Committed young engineering and science students at City University of Hong Kong (CityU) are offered a unique package of training for tackling some of the most pressing issues in the 21st century.
 
The CityU X Sino Grand Challenges Scholars Program (the Program), which acknowledges the patronage of the Sino Group, supports 160 CityU students in receiving training and mentorship by industry leaders, attending overseas summits, and undertaking summer research projects from 2021 to 2025. There are also awards for outstanding participants.
 
Given the theme of engineering innovation for meeting the challenges of the epidemic, a team of five engineering students proposed extracting polypropylene fibres from recycled surgical masks to make sustainable green structural concrete. They spent about six months working out a proto-type green concrete with a business plan on how to move the research idea forwards.
 
“This meaningful project has offered me a sense of purpose in my studies. Before joining the Program, I was a bit confused about how I could use my knowledge to contribute to society, but now I have started to build confidence and enthusiasm for my learning,” said Pun Jenit, the team leader and a Year 2 student in the Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering (ACE).
 
Teng Zhaohan, also a Year 2 ACE student, said the experience had inspired her to leave her comfort zone. “Following advice from mentors and industry leaders, we now have more ideas on how to transfer our research into applications. It is very important to take care of practical aspects such as business planning, pitching and marketing techniques, which we don’t necessarily learn inside the classroom.”

 

Other ACE students in the team include Wei Yuanting, Bao Yiran and Li Zuer. The team was co-supervised by Dr Andy Chan Hau-ping, Director of the Program and Associate Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering; Professor Lim Chi-wah of ACE; and Professor Daniel Ho Wing-cheong, Chair Professor in the Department of Mathematics (MA) who also contributed to setting up the Program at CityU in 2016.
 
The team will be sponsored by the Sino Group to visit Beijing for the Student Collaboration Lab session at the biennial Global Grand Challenges Summit in October.
 
“This is where students meet thousands of the next generation of engineers, researchers, and entrepreneurs from all over the world. It is a testing ground for their problem-solving ability in addressing global issues as well as a chance to widen their global vision,” said Professor Ho.
 
Interested in urban infrastructure, Leung Lok-yee, a Year 3 ACE student and another participant of the Program, has conducted a study on 3D printing. “My mentor on the Program has offered me much useful advice, which has laid down a solid foundation for my research techniques. I’d like to further explore the possibility of this flexible, environmentally friendly, cost-saving construction method to ease the housing shortage in Hong Kong.”

The Program encourages students to serve society through engineering solutions. Through the “Engineers Without Borders” campaign, students can receive 4 months of training at workshops, service excursions and mentorships with industry leaders, and take part in overseas trips for community service.
 
“The opportunity offered by the Program is interdisciplinary. I am aware of how engineering solutions may contribute to social issues like containing infectious diseases and rehabilitating disabilities. I also have the chance to integrate my computational techniques into engineering knowledge to solve problems related to infrastructure under the guidance of professional engineers,” said Wijaya Ignatius Alvin, a Year 4 MA student and another participant who has taken part in improvement works for sewage systems through an international charitable organisation.
 
“Students are encouraged to bring technical expertise to bear on real-life problems,” said Dr Chan. “By understanding the necessity of a feasible business model for solution implementation, their entrepreneurship competency can be cultivated.”
 
The Grand Challenges Scholars Program, initiated by the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) in the US, prepares students to apply knowledge for the needs of society, especially in areas such as sustainability, health, security, and joy of living, through five key components: research experience, interdisciplinary curriculum, entrepreneurship, global dimension, and service-learning.
 
CityU was the first institution to launch the Program in Hong Kong in 2016 and the first in the Greater China Region to receive NAE approval. Sino Group is committed to promoting innovation and technology development, as well as encouraging the younger generation to cultivate an innovative mindset. In support of the Program since 2021, Sino Group aims at providing opportunities to engineering and science students at CityU with potential to fulfil their aspirations.

For more details, please refer to the Program website.