Exploring innovation: A civil engineering professor in SZ

Bence Kato, a 32-year-old Hungarian, is an assistant professor at the College of Civil and Transportation Engineering at Shenzhen University. As an explorer who dares to think boldly and turn innovative ideas into action, he was introduced to Shenzhen through the Shenzhen Overseas High-Caliber Personnel Peacock Plan (Level C) in 2024, an initiative designed to attract talented professionals from around the world.

Bence Kato shares his idea during a Spring Festival panel at Shenzhen University on Jan. 17. Lin Songtao

Relocating to Shenzhen

After completing his doctoral program in geotechnical earthquake engineering at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Kato sought new opportunities, which led him to Shenzhen. The Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen) offered him a position as a postdoctoral researcher in offshore engineering starting 2020, which allowed him to take bold steps and develop his ideas further.

Since then, Kato has settled in Shenzhen. After completing his project, he joined Shenzhen University in November 2023, where his focus is on offshore and earthquake engineering, integrating explainable artificial intelligence (AI).

Harnessing AI for civil engineering

Kato commented that Shenzhen and its universities offer an inclusive environment that provides him with the opportunities and platforms to explore new fields. He began incorporating AI into his research four years ago after relocating, and he has found it to be an incredibly useful tool.

“I see the benefits of AI stemming from two main factors: first, data-driven models like AI are much faster than traditional physics-based models, which are the standard software we use,” Kato explained. “We can integrate real data from physical experiments into AI, which helps expand its knowledge.”

He elaborated that while attempting to eliminate assumptions in traditional programming often complicates projects, making them more expensive and time-consuming, AI presents a solution.

By applying fundamental mathematics to train AI, researchers can incorporate additional real-life data into its knowledge base, allowing AI to handle complex cases that are difficult to describe mathematically.

Bringing global talents to SZ

Since joining the university, Kato has initiated a master’s program for international students taught in English. His idea received substantial support from the university and faculty, who saw it as a positive way to promote the school’s strengths and the city’s advantages.

The program is now set to launch, pending official approval, with plans to welcome the first cohort of students in September.

Kato noted that the most challenging aspect of starting the program was inviting professors, as many Chinese educators had to put in extra effort to prepare courses specifically for English instruction. With support from other faculty members, the program now has seven professors ready to teach courses in construction materials, construction management, AI in engineering, geotechnical engineering, structural engineering, and more.

Kato believes that this new program is essential and hopes to attract more high-quality, talented students to Shenzhen University.

Kato emphasized his team’s unique strengths: “My team works extensively on underground projects, specifically collaborating with major companies like China Railway and Shenzhen Metro.” This partnership allows them to gather invaluable data and assist in designing innovative solutions, including a new rectangular tunnel boring machine for China Railway.

Great opportunities in GBA

Kato views civil engineering as a significant opportunity in Shenzhen. “Shenzhen is not just Shenzhen — it is a gateway to opportunities within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA),” he said.

Shenzhen serves as a hub, providing access to various projects and collaborations with companies, universities, and professionals across the GBA. Kato explained, “In academia, technology, and the civil engineering industry, it’s essential to consider the broader landscape of the Greater Bay Area. Through Shenzhen, researchers and professionals have access to projects and collaborations with companies, other universities, and professors throughout the GBA.”

He highlighted the wealth of resources available in Shenzhen, noting, “There is a significant influx of resources from across the Greater Bay Area. Many projects in Macao, Hong Kong, Zhuhai, Guangzhou, or Foshan typically flow through Shenzhen.”

Kato added that while offshore wind development is gaining traction, there is currently limited space for such projects in Shenzhen. “Although we have a deep-sea port and direct connections to Hong Kong, these spatial constraints mean that most offshore developments occur near Guangzhou or even further south. However, many of the design and engineering firms leading these initiatives are based in Shenzhen or Guangzhou.”

This access to extensive information and data is invaluable for research and teaching, providing diverse employment opportunities for students upon graduation.