The Honourable Mrs Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, Principal Guest of the Ceremony, delivered a heart-warming speech on the occasion

Guest of Honour Ir Prof Teng Jin Guang

(L to R) Ir Dr Barry C H Lee, Ir Dr The Hon Lo Wai Kwok, Mr Michael W L Wong, Ir Frank F Chan, Ir Prof Teng Jin Guang, The Honorable Mrs Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, President Ir Edwin K F Chung, Ir Aaron K M Bok, Ir The Hon Chan Siu Hung, Ir Alfred W H Sit, Ir Ricky C K Lau and Ir C K Hon

Ir Alfred W K Chan (L) receiving the honour of the HKIE Honorary Fellow 2022 from the President (R)

Ir Martin K K Cheung (L) receiving the President’s Award 2022 from the President (R)

Ir Tang Whai Tak (L) receiving the Young Engineer of the Year Award 2022 from the President (R)

The President (R) presenting the Certificate of Merit of the Young Engineer of the Year Award 2022 to Ir Wang Shanshan (L)

Ir Ko Chi Chung (L) representing Ir Barry Ng to receive the Certificate of Merit of the Young Engineer of the Year Award 2022 from the President (R)

The HKIE Annual Grand Ceremony cum Award Presentation was held on Monday, 6 June 2022 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre and was well attended by some 200 fellow members and guests. The Institution was honoured by the presence of The Honourable Mrs Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region as the Principal Guest, and Ir Prof Teng Jin Guang, President of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University as the Guest of Honour.

President Ir Edwin K F Chung reviewed the Institution’s efforts during the Session in nurturing a culture of change in the engineering industry. To kickstart the transformational journey, he proudly unveiled the launch of the “Time to Change” roadmap developed after a year-long extensive stakeholder engagement exercise. Each of the participants was given an advanced copy of the roadmap at the Ceremony. He also expressed appreciation for the innovative measures relating to innovation and technology announced by the Chief Executive in her 2021 Policy Address.

The Honourable Mrs Lam delivered a heart-warming speech to members and guests. She believed that a continuation of investment in capital works is the key to sustain the momentum of the development of Hong Kong.

Ir Prof Teng encouraged engineers to embrace the emerging technologies of the fourth industrial revolution such as artificial intelligence, data science, robotics, new materials, and biotechnology, etc, in order to enhance the status of Hong Kong as an international innovation and technology hub.

A number of awards were presented during this special occasion. Ir Alfred W K Chan was conferred the title of Honorary Fellow of the Institution as a recognition of his distinguished achievements and contributions to engineering and the Institution. Ir Martin K K Cheung was presented the President’s Award 2022 in recognition of his dedicated service to the Institution. The winner of the Young Engineer of the Year Award 2022 was Ir Tang Whai Tak while Ir Barry K W Ng and Ir Wang Shanshan received the Certificate of Merit.

Members may view the roadmap and the photos of the event via the QR codes below:

“Time to Change” roadmap

Photo gallery

President Ir Edwin K F Chung speaking at The HKIE Annual Grand Ceremony cum Award Presentation

The Honourable Chief Executive, Distinguished Guests, Fellow Members, Ladies and Gentlemen, good evening.

It is with great pleasure to finally welcome you at The HKIE Annual Grand Ceremony cum Award Presentation.

I want to begin by thanking The Honorable Mrs Carrie Lam who, in one of her difficult tasks as the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administration Region, steered us safely through the worst of the pandemic. It is very much thanks to her dedication and the members of her team that we have the joy to meet Ir Prof Teng Jin Guang face-to-face today!

As the pandemic hopefully recedes for good, it has shown how technological innovations can reshape how we live when we decide to act.

And the pace of change will only accelerate further as the high technology evolves into the metaverse. In a few years, you may well be sending your digital image to attend meetings such as these. The upside? You won’t need masks or worry about what to wear!

