Professor Chih Kang Shen

With deep regret, we report that Prof Chih Kang Shen, Founding Head of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering(1991-95), passed away in California on July 17, 2012, aged 79. Prof Shen is remembered with great respect at HKUST, where his vision and commitment laid down the solid foundation of high standards that the Department has continued to strive for and achieve since those opening days.

Prof Shen retired from a 24-year career in the Department of Civil Engineering at the University of California, Davis, to join HKUST. At Davis, he served as Department Chair(1988-91), among other faculty positions. As Department Head at HKUST, he assembled a top faculty and shaped the Department into a highly visible academic unit. Prof Shen retired from HKUST and returned to his home in Davis in 1998.

During an outstanding academic and professional service career, Prof Shen focused largely on investigating soil mechanics and foundation engineering. He also trained, mentored, and became a role model for innumerable students.