As we enter Session 2026/2027, the Institution has moved from the conclusion of a milestone Golden Jubilee year into a new phase of consolidation, delivery and forward planning. For the Secretariat, July was a month of transition in governance, alignment of institutional priorities and preparation for the work programme ahead. I would like to extend my warmest greetings to the newly constituted Council, our Past Presidents, Boards, Divisions, Committees, members and staff colleagues who will together support the Institution’s work in the new Session.
The First Council Meeting of the Session, held on 16 July 2026, was an important institutional occasion. Council Members were joined by Past Presidents, who serve as Honorary Members of the Council, for a group photograph following the meeting. This arrangement was not only a ceremonial moment, but also a reminder of the continuity of leadership and the importance of institutional memory. The presence of successive generations of leaders reflected the collective wisdom that has shaped the HKIE’s development and reaffirmed the need for steady governance, professional discipline and coordinated implementation in the year ahead.
From the perspective of institutional affairs, the commencement of a new Session requires careful coordination across the HKIE’s governance structure. The Institution has updated the Council composition for the new Session, including the new Elected Ordinary Members, Council Members representing Divisions, and Co-opted Members, with Ir Prof Frank CHAN serving as President, Ir Alice CHOW as Immediate Past President, Ir Rupert LEUNG as Senior Vice President, and Ir William LUK and Ir CHIANG Tung Keung as Vice Presidents. The Secretariat will continue to support Council and the Executive in ensuring that decisions are followed through effectively, that Divisions and Committees are well coordinated, and that members are kept informed of major institutional developments.
July is also a month of particular importance for Hong Kong. The 29th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region on 1 July 2026 provided an occasion to reflect on the city’s continued development and on the engineering profession’s contribution to stability, resilience and long-term prosperity. The Institution has consistently emphasised that engineers are not only providers of infrastructure, but also custodians of public safety, sustainability, innovation and confidence. As Hong Kong advances under the Nation’s 15th Five-Year Plan, the HKIE will continue to support members in aligning professional expertise with national development opportunities while maintaining Hong Kong’s international standards and institutional strengths.
We were also pleased to note that several distinguished members of the Institution were recognised in the 2026 Honours List. In particular, Immediate Past President Ir Alice CHOW was appointed as a Justice of the Peace, recognising her long-standing contributions to public service and the engineering profession. During the Golden Jubilee Session, Alice led the Institution under the theme “Together We RISE”, with emphasis on resilience, innovation, sustainability and equity. The Secretariat joins Council and members in congratulating all awardees, whose achievements demonstrate the profession’s continuing contribution to Hong Kong society.
National and Chinese Mainland engagement remained a key area of institutional work during the month. The participation of HKIE representatives in the 11th National Congress of the China Association for Science and Technology in Beijing provided an opportunity to deepen exchanges on scientific and technological development priorities. The Institution maintains cooperation agreements with various Chinese Mainland professional and scientific organisations, strengthening institutional exchanges and collaboration.
A major institutional milestone in July was the establishment of the HKIE’s first Chinese Mainland office at the campus of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou). This development builds on the earlier Memorandum of Understanding with the University, which the Institution described as opening a substantive corridor for talent mobility and industry collaboration across the Greater Bay Area and beyond. The office will support professional training, talent cultivation, institutional liaison and closer links between the engineering communities of Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland. It also provides a practical base for the HKIE to strengthen its presence in the Greater Bay Area and to create more opportunities for cross-boundary professional exchange.
International engagement also recorded encouraging progress during the month. The HKIE delegation participated in the International Council on Electrical Engineering Conference (ICEE) 2026 in Seoul, Korea, where professional exchanges were held with counterparts from Korea, Japan and the Chinese Mainland on key areas including power system digitalisation, renewable energy integration, smart infrastructure and sustainable engineering solutions. Hong Kong’s confirmation as the host city of ICEE 2027, marked by the handover of the ICEE flag to the Hong Kong delegation. The Secretariat will work closely with the relevant Divisions and stakeholders to support the preparation.
The Institution will also continue to prepare for major activities planned for the remainder of 2026. The 5th Greater Bay Area Engineers Forum, scheduled for November 2026, will provide a platform for professional bodies, enterprises, academia and public-sector stakeholders to exchange views on regional collaboration, standards connectivity, innovation and engineering talent development. Building on previous GBA engagement, the Forum will be an important opportunity to consolidate the HKIE’s role in promoting professional cooperation across Hong Kong, Macau and Chinese Mainland cities.
Youth development will remain another important priority. The “EngSeeds” initiative, launched with local universities and institutions in May 2026, aims to provide systematic and inspiring engineering experiences for junior secondary students and to support their early understanding of engineering study and career pathways. With the participation of eight partner universities and institution, the Programme has entered its trial stage, during which a number of pilot activities are being arranged and implemented. The Secretariat will continue to support the coordination and development of this initiative as part of the Institution’s long-term effort to nurture future engineering talent.
International engagement will also continue through the Presidential Visit to the UK from 3 to 8 October 2026, together with participation in an international conference in Singapore later in the month. These activities will support professional exchange with overseas engineering institutions and partners, facilitate discussions on collaboration and mutual recognition, and help maintain Hong Kong’s international engineering connectivity.
As Chief Executive and Secretary of the Institution, I am mindful that institutional progress depends on disciplined execution, clear communication and responsive member services. In the new Session, the Secretariat will continue to support Council, Divisions, Committees and members with professionalism and care. Working together, we will strengthen governance, broaden engagement, nurture talent and contribute to the sustainable development of Hong Kong, our nation and beyond.
Moving on to the 52nd year of the Institution, the first Council meeting was held on 16 July 2026 with a photo session of the Council Members including 16 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 24 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 2026/2027
The Council resolved to co-opt two members onto the Council for Session 2026/2027 with reference to the provision of the Constitution and we are pleased to report that Ir Prof CHUNG Kwok Fai and Ir Janet LAM Sze Mei have been co-opted as co-opted members for the Session. We welcome them on board to join the Council for this Session.
Review of 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.
Proposal on Application and Renewal Fees for Engineering Professional Certifications
On the recommendation of the Administration Board, the Council approved the proposed application and renewal fees for the Engineering Professional Certifications.
Proposal of Waiving Renewal Fee for Assessors of EngBIM Certification
On the recommendation of the Administration Board, the Council approved the proposal to waive the renewal fee for the subsequent financial year for BIM Assessors.
MOU for engagement of part-time legal counsel
On the recommendation of the Construction Dispute Resolution Committee, the Council approved the proposed MOU for engagement of part-time legal counsel.