Every July, as we celebrate the establishment of the HKSAR, we eagerly anticipate the release of the Honours List, where our members’ dedication to both the engineering profession and society is often acknowledged. The list of HKIE awardees this year can be found here, and the complete list is accessible on the Government’s website.
As the summer deepens, so too does our engagement with the broader engineering community. The Institution recently took part in a series of meaningful endeavours that reflect our commitment to sustainability, professional exchange, and the cultivation of future talent. Reinforcing our public presence aside, these activities also extended our role as a connector between engineering practice and the wider society.
Among the most significant undertakings last month was the Delegation Visit to National Water Infrastructure, Culture and Technology, held from 21 to 25 July to mark the 60th anniversary of the Dongjiang water supply to Hong Kong. Organised jointly by the Water Supplies Department, the Institution, and the Hong Kong Federation of Education Workers, and with our Past President Ir Dr Barry Lee as the Organising Committee’s Chairman, the delegation brought together engineering professionals, secondary and tertiary students as well as educators to explore the national water network and its cultural and technological dimensions. I had the great privilege to join President Ir Alice Chow, Senior Vice President Ir Prof Frank Chan, and Vice Presidents Ir Rupert Leung and Ir William Luk on this visit.
From the groundbreaking South-to-North Water Diversion Project to heritage sites and innovation centres, delegates experienced the scale and complexity of water engineering en route to Xiangyang, Zhengzhou, and Beijing. Our President, Ir Alice Chow, joined the concluding ceremony in Beijing and spoke on behalf of the Institution, reaffirming our belief in bridging professional and public understanding of engineering achievement. Through this initiative, we also hoped to inspire young minds to pursue engineering as a vocation of impact and responsibility.
Earlier in the month, from 8 to 11 July, the Institution participated in the International Council on Electrical Engineering (ICEE) Conference 2025, held in Wuhan. With the theme “Low Carbon Electricity Powering a Better Future”, the conference featured experts examining the evolving challenges of electrical engineering in the energy transition era. Ir Chow led the HKIE delegation which included representatives from our Electrical Division. We were honoured to have our Past President, Ir Dr F C Chan, deliver a keynote on renewable energy integration in power systems—underscoring the role of Hong Kong engineers in pioneering technical strategies of international relevance. Delegates also visited high-impact infrastructure sites, including the Wuhan Smart Distribution Grid Demonstration Zone and the China Three Gorges Group’s innovation hub. These engagements allowed our members to exchange ideas on technological advancement and sustainable energy solutions within an increasingly interconnected professional landscape.
On 24 July, President Chow represented the Institution, in Beijing, at the Fourth Cross-Strait cum Hong Kong and Macao Forum on Urban Construction and Sustainable Development. Themed “Low Carbon Development: Cities of the Future”, the forum served as a platform for experts from across the region to explore collaborative pathways in green infrastructure, urban renewal, and sustainable construction. In her opening remarks as officiating guest, Ir Chow highlighted the need for cross-sector and cross-boundary partnership in shaping future-ready cities. She also stressed the importance of adopting international best practices and setting shared benchmarks for green buildings. The Institution’s delegation, including Chairman of the Civil Division Ir Johnson K C Lee and other representatives from the Division, joined the forum for regional cooperation in climate-aligned engineering.
The month also saw continued progress on advancing cross-boundary recognition of engineering competence within the Greater Bay Area (GBA). As a follow-up to the June delegation to Portugal led by Senior Vice President Ir Prof Frank Chan, the Working Group on Professional Competence under the GBA Federation of Engineering Organisations (GFEO) has been developing a regional competence framework aligned with the standards of the International Engineering Alliance (IEA). The goal is to yield a GBA framework that reflects local needs while remaining globally benchmarked, particularly in light of the IEA’s latest emphasis on sustainability and clarity in professional competencies. The second Working Group meeting will be held next month in Macao. The leading role of the Institution in the drafting stage not only reflects its commitment in setting engineering standards, but also its strong linkage to national and international engineering arena. It is a promising step towards deeper integration of professional standards across the region.
Although each of the month’s events told a different part of a larger story, they were bound by a common thread: the belief that engineering is a vehicle for progress, dialogue, and sustainable development. As we move forward into the heart of the Session, let us carry this belief with us—into the projects we have a share in and our aspirations for the future.
Moving on to the 51st year of the Institution, the first Council meeting was held on 17 July 2025 with a photo session of the Council Members including some of our Past Presidents, who are Honorary Members of the Council.
Appointment to standing committees
Members’ involvement in the work of the Institution has been the major impetus to progress year on year. Appointment of members onto about 22 standing committees in areas of planning, administration, learned society, qualifications and accreditation business of the Institution as well as the 22 Discipline Advisory Panels constituted an important item of the first Council meeting at the beginning of a session to take forward the various initiatives and plans for the year. The Council has also appointed a panel from which Boards of Inquiry may be formed for the purpose of considering and making recommendations to the Council in regard to any case of improper conduct of a member in accordance with the Constitution.
Co-option onto the Council for Session 2025/2026
The Council resolved to co-opt two members onto the Council for Session 2025/2026 with reference to the provision of the Constitution and we are pleased to report that Ir WANG Yanhua and Ir Prof PAN Wei have been co-opted as co-opted members for the Session. We welcome them on board to join the Council for this Session.
Revised MoU with the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou)
On the recommendation of the Executive, the Council approved the revised MoU between the HKIE and The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou).
Delegation of Authority from Council to Other Bodies
On the recommendation of the Executive, the Council approved the proposed delegation of authority framework for this Session.