ICE Hong Kong Newsletter
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ICE Hong Kong Newsletter ICE Breaker – 2019 Issue 1 ICE Breaker – 2019 Issue 1 Messages and Notices Message from the ICE Representative in Hong Kong It has been another fruitful year for ICE HKA, proven by its portfolio that almost 140 activities were organised last year, successfully bringing the public’s attention to what ICE is, and what civil engineers are contributing to the society. Congratulations to ICE HKA, and thank you once again for members’ staunch support throughout the years. On several occasions, I have talked about the high density of our ICE members here in Hong Kong. Being the largest region outside the UK with nearly 6 500 ICE members, we are having no less than six members in each square kilometre of land. This density level signifies that we are one of the world class metropolitan cities, especially in terms of infrastructure. Promoting Industry Development In recent years, we have seen rising aspirations from general public for better delivery of infrastructure and building projects. As a major client in the local construction industry, Government has a role to play in using its influence to promote and encourage best practices for construction industry development. A particular aspect is the relatively slow uptake of modern technology and innovation. In recent years, we have seen declining productivity, ageing workforce and construction quality issues plaguing the industry. Thanks to technological advancements, the construction industry has begun to realise the potency of technology in bringing about productivity gains and boosting construction performance. That is why the Government has been promoting the modernisation of the industry through innovation and technology, for example, wider use of Building Information Modelling to digitise the construction process, and new construction methods such as Modular Integrated Construction to rejuvenate our old aged construction practices to enhance site productivity and construction performance. Since I assumed the role of ICE Representative in Hong Kong in October 2018, I have, in several occasions, met with the ICE Headquarters to facilitate collaborations between ICE and the industry in Hong Kong. In November 2018, the Development Bureau and the ICE co-organised a “Time to Change” seminar, in which the government’s initiative of “Construction 2.0”, advocating innovation, professionalisation and revitalisation of the construction industry, was propagated to the industry. At the same time, the ICE initiated “Project 13”, a new business model to deliver high performing infrastructure project in the UK, was also introduced and exchanged with local professionals. The cross-over of ideas between the two places evoked resonance among participants. The message was very clear that we all should take part in making real changes to face-lift our industry. Our construction industry is at the turning point of transformation. I believe that we shall be open-minded on the adoption of innovation and nurturing a culture towards application of new technologies. In this regard, professional institution like us should take the initiative to drive cultural change by promoting best practices and a more forward-thinking mindset. A concerted effort by all industry stakeholders will ensure prosperous development of our construction industry. Contributing to Global Issues From a global perspective, we are all tackling challenges arising from climate change. The use of cleaner energy, sustainable water supply, etc., are all the key issues we have been working on to make our city more livable for our next generation. In this connection, ICE held a Global Engineering Congress (GEC) in the UK last October, where talents from the globe were gathered to talk about global issues. With the success of the GEC, ICE is now conducting an international policy project, aiming at contributing to a global knowledge pool on common issues governments and industry are facing. Formulation of some international best practices in national infrastructure prioritisation will be within the scope of the study, and I am sure it will be beneficial to the international engineering community. Call for Actions “With great power comes great responsibility.” This is a famous quote from the Spider-Man superhero series. I think it is equally applicable to all professional engineers, who are unsung heroes of our city. Let’s join hands to combat the contemporary issues, modernise our industry and enhance our project delivery to build a better future of Hong Kong. S H LAM JP ICE Representative in Hong Kong 2 ICE Breaker – 2019 Issue 1 Messages and Notices Chairman’s Message It is my great honour to be elected the Chairman of the ICE Hong Kong Association for the Session 2019/2020. As a follower of the ICE Breaker, you will no doubt note that the Association has grown tremendously in recent years under the leadership of our past chairmen. The number of organised events grew from 95 in 2016/17 to well over 140 in 2018/19. The works of the previous committee members and the support teams are gratefully thanked. It is still in my early days of taking up the position and I have yet to fully map out a clear picture on how the new committee can deliver the same service, if not better, to all the ICE members in Hong Kong in the new session. Nonetheless, I can assure you that many of our flagship events will continue. For instance, we just completed our AGM and Annual Dinner only in June this year. Before we have time to review the results and feedbacks, our next organising committee already started conceiving a plan for the next Dinner. After showcasing the contributions of our Superheroes in 2018 and the non- engineering talents of civil engineers in 2019, what else will you like to see? You are most welcomed to make suggestions and participate in We are proud to be members of the ICE, which provides a global organising the event. platform to excel our professional skills. Having the largest membership outside the United Kingdom, and at the gravity centre Another signature event in our calendar is always the Annual of Asia growing economy, we will be pleased to become a hub of ICE Conference. In 2018 when we celebrated the ICE Bicentenary, we members in Asia. In the 2018 ICE Bicentenary celebration, we invited gathered a team of global experts and deliberated some innovations ICE Representatives in Beijing, Shanghai, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur that we can, and need to, consider in the new era of engineering to join our Innovation Summit. I envisage that our collaboration with which is brought upon us by IT advancement, climate changes these and other neighbouring cities will continue and expand. It is my and aging workforce etc, which echoed similar discussions in the plan to organise our overseas delegation visit to Singapore later this Global Engineering Congress held in the ICE headquarters. The year to foster closer link and to exchange views and knowledge on Annual Conference in 2019 has a theme of “Reducing the Risk selected engineering developments. Also, our technical visit team has of Infrastructure Failure – the Role of Technology, Innovation and already lined up some cross-border site visits, with details to be rolled Governance”. In deciding the theme, the organizing committee was out shortly. honest that the outputs of civil engineers can never be perfect because we are facing constantly-changing challenges and the uncertainties I take up the Chairmanship at a time when the engineering industry of the nature. However, what is important is that we need to learn in Hong Kong is facing considerable challenges. Apart from quality from lessons and develop resilient systems that can better cope with issues and cost over-runs on some high-profile projects, many of the the challenges. We are looking forward to hosting our next Annual proposed infrastructure developments may have long-lasting impacts Conference in April 2020 to share views on other topics that are to Hong Kong’s environment and ecology, as well as Hong Kong’s relevant to civil engineering profession. ability to finance them. There is no single right or wrong answer to various debates, but I see that it is important for us as professional The successful growth of the ICE in Hong Kong is underpinned by the civil engineers to be able to disseminate key facts and offer our honest effort of the young engineers in the Graduates and Students Division. views on the subject. In this regard, I will chair a core team in the The G&S was initially set up in Hong Kong for the young talents to HKA to voice out our views publicly on issues that are touching on our shadow the works of the premier team and to provide opportunities profession. for them to practise their organisation skills. Over the years, I am pleased to see that the G&S has grown and shown considerable As many know, our past chairman Prof Ken Ho works extremely hard maturity, which is demonstrated by two of its key members, namely and is full of fascinating ideas. I cannot promise that the new session Max Ng and Eric Leung, being selected as ICE President’s Future will be able to match the works of the team under his leadership, but Leaders in two consecutive years respectively. The events organised I am willing and committed to try. Nevertheless it is important for by the G&S also cover a diversified spectrum, including knowledge you to understand that the ICE in Hong Kong is your organisation. I enhancement, professional development, networking and community need your support and your feedback, which is the impetus of our outreaching. It is my plan to give the G&S more support and more works. I encourage you take the advantage of being ICE members and autonomy to not only hosting more exciting events for young participate as much as you can.