From October 31 to November 2, 2025, the Fourth National Symposium on Intelligent Construction Education, guided by the Education Working Committee of the Chinese Society of Civil Engineering and the Education Branch of the China Construction Metal Structure Association, hosted by Shenzhen University and Tsinghua University Press, and organized by our institute, was successfully held at Shenzhen University's Yuehai Campus. Nearly 300 representatives from over 100 universities gathered to exchange insights on critical issues within the intelligent construction discipline, including innovative technologies, academic development, talent cultivation, teaching practices, and industry-education integration applications.

The opening ceremony of this conference was presided over by Professor Long Wujian, Executive Dean of our institute. Welcome addresses were delivered by Professor Li Yonghua, Vice President of our university, and Mr. Shi Lei, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Tsinghua University Press.

Vice President Li Yonghua extended a warm welcome to the attending experts and colleagues in his opening remarks, expressing gratitude for the strong support from all parties. President Li highlighted the achievements attained since the university's founding, emphasizing the significance of the Smart Construction program and the institution's ongoing exploration in this field. He articulated a vision for collaboration and exchange with peers nationwide to cultivate talent and advance industry development. Finally, he extended best wishes for the successful convening of the symposium.

Deputy Editor-in-Chief Shi Lei emphasized in his address the multidisciplinary nature of intelligent construction and its educational requirements, as well as Tsinghua University Press's years of dedicated exploration in developing specialized textbooks for this field. He also outlined the conference's purpose: to provide a platform for in-depth exchange among China's higher education institutions on formulating teaching philosophies, talent development plans, and disciplinary development strategies for intelligent construction programs that align with contemporary demands, thereby advancing industry progress.

Long Wujian, Executive Dean School of Civil and Transportation Engineering 

Shenzhen University

Li Yonghua, Vice President of Shenzhen University

Shi Lei, Deputy Editor-in-Chief, Tsinghua University Press

At the opening ceremony, Professor Shi Lei, representing Tsinghua University Press, presented our institute with a series of textbooks for the civil engineering program. Professor Long Wujian, Executive Dean of our institute, expressed sincere gratitude.

On the morning of November 1, six experts delivered keynote presentations at the conference, covering topics such as the development and implementation of smart construction programs, considerations for disciplinary structure, requirements for key technologies and knowledge frameworks, and the coordinated advancement of industry-academia-research-application collaboration.

Tongji University's Practice in Smart Construction Professional Development

Professor Ruan Xin, Tongji University

Shenzhen University's Smart Construction Program Development and Practice

Long Wujian, Professor, Shenzhen University

Reflections and Practices on Discipline Development in Smart Construction Education for 

Civil Engineering Programs at Hong Kong Universities

Professor Dai Jianguo City University of Hong Kong

Requirements for Smart Construction Scenarios, Key Technologies, and Knowledge Structure

Xia Xuyong, Deputy General Manager China Academy of Building Research

Research and Development of Intelligent Construction Robots and Exploration of 

Industry-Education Integration

Deng Lu, Professor, Hunan University

Smart Construction Course Development and Practice

Guo Hongling, Associate Professor, Tsinghua University

On the afternoon of November 1, Professor Zheng Yu and Associate Editor-in-Chief Zhang Zhan Kui delivered keynote presentations at the conference. Subsequently, three experts—Associate Professor Xiong Chen and Associate Professor Mei Liu from our university, along with Associate Professor Wang Bo from Hefei University of Technology—shared insights on curriculum design, teaching arrangements, instructional content, and practical teaching methodologies for the courses “Engineering Internet of Things Technology,” “Introduction to Smart Construction,” and “Smart Factories and Smart Construction Sites.”

The conference concurrently hosted the “Smart Construction Industry-Academia-Research-Application Collaborative Development Forum,” chaired by Associate Professor Xiong Chen from our university's School of Civil and Transportation Engineering. Five distinguished guests were invited: Professor Ruan Xin, Professor Dai Jianguo, Deputy General Manager Xia Xuyong, Associate Professor Guo Hongling, and Associate Professor Wang Bo. The panelists first shared their insights on the future development of the smart construction industry, recruitment for smart construction programs, and employment prospects based on their professional experiences. Subsequently, attendees engaged in a lively and dynamic exchange with the panelists, addressing challenges related to discipline development, talent cultivation plans, laboratory construction, and corporate staffing needs.

On the morning of November 2, Professor Huang Linchong from Sun Yat-sen University, Researcher Shu Jiangpeng from Zhejiang University, Associate Professor Cheng Guozhong from Chongqing University, Professor Wang Nan from Shenzhen University, Professor Guan Zhenchang from Fuzhou University, Professor Pan Peng from Tsinghua University, Deputy Director Liang Haobo from the Hong Kong Smart Construction R&D Center, Professor Yu Zhiwei from Guangzhou University, Lecturer Zhang Daobo from Tsinghua University, and Professor Luo Xiaochun from South China University of Technology. Each expert shared insights on topics including research into new smart construction technologies and their application in industry-education integration, development of smart construction programs at their respective institutions, talent cultivation plans, and engineering education.

At the closing ceremony, Executive Dean Long Wujian of our institute once again expressed gratitude to all experts, scholars, and delegates for their support of this conference. During the event, we collectively explored professional development, disciplinary advancement, pedagogical innovation, and talent cultivation programs in intelligent construction. We hope that through two days of communication, exchange, and learning, everyone has gained valuable insights. Let us join hands and advance together, continuously exploring and innovating on the path of intelligent construction education, contributing to the cultivation of more high-caliber professionals in this field!

On the afternoon of November 2, some conference delegates visited our university's History Museum and the National Key Laboratory of Intelligent Construction and Healthy Operation of Deep Underground Engineering.

This symposium brought together national elites to collectively chart the future blueprint for intelligent construction education. Through cutting-edge discussions and practical experience sharing, it pioneered new pathways for teaching innovation, talent cultivation program optimization, and industry-education integration practices within the field of intelligent construction. The School of Civil and Transportation Engineering at Shenzhen University will continue to deepen its exploration of smart construction programs, injecting innovative momentum. Collaborating with peers nationwide, we will drive transformation in engineering education, develop a more forward-looking teaching system, and cultivate more leading talents for China's smart construction industry.

Contributed by: Hou Xueyao

First Review: Lu Qiuyue

Second Review: Long Wujian

Third Review: Zuo Yingzi