NEWS & EVENTS

Mr. Liu Zihan, a PhD student from the Department of Earth and Planetary Science (DEPS) supervised by Prof. Louis Wong, has received Research Postgraduate Student Innovation Award 2025/26. The award comes with a research grant of HK$50,000 to support his pioneering project. Notably, this is the first time a DEPS student has received this honor. On 9 March 2026, Mr. Liu presented his award-winning research at the HKU Research Postgraduate Symposium cum Award Presentation Ceremony, where he was presented a certificate by Prof. Max SHEN, Dean of the Graduate School.

 

The Research Postgraduate Student Innovation Award was established in 2022 with funding from the Leung Kau Kui and Run Run Shaw Research and Teaching Endowment Funds. Its mission is to promote innovation and interdisciplinary research by recognizing and supporting RPg students across all disciplines who present the most exciting and innovative research ideas. Selection is based on a rigorous review of submitted project proposals and up to ten awardees are selected each year.

 

Mr. Liu’s awarded project titled “AI-assisted 3D Multi-physics Coupling GPU-accelerated Hybrid Finite-Discrete Element Method Software for Geomechanical Safety Modelling” aims to revolutionize geomechanical safety modelling on a global scale. In collaboration with Prof. Louis Wong, Mr. Liu is developing a next-generation simulation platform, HKU-FDEM. The platform is designed to achieve unprecedented computational performance, higher accuracy, and superior modelling results for critical applications in geohazard assessment, underground excavation design, and resource engineering.

 

Congratulations to Mr. Liu on this remarkable achievement and for bringing recognition to DEPS through innovative research.

 

(Liu Zihan, 5th from the left, received the certificate from Prof. Max Shen)

(Liu Zihan presents his research poster and discusses with fellow researchers)