2008年12月8日星期一

『年青發明家2008』發佈會 - 培育創意工業對香港可持續發展的重要性

各位嘉賓、老師及同學們,早晨:

首先,再一次多謝大家出席今早舉行的這個『年青發明家』發佈會。

曹主席剛才和大家分享了他對 『工程界以科技對改善生活質素』,以下的時間,我會和大家分享一下我對 『培育創意工業對香港可持續發展的重要性』 的意見。

兩個星期前,香港的首富李嘉誠先生 接受記者的提問時,就有關於金融海嘯對香港的影响發表意見。其中,他提出的兩個問題,令我在過往兩星期不停反覆思量。他說:『為甚麽新加坡可以有賺錢的工業?』及『為甚麽 新加坡可以容許輸入外勞,但失業率卻可這樣低?』

作為工程界的一份子,我很想為這兩個問題找出答案。所以我做了一些簡單的資料搜集。

新加坡 和 香港 的人口分別為480萬及690萬。新加坡 和 香港在2007年的人均產值分別為3.5萬及3萬美元。而其中由工業所產生的產值,新加坡 和 香港 的數字分別為百份之三十四及百份之十二。從以上統計數字可看出,工業生產在新加坡仍然佔有很重要的地位。主要產業包括 藥品、電子產品、生物醫學科學產業、化工業和機械工程業…等等。

為吸引國內外資本到新加坡投資,新加坡政府對投資廠商提供貸款及享受統一稅率等優惠政策。因新加坡和香港受不同因素的影响,所以新加坡的成功經驗未必可以在香港直接套用。但有一點值得大家思考的是,除了香港政府所提倡的四大支柱產業外,香港還需要工業嗎?我對這問題的答案是肯定的。

根據香港政府所發表的《二零零七年人力資源推算報告》,本地「初中及以下」和「高中」程度的工人將會嚴重供過於求,過剩人數將達230,000人;而同期屬「專上」和「學士學位及以上」的勞動力卻會出現100,000人的短缺。要平衡高增值及低技術職位於就業市場上的供求情況,我覺得除了要加強現有的教育政策之外,政府還要就如何培養創意工業以創造更多中低技術的就業機會,作出認真的研究。我們要注意的是,有創意的工業並不等同尖端科技。

但若要切實振興本地創意工業及鼓勵個別具競爭力的工業回流,特區政府必須扮演更積極的角色。故此,政府在扶助本地工業的工作方面應投放更多的資源,並提供積極的市場後援政策,如提供稅務寬免和免息貸款等措施,以吸引有意發展工業的中小型廠商和有志創業的人士、投身本地創意工業。

如果特區政府銳意推行上述的政策以振興本地工業,再加上本港的完善品質監管、健全的知識產權制度、良好的物流基建設施,以及「香港製造」品牌所帶來的附加價值等,我覺得香港在個別的工業範疇是有發展空間的,並可對香港的可持續發展作出貢獻。

從昨天的報章,我看到一個有關於本地創意工業的成功例子。一個原本在內地從事代工生產業務的港商,透過和瑞典設計師合作,成功造出具創意的螢光桌。該港商運用創新設計為她的產品增值,積極謀求轉型升級,改走「貴精不貴多」的路線,從而闖出一條新路。

具創意的工業,除了泛指設計突出的產品之外,亦包括一些由具創意的政策所帶動的工業。在台灣、新加坡及南韓均有一些成功的例子可供我們參考。

近年香港亦有提出一些政策,如中藥港及回收園等,但因支援政策不足,所以發展停滯不前。昨天閱報,亦知道政府剛和深圳市政府達成共識,共同發展河套區,並以教育作為主導,作為高新科技研發和創意產業發展的基地,為華南地區培訓人材,提升珠三角地區的競爭力。我覺得這一個方向是正確的。

其實,政府過去多年所提倡的各項政策,我覺得方向大致是正確的,但是在廢物回收行業發展方面的支援政策配合上卻有不足之處。參考歐美等先進國家的經驗,完善發展廢物處理行業有助創造大量職位。回收行業的特色是十分地區化,和適合較細規模經營的行業,這有利將資源留於社區之內。而回收行業所涉及的收集、分類、翻新和銷售等工序均屬勞工密集性質,能有效開拓不少中低技術的就業空間。倘若能成功推行回收系統,將可減少廢物,令香港社會整體受惠。可惜由於政府堅持積極不干預政策,使到政府對回收工業的支援十分不足,最終令投資者卻步。

