The Structural Division of The Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (HKIE), in co-organisation with the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, hosted the HKIE Structural Engineering Competition for the Youth 2026 on 4 July 2026. The theme this year was “Building with Paper is So Easy!” Dual-Arm Tower Challenge. The primary purpose of the competition was to deepen secondary school students’ understanding of, and interest in, structural engineering through the hands-on design and construction of a paper tower supporting vertical loads.
 

During the opening ceremony, Ir Rayson WONG Wai Hung, Chairman of the HKIE Structural Division, and Ir Prof. Ben YOUNG, Vice President of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, each delivered an opening address. Ir WONG warmly welcomed the participants and highlighted several key points for the competition. Ir Prof. YOUNG briefly introduced the history of the HKIE Structural Engineering Competition for the Youth and encouraged the students to consider pursuing careers in engineering and contributing to the future development of Hong Kong’s engineering profession.
 

 
Figure 1: Ir Rayson WONG delivering an opening address
 

 
Figure 2: Ir Prof. Ben YOUNG delivering an opening address
 

 
Figure 3: Group photo at the opening ceremony
 

This year saw enthusiastic participation from 20 secondary school teams. The diverse cohort comprised Form 4 and Form 5 students from 14 public schools, 3 private schools, 2 international schools, and 1 school for Hong Kong and Macao students in Chinese Mainland. During the competition, each team was required to design, fabricate, and test a dual-arm tower using only the A4 paper and adhesive tape provided by the organizer.
 
The students demonstrated remarkable creativity, precision, and structural efficiency. The final results are as follows:

• Champion: No.6 中華基督教會基元中學 / CCC Kei Yuen College
• First Runner-up: No. 2 聖保羅男女中學 / St. Paul’s Co-educational College
• Second Runner-up: No. 12 仁濟醫院第二中學 / Yan Chai Hospital No.2 Secondary School
• Commendation on Lightest: No.6 中華基督教會基元中學 / CCC Kei Yuen College
• Commendation on Aesthetic and Innovative: No. 17 民生書院 / Munsang College

The photos of the five awarded schools and their respective models are provided below:
 

 
Figure 4: Champion Award – Team 6 (CCC Kei Yuen College) and their Model
 

 
Figure 5: First Runner-up Award – Team 2 (St. Paul’s Co-educational College) and their Model
 

 
Figure 6: Second Runner-up Award – Team 12 (Yan Chai Hospital No.2 Secondary School) and their Model
 

 
Figure 7: Commendation for Lightest Model – Team 6 (CCC Kei Yuen College) and their Model
 

 
Figure 8: Commendation for Aesthetic and Innovative – Team 17 (Munsang College) and their Model
 

The photos of all models and participants are given below:

 
Figure 9 Photograph of All Submitted Models
 

 
Figure 10 Photograph of All Participants
 

Congratulations to all the winning teams and every student who participated! We hope that all students will remember this valuable hands-on experience and continue to explore the fascinating world of engineering. We hope this event will inspire the next generation of talented structural engineers to build a better, more innovative future for our community.

The organizing committee would also like to express its deepest appreciation for the support from the Education Bureau and the academic institutes: Department of Civil Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Department of Construction and Quality Management, Hong Kong Metropolitan University, Department of Construction, Environment and Engineering, Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong.