Faculty Members and Students of the School of Civil Engineering Conduct Academic Exchange and Study Visit to Hong Kong and Macao

To deepen talent cultivation in civil engineering and enhance students’ cross-cultural communication capabilities, the School of Civil Engineering at Chongqing University organized a faculty and student delegation to Hong Kong and Macao for a seven-day academic exchange and enterprise study program from February 2 to 8, 2026. The delegation visited renowned universities, including The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, University of Macau, City University of Macau, and Macao Polytechnic University, and conducted in-depth visits to leading industry organizations such as China Overseas Land & Investment Limited, China State Construction Engineering (Hong Kong) Limited, and Arup.Through academic seminars, curriculum-based learning, laboratory tours, and on-site project investigations, the delegation explored the higher education systems and industry development achievements of Hong Kong and Macao.

On the morning of February 3, the delegation’s first visit was the Hong Kong headquarters of China Overseas Land & Investment Limited. Yang Cheng, General Manager of the Human Resources and Administration Department, provided a detailed introduction to the group’s development history, organizational structure, and core business operations. Subsequently, Yang Cheng delivered a thematic presentation titled A Comprehensive Guide to the Hong Kong Job Market: Opportunities, Culture, and Challenges, analyzing the employment environment in Hong Kong and sharing career development advice based on industry trends and professional experience. He then led the delegation on a site visit to a high-end residential project along Victoria Harbour, offering participants a close-up understanding of the design philosophy and construction quality of premium residential developments.

In the afternoon, the delegation visited China State Construction Engineering (Hong Kong) Limited for an exchange session. Zhao Zhen, General Manager, Zhou Shaojun, Site Manager, and Tian Jingwei, Senior Manager of the Human Resources Department, held face-to-face discussions with the delegation on industry development, practical engineering challenges, and talent cultivation needs. A company representative then systematically introduced the company’s development history, current operations, and representative engineering achievements. Following the visit, the delegation toured the Hong Kong Museum of History, exploring Hong Kong’s historical development through an immersive cultural experience.

On the morning of February 4, the delegation visited the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. The Associate Professor Yang Jiachuan introduced the department’s disciplinary development and explained the admission policies for its master’s and doctoral programs. That afternoon, the delegation visited Arup’s Hong Kong office. Yu Xiaoye, Head of East Asia Wind Engineering, shared the company’s development history and corporate culture, with a particular focus on research achievements and future directions in typhoon prediction, urban wind environment studies, and sustainable development.

The delegation subsequently conducted a field investigation of the Po Shan Drainage Tunnel, a major urban flood-control facility designed primarily for groundwater regulation, landslide prevention, and urban drainage support during heavy rainfall. The visit highlighted the engineering significance and disaster-prevention role of the project.

On February 5, the delegation crossed the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macao Bridge by shuttle bus, traveling from Hong Kong to Macao. The cross-sea journey provided a firsthand experience of the scale and engineering excellence of this world-class infrastructure project, vividly demonstrating the technological strength and societal significance of civil engineering.

In the afternoon, the delegation visited the campus of the University of Macau and toured the State Key Laboratory of Internet of Things for Smart City. Under the guidance of Professor Zhou Wanhuan, the delegation gained exposure to cutting-edge research achievements, exchanged academic ideas, and experienced the university’s strong research atmosphere and disciplinary foundation.

The delegation then conducted site visits to the Barra Metro Station and the Inner Harbour South Rainwater Pumping Station in Macao. Through these visits, participants gained an immersive understanding of engineering practice and technological applications in Macao’s urban infrastructure development. By closely integrating classroom theory with real engineering scenarios, the delegation broadened their professional perspectives and deepened their engineering knowledge, experiencing firsthand the critical role of civil engineering in supporting high-quality urban development.

On the morning of February 6, the delegation visited the Institute for Cities and Sustainability at the City University of Macau. The Assistant Professor Yan Yu introduced the university’s development history and disciplinary structure, with a particular emphasis on the application of digital photogrammetry in architectural heritage conservation. During the subsequent discussion session, students actively engaged with faculty members to learn more about related academic fields and industry prospects. In the afternoon, the delegation toured the campus under the guidance of student ambassadors, gaining a deeper understanding of the university’s history and academic environment.

On the morning of February 7, the delegation visited Macao Polytechnic University, touring teaching facilities, practical training spaces, and public areas to learn about the university’s educational characteristics, disciplinary structure, and engineering education practices, while experiencing the open and inclusive academic atmosphere and multicultural campus culture of Macao’s universities.

Following the campus tour, the delegation visited the iconic Ruins of St. Paul's for a cultural exploration. Delegation members visited this UNESCO World Heritage site, learned about its historical development, studied the architectural history of the Church of St. Paul and the story of its destruction by fire, examined the East-meets-West sculptural art on the facade, and explored Macao’s historical role as a center of cultural exchange between China and the West.

This Hong Kong and Macao study tour was both enriching and comprehensive. Over the course of seven days, the delegation traveled from Hong Kong to Macao, with visits spanning enterprises, leading universities, major engineering projects, and historical and cultural landmarks. The program successfully integrated enterprise practice, academic exchange, engineering investigation, and cultural exploration into a holistic learning experience.