Like everyone else, the HKIE must keep the pace. Already, our closest fellow institutions in the UK, in South East Asia and the Mainland are fully digitalised. Changes are necessary if we don’t want to be left behind let along strive.

“The HKIE – Time to Change” – the theme we introduced in 2021 – alludes to the urgency of the task. Indeed, the HKIE must change because our environment did, both in the analog world – just look how the effectiveness of the Hong Kong Government and the efficiency of our legislature have increased – and in the digital spaces where we spend more and more time.

That’s why we have embarked on our own Time-to-Change journey, a process fostered several years ago and launched last year. This transformational exercise is anchored across five major areas:

1. Pursuing digitalisation
2. Enhancing service to Members
3. Boosting professionalism
4. Facilitating innovation
5. Undertaking governance review

After a year-long effort steered by a Committee of nine dedicated members that I had the privilege to lead, we are proud to give all attendees an advanced copy of a roadmap stating what the HKIE will do to succeed in the digital age (surely a digital version of the roadmap is available). Incorporating the wisdom of more than 1,500 HKIE members collected via an extensive consultation process, the roadmap features 45 main recommendations that will guide us through this transformational journey. To be unveiled publicly after this evening, it will kickstart a new era for the HKIE as we engineer a better, future-proof Institution that will not only deliver results for our members but also contribute to making Hong Kong a better home for all.

Making changes is never easy because it depends on bold ideas and creative approaches. As the forerunner of this initiative, I treasure its possibilities. I am also delighted that the Senior Vice President and Vice Presidents have accepted the challenge to keep us united in completing this five years mission.

But the HKIE does not operate in a vacuum. As a passionate advocate for our city, we are committed to working with the Government, tertiary education partners, and industry fellows to create an enabling environment for our profession, especially when it comes to young engineers.

The HKIE warmly welcomes the innovative measures relating to innovation and technology announced by the Chief Executive in her 2021 Policy Address. These include the endorsement of innovative construction technologies such as MiC and DfMA, the development of the Northern Metropolis, further integration with the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao, Greater Bay Area (GBA) and the promotion of Hong Kong’s re-industrialisation.

We are also heartened by the strong support for making Hong Kong an international innovation and technology hub as detailed in the “Outline of the 14th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development of the People’s Republic of China and the Long-Range Objectives Through the Year 2035”.

Better integration with the mainland has been on our agenda for years. We reached an important milestone last

December when we signed a Mutual Recognition Agreement with the Guangdong Society for Electrical Engineering in a ceremony attended by the China Association for Science and Technology and our Secretary for Development. The HKIE will work to negotiate more Mutual Recognition Agreements with mainland institutions across disciplines such as Civil, Geotechnical and others to create new opportunities for our local engineers.

Taking together, Hong Kong’s re-industrialisation, integration with the GBA and the Northern Metropolis will drive the city transformation into a knowledge economy anchored in part by scientific, research-based advanced manufacturing. In addition to improving economic stability and long-term sustainability, these visionary initiatives will drive the demand for engineering talents across all disciplines including scientific R&D, engineering design, intelligent manufacturing, product design, computer technology, artificial intelligence, logistics, quality and production management.

At this stage, the most urgent issue for the HKIE lies on the supply side of the equation since it seems fewer young people are keen to become engineers despite the attractive prospects offered by the profession.

Fostering and attracting bright young minds is increasingly challenging. Young people today look for something more than a pay-check when choosing their future in a globalised world starved for talent.

That’s why we are asking some of our younger top-gun members to leverage their lived experiences, love of engineering and passion for Hong Kong to lead research projects aimed at tackling issues related to the profession. We also want them to tell the HKIE, tertiary education institutions and potential employers what we need to do to meet the expectations of a new generation.

Already, these young engineers compiled a Research on Procurement Policy Review for Works Contracts and Consultancy Contracts to address a prevailing concern that many contracts feature tender prices that are significantly lower than those allowed in pre-tender estimates. This issue is crucial because it directly impacts the remuneration of engineers, how the younger generation perceives the profession, and, ultimately, the sustainability of our industry. After reviewing local practices and overseas systems, our young members made three proposals each for Works Contracts and Consultant Contracts, of which two have been adopted by the Development Bureau.

