Led by President Ir Eric Ma, the Institution’s delegation, including Senior Vice President Ir Alice Chow, Chairman of International Affairs Committee Ir William Luk, Director Mr Davis Wong, and two President’s Protégés set off to Australia for a brief but productive visit in early May.

On the first day of the visit, the delegation met with Engineers Australia (EA) in their office in Sydney, where the delegation was warmly welcomed by the representatives of EA, who were led by Ms Zeba Salman, Head of International Engagement. The parties had a fruitful discussion on their respective upcoming initiatives. In particular, EA shared the visions and strategies for their Sydney Division from 2023 to 2026, as well as the challenges and opportunities pertaining to the attraction of young engineering talents. Meanwhile, our delegates shared the development of the mutual recognition framework agreement that expands development opportunities for engineers in the Mainland. Additionally, both institutions further discussed initiatives to empower the next generation of engineers and promote cultural and gender diversity.

After a fruitful meeting with Engineers Australia

In the afternoon, the delegates visited the Net Zero Institute of the University of Sydney, where they learnt about the key policy drivers and incentives adopted in net zero transition, and the challenges encountered. They visited the research laboratories in the university and gained comprehensive insights into the development of low carbon concrete augmented with mine tailings that meet durability and performance requirements for the construction of civil assets. Our delegates, on the other hand, introduced Hong Kong’s implementation and promotion of electric vehicles, which help reduce carbon emissions.

Outside of the Net Zero Institute of the University of Sydney

fter a hectic day of meetings and visits, the delegates proceeded to the Hong Kong House for a cocktail reception that we co-organised with the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO) Sydney, where the delegates networked with local members, other engineering professionals, and guests from various fields. The evening was filled with engaging conversations and delightful exchanges.

President Ir Eric Ma delivering welcome remarks at the cocktail reception in Sydney

On the second day of the visit, the delegates flew to Melbourne, the first item there being a meeting with the academic staff of the University of Melbourne over lunch. The parties discussed various aspects of engineering education. The friendly and energetic atmosphere set a positive tone for the rest of the day.

The highlight of the second day was the visit to the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT University), where a productive exchange of insights was conducted with RMIT School of Engineering and STEM College staff on the future of the industry and the professional recognition system. The discussions highlighted the importance of aligning educational frameworks with industry needs, particularly in the context of innovation and technology. RMIT shared valuable information about their curriculum development trends, emphasising the integration of artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies into their programmes.

At the RMIT campus

In the evening, the delegates hosted a cocktail reception for the purpose of networking with members in Melbourne. The gathering fostered camaraderie and collaboration among engineering professionals, further strengthening our connections within the local community. At the reception, Ir Eric Ma, Ir Alice Chow and Ir William Luk were interviewed by a reporter from a local Chinese newspaper, which helped to raise the profile of the Institution within the Chinese community in Australia.

happy faces at the Melbourne cocktail reception

On the last day of the visit, the delegates joined the YMC, who was also in Australia for their annual overseas delegation. The group first visited RMIT’s City Campus, where they were introduced to a range of projects that highlighted the university’s commitment to sustainability and innovation. The research laboratories and workshops that the group had the privilege of seeing were bustling with activity and creativity, showcasing the cutting-edge research and hands-on learning opportunities available to students. In the afternoon, the group had the opportunity to visit the North East Link Project in Melbourne. At the site, the group observed the two enormous Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) that are instrumental in constructing Victoria’s longest road tunnel. These remarkable machines are engineering marvels, designed to efficiently excavate the earth while minimising disruption to the surrounding environment. Besides the technological achievement, the group was also impressed by the project team’s strong commitment to safety and their proactive approach to balance the demands of construction with the needs and comfort of the community.

Visiting the North East Link Project together with YMC delegation

All in all, the delegation successfully accomplished their goals during this very brief visit to Australia – connection with Engineers Australia was strengthened, relationship with Australia-based members was deepened, and the profile of the Institution within the Australia engineering community was raised.

香港工程師學會、澳門機電工程師學會、香港環境師學會及碳市場 能力建設大灣區服務中心，於2025年5月28日至5月30日合辦「滬上 聚首 共繪交流宏圖」考察活動。

活動第一天，學會副會長陳帆教授、工程師及燃氣及能源分部主席 范繼陶工程師應香港環境師學會邀請，參加了由中國建設勞動學會 主辦的「數智零碳科技創新研討會」。會上，陳帆教授、工程師介紹 了學會的背景資料，范繼陶工程師介紹了有關香港在推動氫能產業 發展的努力，以及城市更新與環境治理的經驗。

「 滬上聚首 共繪交流宏圖」考察活動第二天，團隊上午參觀了 上海環境能源交易所，得到上海環交所總經理徐鳴一女士的熱情 招待，大家深入交流了有關國家碳交易的發展，及香港可以擔當的 角色。香港參會人員試敲了上海環交所的銅鑼及登記溫室氣體抵消 證書。

下午，團隊參觀了國家知識產權運營（上海）國際服務平臺，得到上 海知識產權交易中心副總經理黃穎女士接待，並親自介紹有關中 國企業在無形資產、知識產權、資料資產、碳資產和金融資產等領 域的發展瓶頸，並指出中國在晶片製造和技術突破方面的挑戰。其 次，會議強調了企業在發展過程中需要不斷升級、創新和反覆運算 無形資產，並不斷進行成果轉化。最後，會議提到了與24家銀行簽 訂的戰略合作協定，並以化妝品產業集群為例，說明了企業在不斷 創新的過程中，如何通過無形資產實現更好的發展。

