Pursuing Passion and Building the Future – The Learning Journey of Kelly Wong (CEE)
堅持熱情，築夢未來 – 土木及環境工程系黃凱琳的求學之路

In the 2025 graduation season at the University of Macau (UM), undergraduate student Kelly Wong (Kelly Wong) from the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) stood out with her outstanding final-year project, earning the “Best Final-Year Project Award” in her department. This recognition not only highlights her academic achievements over the past four years but also marks the acknowledgment of her professional potential and practical skills in the field of civil engineering.

Choosing UM as the Starting Point

Kelly developed a strong interest in physics, especially mechanics, during high school, and she hoped to apply what she learned to real-world situations. She said: “At that time, I thought civil engineering suited me well because it directly combined the physics knowledge I loved, and in Macau, only UM offers a comprehensive civil engineering programme.” Her family background also influenced her decision—her father works in the construction industry. She added: “When I was little, I often visited his office and watched people drawing plans and doing designs. That sense of creativity and technical skill really fascinated me.”

Building a Solid Foundation and Embracing Diverse Learning Experiences

During her four years at UM, Kelly not only built a solid academic foundation through her coursework but also actively participated in both on-campus and off-campus activities to broaden her horizons. She mentioned: “The professors are very dedicated, especially during my final-year project. Prof Kuok Sin Chi would check in on my progress every week and even encouraged me to attend international conferences.” Kelly participated in the 1st International Workshop on Bayesian Approach in Civil Engineering (IWOBA 2025) hosted by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, where she exchanged ideas with researchers from around the world, significantly expanding her academic perspective.

Additionally, Kelly is a member of the UM Honours College. In her third year, she received a full scholarship to study abroad for one semester at the University of Notre Dame in the United States. There, she took courses in Hydraulics and Biological Process which required individual designs in wastewater treatment plants and drainage systems. This experience greatly enhanced her independent learning ability and allowed her to make new friends from the Canada, the US, Japan, Singapore, and beyond, broadening her global outlook.

From Internships to Team Collaboration

Beyond classroom learning, Kelly placed great value on hands-on experience. During her internship at the Environmental Protection Bureau, she participated in the construction of the Lin Ma Hang Wastewater Treatment Project, gaining insight into the entire engineering process and the importance of teamwork.

In her final year at UM, she served as a team leader for an integrated design project involving structural engineering, geotechnical engineering, fully demonstrating the diverse nature of civil engineering. She said these experiences not only deepened her professional knowledge but also strengthened her teamwork and problem-solving abilities.

Focusing on Research and Exploring New Frontiers

Kelly’s final year project – “Robust Bayesian Sparse Learning for Stochastic System” aims to address the issue of modeling discrepancies caused by the need for a prescribed compete basis in traditional parametric methods, this work proposes an innovative Robust Bayesian Sparse Learning (RBSL) framework, which provides reliable system identification, structural control, and subsequent analysis for health monitoring under modeling bias. This project required her to self-study programming languages and vibration theory, and conduct extensive data analysis under the guidance of Prof Kuok Sin Chi.

She began working on this research since the summer of her second year. As she had not taken many machine learning or computer science-related courses early on, she had to learn independently by reading literature, searching information through internet and research papers. Although the process was challenging, she found it deeply rewarding.

Looking Ahead: Studying in Hong Kong and Chasing Dreams

As she prepares to graduate, Kelly plans to pursue a one-year Master of Science in Civil and Structural Engineering and Management at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, aiming to deepen her expertise and management skills. She believes: “Civil engineering remains a stable industry in both Macau and Hong Kong, especially with promising prospects in research and infrastructure development. I hope to contribute my strengths in either design or management roles in the future.”

Embracing Opportunities and Broadening Horizons

To prospective students considering CEE, Kelly offered some practical advice. She encourages them to get involved in student organizations and mentorship programs, where they can learn from seniors about different specializations within civil engineering and gain early insights into the industry. She also emphasized making the most of exchange opportunities, such as summer programmes organized by Residential Colleges and the Honours College, or the overseas exchange programmes available in the third year. These experiences allow students to immerse themselves in diverse cultures and significantly benefit their future development.

Over her four years at UM, Kelly has demonstrated her passion and dedication to civil engineering, her courage in facing challenges, and her relentless pursuit of growth. Her journey serves as an inspiring example for aspiring engineers.