Professor Zhigan Liu, President of Harbin Engineering University (HEU) visited The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) on 6 January 2009. Delegation members included Dr. Shigang Zhao, Director of National Science Park; Professor Yuguang Li, Director of Personnel Office; Dr. Zhengyi Ren, Director of Engineering Training Centre; Professor Libo Yuan, Dean of College of Science; and Professor Lili Guo, Dean of College of Information and Communication Engineering. HEU is a state key university, and among the first group of universities selected to take part in the National "211 Project". Our new President, Professor Timothy W. Tong met with the delegation and invited them for lunch.

In-depth discussions were held between the delegation and Professor W.K. Chow, Acting Head of Department of Building Services Engineering (BSE); the BSE departmental teaching staff and research personnel; Professor Walter W. Yuen, Visiting Chair Professor of Thermal Science and Engineering, Professor of Department of Mechanical and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Santa Barbara, USA on how to enhance subject development in fire engineering, staff training and assessment; how to foster students' innovative power and the ability to put theories into practice; and how to develop high-level scientific research. The delegation also visited several BSE laboratories of common interest.

HEU and Professor Chow worked closely together on fire engineering research and development work since 1999. Focused area recently is on big fires. HEU and Professor Chow would strengthen research collaborations for supporting the scientific development of the country.