Getting on track to engineering

Ir Stephen Chik was born and raised in a typical Hong Kong family, one among many that had experienced housing and water shortages because of the city’s then exploding population. Ir Chik developed an early interest in geography, physics and mathematics, and was amazed by how things worked and their underlying principles. Because of what could be described as a harsh upbringing, “engineering was,” he emphasised, “a natural choice to serve my learning interests and create future opportunities to work on infrastructure.” However, at the time he finished secondary school, access to engineering education in Hong Kong was limited. With much gratitude to his hardworking parents, he was exhilarated to have the chance to study civil engineering abroad while acquiring an abiding respect for diverse thoughts and cultures at McGill University in Canada.

After graduating overseas, he worked in Hong Kong on the preliminary design of site formation works for a large residential development on Lantau Island. The proposed development, however, was suspended because of high interest rates in the early 1980s, and it was around this time that Ir Chik experienced the first shock of being laid off. He then worked with two other Hong Kong consulting firms for several years before moving to Canada. He enjoyed his experience there, working on design and construction that accommodate Canada’s cold climate whilst becoming a Canadian professional engineer. “Nevertheless,” he said, “the economy there was relatively slow in the early 1990s, so I decided to return to Hong Kong in 1992.”

On track with Hong Kong’s railway expansion

Upon returning to Hong Kong, Ir Chik joined the Kowloon- Canton Railway Corporation (KCRC) as Planning Engineer and was deeply involved in Hong Kong’s dramatic railway expansion with KCRC—and then MTR—after their merger in 2007. He eventually became General Manager of Planning & Civil Engineering Department, serving in this role until his well-deserved retirement after nearly 30 years. He is modest about his involvement and achievements, simply asserting that Hong Kong’s success in mega railway projects could only be achieved by many parties’ collaborations. He went on to explain that “railway projects involve teamwork from the government, the railway operator, multidisciplinary consultants, contractors and, of course, support from the public.”

Ir Chik delivering a speech at the HKIE Grand 50th Annual Dinner

Ir Chik reminisced with contentment about his involvement in the Hong Kong section of the high speed rail project. “We had limited experience and knowledge,” he recalled, “about these systems and its future operating arrangements, but we were able to obtain the Environmental Permit and authorisation of the Railway Scheme in line with the programme. This demonstrated our commitment to building a strategic rail link connected to the Mainland’s high speed network and also exemplified teamwork in overcoming the challenges of this cross-boundary link.”

He is particularly proud of the Shatin to Central Link, connecting West Rail and Ma On Shan Rail via the new extension to form the Tuen Ma Line, and extending the East Rail to cross Victoria Harbour. “This project involved,” he elaborated, “extensive planning and modifications of the operating railway facilities and complex interfaces. One rewarding experience of building a new railway is to observe passengers enjoying the convenience offered by the new line. My neighbour, for instance, told me that he stopped driving to work, finding it more convenient to take the East Rail train to Admiralty.”

Ir Chik (front row; 4th left) as Chairman of the Civil Division for Session 2014/2015

Treasuring opportunities and giving back

Ir Chik takes a pragmatic approach to his own career path. Experience led him to the belief that one’s career path is inevitably influenced by economic circumstances and other changes. Good times and bad times come about equally naturally. To young people, he advised, “It is important to prepare and treasure any opportunities that might come along, to understand one’s objective and to trust that one’s continuous efforts would encourage others to share or achieve the same objective.”

Ir Chik has wholeheartedly given back to the engineering profession through his strong support of the HKIE’s initiatives. He has served in multiple capacities within the Institution, including Chairman of the Civil Division, Member of the Executive and Council, Deputy Chairman of the Qualification and Membership Board, Chairman of the Professional Assessment Committee, and Member of the Civil Discipline Advisory Panel. He is grateful to the HKIE for the opportunities to serve in all these varying roles. “Each role offers a fruitful learning process,” he claimed modestly, “about how engineering education, training and sharing could nurture our members and the profession.”

A frequent participant in HKIE activities: (top) In a seminar organised by the Civil Division, Ir Chik (L) was presenting Past President Ir Prof K K Choy with a souvenir as the representative of the Division; (down) In a talk organised by the Veneree Club, Ir Chik (3rd left) was one of the guest speakers

Of the contributions that he has made to the HKIE, the one that he values most, and which benefits the profession the most extensively, is his role as Chairman of the Education and Examinations Committee. This Committee handles applications involving engineering programmes not accredited under the Washington Accord. Ir Chik further explained, “The Committee made timely provisions related to top-up requirements and courses offered by local higher education institutes. It also works with the HKIE Secretariat to seek alternative arrangements. Our work consists, hopefully, in assisting applicants with becoming professional engineers. It is a truly rewarding experience when I could help with the situation or make improvements.”

Ir Chik (3rd left) with young members at the HKIE Strategy and Development Day in 2018

Getting off the track and retiring

After officially retiring from MTR in 2018, Ir Chik has continued as Principal Advisor - Engineering, which involves providing background information, possible options and views. He also enjoys having more time to coach staff and organise experience sharing sessions.

“For me, retirement means a change of roles.” Ir Chik elaborated. “I can spend more time on what I wish to do, such as nurturing young engineers, supporting volunteer services and having more family time. I enjoy having lunch or coffee with young engineers, listening to their concerns and sharing my experience.”

“In terms of volunteer service,” he continued, “I am of the view that our communities should provide more opportunities for those who have completed their term of imprisonment, such that they and their families could have a normal life. I enjoy working with Well Charity Foundation Ltd. to support these families’ rehabilitation and needs.”

Ir Chik’s favoured recreational activities in retirement include various sports, such as basketball, badminton, squash, golf, and table tennis. “These are not just about competing and team building,” he enthused, “but also about observing rules and conduct, which are very much part of one’s life and career path.”

Ir Chik (R) being conferred the HKIE Gold Medal 2025 by the President