CHAIRMAN'S MESSAGE                                               

Dear Fellow Members,

Thank you for electing me as the Chairman of the Hong Kong Branch in the next term of 2 years.  It is my great honor to take up this important role to continue my service to the Branch and the Energy Institute at large.

It has been 11 years since the first inauguration of the Branch in May 1999.  Though we are relatively young, we are one of the most active professional bodies in Hong Kong in promoting energy awareness in different communities especially schools, and facilitating professional development for Members in the energy profession. We have successfully organized three international conferences on energy efficiency and conservation to update energy professionals in the recent development of energy related issues including climate change issues; we have completed five intakes of certified carbon auditor training courses and have trained up about 200 carbon auditors to serve Hong Kong in the carbon audit field; and we have also organized two rounds of best energy final project awards for undergraduates of universities in Hong Kong in order to encourage energy research studies in universities, etc.  Obviously, such marvelous results could not be achieved without the dedicated commitment from the many Committee members of the Branch on voluntary basis out of their busy business schedules.  I am most indebted to all of them.  I am sure the Branch Committee of my tenure would continue to make such unfailing contributions to further develop and raise the profile of the Branch for the benefit of all Members.

Looking ahead, apart from the general awareness raising and professional development for Members in the energy field, I would work with the Branch Committee to devote our effort in the following areas:-

1. We will offer our comments to the Hong Kong government on their strategy and action plan in tackling climate change as advocated in the recent consultation document by the government from the perspective of the energy profession.  We will also suitably devote our resources to prepare our Members in making their contributions to help Hong Kong achieve the goal of reducing the carbon intensity in the years to come.
2. We will explore the possibility of establishing a working group in the Branch to serve as a focal point for the dissemination of any updates on the IP standards and liaison with the Headquarters of the Institute in UK on the technical issues including interpretation of the IP standards.
3. We will continue to negotiate with the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (HKIE) on the reciprocal recognition of our Members with Chartered Engineers status to specific discipline(s) of HKIE through extending the current RRA arrangement with them.

To accomplish all these work plans, we need support of our fellow Members and so I would appeal for your active participation in our work.  You may choose to join us as co-opt members of the Committee, give your expertise support to our various task forces/consultations, participate in our activities, or simply give us your opinions on the Branch through the enquiry email account of the Branch official website at www.energyinst.org.hk.  I can assure you that all your valuable contributions and comments will be highly appreciated and seriously taken.

Thank you.

_______________________

Raymond Fong, MEI

22 October 2010