Tsinghua University professor Fang Dongping was elected as the 27th president of the International Council for Research and Innovation in Building and Construction (CIB) at its General Assembly, during the 23rd World Building Congress held in the United States from May 19 to 22.

Fang, who is also director of the Institute for Future Cities and Infrastructures at Tsinghua, will serve a three-year term from 2025 to 2028. Fang is the first president from Asia in the organization’s 72-year history.

Fang has long been committed to research on construction safety and urban resilience. He previously served as the dean of the School of Civil Engineering at Tsinghua.

Since 2010, he has held various roles within the CIB, including board member, program committee chair, and vice president.

In 2013, he initiated the CIB priority theme Resilient Urbanization, and served as the theme leader.

Established in 1953, the CIB comprises over 100 institutional members, including leading universities, research institutions, industry associations, and leading companies, along with over 3,000 individual members worldwide.

The over 60 working commissions and task groups under CIB are dedicated to promoting global research collaboration, knowledge sharing, and technological innovation in the construction industry, promoting the realization of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Editor: Li Han