AECOM Geotechnical Expert Forum 2025: Join the Conversation – Shape the Future of Engineering from Nature to AI

Prof. Limin Zhang is Chair Professor and Head of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Director of Digital Cities and Smart Hazard Mitigation Laboratory at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. His research areas include slopes, dams, foundations, and geotechnical risk assessment and management. Dr. Zhang is Chair of International Society of Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering (ISSMGE)’s TC210 on Embankment Dams, Past Chair of ASCE Geo-Institute’s Risk Assessment and Management Committee, Editor-in-Chief of Georisk, Associate Editor of ASCE’s Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering, and editorial board member of Engineering Geology, Computers and Geotechnics and other journals. He is recipient of ASCE Ralph Peck Award, Chinese National Engineer Award, and ISSMGE’s Lacasse Lecture Award.

Dr. Charm is a seasoned professional with over thirty years of expertise in the innovation and technology industry. He has extensive knowledge in digital transformation, corporate innovation, intrapreneurship, startup incubation, big data, AI, fintech, blockchain, and e-commerce. Dr. Charm has held key positions at Cyberport, IBM, Oracle, HSBC, Jardine, and Kingdee. While Dr. Charm was the Chief Public Mission Officer of Cyberport, he cultivated a world-leading digital tech ecosystem with 1,200+ digital companies from 30+ countries (where at least 3 are unicorns), top accelerators, incubators, investors and research centers worldwide.

Currently, Dr. Charm serves as Chairman and Chief Advisor for several tech companies and startups in Asia, and is an Associate Professor in Innovation and Technology at the CUHK Business School and an Independent Non-Executive Director at TransUnion HK. He provides advisory, consulting and training services to leading multinational, mainland China and local companies, including AXA, AIA, BEA, Hang Seng Bank, ICBC, CCB, Huatai Securities, Ricoh, Hip Hing Construction, Chow Tai Fook, Harbour City, Digital Policy Office, Airport Authority, MTR, ONE.

Dr. Charm is actively engaging with the innovation and technology ecosystem in Asia. He is the founding chairman of the Data & AI Literacy Association and holds significant roles in various industry organizations. These include being Chairman of the IoT Industry Advisory Committee at GS1 Hong Kong, Chairman of the DBA Alumni Association at CityUHK, Vice-chairman of the Innovation and Technology Committee at Hong Kong INED Association, a member of the Technology Council of the Macao SAR Government, an executive committee member of the Startup Committee at the Federation of Hong Kong Industries, a member of the Digital Economy Expert Group at the Hong Kong Consumer Council, a member of the Advisory Committee of the Cyberport Entrepreneurship Centre, a mentor at Hong Kong Science Park and a member of the Technical Expert Group at Hong Kong Applied Science & Technology Research Institute.

Dr. Charm has published a book titled <數碼力大提升> (Boost Your Digital Power). He writes articles in his tech & innovation Column at the Hong Kong Economic Journal < 信 報 >. In recognition of his contributions, he received the Fellow Membership of Hong Kong Institute of Marketing, Distinguished Alumni Award from the City University of Hong Kong Business School in 2019, and Teaching Merit Award (2021, 2022 and 2023) from the Chinese University of Hong Kong.

Dr. Charm received his Doctor of Business Administration degree from the City University of Hong Kong in 2014. He also completed executive training programs from Harvard, MIT, Stanford, Oxford, UC-Berkeley, CEIBS, Ivey and IDEO on key leadership, innovation, AI and big data subjects.

Ir Richard Ho is a registered professional engineer in civil and geotechnical disciplines, and has about twenty years’ experience in design, construction supervision and project management for various civil and geotechnical engineering projects, including Landslip Preventive and Mitigation (LPMit) Programme, MTR South Island Line Admiralty Station Extension, Macau Venetian Cotai Hotel Development, Tsz Shan Monastery Development etc.

He is currently a Senior Geotechnical Engineer in the Information Technology Section of Slope Safety Division in the GEO. His major duty involves development and management of essential IT systems in GEO. Some of his recently completed and on-going IT projects include enhancement of 3D Geotechnical Information Infrastructure (3DGInfo), revamp of Hong Kong Slope Safety Website, integrated dashboard for smart barriers, development of city-scale 3D Geotechnical Models, Smart Slope Catalogue and application of 3D visualization technology and Artificial Intelligence within the GEO. He is also one of the driving forces in the GEO’s Innovation & Technology (I&T) development.

Ms Yvonne Cheu is the Executive Director @digital AECOM and responsible for digital consulting services in Asia. She leads a dynamic team to develop innovative solutions for AEC projects, driving digital transformation in the industry and advancing geospatial technology in the region.

Yvonne is an authorised Land Surveyor, has over 20 years of experience in land surveying, geospatial projects, and quality assurance procedures. She has successfully managed numerous GIS, IT, and BIM projects for the Hong Kong government and public sectors.

Yvonne has spearheaded several high-profile initiatives, including the “Generation of 3D Digital Maps” project, which creates detailed three-dimensional maps of Hong Kong. She also leads the “Development of a 3D Underground Utilities Database,” aimed at enhancing urban planning and infrastructure management by mapping underground utilities. Additionally, Yvonne oversees the “Road Defect Detection System,” where GeoAI is used to identify and analyze road defects, improving maintenance efficiency and road safety.