1

HKUST Guest Lecture

ENGINEERING STUDIES, PROFESSIONALISM and SUCCESS

by Ir Edmund K H Leung, SBS OBE JPBSc (Eng), C Eng, R.P.E., FHKIE, FIMechE, FCIBSE, FIEAust, FHKEng

2

Structure of My Talk

• Introduction

• It is a Changing World

• Significance of Competition

• Professionalism

• Good Citizenship

• Some Advice

3

Introduction

My own career –

• Graduate in Mech Eng, University of Hong Kong 1967 • Experience in power plants, manufacture and

infrastructure • Career as a Contractor and Consultant • Learned interface with Civil Engineering

4

My Career (Cont’d)

• Exposure to management and finance

• Extensive public services participation

5

Why Study Engineering?

• Turn scientific theories into practical applications

• Make processes more efficient

• Enjoy analytical processes

• Make life comfortable, efficient and safe

6

It is a Changing World

• Darwin’s Theory of Evolution

• Development of Civilization Agricultural Age Industrial Age IT Era

7

It is a Changing World

• Continuous evolution and adaptation • We cannot resist changes • We can only embrace changes

8

Significance of Competition

• How to get ahead?

• Competition is everywhere!

• Healthy competition promotes efficiency.

9

Significance of Competition (Cont’d)

• Cannot eliminate queue jumping

• But we can control our immediate surroundings

10

Significance of Competition (Cont’d)

• Competition is part of life

• Fair competition makes life efficient

• Cannot eliminate those taking advantages, but peace and order can be restored

• Must maintain order and discipline, voice objections and suggest solutions

11

Professionalism

What distinguishes a professional from others?

Quality Standards

Ethics

12

Professionalism (Cont’d)

Ensure trustworthiness to public

Operate well above minimal legal standards

Professional standards assessed by peers

13

Professionalism (Cont’d)

High price to pay for losing professional qualifications

Quality standard comprise : Good Academic Qualifications Sufficient Training Competence examined by peers

Structured complaint mechanism to ensure compliance

14

Ethics

• Set good example to others

• Avoid working outside one’s competence

• Not attracted by financial advantages or interests

15

Good Citizenship

• Responsibility

• Be a Model Citizen

16

Good Citizenship (Cont’d)

• Good order and discipline

• Help protect the environment

• Orderly disposal of wastes

• Save energy

17

Some Advice

• Be a responsible citizen

• Spot opportunity and be prepared

• Assess risks, always have a contingency plan

• Learn from mistakes, but do not repeat them