HomeNewsroomPress ReleasesThe Hong Kong Institution of Engineers A “Super-Connector” and “Super Value-adder” Bridging the Mainland and Overseas Engineering Industries

The Hong Kong Institution of Engineers A “Super-Connector” and “Super Value-adder” Bridging the Mainland and Overseas Engineering Industries

9 September 2024

(9 September 2024, Hong Kong) The Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (hereafter “the HKIE”) held a media gathering today, introducing “Grow the Nexus, Link the Links”, the HKIE’s Theme for Session 2024/2025. Emphasising the importance of Hong Kong’s engineering industry to fulfil its role as a “super-connector” and “super value-adder”, the Theme reflects a commitment to supporting Mainland engineers and enterprises in reaching beyond the region and accessing the global market, while attracting foreign talent and investment into the country. The HKIE aims to contribute to the nation’s development and Hong Kong’s economic transformation and advancement, creating a hub of international top-tier talent.

Ir Eric MA, President of the HKIE, said, “We strive to strengthen the Institution’s status as a hub of international engineering community, thereby leveraging Hong Kong’s advantages as a “super-connector” and “super value-adder” to facilitate extensive exchange and collaboration between the Mainland and international engineering industries. As a ‘bridge’, we foster cross-border connections, not only importing more advanced experiences and technologies from the international scene, but also facilitating more engineering enterprises and professionals in the Mainland to go global. These may be accomplished through a variety of exchange tours, study tours, the GBA Federation of Engineering Organisations (GFEO), frameworks for reciprocal recognition agreements, recognition arrangements for Mainland professional titles, etc. At the same time, the HKIE will continue to nurture local young engineers, helping them to integrate seamlessly into the broader developmental scheme of the nation.”

Ir MA continued, “Hong Kong’s engineering industry needs to move with the times. Apart from sustaining our advantages in traditional engineering and construction, we must leverage Hong Kong’s “eight centres” positioning as set out in the 14^th Five-Year Plan, so that our engineering profession can play a more active role in emerging opportunities such as the advancement of Hong Kong as an international hub for innovation and technology, and the development of new quality productive forces. Together, we can create a better tomorrow.”

The HKIE proactively organises and participates in different conferences and exchange tours within the Mainland and beyond. These include the four-consecutive-day “ICEE Conference 2024”, which, co-hosted in July 2024 by the HKIE with professional bodies in China, Japan and Korea, explored the vital role of electrical engineering in advancing a smart society and low carbon emissions to foster a sustainable environment; as well as “高端人才北京交流團” in August 2024, which facilitated in-depth exchanges between Hong Kong and the Mainland on collaborations in the field of engineering technology and talent cultivation. Going forward, the HKIE will continue to roll out a variety of exchange activities, such as Division Chairmen’s Study Tour to Guilin/Nanning, Guangxi and Presidential Visits to the UK and Australia, to strengthen connections and dialogue with global engineering professional organisations.

Three Sub-Themes: Governance Enhancement, Nurture Engineering Talents, and Promote Member Unity

Enhance Governance of the HKIE and Promote Industry Development – The HKIE plays a crucial role in Hong Kong’s engineering profession, ensuring professional standards while encouraging continuous learning and development. The HKIE will strengthen its governance during Session 2024/2025, continuing with the “Time to Change” Roadmap, executing reforms to enhance transparency and build trust between stakeholders in the industry and the public. At the same time, the Institution strives to advance the professionalism and efficiency of the trade to meet the society’s expectations of engineers and promote industry development.

Nurture Talents and Pass on the Torch – With large-scale infrastructure projects in the pipeline, such as Northern Metropolis and Kau Yi Chau Artificial Islands, the engineering industry is thirsting for talents. With this in view, the HKIE is committed to proactively attracting, nurturing and retaining talents through different means.

Besides the HKIE President’s Protégé Scheme which imparts knowledge and experience to the next generation of young engineering talents, the HKIE continues to drive STEAM education in line with the Government’s emphasis. In collaboration with the Education Bureau, the HKIE has launched the “Fly High Engineering”, “One School One Engineer”, “Back To School” schemes. These schemes match engineering alumni to participating primary and secondary schools and provide schools with advice and support on engineering-related education, in the hope of cultivating youngsters’ interest in engineering from an early age and attracting them to the engineering profession. In addition, the Public Service Committee under the HKIE conducts educational and promotional programmes for secondary and tertiary school students. In terms of talent retention, the HKIE continues to organise different professional seminars to promote exchange and collaboration within the sector, encourage engineering graduates to enter the profession, and expand the reciprocal recognition agreements on qualifications with technologist and professional organisations in the Mainland and overseas.

Promote Member Unity: The HKIE strives to promote member unity and cooperation. Through a diverse range of member activities, the HKIE aims to strengthen connections between members and create a stronger and mutually supportive group. The HKIE has set up “Enginpreneurs”, an innovation and technology support platform, to assist engineers with launching their scientific research projects. Currently, three projects have successfully received funding from Cyberport Macro Fund.

The HKIE at 50

Reflecting on the Past and Building for the Future

To celebrate its 50^th anniversary next year, the HKIE will launch a series of activities to reflect on the past and build for the future. Details will be announced later. Key activities include:

The HKIE Grand Award: A review of Hong Kong’s engineering projects over the past 50 years to commend outstanding projects; selected winning projects will be displayed at roving exhibitions to enhance public understanding of the engineering profession;
The HKIE International Conference: To bring the international engineering community together to share ideas and discuss advanced engineering technologies;
Hong Kong Engineering Carnival: To present the diversity of engineering disciplines and careers to the public and highlight the contribution of engineers to society in an interesting and easy-to-understand way, thereby attracting young talents to join the industry.

In addition, the HKIE has submitted its views regarding the Policy Address to be released in October. As the engineering industry will play an important role in a wide spectrum of future developments, the HKIE has made proposals in diverse areas, from innovative technology and new industrialisation, streamlined development procedures, talent cultivation, education, land and housing supply, aviation hubs, to infrastructure, smart city and sustainability. The HKIE hopes thereby to facilitate the all-round development of Hong Kong and the engineering industry, and, with Hong Kong’s advantages well-leveraged, build a better and brighter future.