President's Message (17 June 2024)

Dear members

I hope we are maintaining the buoyant spirit, even though we are close to the end of this Session.  It has been an eventful year filled with accomplishments, but more exciting future endeavours are ahead.

First and foremost, I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to the 200+ new members who joined the HKIE and our professional engineering community.  We wholeheartedly welcome these committed engineers into our esteemed fold.  The New Members Reception that took place at the beginning of the month provided a splendid opportunity to forge connections with our new members and express our shared vision for engineering.  Together, we shall strive for nothing less than the pinnacle of innovation, societal betterment, and transformative progress through our engineering prowess.

Indeed, throughout the Session, our overarching theme centred around the profound ethos of “We Engineer, We Serve (知行合一　成就專業)”, underpinned by the resounding call to “Be the Change (不一樣)”.  We firmly believe that as engineers, we possess the remarkable power to effect positive change in the world around us.  Our concerted efforts have yielded a tapestry of notable achievements, elevating the HKIE to new heights.

At the forefront of our accomplishments stands the remarkable Hong Kong Engineers Week 2024, a celebrative event that served as a crucible for bridging the engineering and non-engineering communities, with a particular emphasis on nurturing the next generation of engineers.  Through our consolidated STEAM programme, bolstered by strategic alliances with schools and industry stakeholders, we have enriched educational opportunities and kindled a passion for engineering among the youth, igniting the flames of curiosity, and fostering a profound sense of purpose.  These momentous initiatives exemplified our steadfast commitment to ensuring the long-term sustainability of our industry.

Our dedication to fostering global collaborations has borne fruit in the form of transformative knowledge and experience exchange.  This Session, our delegations to prominent destinations such as the mainland China, the UK, the UAE, Canada, and Australia have served as conduits for the cross-pollination of ideas, best practices, and cutting-edge innovations.  By forging new connections with esteemed counterparts in the Mainland, including the Chinese Society of Engineers and the Guangdong Institution of Engineers, we have paved the way for greater mobility, professional growth, and wider recognition of HKIE membership.  These collaborations have opened up a vast array of opportunities for our members.

We have also made significant progress in establishing a professional certification mechanism for personnel involved in the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process.  Following discussions with the Environmental Protection Department (EPD), a consensus has been reached regarding the criteria for identifying qualified professionals through a grandfather arrangement, meaning new rules will apply to all future cases.  The first batch of Qualified Professionals/Experts will be certified later this month, and these certified persons will subsequently be involved as assessors for EIA certification applications.  I am certain that by raising the quality and professionalism of EIA, fostering ongoing learning and development, and instilling confidence in the assessment process will positively contribute to sustainable development of the world.

In the recent “Joint Business Mission to Xinjiang” organised by government authorities of the Mainland and Hong Kong, we saw the opportunities for exploring businesses along the Belt and Road Initiative.  Similarly, our visit to Australia further reinforced our relationships with Engineers Australia (EA).  The fruitful discussions underscored our shared commitment to sustainability and global advancement in the engineering profession.

I am proud to announce that our President’s Protégé Scheme has been a resounding success.  My Protégés have organised different activities under the “Chill Series,” engaging young engineers and students beyond their role as engineers.  Their diverse skills and perspectives remind us of the importance of staying current and delegating work to the capable hands of our young fellows. A “graduation ceremony” has been held on 14 June, where my Protégés’ supervisors at work and guests were invited to share their joy and witness them wrapping up their delightful journey.

Looking ahead, the 3rd Greater Bay Area Engineers Forum (第三屆大灣區工程師論壇) will soon be held.  The theme “灣區同行　工程為本,” will focus on open collaboration and fostering a sense of engineering community within the GBA through exploring cutting-edge technological developments, engineering education, industry-academia collaboration, technology application, international cooperation, and innovation.  Even if you missed the registration, stay tuned for information sharing and future opportunities.

We shall also redouble our advocacy efforts, serving as staunch champions of the engineering profession and its indispensable role in addressing global challenges.  I anticipate our continued engagement with policymakers, industry leaders, and the wider community, utilising our collective voice to underscore the criticality of engineering in shaping a sustainable and resilient future.

This is a future filled with immense possibilities.  To forge ahead, we need your active participation, valuable contributions, and unwavering support.  As such, I invite you to join us at the upcoming Annual General Meeting on 25 June 2024.  Your vote is important as it reflects your rights as members.  Additionally, the Annual Report is available online at https://hkie.org.hk/about-us/hkie-publications/hkie-annual-report/ for your perusal.

Before concluding, I want to express my deepest gratitude to each and every one of you for your continuous support.  The HKIE thrives because of your dedication.  Together, we shall propel the engineering profession towards a future that is as inspiring as it is transformative.

Thank you.