The word\n\u2018civil\u2019 in \u2018civil engineering\u2019 comes from the Latin word \u2018civilis\u2019, meaning\n\u2018relating to citizens\u2019. It is also the root of the word \u2018civilisation\u2019. From\nurban infrastructure and transport systems to environmental engineering and\nintelligent construction, civil engineering is the backbone of social\ndevelopment. Civil engineers shape the world we live in and construct the\nfoundation of human civilisation. As the world rapidly changes, civil\nengineering evolves as well, bringing new challenges for professionals in the\nfield. To keep up with these advancements, the University of Macau (UM) has reinvented\ncivil engineering education to align with the industry\u2019s growing focus on smart\ntechnologies. Through continuous innovation, the university is committed to\ncultivating exceptional engineers equipped to lead in the new era. <\/p>\n\n
Industry-Oriented\nEducation Model<\/p>\n\n
Civil engineering is a hands-on discipline. UM\u2019s bachelor\u2019s degree\nprogramme in civil engineering was originally designed according to the\nengineering education system in Portugal. After subsequent reforms, the programme\nearned accreditation from the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers. Prof Zhou Wanhuan, head\nof the UM Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, is responsible for\nprogramme evaluation. She notes that the department was one of the first in\nHong Kong and Macao to adopt outcome-based education. This approach emphasises\nbuilding a strong engineering foundation for students and enhancing their\npractical problem-solving skills.<\/p>\n\n
To ensure\nstudents stay aligned with industry needs, the department has developed a\ncomprehensive practice-oriented education system. For example, real-world case\nstudies are incorporated into the curriculum, and industry professionals are\ninvited to share their insights to help students better understand practical\nchallenges and solutions in real-world projects. The department also provides\nadvanced experimental platforms, including a real-time air pollution monitoring\nsystem and a civil engineering VR and AR enhanced training platform for\nconstruction safety training, enabling students to gain hands-on practice and\ndeepen their understanding.<\/p>\n\n
In addition, the department offers students extensive industry exposure\nby organising seminars and visits to enterprises. Furthermore, the department\u2019s\nlong-term partnerships with leading construction firms, structural design\ninstitutes, and infrastructure construction agencies in Macao and the Greater\nBay Area provide students with numerous internship opportunities.<\/p>\n\n
Thanks to his internship at China Road and Bridge Corporation (Hong Kong\nand Macao), Qin Zichao, a fourth-year student, discovered his passion for\non-site construction management. During the internship, he was mainly\nresponsible for cast-in-place pile construction. He also participated in\nconstruction monitoring, technical data recording and analysis, as well as\nassisting engineers in quality inspections and construction approvals.\nReflecting on the experience, Qin says, \u2018The internship gave me a deep\nunderstanding of real-world construction practices. Seeing the construction\ntechniques and quality control standards for cast-in-place piles on site has\nreshaped how I think about my future career.\u2019<\/p>\n\n
Fostering\nProgramme Innovation Through Cutting-Edge Technologies<\/p>\n\n
With rapid\ntechnological advancements, emerging technologies such as artificial\nintelligence, big data models, and the Internet of Things are reshaping the\ncivil engineering industry. These technologies are now integrated into every\nstage of a project, from planning and design to construction and maintenance.\nProf Zhou says, \u2018Future civil engineers are required to not only master\ntraditional skills, but also leverage new technologies to enhance engineering\nefficiency and safety.\u2019 As a result, it is necessary for civil engineering\neducation to keep pace with these developments and continuously update its\ncurriculum.<\/p>\n\n
UM pays close\nattention to industry developments, regulations and standards to ensure its\ncivil engineering curriculum stays up to date. For example, artificial\nintelligence and big data applications are incorporated into various courses, including\nnumerical analysis in geotechnical engineering, data analysis in traffic\nengineering, structural analysis, optimisation algorithms, smart monitoring,\nand predictive modelling, so as to equip students with the skills needed to use\ncutting-edge technologies effectively.<\/p>\n\n
Ung Wun Lam, an alumna of the bachelor\u2019s programme in civil engineering,\nsecured a position at the global engineering firm Arup (Macao branch) shortly\nafter graduation. To advance her career, she returned to UM to pursue a\nmaster\u2019s degree\u2014a decision she views as essential for her professional\ndevelopment. Ung highlights the rapid development of geotechnical engineering\nand praises UM\u2019s curriculum for staying up to date with new technologies and\naligning with industry needs. With some work experience under her belt, Ung now\nhas a deeper appreciation of how to apply theoretical knowledge to real-life\nsituations. She shares an example, \u2018One morning, my supervisor at work taught\nme how to derive a soil parameter from soil test results. That same evening, my\nUM professor explained the exact same concept. This synergy not only enhances\nmy learning but also helps me analyse problems more rigorously in my work.\u2019<\/p>\n\n
Enhancing\nLearning Effectiveness Through Competitions<\/p>\n\n
Prof Zhou\nnotes that civil engineering is a systems science that requires a broad set of\nskills, including independent learning, teamwork, innovative thinking and\nproblem-solving. To help students develop these skills, the Department of Civil\nand Environmental Engineering supports their participation in various civil\nengineering competitions. Over the past three years, students from the\ndepartment have achieved outstanding results in high-level competitions for\nuniversity students such as national bridge design competitions and national\nstructure design contests on information technology. UM students consistently\nrank among the top performers and, in some cases, are the sole awardees from\nthe Greater Bay Area. These competitions also spark student interest in\nresearch. Many participants go on to join their supervisors\u2019 research teams,\nfurther enhancing their academic and professional growth.<\/p>\n\n
Diverse\nCareer Paths <\/p>\n\n
\u2018Civil\nengineering forms the foundation of social development. Despite rapid\ntransformations in the industry, our graduates consistently find development\nopportunities worldwide that align with their strength,\u2019 Prof Zhou emphasises.\nIndeed, UM graduates are highly regarded in Macao\u2019s civil engineering sector.\nNearly half of bachelor\u2019s graduates secure positions at engineering firms and\ncontribute to infrastructure development, architectural design, and structural\nanalysis. Over the past three years, one hundred per cent of master\u2019s graduates\nhave secured employment, with many pursuing careers in Hong Kong and abroad.\nAdditionally, about half of the bachelor\u2019s graduates choose to pursue further\nstudies after leaving UM. Many of them gain admission to world-class\ninstitutions, including the National University of Singapore, the University of\nHong Kong, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, the University\nof Sydney, and the KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Sweden.<\/p>\n\n
\u2018While the\nindustry experiences cyclical changes, civil engineering is here to stay. It\ncontinues to evolve, and our responsibility is to keep pace with these changes\nand equip students with stronger competitiveness,\u2019 Prof Zhou adds. UM\u2019s civil\nengineering education is steadfast in its commitment to serving the community\nand advancing the industry. The university strives to cultivate professional\ncivil engineers who can seize opportunities amid industry transformations.<\/p>
<\/p>
Text: Gigi Fan<\/p>
Photo: Jack Ho, with some provided by the interviewees<\/p>
English Translation: Gloria Kuok, Bess Che<\/p>
Source: UMagazine<\/i><\/a> ISSUE 31<\/p> <\/p> Related articles:<\/p> Integrating Engineering and AI: UM\u2019s Innovative Engineering Education<\/a><\/p>