「滬上聚首 共繪交流宏圖」考察活動第三天，也是本次活動最後一 天，團隊上午參加了滬港澳城市更新交流會，交流會由陸家嘴樓宇 協會舉辦，並得到上海自貿區陸家嘴管理局綜合處趙雲德處長親臨 支持。交流會中，分享了正大廣場改造項目及城建國際中心改造等 項目案例。在正大廣場的項目，面臨的最大挑戰是營業中進行改造 的風險，因此採取小步快跑、持續進步的策略，逐步提升營業狀況， 以避免影響正常營業情況。上海能源建設集團提出了有關建築能耗 的提升和城市更新的相關問題。集團還通過數位化平臺反映出上海 市所有建築的能耗情況，顯示出經濟和商業產業的逐漸向好。學會 副會長陳帆教授、工程師在會上分享了有關香港城市建設的經驗， 並強調了整體佈局的連通性以及考慮未來的發展方向的重要性。

考察活動第三天下午，大家參觀了氫能與燃料電池檢測基地及加氫 站，檢測基地及加氫站由上海舜華新能源負責運營，加氫站運營注 氫設計70 Mpa，由於規範原因，加氫站暫時運營加氫壓力35 Mpa， 加氫站採用國內研發的隔膜式壓縮機，費用只是德國同類壓縮機的 大概三分之一價錢，大大減低了建設成本。檢測基地的設備非常全 面，包括了信號干擾，超高壓及低壓測試，防水防塵以及模仿路面顛 簸對設備影響的測試都有。

On 3 April 2025, the Construction Dispute Resolution Committee (CDRC) dived into “Mediation for Construction Industry in the Greater Bay Area – Recognition Status, Micro Skills and Techniques” in a one-day conference – one of its flagship events, returning since 2022, to continue this series on resolving construction disputes. This conference, funded by the Professional Services Advancement Support Scheme with the Hong Kong Mediation Council as the collaborating organisation, attracted around 100 practitioners and engineering graduates who attended physically and over 200 joining through the broadcast on the internet.

With infrastructure booming in the Greater Bay Area, disputes are inevitable – but mediation offers a collaborative way forward. This conference explored its legal status, practical techniques such as active listening and neutrality, and how engineers’ expertise can enhance the outcomes.

The opening of the conference was officiated by The Hon Dr Horace Cheung, Deputy Secretary for Justice, and our President Ir Eric Ma. During his opening remarks, Dr Cheung observed that disputes could be handled in different ways: some resort to force, others turn to litigation, but the wisest path forward would be through mediation. This was why the Department of Justice launched a campaign called “Mediate First” to encourage companies and organisations to make a pledge to use mediation as a flexible and constructive approach in resolving disputes, such that there could be mutually acceptable settlement while the risks, costs and time could be kept in control.

The afternoon session was opened by Ir Dr The Hon Lo Wai-kwok, Legislative Councillor for the Engineering Functional Constituency. Further to the enactment of the Mediation Ordinance in 2013, Ir Dr The Hon Lo highlighted that 14th Five-Year Plan established Hong Kong’s strategic position as an international legal and dispute resolution services centre in the Asia Pacific region, and the headquarters of the International Organization for Mediation would also be opened in Hong Kong in 2025.

The conference featured 12 expert speakers from Shanghai, Shenzhen, Macau, and Hong Kong, offering diverse perspectives on mediation practices across the Greater Bay Area. Discussions highlighted both the similarities in mediation approaches and the strategic advantages of leveraging different regional systems. Speakers shared best practices and region-specific challenges, demonstrating how localised strategies can enhance mediation outcomes – particularly in cross-border infrastructure projects and multi-jurisdictional legal frameworks.

Key focus areas included (i) the recognition status of mediation in the construction industry, (ii) essential microskills for effective mediators, and (iii) advanced techniques to elevate professional practice. In addressing recognition, speakers noted the Supreme People’s Court of the People’s Republic of China’s endorsement of mediation as a preferred dispute resolution method, Macau’s structured regulatory framework, and Hong Kong’s push for technology-driven mediation platforms.

Delving into micro-skills, speakers outlined six critical competencies: active listening, empathy, effective questioning, negotiation tactics, power-balancing, and cultural sensitivity – a vital consideration given the Greater Bay Area’s cross-border dynamics. Specialised techniques such as interest-based negotiation, hybrid mediation-arbitration models (widely adopted in the Mainland), and digital tools for documentation management were also explored.

The conference underscored the pivotal role of engineers to take on as mediators by using their domain expertise in engineering, architecture and law. By refining contracts and project workflows with mediation principles, engineers can lead transformative change. The closing call to action emphasised collaboration, urging collective responsibility to harness mediation’s potential for resolving complex disputes and shaping the industry’s future.

CDRC Committee Members with the Guest of Honour, Dr Horace Cheung (9th right), President Ir Eric Ma (9th left), and CDRC Chairman Ir Christopher To (8th right), during the morning session of the conference

Around 100 practitioners and engineering graduates attended the conference physically and listened to the welcome speech by President Ir Eric Ma

CDRC Committee Members with Keynote Speaker Ir Dr The Hon Lo Wai-kwok (5th right), Guest Speaker, Mr Xie Weimin (2nd left), CDRC Chairman Ir Christopher To (4th right), and CDRC Immediate Past Chairman Ir Sidney Tong (5th left) during the afternoon session of the conference