Hong Kong Institution of Engineers

Before World War II

On 3 June 1882, The Hong Kong Engineers' Institute was established at Hongkong Hotel, with John Inglis as the first president. On 8 January 1891, Institution of Engineers and Shipbuilders of Hong Kong was established at 16 Praya Central, Hong Kong, and it has replaced The Hong Kong Engineers' Institute's function.

Post-War Period

John Finnie, president of Institution of Engineers and Shipbuilders of Hong Kong between 1939 and 1940 proposed to create a new engineering society focusing on training local engineers in Hong Kong. During the World War II, Finnie was imprisoned by the Japanese Army in the civilian internment camp at Stanley where he still organised talks on engineering.

The Engineering Society of Hong Kong was set up in 1947, following the efforts of John Finnie. The society was established in the Lee Gardens Hotel. In 1972 the Society was amalgamated with the Hong Kong Joint Group of the Institutions of Civil, Mechanical and Electrical Engineers of London, and transformed into The Hong Kong Institution of Engineers with both learned society and qualifying functions three years later.

Establishment of The Hong Kong Institution of Engineers

In 1975, the Legislative Council of Hong Kong passed The Hong Kong Institution of Engineers Ordinance which granted the institution statutory status.

Milestones

1947 - Founding of Engineering Society of Hong Kong

1972 - Amalgamated with the independent Hong Kong Joint Group of the Institutions of Civil, Mechanical and Electrical Engineers of London

1975 - Incorporated by Law as The Hong Kong Institution of Engineers

1982 - Recognition of the HKIE Corporate Members by the Government for Civil Service Appointments