Achieving success with the right mindset

Ir Duncan Wong describes engineers as being creators and builders of roads, bridges, buildings and superstructures. “The idea of creating something tangible, which people can use and enjoy, motivated me to become an engineer,” he enthused.

More than four decades ago, he joined Towngas as a junior engineer learning his trade. In retrospect, he feels fortunate to have been mentored by seniors who made the considerable effort to nurture him. He advised young engineers, “The importance of humility, eagerness to learn and a ‘can-do’ spirit cannot, in my view, be overstated – one’s disposition matters; seniors will take note and will be more willing to give you opportunities if you are likeable and motivated.”

He also believes that, apart from technical knowledge and the “right” mindset, a fine engineer should possess teamwork, communication and negotiation skills, and above all, a serviceable understanding of what society needs. Equally important to him is a lively passion for lifelong learning.

Skillset for success as senior management

While rising through the ranks at Towngas, Ir Wong soon realised that “hard” skills could only take him so far. “Managerial competencies such as finance, negotiation and organisational development,” he asserted, “all play a crucial role not just in running a department or a company, but also in successful project delivery. Indeed, the skills that I gained from my MBA, such as the ability to manage different stakeholders, have proved invaluable in the various projects that I have worked on over the years.”

Ir Wong worked in various departments within Towngas and was later responsible for business development initiatives in the Mainland China. He eventually became General Manager – Marketing & Sales, the senior management position held by him until his retirement after forty years with Towngas.

Attending the 2016 G20 Energy Ministerial Meeting in Beijing

When put to the question of which of his numerous projects at Towngas are most memorable, he named three. Two involved supplying town gas to two of Hong Kong’s iconic infrastructure projects: Hong Kong International Airport and Hong Kong Disneyland. The third memorable project was the first combined heat and power (CHP) electricity and heating generation project in Hong Kong hospitals. As a collaboration between Towngas, the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) and Hospital Authority, the project received Regional Energy Project of the Year Award for the Asia-Pacific Region by the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) in the United States. “Although I am proud of the accolade,” commented Ir Wong, “I am prouder of the positive environmental impact that the project has on society, by utilising biogas to produce electricity for a hospital and thus turning waste into energy.”

Ir Wong (front row; middle) representing Towngas to receive the AEE’s Regional Energy Project of the Year Award

Giving back to the profession and community

Ir Wong has given back to the profession throughout his long career, primarily through his involvement with the HKIE and the Institution of Gas Engineers and Managers (IGEM). He was Vice President and Chairman of IGEM’s Far East District Section and IGEM’s President for one term – being only the second President from outside the UK in IGEM’s more than 150-year history. With the HKIE, he said that his most memorable service was as Executive and Council Member, Chairman of the Public Relations Committee, and Chairman of the Gas & Energy Division.

Speaking as Vice President of IGEM at its Annual General Meeting and Gas Industry Awards Lunch 2019

After retiring from Towngas, he relishes spending more time with his family. Equally enjoyable to him is his service as Chairman of the HKIE’s Staff Resources Committee and representing the HKIE as a member of the World Federation of Engineering Organizations Committee on Energy. Recent highlights included participating in the technical visit on hydrogen development to Guangzhou organised by the Gas & Energy Division.

“What I find most rewarding about helping engineering institutions,” he elaborated, “is the opportunity to serve as a driver of change and progress. For example, during my tenure as President of IGEM, the UK-based professional engineering institution for gas, I have played a small part in shaping the UK’s energy policy towards net zero by 2050 through my involvement in preparing IGEM’s response paper on the same. On the other hand, having benefitted from various opportunities offered by IGEM over the years, I consider it a duty and indeed an honour to have made these contributions.”

As President of IGEM

Ir Wong (1st right) as an officiating guest in EMSD’s Gas Trade cum I&T Forum

Ir Wong also finds it rewarding to volunteer with community organisations. He is proud to be a Founding Member of Our Hong Kong Foundation (OHKF)’s Business for Social Good, a platform which fosters social innovation to solve problems facing the local community. Presently an Advisor to OHKF, he stated, “As builders of the community, engineers also owe a duty to society – this involves giving back whenever possible. Aside from the personal satisfaction I get out of the successful launch of a social innovation initiative, it is also gratifying to see that, the hustle and bustle notwithstanding, there are still many in the community who are willing to devote their time to giving back.”

Ir Wong’s passion outside of engineering is football. He enjoys following the Premier League in England closely. He finds a clear parallel between football and engineering, in that both are, by their nature, team-based. “The sum of the parts,” he eleaborated, “is greater than what we can do individually. Each player, engineer or team member has his or her own unique contribution to make. Recognising this helps bring out the best in the team and goes a long way towards successful project delivery.”

Ir Duncan Wong (R) being conferred President's Award 2025 by the President