoming remarks were then followed by the presentations of two distinguished speakers. Ir Dr. Hon LO Wai-Kwok, GBS, MH, JP, Member of the Legislative Council of HKSAR, shared his insights on the development of the Northern Metropolis. Ir Dr. Raymond CHEUNG Wai-Man, JP, Head of Geotechnical Engineering Office, Civil Engineering and Development Department, HKSAR Government, spoke on advancing geotechnical engineering in the Northern Metropolis.
The programs of the day also included lab visits to the Geotechnical Centrifuge Facility and the Structural Lab, arranged for the School’s Industry Engagement Committee members, industry guests and alumni, enabling them to learn about the latest research of the department.
To support students in their career development, recruitment booths of major civil engineering companies were set up at the Engineering Commons. These included AtkinsRéalis, Aurecon, China State Construction Engineering (HK) Ltd., Chun Wo Construction Holdings Co. Ltd., C M Wong & Associates Ltd., Meinhardt, and SJ Group. Students were able to make use of the opportunities to engage directly with industry representatives, learn about job openings and internships, and gain a better understanding of the skills and qualifications sought by employers.
The event ended with a mingling session, allowing industry professionals, faculty members, alumni and students to engage in casual conversation network with one another.
