HKUST Guest Lecture ENGINEERING STUDIES, PROFESSIONALISM and SUCCESS by Ir Edmund K H Leung, SBS OBE JP BSc (Eng), C Eng, R.P.E., FHKIE, FIMechE, FCIBSE, FIEAust, FHKEng 1

Structure of My Talk Introduction It is a Changing World Significance of Competition Professionalism Good Citizenship Some Advice 2

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 3

My Career (Cont’d) Exposure to management and finance Extensive public services participation 4

Why Study Engineering? Turn scientific theories into practical applications Make processes more efficient Enjoy analytical processes Make life comfortable, efficient and safe 5

It is a Changing World Darwin’s Theory of Evolution Development of Civilization  Agricultural Age  Industrial Age  IT Era 6

It is a Changing World Continuous evolution and adaptation We cannot resist changes We can only embrace changes 7

Significance of Competition How to get ahead? Competition is everywhere! Healthy competition promotes efficiency. 8

Significance of Competition (Cont’d) Cannot eliminate queue jumping But we can control our immediate surroundings 9

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 10

Professionalism What distinguishes a professional from others?  Quality Standards  Ethics 11

Professionalism (Cont’d)  Ensure trustworthiness to public  Operate well above minimal legal standards  Professional standards assessed by peers 12

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 13

Ethics Set good example to others Avoid working outside one’s competence Not attracted by financial advantages or interests 14

Good Citizenship Responsibility Be a Model Citizen 15

Good Citizenship (Cont’d) Good order and discipline Help protect the environment Orderly disposal of wastes Save energy 16

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 17