25th June 2023 – (Hong Kong) Hong Kong University’s Pokfield Road campus to be developed in 3 phases with full completion expected in Q3 2025. However, Jason Poon Chuk-hung, the chairman of CHINAT monitor, and the managing director of the construction company China Technology Corporation, revealed on his social media platform today that the construction management of the University of Hong Kong (HKU) campus development was inadequate. Not only did the recent crane incident occur at Pokfield Road, but also the multiple beams and columns of a concrete structure building in the project showed a honeycomb-like unevenness and exposed steel bars. Poon publicly shared verified photos of the building’s shocking condition and criticised the building’s quality as “outrageous.” HKU responded tonight that they are following up with the contractor.
Poon criticised HKU, a world-class university with both an architecture and an engineering department, for having such weak construction management, saying “the level of construction craftsmanship and quality is worse than that of a third world country.” He also questioned whether the university’s top management would investigate the truth and whether HKU’s engineering management team had concealed and neglected their responsibility. According to the photos he shared publicly, there were honeycomb-like holes on many beams and columns, suggesting possible “hollow column” problems that may require dismantling.
After investigating, Poon stated that his consulting company was always dissatisfied with the building’s quality and had sent letters to the contractors and reported it to the HKU management team several times. However, the situation has not improved. He suggested that the Development Bureau and the Buildings Department should intervene to inspect the building’s quality, including the LG3 floor Q1PC90 column and the L2 floor L2B157 array, which are not just poorly constructed but may require dismantling and reconstruction.
The project in question is the West Wing redevelopment project. HKU responded tonight that they always attach great importance to the quality of all campus construction projects, have very strict requirements for construction, and have been closely supervising the construction progress. If there are any inadequacies, they will immediately demand that the contractor promptly address them and make improvements. Regarding the situation mentioned above, the university is following up seriously with the contractor.
The inadequate construction management of the HKU campus development has raised concerns among the public, especially among parents and students who have invested heavily in their education. HKU, as a world-renowned university, should ensure the quality of its construction projects and ensure the safety of its students and staff.
