With March behind us and April unfolding, I found myself again deeply uplifted, as I had been many times before, by our members’ commitment to energising the engineering community through their participation in our Institution’s initiatives.
Of the events over the past few weeks, the limelight shone brightest on our highly anticipated HKIE Grand 50th Annual Dinner, held on 3 April at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. We were privileged to welcome the Honourable Chief Executive Mr John Lee as our Principal Guest, alongside Vice Minister of Human Resources and Social Security of the PRC Mr Wu Xiuzhang, senior government officials, distinguished industry leaders, and our esteemed members. As a major signpost in our Institution’s half-century history, the event’s success reaffirmed our collective resolve to stride forward for the decades to come.
At the Dinner, we congratulated the recipients of the HKIE Awards. Welcomed into the distinguished roll of the Institution’s Honorary Fellows were Ir Dr Andrew K C Chan and Ir Prof Alexander P K Wai, whose lifelong achievements have not ceased to inspire our profession. The other awardees were Ir Stephen W K Chik, who received the HKIE Gold Medal for his decades of contributions to Hong Kong’s railway infrastructure; Ir Duncan Wong, whose services for the Institution and the gas industry earned him the President’s Award; and Ir Dr Zheng Pai, a young and accomplished scholar in smart manufacturing and robotics, honoured with Young Engineer of the Year Award 2025.
Another highlight of the evening was the announcement of the awarded projects of the HKIE 50th Anniversary Legacy Award. Out of a selection process that culminated in a public voting, in which thousands had taken part, 30+ projects have emerged and were recognised as what they are—exemplary contributors to Hong Kong’s growth and development, each with their own share of profound impact on our city. Our sincerest congratulations are extended to all the professionals who have worked hard for these projects, especially the three that earned the Legacy Award: The Daya Bay Nuclear Power Station (Industrial Category), Fibre Optic by Professor Charles K Kao (Innovation Category), and Hong Kong’s First Metro Subway (Infrastructure Category). These projects have defined our profession by the technical excellence and enduring impact that they display conspicuously.
More of our anniversary celebratory events are going to take place in the upcoming months. Make sure to stay informed and be a part of these exciting events.
On 21 March, I joined Ir Jason Fan and Ir Steven N K Chan, Chairman and Immediate Past Chairman of our Gas & Energy Division, in attending the opening ceremony of the 碳交易員一 級課程 organised jointly by The Macao Institution of Electrical and Mechanical Engineers and 碳市場能力建設大灣區服務中心. Ir Fan and Ir Chan, speaking on a panel devoted to the topic “國際碳交易的現狀及發展”, emphasised the importance of carbon trading markets in achieving China’s dual-carbon targets. We acknowledge such programmes’ role in green transformation and recommend that members continue to enhance capacities to embrace the forthcoming changes and opportunities stemming from this global initiative.
Aiming to further enrich our members’ understanding of broader national perspectives, the Institution convened the 「工程師2025兩會精神」分享會 on 22 March. This event featured insightful sharing by Vice President Ir Prof Frank Chan (also Deputy to the National People’s Congress), Ir Prof Alexander Wai (CPPCC member and President of Hong Kong Baptist University), and Ir Prof William Wong Kam-fai (CPPCC member, Legislative Councillor, and Associate Dean of the Faculty of Engineering at The Chinese University of Hong Kong). Covering key policy areas of economic development, talent nurturing, and innovation technology, the speakers highlighted strategic directions for engineering professionals in Hong Kong to engage meaningfully in national development. President Ir Eric Ma, also present, stressed the Institution’s readiness to deepen members’ understanding of national policies.
On 2 April, President Ir Eric Ma, Immediate Past President Ir Dr Barry Lee, Vice President Ir Prof Frank Chan and I attended the「2025年粵港科技界交流酒會」organised by the Guangdong Association for Science and Technology (GAST). The Institution was honoured to serve as one of the supporting organisations for this meaningful occasion. The event sought to foster deeper collaboration and exchange between engineering and technology professionals from Hong Kong and Guangdong, promoting mutual understanding within the Greater Bay Area’s vibrant innovation community.
With my eyes set on our official 50th Anniversary in December, I can already anticipate how the celebratory activities down the road will unite members and offer a profusion of opportunities for forming deeper professional attachments. Let us look forward to that day as a significant turning point.
Election of Council
The 50th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Institution will be held on 24 June 2025 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. Preparation for the meeting has commenced.
The Council noted the nomination of candidate for vice presidency. In accordance with the nomination procedures for election of Vice President, the candidate will be invited to make a presentation to the Council Members before the Council finalises its nomination of Vice President for election by Corporate Members on the day of the AGM. A Council meeting (Special) will be held on 24 April 2025 for the purpose and the meeting will be open for Corporate Members to view the proceedings of the meeting and presentations of candidate by real time broadcasting in the HKIE Headquarters.
In regard to Elected Ordinary Members, the Council resolved that there would be five seats for Elected Ordinary Members up for election on the day of the AGM. Nomination forms together with the Guidelines for Election are obtainable at the HKIE Headquarters or the HKIE website at http://www.hkie.org.hk.
The eligibility for election to these posts is stipulated in the Constitution.
MOU between the HKIE and The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou)
On the recommendation of the Executive, the Council approved the MOU between the HKIE and The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou).
Proposed amendments to the Constitution arising from Safeguarding National Security Ordinance
On the recommendation of the Executive, the Meeting approved the proposed amendments to the Constitution arising from Safeguarding National Security Ordinance.
Proposed amendments to the Constitution arising from Governance Review
On the recommendation of the Administration Board, the Meeting approved the proposed amendments to the Constitution arising from Governance Review.
Proposal from Working Group on Review of the Class of FHKIE
On the recommendation of the Q & M Board, the Meeting approved the proposal of creating the class of Adjunct Fellow and the corresponding amendments to the Constitution.
Final Report from the Working Group for Streamlining the Process of Professional Assessment (WGSPPA)
On the recommendation of the Q & M Board, the Meeting approved the proposal from the Working Group for Streamlining the Process of Professional Assessment and the corresponding amendments to the Constitution.
Proposed Amendments relating to Mandatory CPD for Corporate Members and CPD for Associate Members
On the recommendation of the Learned Society Board, the Meeting approved the proposed amendments relating to Mandatory CPD for Corporate Members and CPD for Associate Members.
Setting up HKIE Student Chapter at IVE Lee Wai Lee and Cessation of HKIE Student Chapter at IVE Chai Wan
The Council approved the setting up of the HKIE Student Chapter at IVE Lee Wai Lee, the annual budget allocation to the IVE Lee Wai Lee Student Chapter, and the cessation of IVE Chai Wan Student Chapter.
Task Force on Provision of Support to Young Members of Social Unrest-related Convicted Cases (TF-SSUC)
The Council approved the extension of the term of office of TF-SSUC for one more year until March 2026.