CIBSE REGION | HONG KONG Shaping engineering in the Hong Kong region and beyond CIBSEs influence in Hong Kong is growing thanks to an extensive programme of activities. Alex Smith speaks to CIBSE region chair Gary Chiang about recent achievements including recognition by Hong Kongs Property Management Services Authority Ruth Jones, centre right, and Gary Chiang, second from right, meet officials from the PMSA C IBSEs Hong Kong Region (HKR) is one of the Institutions biggest, with around 2,800 members. It hosts a wide range of activities, and publishes guidance and best-practice literature. It is also keen to promote CIBSE in the region and raise its professional profile. A joint symposium took place in November, focused on the Greater Bay Area, and the annual CIBSE Hong Kong Awards are scheduled for 8 December. There was also a CIBSE Membership Cocktail Evening last month, for young engineers preparing for MCIBSE and CEng. The idea was for them to meet interviewers and other professionals, to gain advice and alleviate any fears they may have about the interview process. Hong Kong chair Gary Chiang says the region is keen to attract more young engineers and the cocktail event is designed to encourage young engineers to gain chartership through CIBSE. We invite 20-30 people who are ready to file their application. We reassure them by answering their questions directly, and dispelling any rumours they might have heard about the pass rate being low, or having to go the UK for the interview, says Chiang, who is principal manager business development and support at CLP. The reception was also aimed at those who might be over-confident. Some people are naive and think the process is easy. We make it clear they need to prepare, says Chiang. Another event aimed at promoting CIBSE to young people was a career-development session at the Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering (BEEE), Hong Kong Polytechnic University. Hong Kong Joint Symposium The theme of last months symposium was Shaping the future: Trend and insights for tomorrows technologies development in the Greater Bay Area a regional megalopolis of around 71.2 million people, consisting of Hong Kong, Macao, and nine cities in South China. CIBSE is a co-organiser of the one-day event, alongside the Building Services Division of the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers, ASHRAEs Hong Kong Chapter, and BEEE. There were four sessions grouped around the themes of: codes and guidance; design and research; operation and application; and maintenance and performance. In addition, there were keynote speeches by CIBSE president-elect Fiona Cousins FCIBSE, Francis Mills, FCIBSE MASHRAE, and CIBSE CEO Ruth Carter. There are three Project of the Year categories at the third CIBSE Hong Kong Awards: commercial/industry; public use building; and retrofit building. There is also a Facilities Management Team Award and Best Digital Innovation accolade. One key goal of HKR is to raise CIBSEs professional status in the region. One recent success was being recognised as a professional body by the Property Management Services Authority (PMSA), which regulates property management services in Hong Kong. This means that CIBSE HKR Members now meet the professional qualification, a key criterion, of becoming a licensed Property Management Practitioner (PMP) (Tier 1). Apart from the professional qualification, work experience in property management and academic qualification are also part of the requirements to become a licensed PMP (Tier 1). A licensed PMP is responsible for all elements of a building, including customer service, safety, operation, and finance. They are the gatekeeper of the property, and they will have the final say over the management of the property, says Chiang. As a result of the recognition being awarded to CIBSE, Chiang says that the Hong Kong Region will offer more CPD sessions on facilities management, particularly around CIBSEs new Guide M: Maintenance engineering and management (2023). CIBSE CEO Ruth Carter; Chiang, and Vincent Ma, past chair of CIBSE HKR, met with officials from the PMSA on 23 November, to understand the authoritys work. There are 750 property management firms in Hong Kong and more than 13,000 PMPs providing services to nearly 2.2 million properties. Alan Siu, CEO of the PMSA, said: They are a huge professional team, which is an asset and invaluable resource for driving the future development of the community in Hong Kong. For more information on the CIBSE Hong Kong region, visit cibse.org.hk. For details of the CIBSE Hong Kong Awards, visit cibsehka.org.hk 16 December 2023 www.cibsejournal.com CIBSE Dec 23 pp16 CIBSE Hong Kong.indd 16 24/11/2023 13:03