故此,特區政府應儘快檢討現時廢物處理、收集及循環再造等政策,以推動回收業界發展具創意的「綠色工業」。

事實上 廢物收集及回收的流程對技術的要求很高,創意的設計亦不可少。而今次比賽的題目為「海上廢物收集器」,我們作為主辦單位希望透過參與今次比賽,令同學們明白海上廢物對環境的影響,並且認識到要收集飄浮在海上的廢物殊非容易。我們希望同學們能透過參與設計及製造等過程,刺激他們的創意思維,並對機械工程專業產生興趣。

最後,多謝各間學校對這個活動的支持,亦希望同學們能積極參與,寓比賽於娛樂,並從中獲益,多謝大家。

香港工程師學會
機械,輪機,造船及化學分部
主席
李志康二零零八年十一月十五日

2008年4月7日星期一

Career Seminar 2008–Engineering in Consultant, Contractor and Government Sector additional with Interview Skill on Job Hunting



For the purpose of providing career information to the mechanical engineering undergraduates, a career seminar was organized on 27th February 2008 by the HKIE MC Division at the Lecture Theater N002 of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University. Over 30 mechanical engineering undergraduates from different universities attended the seminar, having an informative and interactive seminar with our speakers.

Our MC Division Chairman Ir Alex Leung, Deputy Chairman Ir Barry Lee and Immediate Past Chairman Ir Michael Cheung participated in the seminar as our honor guests, giving presentation to introduce three different fields of E&M engineering in Hong Kong. The fields presented included the E&M consulting field, the E&M contracting field and the E&M engineering field in HK government sector. Furthermore, it was our honor to invite Mr. Bill Chung, the Recruitment Manager of Parsons Brinckerhoff (Asia) Limited, to give presentation on “Interview techniques on job hunting”, which sounded to be mysterious and attractive to most of the audience, especially for the final year undergraduate.

With the attentive map out of Alice Ng, our SYEA group leader who participated as the MC of the seminar, Ir Alex Leung first gave a presentation to introduce the job nature of working in a consultant firm and the various grand projects that graduate engineers can get the opportunity to participate in. Afterwards, Ir Michael Cheung shared his working experience in the government sector, EMSD, and introduced the attractive career path in EMSD to the audience. Continuing with an excited atmosphere, Ir Barry Lee presented the duties of working as a contractor and explained the opportunities and the various skills that graduates can obtain in the field. Finally, Mr. Bill Chung acted as a conjurer, exploring the secrets of company hiring schemes and suggesting the important issues that fresh graduate should be aware during an interview.

Entering the Q&A session, the speakers went into the auditorium and had close interaction with the engineering undergraduates. In depth and inquisitive questions were raised by the undergraduates, while our friendly speakers responded with detailed information. With delicious refreshment, the seminar ended with success and high satisfaction.
(By Mr. Peter Wong, MC Division Helper)

2008年3月3日星期一

Engineers Participate in Building a Caring Society – MSF Orienteering Competition 2008

A group photo of the HKIE-MC teams before the Competition

Lets build a caring society

The largest orienteering competition in Hong Kong organized by the Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) was successfully held on 27 January 2008. Near 1,800 individuals and participants from different companies, organizations and families participated in this significant event to raise funds in supporting MSF humanitarian work worldwide. “Participation in Community Services” is one of the key objectives for the MC Division in this session, and the MC Division has sent four teams to participate in this fund-raising plus orienteering competition. Our MC Division Chairman Ir Alex Leung, Deputy Chairman Ir Barry Lee, Hon Secretary Ir Eric Tong, and members from the YMC also joined the HKIE MC Division (HKIE-MC) teams in this meaningful event.

On the day of event, the HKIE-MC teams took Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car to the place of assembly at Ngong Ping on Lantau Island. Despite the cold weather warning (3-5 degC at Ngong Ping in the morning), the HKIE-MC team members showed their enthusiasm towards community services. This competition was a timed race in which participants used a special map and compass to reach pre-set control points indicated on the map. With the good team spirits and leadership by our Chairman Ir Alex Leung, the HKIE-MC teams reached most of the control points and finished the competition within a specific period of time. Throughout the competition, we entirely glimpsed the hardship faced by victims of disasters, and the challenges that MSF faces during relief operations. It was a wonderful and unforgettable experience which further strengthens our determination in promoting engineers’ participation in community services.

