Institution's President 2015/2016 visits Hong Kong and China

Outgoing President visits China and Hong Kong to lecture on inspirational engineering

The outgoing President of the Institution (2015/2016) Richard Folkson visited Hong Kong on Tuesday 22 March 2016 to support the International Strategy in terms of member engagement and membership growth. 

The visit included a delivery of a George Stephenson Lecture (GSL) on ‘Inspirational Engineering from Steam Engines to Self-Driving Cars’ at the World Trade Centre Club in Causeway Bay, as well as meetings with local companies and other local professional engineering institutions.

Richard's GSL presentation outlined that pace of technological change means that what inspired previous generations of engineers will no longer be relevant for today’s new intake of future engineers. The president explained that every engineer should therefore involved in encouraging those who follow in their footsteps, not assuming that it is a role to be delivered by others. 

Richard described the visit as an outstanding success. He said: “Hong Kong is one of the largest and most active regions within the Institution anywhere in the world with a fantastic network of enthusiastic and energetic Members and Fellows. They are driving continuous growth in membership numbers and Institution activities which is very positive for a strong future.

Students at South China University of Technology who participated in the Great China Design Competition 2016

"There are also tremendous opportunities to grow our membership in China, particularly using the knowledge and enthusiasm of our Hong Kong members in the South China Region where there is significant industrial activity and the President witnessed first-hand the capabilities and potential of students at the South China University of Technology in Guangzhou province which could lead to more new members in the future.”             

As part of his visit, the outgoing president also ran a Greater China Design Competition at the IMechE Student Chapter at Guangzhou College of South China University of Technology (GZSCUT), which he said has tremendous potential to grow into a really large and effective method of developing young engineers and it is relatively accessible because of the low costs required to take part. “I hope that the number of competing universities and students will continue to increase in the future and appreciated the dedicated support provided by our volunteers to make the competition happen each year.” 

He continued: “Overall, I felt that there is further opportunity for strengthening the Institution in both China and Hong Kong. I really appreciated the chance to see what is being achieved myself.”

For more information on forthcoming IMeche events in China and Hong Kong, please read more about Institution events in Hong Kong and China.