By the time I wrote this message, members’ attention should be attracted by the recent news about the unauthorized building works (UBWs) in Kowloon Tong. Though it is unfortunate to reveal another UBW case in Hong Kong, it raises public awareness on UBWs and it gives an opportunity for surveyors to assist the general public to have a better understanding on buildings and land matters with our professional knowledge.
While we play a role to educate the public with our professional knowledge on building matters, we also look forward to recruiting more quality and enthusiastic teenagers to join our team as Surveyors. With the full support of YSG, the Institute met a lot of students and parents at the Education and Careers Expo 2012 held from 9 to 12 February 2012. Apart from this annual event, some divisions organize visits to secondary schools from time to time to meet students with potentials. In order to let our young people in schools get to know the surveying profession at an earlier stage, I would like to invite members, who are active alumni of your mother schools, to identify opportunities for visits or career talks. Our YSG, Public and Social Affairs Committee, Divisional Councils and/ or Office Bearers are expecting good news from you.
Over 24 General Council members attended a Retreat at the Surveyors Learning Centre on 4 February 2012. The retreat is not only a meeting for daily operation but also a brainstorming session for creative and innovative ideas for the future development of the surveying profession and the Institute. I am writing to highlight some key items discussed in the meeting as follows:
- Could formation of a foundation be an alternative source of funding to support special research works, sponsorship to students as well as members, and even donation on meaningful events?
- What should be the Institute’s role in mainland China? Should the Institute primarily position to serve members who stationed in the mainland, and then to extend our arms to admit quality mainland candidates in the long run?
- The Institute has resolved to add "測量師" after surveyors' names on the Institute’s publicity materials as a kind of promotion of the profession. Should there be a need for an English abbreviation for the term “Surveyor”? If all agree, what do you suggest? "Syr" and "Sr." are two abbreviations proposed in the retreat for discussion and consideration.
The Strategic Planning Committee led by Senior Vice President Mr Stephen Lai will follow up on the above ideas. Members are encouraged to share your thoughts to make
our discussion more comprehensive.
General Council has endorsed the appointment of the Chairpersons and/ or Convenors for various committees, standing committees, working groups and task forces in the meeting dated 10 February 2012. Please find below the details of the appointment.
During the meeting, the Council also identified Building Information Modeling (BIM) to be a cross-divisional project. A new working group will be set up accordingly. I would like to invite members who are familiar with this topic to tender your assistance to the working group.
Chairman of the Professional Green Building Council (PGBC) Mr Sam Cheng, who is also the Institute’s representative at PGBC, was invited to report the latest progress of Green building issue at the executive meeting on 10 February 2012.
He brought to our attention that there are rooms for more participation by surveying professionals.
The Four Professional Institutes – The Hong Kong Institute of Architects (HKIA), The Hong Kong Institute of Landscape Architects (HKILA), The Hong Kong Institute of Planners (HKIP) and The Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors (HKIS) held a joint institute’s forum on 8 February 2012 to facilitate the institutes’ members for a better understanding of the policy platform and/ or policy stands and principles of the Chief Executive Candidates. We were delighted to have the participation of Mr Henry Tang Ying-yen, Mr Leung Chun-ying and Mr Albert Ho Chun-yan. During the forum, 4 set questions were posted by the institutes’ Presidents. Members also had a chance to raise questions directly to the 3 Chief Executive Candidates.
On behalf of the General Council, I would like to send my gratitude to the following gentlemen who agree to become the Institute’s Honorary Legal Advisors for the council year 2011-2012. They are:
Chan Yuk Kwan, Robert
Cheung Kwok Kit
Chung Kwok Fai
Kwok Ching Wa, Gilbert
Leung Hing Fung
Tsang Kwok Kei, David
Wong Kwok Hay, Samuel
Wu Shek Cheong, Bernard
Yeung Man Sing
Serena Lau, President |