Through participation from the public, this competition was successfully held and over HK$2 million funds were raised which will be allocated to the extensive services supported by MSF. As building a caring society is one of our goals, we encourage members’ active participation and contribution to our society. Let’s join this meaningful activity again in the coming future!
(By Miss Alice Ng, MC Division - SYEA Group Leader)








2008年1月31日星期四

Annual Cocktail Reception 2007 (By Miss Venice Hung, MC Division Helper)

Our Chairman Ir Alex Leung delivering the welcome speech


A photo with some of our guests



The Annual Cocktail Reception 2007 of the Mechanical, Marine, Naval Architecture & Chemical (MC) Division was held on 5 December 2007 in the Open Space Garden of the Towngas Avenue at the Tsimshatsui seafront. Many guests and members enjoyed the social function in that evening. Our guests included the Legislative Councilor - Ir Dr The Hon Raymond Ho, the HKIE President - Ir Dr W K Lo, Past Presidents, Vice Presidents, and the Division/Committee Chairpersons. The objective of the function was to allow participants to get together in a relaxed atmosphere to meet their friends and business partners.

Chairman of the MC Division, Ir Alex Leung, delivered a welcoming speech to the guests and members. Alex introduced the missions of the Division in Session 07/08 and reported the interim progress on actions taken. The three major areas of focus included: fostering cooperation with other learned societies; enhancing the image of engineers in the society; and developing young engineers as our next generation. Special task forces had been set up to work towards the above three major objectives. The current progress included the enhancement in the cooperation with other learned societies in the organization of activities, the preparation of CD-ROM and leaflet in the promotion of the profession and the Division, the increase in involvement of young engineers in the organization of our activities. In addition, the MC Division was planning for more active participation in community services. Alex encouraged members to actively participate in the organization and participation of the Division activities, provision of suggestions and feedback for our services enhancement, and promotion of the positive image of engineers.

After the speech, Alex led the MC Division Committee members in proposing a toast to all the guests and members. The fascinating scenery of the Victoria Harbour in the evening together with the friendly faces enriched the atmosphere of conversation. We were also pleased to see that a number of young members had participated in the event. The social interaction among the guests and members continued until the last minute of the function.

We hope that we will meet you again in our next activity as well as the next cocktail reception to be held in 2008!



(By Miss Venice Hung, MC Division Helper)

2007年12月20日星期四

Adventure: Snowman vs Camel

Mall of the Emirates where Ski Dubai is Located

Alex's Office in the Middle of a Desert, Dubai


Ir Alex Leung in the Desert, Dubai

Meeting the Ancient Korean Soldiers in Seoul

Outdoor Inspection for a Metro Project in Seoul

Inspection inside a Building in Seoul

It is my pleasure in contributing to the first article for the HKIE MMNC Division blog as the Division Chairman. I am Alex Leung and a member of an international engineering consultancy firm. Due to the business nature, I need to travel to different parts of the world on projects. May be I could share with you my recent experience on business trips to two different parts of the world with completely different environment, one place has snow on the ground while the other place is in a desert. Can you guess where they are?

By the end of November 2007, I traveled to Seoul of South Korea to perform professional service on due diligence. At that time the temperature was around –3 degree C to 0 degree C in Seoul. During my trip, I have had intensive meetings with the client, concessionaire and contractors, as well as site inspections to verify the process, progress and quality of a metro project. I am proud to say that the international experience and technical expertise that Hong Kong professional engineers possess allows us to contribute to the infrastructural development of other countries and areas. In performing my duty on technical issues, I had to face the natural environment of working in an outdoor condition at around –3 degree C with snow on the ground (actually with melting snow mixed with mud at site). It is always good to have a hot pot of chicken soup after a hard and cold day’s work to inspire oneself spiritually and most importantly to keep the body warm. Another observation is nowadays more and more Korean are learning Chinese characters and Putonghua. In one occasion a young Korean lady has kindly offered her assistance to us in the ordering of food in a native Korean restaurant (with neither English menu nor English-speaking waiters). She used her fluent Putonghua to communicate with us! It is no doubt that various countries are interested to enhance communication and strengthen business link with China, and it is very likely that Chinese will become one of the major international languages very soon.

The other business trip happened in early December 2007 and the destination was a desert – Dubai in the Middle East. Dubai is a fascinating city with a lot of construction works going on. The number of cars running in Dubai far exceeds the number of camels there. It is worthwhile to note that the temperature of Dubai in summer could reach a value close to 50 degree C. Luckily December is a month in the “winter” and the current temperature is around 25 degree C. In this assignment, I have to perform design as well as design management duties on a metro project. The Government of Dubai is investing heavily on its infrastructural development, and the property market is also booming. The development of “Palm Island” in Dubai is one of the famous development projects in the world. The Arabian Tower is a landmark of Dubai which is famous for its prestige status and also extraordinary high expenditure. Another simulating observation is that you could enjoy ice-skiing in the desert at Ski Dubai. It is an artificial indoor ice-skiing field located inside a huge luxury shopping mall. In Ski Dubai, one has to take the cable car to travel to the top of the “mountain” in order to ski down the slope. Golfing is another favourite sport in Dubai where it has nice golf course in the city. In Dubai, you can find people coming from different parts of the world working there in a harmonious environment.

