Ir WONG has a broad range of professional and management experience that is required to lead the Institution to meet the challenges in the 21st Century. He has worked in consultant, contracting and manufacturing firms before taking up his post as Director in Yook Tong Electric Co. Ltd. He has over 25 years experience in electrical equipment technology design, specification, sales and marketing in both Hong Kong and European Communities. Benefited by cross industry exposure, Ir WONG is in a good position to help shape the local construction practice: pioneering in upgrading standards of locally manufactured products; instrumental with the first RCD protected 13A ring circuit installation 5 years before adoption by IEE Regulation; first to equip luminaries with energy saving lamps in projects 7 years before the Government adopted such as standard specification. He pens submission to the Administration for the electrical contractors proposing the first material fluctuation clause and tender format. Currently, Ir WONG is the Convener of several task forces responsible to formulate a set of qualification framework for 10 different schemes of the electrical & mechanical industries for Education Bureau.
With his extensive and outstanding management experience, there is no doubt that Ir WONG will serve his very best, represent and lead the Institution in his term of presidency for the advancement and overall benefit of the Institution and its members.
The Secretariat
The Hong Kong Institution of Engineers
President's Speech at the 33rd Annual General Meeting
Dear Immediate Past President WK, Past Presidents, Executive Members, Fellow Members
It is indeed my privilege and honor addressing to you as your incoming president for the Institution.
Of course, I am proud to be the helmsman of all engineers in Hong Kong; but I am even more proud of having so many fellow engineers giving me guidance, assistance, supports and trust over the years to make this possible.
Ahead of me, it will be a challenging job, especially when plenty new landscapes were plowed, seeded and harvested by so many distinguished Past Presidents before me. Not least of all, was the swift and yet calculated actions taken by the Immediate Past President WK in handling the disaster which struck Sichuan of a magnitude and scope that no one of us has any experience in tackling.
From the day that I had decided to become an engineer, I knew the path ahead of me would be full of challenges. Over the years, I found the easiest way out was simply to ask and there would be many engineer associates and colleagues ready and willing to offer me the answers.
So, before you ask me what would I do as your president I would seek for your answers?
Now, task-wise, the Council had directed the Executives to run the Institution with adherence to a 3-year rolling plan to which every president before me had done so. I have to follow suit and I will. But I would like to single out two items that I particularly need your directives and supports.
The Institution has now celebrated many anniversaries. We have taken on many roles and in each and every one of them we excel. But, over-reliance on history could forestall the kind of radical changes that are needed to restore the dynamic and rapid growth of the Institution as in the past. I believe we are at a crossroad and even if not, it should be an opportune time for us to ponder in depth and in breadth. I am thinking of arranging a retreat to invite all Council Members and representatives from divisions, panels and committees to give the Executives answers on what should be the future role of HKIE in society.
Be known to us, the Institution is always an elite group of professionals proud of being analytical, efficient and capable to offer safe and bargain solutions. But, over-indulgence of complacency could prohibit the kind of awakening respects that are needed to continuously reaffirm the recognition endowed by the community. I believe we are at the fringe of an ebbing tide and even if not, it should be a launching window for us to make wakes in reaching out to take on our share of duty to confront some of the social burdens stalking on the less privileged citizens. I am embarking a task force to draw up a booklet of some simple practice on building maintenance works in anticipation of the impending legislature of Mandatory Building Inspection Scheme to give the community our answers on how to protect their properties and investments.
I therefore trust, for my presidential year, with these two themes, and our procession of thoughts, I can demonstrate that we are the people that will help shape Hong Kong into a better place.
But this is not enough. I may just come and go, within a year or so. And all of us are here to stay. The Institution is our home and is here to stay.
A home to stay? Unfortunately that cannot be said by many of our compatriots who had lost theirs, when 6 weeks ago the tranquility of many villages in Sichuan was devastated by a natural disaster.
There is nothing we can do to bring back their lost families or sweet memories. But we can and we should tender those survivors our helping hands.
Tasks on taking up relief, rebuild and fund raising would continue and beyond. I will have Officers supervising them. We are aiming of bringing them a home and, more importantly, a hope for the future. All members will be involved and I await your answer to this.
If you can give me the answers to alleviate this tragedy, you are also giving us the answers to the questions: What makes HKIE? What binds us together? What is the true context of professionalism?
For the engineering profession, it is not only an application of science for human to combat extraneous influences, but also it has to evolve on the inner core value of humanity. Hence the only sense in which professionalism of HKIE exists as a credible and homogeneous unit must not be limited by provincial boundaries.
I know we have the prescription and all we need is the determination. It would be a long-term commitment. Tell them we are all ready and willing. Tell them we have the answers.
This evening is the only occasion I can tell you how proud I am as your incoming president. But I am sure for years to come I can tell everyone I come across how proud I am to be just one of you, as a member of the Institution, no more and no less.
With pride from all of us, I say thank you.
|
