Zhang Limin, head and chair professor of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, receives the inaugural National Engineer Award at at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Friday. (PROVIDED BY HKUST)

A professor at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology won one of the inaugural National Engineer Awards in Beijing on Friday, becoming the only scholar from higher education institutions in the city to receive the prestigious national recognition.

HKUST announced in a news release that Zhang Limin, head and chair professor of its Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, received the commendation at an award ceremony held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

The inaugural National Engineer Awards, the highest level of recognition for engineering professionals in the country, honored over 80 individuals and 50 teams for their outstanding contributions to engineering technology. The awards also aim to inspire more engineering and technical talents to contribute to the development of a modernized country.

In his acceptance speech, Zhang expressed deep honor at being the sole representative of the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions to receive an award.

The inaugural National Engineer Awards, the highest level of recognition for engineering professionals in the country, honored over 80 individuals and 50 teams for their outstanding contributions to engineering technology

“This esteemed recognition not only reflects HKUST’s research excellence but also signifies the support from the central government toward Hong Kong and Macao, encouraging me to step up my efforts to make significant advancements in critical core engineering and technical research, and contribute to major infrastructure projects in Hong Kong, the (Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao) Greater Bay Area and the nation as a whole,” Zhang said.

Zhang is renowned for his expertise in research areas such as foundations, slope safety, landslide risk management, and climate change adaptation. He has played a practical role in several engineering projects, including the post-reconstruction efforts following the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake in Sichuan province.

He has also served as a co-leader in research projects stemming from the university’s successful launch of the high-resolution optical satellite HKUST-FYBB#1 in August, in collaboration with Chang Guang Satellite Technology Co.

In 2023, Zhang was honored with the Ralph B. Peck Award by the American Society of Civil Engineers, a prestigious international accolade in geotechnical engineering.

The university also introduced Zhang’s ongoing project, titled “Digital Twin-empowered Landslide Emergency Risk Management” under the Research Grants Council’s Theme-based Research Scheme 2023/24.

The project, with a budget of HK$74 million ($9.46 million), aims to develop a digital twin of Hong Kong’s slopes for sensing, simulating, and visualizing landslide hazard processes. The system can be applied to landslide-prone regions worldwide and be extended to manage other natural hazards such as earthquakes, floods, and typhoons. 

The project outcomes are expected to enhance the current slope safety systems in Hong Kong and other regions, promote a smart, sustainable, and resilient urban development, and drive urban governance transformation.