Meanwhile, a Research on Augmenting Engineer Manpower to Cope with the Foreseeable Surge in Demand has also been completed to forecast the engineering workload and the local supply – or lack thereof – of engineering manpower in the coming decades. The findings estimate that large scale developments such as Lantau Tomorrow Vision and Northern Metropolis may cause construction expenditures to increase by up to 28% and 50% in the next ten and 20 years respectively. This suggests that Hong Kong will be facing an acute shortage of engineers in the years to come. We urgently submitted this report to the Financial Secretary and the Secretary for Development to call for their immediate attention.

Looking on the bright side, we remain hopeful that our young members will continue to think of new solutions to solve our long-standing problems.

As we crave the return to a mask-free world, trips abroad and – in my case – regular golf outings in the mainland, I am reminded of the valuable life lessons that golf teaches me most – humility, empathy, patience, integrity, re-thinking, hard work and many others. Useful on the links, these are also much needed qualities for those of us who are committed to work together towards ensuring that Hong Kong achieves its full potential in an ever-changing world.

Thank you for your attention.

The HKIE Prize Presentation Ceremony cum New Members’ Reception was successfully held on 11 June 2022 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre and was well attended by more than 360 newly-admitted members, awardees and guests. It provided an excellent opportunity for our new members to meet with the Past Presidents, Council Members, Division Chairmen and Discipline Representatives and to celebrate their achievements with their friends and families.

The event started with a warm welcome by President Ir Edwin K F Chung, followed by a certificate presentation ceremony for Fellow Members and Members who were admitted to the HKIE from March 2021 to January 2022. The HKIE Scholarship, The HKIE Prize for Outstanding Engineering Students, The HKIE Innovation Award, The HKIE Innovation Award (Young Member Group) and the Trainee of the Year Award were also presented.

Members are invited to share the joyful moments by visiting the website: https://www.hkie.org.hk/NewMembersReception_11june2022_PhotoGallery 

Photo gallery

Fellows and Members who were admitted to the HKIE from March 2021 to January 2022

List of Awardees of the HKIE Prizes

Awardees of the HKIE Scholarship, HKIE Officers, and Chief Executive and Secretary

Awardees of The HKIE Prize for Outstanding Engineering Students 2020/2021, HKIE Officers, and Chief Executive and Secretary

Awardees of The HKIE Innovation Award 2022, HKIE Officers, and Chief Executive and Secretary

Awardees of The HKIE Innovation Award (Young Member Group) 2022, HKIE Officers, and Chief Executive and Secretary

Awardees of the Trainee of the Year Award 2021, their company representatives, the judging panel, HKIE Officers, and Chief Executive and Secretary

(L to R) Miss Catherine Ng, Dr Y F Hu, Ir Edwin K F Chung, Ir Prof K F Chung, Dr H C Ho, and Mr Davis Wong

The Institution warmly welcomed Ir Prof K F Chung, Director of Chinese National Engineering Research Centre for Steel Construction (Hong Kong Branch) (CNERC) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, and his team including Dr H C Ho, Deputy Executive Secretary of CNERC, Dr Y F Hu, Research Assistant Professor and Miss Catherine Ng, Executive Officer on their visit to the HKIE Headquarters on 24 May 2022.

Ir Edwin K F Chung, President of the HKIE together with Mr Davis Wong, Director of the HKIE discussed with the delegates the way forward of technology and innovation of the engineering community in Hong Kong.

In his presentation on various research and development projects of CNERC, Ir Prof Chung highlighted a number of important collaboration between the China Mainland and Hong Kong, in particular, promotion of effective use of high strength S690 steel in construction, and potential development on adopting Chinese building materials and their specifications for the construction industry in Hong Kong.

