Whether our surveying profession can continue its influence and success in the society, it relies on quality surveying education at the Universities. Therefore, it is utmost important to foster the collaboration between the professional institutions and the universities. Recently, I was invited by a local university and attended a few meetings together with the Presidents of HKIA, HKILA and HKIP. This gave me an opportunity to bring views into the campus where nurtures numerous energetic surveyors. In the meeting, I express my truly appreciation to our university graduates who hold a macro vision to the society upon completion of their first degrees, while they should also possess a set of solid technical skills that will help carry out professional duties properly.
In this fast changing society, members are expected to possess a number of professional skills. It is observed that cross-divisional practice becomes a trend. I would like to give a reminder to our members that you should not accept any instruction that exceeds your qualification or competence to discharge. Years of training and practice is required to build a solid foundation for each set of professional skills. Continuous professional development is also essential to firm up your professional knowledge, to keep your professional skills set up-to-date and, at the same time, to acquire new information. In view of cross-divisional practice, the Institute is now reviewing its corporate governance and structure to cater for its growth and expansion.
On 2 April 2012, our Past President Stephen Liu represented the Institute to meet the Chief Executive-elect Mr. C Y Leung and presented to him the problems that surveyors are encountering in the mainland China for the reciprocity of qualification and setting up of wholly owned offices. We are pleased to be informed that the Chief Executive-elect acknowledged the importance of professional services for both Hong Kong and mainland China and would continue to promote Hong Kong’s professional services.
The Institute always regrets to turn down funding requests from quality and sensible research projects, scholarship or sponsorship. Reasons behind include financial considerations as well as the restrictions under our Constitution and Byelaws. The Institute once considered setting up a foundation, but it was held up by the governance structure. Recently, we have seen an increasing number of establishments of foundation by other professional institutions. The operations of these foundations give us opportunities to observe and consider the possibility of setting up a foundation again. In this regard, Strategic Planning Committee has also resolved to form a working group to study and offer recommendation on this topic. Our past President Mr Wong Chung Hang has kindly agreed to take up the role as the convenor of the working group.
Our spokesmen and council members always try their every effort to identify opportunities to promote surveyors and the surveying profession. You may have been aware of, we have added 測量師 behind members' Chinese names in the Surveyors Times. Recently, Strategic Planning Committee discussed the use of English abbreviation and has decided to recommend to General Council to adopt “Sr.”. This abbreviation for “Surveyors” has already been adopted by our counterparts in Malaysia. The adoption of designation of 測量師 or an abbreviation “Sr.” is not a requirement under our Constitution and Bye-laws and is up to members’ preference. You may probably see this abbreviation after my name in the next Surveyors Times after further consideration by General Council.
Home Affairs Bureau has written to us and appealed our support for assistance and support in enhancing women’s participation in advisory and statutory bodies (ASBs) of the Government recently. I notice that a lot of our female members have already devoted their valuable time and resources to the society through different channels. Meanwhile, we certainly welcome more participation from you to both the Institute as well as ASBs. Please do let us know your availability.
"For a better Hong Kong Register as Voters" Corporate members who are permanent residents and ordinarily reside in Hong Kong are eligible to be registered as a functional constituency voter under "Architectural, Surveying and Planning". If you have not yet registered as a voter and would like to so, please register on or before 16 May 2012!
Serena Lau
President
|
