Ir Dr Jacob Kam has achieved a distinguished career across engineering, corporate leadership and public service, being always guided by a strong sense of responsibility, public purpose and professional integrity.

“Working with dedicated colleagues and partners at MTR to connect communities and enhance urban life is a privilege I am proud of as an engineer," said Ir Dr Jacob Kam

Early engineering inspiration

Ir Dr Kam was inspired by his father, a government engineer, to pursue engineering. He explains, “My father would often take me on walks to show me buildings and infrastructures, explaining how they were built and their importance in serving society. His influence set my sights on engineering while I was still in secondary school.”

He received his Civil Engineering degree and doctorate in Mechanical Engineering in the UK. “Living abroad provided a global perspective on how infrastructure integrates with diverse urban fabrics and economic growth,” he reminisces. “I merged my father’s dedication to public service with a global view of innovation for people, that is, viewing the city not just as a grid of hardware, but as a living ecosystem.”

Invaluable foundational UK experience

Ir Dr Kam taught at University College London and then worked for the UK Government on structural safety oversight and regulation in the offshore oil and gas industry. He says, “My early career in the UK was foundational in defining my approach to risk management and systems safety. Operating in safety-critical environments taught me that engineering excellence is inseparable from a culture of rigorous oversight and ‘zero-harm’ objectives.”

His UK experience proved instrumental upon returning to Hong Kong in 1995 to help construct the Airport Railway. He says, “At the time, MTR’s safety standards for construction and operations evolved from British systems. I was able to seamlessly integrate my UK experience into development of safety protocols specifically tailored for Hong Kong’s unique challenges—high urban density and high passenger volumes. This ensured that as our network expanded, safety remained absolutely the bedrock of our world-class infrastructure.”

Memorable milestones

Joining the MTR in 1995, Ir Dr Kam dedicated the next 30 years holding key management positions, becoming the Chairman in January 2026.

“It is always memorable and deeply fulfilling to see passengers’ anticipation and smiling faces as each new railway line and station comes into service”, said Ir Dr Kam

Of his many memorable milestones, one of the most defining was witnessing the commissioning of the Airport Express and Tung Chung Line. He explains, “Beyond providing seamless connection between the airport and city centre, these lines demonstrated the transformative power of railways—supporting emergence of a new CBD in West Kowloon, revitalisation of older districts such as Tai Kok Tsui, and development of new towns including Tsing Yi and Tung Chung. It was a vivid demonstration of how rail can drive community development.”

To an engineer, “connecting communities” is a mission driven by high-capacity efficiency. Dr Kam sees the High Speed Rail's true value in the seamless interconnectivity that elevates both urban life and economic vitality across the region

Over the years, Ir Dr Kam has led the development of multiple railway projects through engineering and management expertise, witnessing key milestones in Hong Kong's railway journey

Another important milestone was pioneering MTR’s early urban rail development beyond Hong Kong.

Empowering engineering with technology

Ir Dr Kam believes the future of engineering is tied closely with technology. He explains, “Digitalisation, AI, data analytics and new construction technologies are fundamentally transforming how we design, build and operate railway infrastructure. In rail construction, operations and asset management, these tools enable us to move towards smarter, more predictive and more resilient systems.”

To him, technology should empower engineering judgement. He elaborates, “When embraced wisely and responsibly, emerging technologies help engineers design and build smarter infrastructure and buildings, manage risks more effectively and make better data‑informed decisions—while keeping safety, reliability and sustainability at the core. For engineers, this transformation calls for broader skillset and mindset.”

Sharing Hong Kong’s experience internationally

One important contribution Ir Dr Kam makes is as Honorable Chairman of the International Association of Public Transport (UITP). Common challenges are faced by urban centres globally, from decarbonisation and resilience to meeting rising mobility demands.

He elaborates, “Global engagement allows us to learn from diverse approaches, to see how policy, technology and community needs intersect in different contexts. Hong Kong is well‑placed to contribute to global best practices. Our railway has been built on a strong foundation of safety, reliability and transit‑oriented development, supported by innovation and disciplined execution.”

Ir Dr Kam was invited to speak at the UIC World Congress on High-Speed Rail, where he shared MTR's expertise in railway operations, financing, and development models

Commitment to public service

In addition to the UITP, Ir Dr Kam has been involved in numerous associations, institutes and charities in Hong Kong and the UK in key roles, demonstrating his long-standing motivation and commitment to public service.

He explains, “Infrastructure ultimately exists to serve people. Engineers have a responsibility to look beyond individual projects to the long‑term value of society. Through our work, engineers contribute meaningfully to public policy, infrastructure resilience and city planning by bringing systems thinking and long‑term and professional perspective to complex decisions.”

Guiding principles for effective leadership

Having spent much of his career in senior management, Ir Dr Kam’s leadership style is guided by a strong sense of public responsibility, professional integrity and long-term stewardship. He explains, “An engineering foundation instilled discipline, rigour and respect for safety and risk management in me, while years in corporate leadership highlighted the need to balance prudence with adaptability in times of change.”

He believes that trust in people is crucial—listening carefully, empowering teams and fostering open dialogue—and effective leadership requires calm judgment, transparency and consistency.

Advice to young engineers

Ir Dr Kam advises, “Engineers should embrace new technologies, stay open to lifelong learning, and remain grounded in a clear sense of public purpose. By combining professional excellence with empathy and vision, young engineers can help shape cities that are smart, connected and truly livable for future generations.”

He believes that strong communication skills are crucial, including the ability to explain complex engineering concepts in layman terms to non-engineers. He observes, “This ability often defines a truly outstanding engineer. When society understands what engineers do, and why our work matters, engineers earn trust and respect.”

He adds, “The Greater Bay Area offers a unique platform where scale, connectivity and pace of development demand engineers who can think system‑wide and collaborate across cities, disciplines and cultures. Ground yourselves in strong engineering fundamentals while developing a regional and cross‑boundary perspective.”

Honoured for lifelong commitment

Ir Dr Kam is honoured and deeply humbled to receive the HKIE Gold Medal as recognition of lifelong commitment to engineering as a profession of public service. He says, “Throughout my career, I have been privileged to apply engineering knowledge to support Hong Kong’s transport development and long-term urban growth. This award reflects the collective efforts of many dedicated colleagues and industry partners. It reinforces my belief that engineering excellence, guided by strong public purpose, can make a lasting difference to society and the city we serve.”

Ir Dr Jacob Kam Chak Pui (R) being presented The HKIE Gold Medal 2026 by the President