Dear members

Fifty years ago, a small group of kindred spirits founded the HKIE as we know it today. These engineers believed in the profession’s centrality in Hong Kong’s future. It is a belief as true now as it was back in those days.

Fifty years later, I am given an opportunity to bear out their belief as the HKIE’s President—in the year of our 50th Anniversary to boot. With this Presidency come the responsibility, not to say the honour, of leading the Institution into its next half-century. I am pleased to have Ir William LUK, our new Vice President, along with Ir Tony HO, Ir David LAU, Ir James SZE, Ir Fanny TING, and Ir Keith YUE, the five recently joined Elected Ordinary Members, joining us in propelling the Institution forward in its every endeavour.

The theme I have chosen for this Session is “Together we RISE” (同心同創). This theme is multifaceted, in its reflection of both the profession’s spirit and the moment’s challenges. Globally, engineers are being asked to do more than ever before: to solve increasingly complex problems, to transcend traditional boundaries, and to craft sustainable solutions at a time of uncertainty and rapid change. We cannot do this each on our own. But together—if we act with Resilience, Innovation, Sustainability, and Equity—we can rise to meet whatever challenges that come our way.

These four values form the core of our theme:

• Resilience engineers understand well. It is ingrained within our designs, systems, and mindset. It embodies the capacity to adapt, to recover, and to keep going when circumstances shift.
• Innovation is always a necessity. Whether we are building infrastructure, managing digital systems, or pressing for industrial reforms, innovation is the underlying force without which progress is unattainable.
• Sustainability speaks for itself. The climate crisis is not an abstract issue. It is a reality engineers must confront at every level, from design to delivery.
• Equity reminds us that engineering is ultimately about people. The systems we create must be at everyone’s service—inclusively and responsibly conceived.

This Session, our focus is on five areas. First, we aim to nurture a stronger I&T ecosystem for engineers. Start-ups, research partnerships, and cross-sector collaboration are all part of this. True, we want our members to participate in innovation, but ultimately our aim is for them to lead it. Second, we will continue our work in sustainability by developing tools, sharing knowledge, and supporting those who integrate sustainable practices into their work. Engineers can make a difference, and we can help them make that very difference.

Third, we need to prepare for engineering’s future. That means breaking down silos between disciplines, and fostering an environment where flexible, multidisciplinary approaches can thrive. Fourth, we will strengthen our advocacy, especially in emerging sectors like new industrialisation and digital infrastructure. We want engineering voice to be heard in policy, in planning, and in broader regional development. Finally, we will consolidate the progress we have made under the “Time to Change” Roadmap and begin shaping the next phase of our strategic vision.

I know many of our members are navigating various forms of uncertainty—economic, professional, even personal. I have felt that at times. But I also believe that engineers are among the best equipped to transform uncertainty into opportunities. We are trained to assess risks, innovate within limitations, and chart paths forward in the absence of clarity. This Session encapsulates this ethos–it’s about discerning the optimal way together.

In the coming months, there will be no lack of opportunities for me to connect with you—through events, discussions, and visits across Divisions, Committees, and other communities. It may be too early a thing to say, but I hope that, by the time I leave office, we can collectively reflect on the significant strides we’ve taken together.

You can learn more about my presidency through the newly released journal.

Let us rise—to meet the challenges, lean on one another for support, and make way for a future worthy of our next 50 years together.

Ir Alice Chow
President
The Hong Kong Institution of Engineers