Ir Prof Alfred SIT

November 2025 will be remembered as a month of sorrow and reflection following the tragic fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po on 26 November. The loss of lives in this devastating incident serves as a solemn reminder of the critical importance of safety and vigilance. As we extend our heartfelt condolences and stand in solidarity with those affected, the Institution remains committed to providing every possible assistance to affected members and their families during this difficult time. We have facilitated donations (link) to support victims and their families, and have decided to cancel or postpone certain anniversary events as a mark of respect. We also call upon our members and all sectors of society to unite and stand together as we navigate this difficult period.

As we approach the close of 2025, the Institution moves forward with a deep sense of responsibility and reflection. In the midst of sorrow, we reaffirm our commitment to serving both the profession and the wider community with integrity and care.

In early November, we reached a number of significant milestones that reflect our growing influence locally and internationally. The President led a delegation to the UK, culminating in the renewal of our Mutual Recognition Agreements with three leading UK institutions: The Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), and The Chartered Institution of Highways & Transportation (CIHT). A highlight of the visit was a cocktail reception coorganised with the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO) in London, bringing together over 100 guests to exchange ideas, share experiences, and explore collaborative pathways across borders. An international conference themed “Engineering the Future”, was also organised in collaboration with the Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD), Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE), the Energy Institute, ICE, IET, and the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE). Senior Vice President Ir Prof Frank Chan concluded the panel discussion by highlighting key insights and expressing gratitude to the speakers for their contributions to the dialogue on shaping the profession’s collective future.

We were also proud to see the HKIE delegation join COP30 in Belém, Brazil, representing Hong Kong’s engineering expertise on the global stage of climate action and sustainability. President Ir Alice Chow spoke at the China Pavilion roundtable on “Accelerating Energy Transition and Achieving Carbon Neutrality”, emphasising Hong Kong’s leadership in lowcarbon transformation and climateresilient infrastructure design. Senior Vice President Ir Frank Chan participated in a roundtable titled “Building Climate-Resilient Cities: Managing Climate and Health Risks”, addressing technological challenges, cuttingedge research, and emerging innovations essential to urban resilience.

Back home, a commemorative event was jointly organised by the Development Bureau, The Hong Kong Institution of Engineers, the Hong Kong Institute of Architects, and the Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors to recognise professionals who have successfully passed the GuangdongHong KongMacao Greater Bay Area (GBA) engineering “Professional Title” evaluation and obtained corresponding qualifications in the Mainland. Since the pilot scheme launched in 2024, the evaluation mechanism has expanded from five to ten disciplines. This year, HKIE members were eligible to apply for eight categories, and 218 members obtained professional titles—an important benchmark for assessing professional competence and supporting talent development in the construction sector.

The Institution also served as an official partner of the International Railway Safety Council 2025 Conference. The President delivered a keynote address to launch the event, reaffirming our commitment to advancing railway safety through collaboration and innovation.

Toward the end of November, an HKIE delegation joined engineering leaders from across the Greater Bay Area at the 4th GBA Engineers’ Forum in Guangzhou on 30 November. The forum provided an invaluable platform for exchanging regional expertise, driving innovation, and strengthening connectivity. Importantly, it also highlighted progress made toward aligning engineering standards across the region, laying the groundwork for deeper integration within the GBA engineering community.

The Institution continues to advocate for active member participation. Leading up to the Legislative Council General Election polling day, we hosted a forum for candidates running for the Engineering Functional Constituency at our headquarters, leveraged digital channels, produced promotional videos (link) to enhance social media outreach, and used our official website—all in support of encouraging eligible members to exercise their right to vote.

As we reflect on these significant developments amid a period of profound sorrow, we remain steadfast in our mission to serve the community, advance the profession, and support one another with compassion, unity, and unwavering commitment to the public good.