A program exclusively for Huazhong University of Science and Technology, School of Civil and Hydraulic Engineering

This August, we welcomed 19 bright students to Singapore for our exclusive summer program, Sustainable Infrastructure, Construction & Maintenance. Over two weeks, students explored how cities of tomorrow can be designed, built, and sustained.

The program began with five engaging lectures hosted and conducted by the NUS School of Continuing and Lifelong Education (SCALE) with the College of Design and Engineering (CDE). Students gained valuable overviews on a wide range of topics, including smart transportation systems, case studies of high-rise structural design, sustainable materials, multi-purpose floating structures, and the future of smart regulation.

Building on these foundations, the students embarked on their Mini Design Project—Designing a Future-Ready Campus: A Blueprint for Sustainable Education Infrastructure—led by Professor David Chua. Their task: to imagine a sustainable UWCSEA campus in Tengah, Singapore’s pioneering smart and sustainable town.

To deepen their ideas, students visited the Surbana Jurong Campus, where they learned firsthand about sustainable design features, material use, energy monitoring, and construction challenges. They also had the opportunity to engage in dialogue with Mr Kevin E. Suhartono (JTC) on sustainable design applications and Mr Shaun Wu (Witteveen+Bos) on cutting-edge 3D concrete printing projects.

A field trip to the Tengah District project site provided vital context, while a visit to the UWCSEA East Campus gave students a close look at how sustainability is embedded in energy systems, design, and maintenance practices.

Armed with these insights, the students constructed 3D models and presented their vision for a future-ready campus in Tengah.

The final day was bittersweet. We will miss them, but we know this is only the beginning. We look forward to seeing them rise in their academic journeys and future careers, carrying with them the spirit of sustainability and innovation.

The students’ diaries: Diary 1 – Diary 2 – Diary 3 – Diary 4