I hope that you would enjoy reading our blog. Your feedback, suggestions and constructive comments would be most welcomed. I would like to take this opportunity to wish all of you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Ir Alex Leung
Chairman, HKIE MMNC Division 07/08

2007年11月11日星期日

Promotion Talk for the Mechanical Engineering Higher Diploma Students of the IVE (Tsing Yi)

A group photo of the speakers and IVE students


The Students & Young Engineers’ Affairs (SYEA) Working Group of the Mechanical, Marine, Naval Architecture and Chemical (MMNC) Division organized a promotion talk for The Mechanical Engineering Higher Diploma students of the IVE (Tsing Yi) on 5 November 2007. The major objectives of our talk were to promote the Mechanical Engineering profession, the HKIE, the MMNC Division and the AMC. We also encouraged students to join the student membership of the HKIE and hence activities organized by the MMNC Division.

The promotion talk started with a brief introduction of the HKIE by Mr. Ben Lam (Past Chairman of the AMC). Afterwards, Ir Alex Leung (Chairman of the MMNC Division) presented a brief introduction of the Mechanical Engineering profession and industry. Mr. Anthony Man (the MMNC SYEA Hon Secretary) then introduced the Scheme A training and presented the past and upcoming activities of the MMNC Division. Most importantly, the advantages of being a member of the HKIE were elaborated and the students were encouraged to participate in the HKIE activities.

There was a sharing session after the talk by the speakers including Ir. Leung, Mr. Lam and Mr. Man. The students raised many questions regarding how to equip themselves before graduation, and the importance of the Scheme ‘A’ training. Their questions were answered with details and they had obtained many useful materials and advices in the talk. The speakers shared their experience with the students in the industry, career path as well as professional development in the Mechanical Engineering field.

It is hoped that through this promotion talk, the students could know more about the HKIE, the MMNC Division, and the Mechanical Engineering profession. The students were also encouraged to join the HKIE as student members and take a proactive role in our activities.

2007年10月21日星期日

China Delegation to Nanjing and Anhui Province

Chairman of the MC Division, Ir Alex Leung, was interviewed by the local mass media in Tongling of Anhui Province during the visit

Delegates visited the escalator manufacturing plant

The MC Division has successfully organized its China Delegation to Nanjing and Anhui Province in the period 12-16 September 2007, in collaboration with the IMechE Hong Kong Branch and ASME Hong Kong Section. On the day of arrival in Nanjing, the group of delegates led by Ir Alex Leung, Chairman of the MC Division was warmly welcomed by the Jiangsu Association for Science and Technology (JAST). The JAST’s leaders Prof Xu Yaoxin and Mr Zhao Yong Jin, as well as other representatives greeted the group. Ideas were exchanged among the institutions on matters related to the engineering profession and industry in Jiangsu and Hong Kong. The link between JAST and MC Division was enhanced after the interflow.

The Delegation had a very compacted programme and the delegates have visited various plants throughout the trip. The group first visited the lift & escalator manufacturing facility of ANLEV. The lift testing tower was inspected in addition to the visit to the escalator manufacturing plant. It was followed by a visit to the air-conditioning equipment plant CANATAL. The management of the two plants presented special features of their products which attracted the interest of the delegates.

The group then visited a commercial and domestic water heater manufacturing plant of AO Smith. Engineers of the plant led the group in walking through their production line, and explaining the characteristics of their products.

The delegates have also visited a water supply plant (Hua Yan Water) and a gas company (Bauhinia), which the Hong Kong & China Gas Co Ltd is a key shareholder. The management of the plants greeted the group and presented the operation of the plant and the company. The synergy of cooperation between the enterprises in Hong Kong and the local Mainland entities was revealed.

Lastly the group visited a raw copper plant in Tongling of Anhui Province. The manager of the plant delivered a thorough presentation about the organization, operation and financial aspects of the plant. The delegates also visited the plant and were impressed by its scale of operation. At the end of the visit, our Chairman Ir Alex Leung was interviewed by the local Mainland mass media on the purpose and result of the Delegation trip. The response is positive and it is hoped that more interflow between the engineering profession from Hong Kong and the learned societies, companies and plants in the Mainland could be arranged.

Throughout the visit, the delegates enriched their understanding of the technological and economical progress in Nanjing and Anhui Province. It would be beneficial to their career planning, market demand evaluation and business strategies formulation. The MC Division would like to express sincere thanks to the JAST, the visited organizations, the collaborated professional institutions and the delegates who have joined our Delegation to make it a success.