Dear fellow members,
Challenges in Riding out Virus Storm in 2020
I am delighted to be re-elected as the President of Hong Kong Institute of Construction Managers (“Institute” or “HKICM”) for another term till December 2020 at the AGM held on 4 December 2019. This allows me to have another year to finish up the targets that I have set upon my first inauguration in December 2018.
In pursuance of our vision and objectives, it has been another busy and challenging but fruitful year for the Institute in 2019. Taking this opportunity, I would like to express my gratitude to all the outgoing members of the General Council for their efforts and contributions for the success and achievement of the Institute accomplished over last year.
It has been a challenging year for Hong Kong in 2019 as we have experienced unprecedented social unrest and economic instability resulting from months of virtually non-stop political protests in opposition to a proposed extradition law during the latter half of the year. Furthermore, the start of the year 2020 has, unfortunately, begun with the outbreak of the Novel Coronavirus and the ongoing impact is far-reaching and affecting every industry and business in Hong Kong.
The Coronavirus outbreak has caused adverse disruptions to the normal daily operation of the Institute which has come to almost a virtual standstill. In line with the Hong Kong Government guidelines to address the coronavirus situation and in order to reduce the risk of the spread of novel coronavirus in the community, HKICM Secretariat Office has temporary closed from 29 January to 2 February 2020 and thereafter resumed services to members but with adjusted operation hours and working arrangement. In addition, all CPD events originally scheduled up to end of February 2020 have been postponed until further notice. Similarly, various social, trade and industry events have also been cancelled or postponed. To our members, I sincerely urge everyone to closely monitor the development of the outbreak for staying alert on personal hygiene and taking timely and proper precautionary measures.
Hong Kong is currently facing unprecedented challenges both internally and externally. It is now more crucial than ever that we stay and work together in bringing progress to our profession and play our role in building a successful future built environment together.
Looking ahead in 2020, the Institute will continuous to focus mainly on (1) enhancement of membership and services; (2) raising of professional profile and status of members; and (3) building a wider network with peer professional institutions both locally and overseas, particularly in mainland China.
To maintain a steady growth of membership, we will continue to implement the membership drive campaign as well as streamline the membership admission procedures. For promotion purposes, career talks and introductory briefing of HKICM and our profession will continue to be conducted at various education institutions and major construction companies. In addition, workshops will also be organized to help potential candidates to prepare for the HKICM Professional Assessment throughout the year.
On the member training related matters, we will continue to organize a wide variety of CPD seminars, technical visits and training courses to meet the different needs of our members so as to keep members abreast of practical knowledge and skills in serving the local construction industry.
To continue enhancing the professional, public image and social status of construction management profession via promotion of the registration schemes of Construction Managers and Construction Supervisors as well as promoting the construction management excellence by organization of international conferences and Construction Management Awards. In addition, we will continue in pursuance of statutory professional recognition from the Hong Kong Government as well as our mainland China counterparts.
In addition to our continuous communications and close connections with the appropriate government bureau, departments, public authorities and peer professional associations in Hong Kong and mainland China, we will continue to actively steer partnership with various professional organizations both locally, overseas and in mainland China to share our experience and seek opportunities for further collaboration, including mutual recognition of professional qualifications of construction professionals.
With the consistent effort of the new General Council and continued support of our members in the Institute’s works and activities, I’m confident that the Institute will ride through the current virus storm and maintain its role as one of the leading stakeholders in the construction industry. In the end, we will be marching into a new horizon and attaining statutory recognition of the construction management profession both in Hong Kong and mainland China.
Lastly, as we just started the new Lunar Year of the Rat, may I take this opportunity to wish everyone a happy, healthy and prosperous new year! Kung Hei Fat Choy! |
President's Message_Feb 2020
