Interview with FST Outstanding Alumnus Prof Siu Yin Wai:
A Civil Engineering Pioneer Grounded in Practice and Driven by Challenges

Faculty of Science and Technology (FST) at the University of Macau (UM) is about to undergo a historic restructuring—starting from AY2026/2027, it will officially split into three independent faculties—Faculty of Information Science and Computing, Faculty of Engineering, and Faculty of Science. At this pivotal moment of transition and renewal, we are honored to interview Dr Siu Yin Wai, a distinguished FST alumnus. He shares his unique perspective on witnessing Macao’s engineering landscape evolve from its nascent stages to achieving recognition on the global stage.

A Native Macao Son Bridging Local Roots with Global Engineering Excellence

Prof. Siu Yin Wai is a native of Macao, holding a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Ottawa, Canada, and an Honorary Doctor of Science from the University of Macau. Wearing multiple hats as a structural engineer, entrepreneur, and educator, he founded Siu Yin Wai & Associates Ltd. in 1983. What began as a small venture has grown into a firm employing over 200 professionals, with operations spanning Macao, Hong Kong, and mainland China. The company has played a pivotal role in the planning, supervision, and management of numerous major developments in Macao. Its portfolio includes iconic landmarks such as MGM Macau, One Central Residences, Taipa Hill Memorial Garden, Nova Park、Nova Grand、One Oasis and the MGM Cotai “Spectacle” plaza.

Looking back at his return to Macao from Canada in the 1980s, Prof. Siu recalls bringing advanced software technologies that were ahead of their time, even surpassing the then-nascent construction industry in Hong Kong. Leveraging his overseas experience, he successfully resolved complex foundation issues for the Hong Kong Garden Terrace project and officially established his company in 1983. However, facing a tough market in Hong Kong and the withdrawal of foreign partners, Prof. Siu made a bold decision: “If others won’t do it, I will.” He handpicked a team of elite colleagues and, despite the risk of bankruptcy, personally funded the team’s salaries during lean times. “I gritted my teeth and faced the challenges head-on,” he recalls. His perseverance paid off, and the company has now thrived for over four decades since its inception in 1983.

Driving Certification and Global Integration

Since 2016, Prof. Siu has served as a professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at UM. Despite managing extensive engineering projects across Macao, Hong Kong, and the mainland, he consistently travels between the regions to bring cutting-edge industry technologies and practical experience back to his alma mater, nurturing the next generation of engineering talent.

His motivation for teaching stemmed from the need to meet the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (HKIE) accreditation requirements, which mandated that senior engineers teach specific undergraduate courses. Prof. Siu collaborated closely with other professors to rigorously review and continuously optimize curriculum content. Today, UM’s engineering programmes have achieved world-class standards, successfully passing HKIE accreditation reviews four consecutive times and gaining recognition from Washington Accord member countries.

Prof. Siu proudly states, “We have abundant resources and construction demands. Moreover, our limited space means that local building and bridge projects face extremely high challenges, far exceeding those in many other countries and regions. Precisely because of this, the professional level of civil engineering at UM is in no way inferior to top institutions in the United States or Canada.”

Chasing World Records and Bringing Glory to Macao

Among his many achievements, Prof. Siu is most proud of the “Spectacle” at MGM Cotai in Macao. This project features a self-supporting glass canopy equivalent in size to a standard football field, with no column support and a thickness of just about one meter at its thinnest point. This engineering marvel earned a Guinness World Record™, marking the first time a Macao structure received such an honor in the field of architecture and engineering. This globally unprecedented achievement not only brought Prof. Siu widespread acclaim but also led to invitations from universities in India and Japan to share his design insights, extending his influence internationally.

Constantly Challenging Himself to Drive Innovation

Beyond creating the iconic canopy at MGM Cotai, Prof. Siu has actively engaged in numerous highly challenging engineering projects. He is a strong proponent of Modular Integrated Construction (MiC), an efficient building method akin to assembling blocks. However, implementing MiC in the humid environments of Hong Kong and Macao poses severe technical challenges, particularly regarding rust prevention and concrete bonding. Under Prof. Siu’s leadership, the 28-story  “Eminence Terrace” public housing project in Hung Shui Kiu, Hong Kong, became Hong Kong’s first fully successful all-concrete MiC case.

Prof. Siu emphasizes that all his work focuses on practical application and market competitiveness. His company has been responsible for several large-scale projects, including Nova Park、Nova Grand and One Oasis. Notably, the breakthrough four-level basement construction technology used in the Grand Vista project has become valuable real-world material for his teaching.

Practice-Oriented Education: Passing the Torch

In addition to emphasizing practice and application, Prof. Siu insists on taking students to visit world-class sites like the MGM Cotai “Spectacle”, allowing them to experience architectural history firsthand. This commitment to hands-on learning is a key reason why the UM’s engineering education has gained international and industry recognition. From helping secure international accreditation for curricula to personally teaching cutting-edge technologies, Prof. Siu’s connection with the UM spans over a decade.

Today, UM’s civil engineering capabilities have reached world-class standards. As a native Macao engineer, Prof. Siu Yin Wai stands as one of the key figures who has propelled local civil engineering onto the global stage.