All attendees enjoyed a fruitful discussion on the use of Chinese building materials and products, and specifications for construction projects in Hong Kong.

(由上而下)會長鍾國輝工程師(第二行左二)、工程界立法會議員及前會長盧偉國博士、工程師 (第四行)、副會長馬紹祥工程師(第三行右一)、廣東省工程師學會執行會長劉桂雄教授(第一行合照 中左二)及其他工程師學會的出席人士

參加者於學會總部出席研討會

持續專業進修事務委員會與廣東省工程師學會聯合舉辦「探知大灣區網上研討會」（第二回），旨在透過研討會，協助香港工程師在內地發展及尋找機遇。

網上研討會於2022年4月23日分別在學會總部及廣州分會會場同時舉行。研討會反應熱烈，共吸引逾1,200人報名參加。活動最高峰時有630人網上參加及20人親臨出席。

廣東省工程師學會及其他城市的工程師學會的出席人士包括：廣東省工程師學會執行會長劉桂雄教授、廣州工程師學會執行會長李烈軍、佛山市陶瓷學會秘書長黃賓、肇慶市工程師學會會長陳鴻韜、江門市土木建築學會院長周利、惠州市科學技術協會主席朱文轉、汕頭市工程師學會會長陳嚴等。

研討會開始時，分別由學會會長鍾國輝工程師及工程界立法會議員及前會長盧偉國博士、工程師先後發言。接著由廣東省工程師學會執行會長劉桂雄教授致詞，劉教授對促進內地與港澳工程師有序流動及建設甚有貢獻。

三位嘉賓發言後，粵港澳大灣區工程技術人才交流論壇正式開始。各市學會相繼介紹其學會情況及戰略性新興產業發展、《十四五規劃》及工程師的需求和機會。廣州工程師學會除介紹其學會外，亦介紹了廣州構建的「3+5+X」戰略性新興產業體系及「六個之城」。

佛山巿陶瓷學會指出《十四五規劃》八大產業發展包括機械裝備、家電傢俱、陶瓷建材、食品飲料，以及機器人、新能源、新材料、電子資訊、生物醫藥等。新興產業有兩個核心產業群、兩個支柱產業群及四個新興產業群。佛山巿急需開展人才引進、人才培養及工程師評審與認證的工作。

肇慶市在未來五年，將加強高品質發展，實施「十五五」內「翻一番」的計劃。六個目標包括建設製造新城、產業發展、生態屏障、提高文旅名城、建設富美肇慶及法治肇慶。工程師參與標準制修訂技術，並鼓勵共建專業服務機構。

江門巿土木建築學會介紹其11個不同專業協會，以學術、習作、科普推動邁向國際化、資訊化及協同化。江門市有建築之鄉的美譽，產業包括金屬製品、造紙和印刷、紡織服、家電、摩托車及零部件。江門市將大力引進「高精尖缺」人才及實施「僑都英才」計劃，為國際科技創新中心提供重要支援。

惠州巿科學技術協會轄下共有27個學會，涵蓋醫療健康、中西藥製造、農林業、科技教育培訓、氣象互聯網服務等。人才需求包括新材料、新能源、電子資訊、新一代資訊技術、裝備製造，新能源汽車、生物醫藥等96個類別的工程師。

汕頭市工程師學會轄下有42個會員單位。汕頭市有八大工業產業及六大現代服務業。汕頭市需要的工程師須有歸屬感、正向高端發展及具備能力認證。

網上出席者踴躍發問。問題及回應撮要如下：廣東的工程師人數佔全國工程師五分之一，而廣東的工程師工資亦較高。保險由內地單位負責購買。現時內地工程人才有見不足。內地亦有廣範應用BIM技術。

香港工程師學會雖有21 個界別，但內地卻有36 個工程師界別，因此兩地須研究疏理方案，以便與香港工程師銜接。

最後，副會長馬紹祥工程師發表總結，並感謝所有出席者的參與。