Over 200 engineers gain professional titles in the GBA

Charlotte Lam

More than 200 engineers from Hong Kong have obtained professional titles in the Greater Bay Area, according to Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn Hon-ho.

Linn said the distinct systems between Hong Kong and the mainland previously made it challenging for Hong Kong professionals to apply for mainland "professional title" qualifications.

Permanent Secretary for Development (Works) Ricky Lau Chun-kit said a new evaluation mechanism for these qualifications was established last year and piloted in five engineering disciplines - civil engineering, geotechnical engineering, highway engineering, electrical engineering, and measurement, control, and instrumentation.

The assessment of the first batch of applications concluded at the end of last year, resulting in 207 Hong Kong engineers receiving qualifications, including titles such as "professorate senior engineer," "senior engineer," "engineer" and "assistant engineer."

These qualified engineers hail from various sectors, including public bodies, consulting firms and contractors, covering fields such as civil engineering, geotechnical work, instrumentation, highways and electrical engineering.

"The new system opens up opportunities for sectors like construction, surveying and planning to operate seamlessly within the GBA," Lau said.

Chan Chi-man, director of Long Engineering, who earned a senior engineer title, said: "Holding this is like possessing a professional business card, helping our mainland colleagues easily recognize our expertise."

Eric Ma Siu-cheung, president of the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers, hoped that the mutual recognition agreements between Hong Kong and mainland institutions would further enhance collaboration and talent mobility between the two regions.

Also, since 2021, a registration system has allowed Hong Kong professionals and companies in the construction and engineering sectors to obtain mainland qualifications without needing to form joint ventures with mainland entities.

Under this system, professionals listed with the Architectural and Associated Consultants Selection Board and the Engineering and Associated Consultants Selection Board can directly register for mainland qualifications.

Architect Lo Kin-nang hailed the "transformative impact" of this system, while Stephen Lai Yuk-fai, former president of the Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors, described the more streamlined process as "a significant improvement."