President's Report

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President's Report 2015-2016

It is my honour to serve as the President of The Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors (“HKIS” or “the Institute”) for the council year 2015-2016. The HKIS has achieved significant milestones in various aspects throughout 2016, progressing to strengthening our leading position in the built environment not only locally but globally.

I have selected six areas of the work of the Institute which I would like to share with you. These include (1) Membership, (2) Public Recognition, (3) Promoting the Surveyors’ Brand, (4) Members’ Communication and Services, (5) Mainland and International Cooperation, and (6) Nurturing Young Leaders within HKIS.

1. Membership

1.1 Growth

At the end of November 2016, the total number of members reached 9,746, representing a growth of 1.82% from the previous year. Of the total membership, 6,229 were Corporate Members (513 Fellows and 5,716 Members) of which 167 were newly elected. There were 6 Honorary Fellows, 3,437 Probationers and Students and 74 Associate Members.

1.2 Life-long Learning

A total of 197 CPD (Continuing Professional Development) events were organised by various Divisions and the Young Surveyors Group on a wide range of professional topics. All members are required to keep up with the latest developments and enhance their professional and technical skills.

Division No. of CPD events held*

Building Surveying (BSD) 26General Practice (GPD) 22

Land Surveying (LSD) 12

Planning and Development (PDD) 10Property and Facility Management (PFMD) 8

Quantity Surveying (QSD) 94

Young Surveyors Group (YSG) 32

*Some events were jointly held by Divisions and the YSG

Improvements were made to the CPD check-out arrangements, including enhancement of IT facilities and improved lift service during departure times.

The Board of Professional Development has formed a task force to explore the possibility of providing an e-learning system, in particular, to members residing in the Mainland and overseas.

1.3 Disciplinary Proceedings

All members are required to maintain a high and honourable standard of professional conduct when discharging their duties, in accordance with the highest standard of business ethics. Eight new cases of complaints were received, five of which were dismissed while the other three cases are being investigated under the disciplinary procedures mechanism.

Corporate Members (First Division)

BSD GPD LSD PDD PFMD QSDTotalYear/

Grade F M F M F M F M F M F M

2016 103 1137 163 1705 45 226 3 10 0 36 199 2602 6229

2015 101 1103 163 1701 45 225 3 10 0 33 190 2550 6124

Technical & Training Grade Members

BSD GPD LSD PDD PFMD QSDTotalYear/

Grade AM P S AM P S AM P S AM P S AM P S AM P S

2016 2 762 93 1 373 102 36 208 18 0 5 15 0 40 6 35 1611 204 3511

2015 0 779 86 1 430 82 37 190 21 0 3 12 0 44 6 36 1504 211 3442

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To keep pace with the development of the profession and the rapid changes in the socio-economic environment, it has been considered necessary to conduct a legal review of the disciplinary-related procedures as provided under the Bye-Laws and Rules of Conduct. Such review, including implementation of amendments to the Bye-Laws and Rules of Conduct, aims to enhance the existing disciplinary procedures mechanism.

1.4 Membership Card

A combined HKIS Membership Card and Green Card can be issued to eligible Corporate Members. The Institute has responded to requests from members to combine the Green Card and the Membership Card. The Green Card facilitates members to enter construction sites. 2. Public Recognition

Members of the Institute are active in providing feedback to the Government in relation to policies and legislations for the built environment.

A number of meetings were arranged with the Development Bureau, Transport and Housing Bureau, various Government departments and the Urban Renewal Authority, to exchange insights in the industry and business of the Institute.

2.1 Consultations and Submissions

In 2016, we submitted to the Government our views on Registered Fire Engineer Scheme, Lantau Development, Arbitration (Amendment) Bill, Redevelopment of Buildings under the Civil Servants’ Co-operative Building Society Scheme, and the Project Cost Management Office under the Works Branch of Development Bureau.

The three Policy Panels, namely Building, Housing and Land Policy Panels, were set up to identify, monitor, review, and comment on government policies and legislations relating to these areas. Some of the focused areas included ownership proof in support of general building plan submissions to the Building Authority, elderly housing policy, use of private land resources and CDA zoning.

2.2 Press Conferences / Media Luncheons / Press Releases

The Institute held a media luncheon on 2 February 2016. We have also met with editors and reporters

of various leading local newspapers to enhance our communication with the media during the year.

We issued 15 press releases to the media and proactively responded to various ad hoc matters, including the collapse of the rooftop at the City University of Hong Kong and the 2047 land lease renewal concerns. The holding of press conferences, the prompt set-up of the BSD volunteer team and the issue of statements on both subjects were helpful in easing public concerns.

Press conference on green roof safety (25 May)

Media Luncheon (2 Feb)

2.3 Conferences and Awards

We participated in and organised various local and international conferences and awards including:-

Conferences

• 3 rd F IG Young Surveyors Conference in Christchurch, New Zealand (30 April to 1 May 2016)

• International Federation of Surveyors (FIG) Working Week 2016 in Christchurch, New Zealand (2 to 6 May 2016)

• 20th Pacific Association of Quantity Surveyors (PAQS) Congress 2016 in Christchurch, New Zealand (20 to 24 May 2016)

• 9th Cross Strait Academic Conference on Land in Yinchuan (1 to 4 September 2016)

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• HKIS Annual Conference - “Kowloon East-Building Our Future Model City” (10 September 2016)

• 10th International Cost Engineering Council (ICEC) World Congress 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (8 to 12 October 2016)

• Building Surveyors Conference - “Innovation Technology in Building Surveying” (15 October 2016)

• PDD Annual Conference - “Planning and Development-Past, Present & Future” (22 October 2016)

• International Valuation Standards Council (IVSC) 2016 Annual General Meeting in Bali, Indonesia (10 to 12 October 2016)

• 8th World Association of Valuation Organisations (WAVO) Congress in Daegu, South Korea (1 to 4 November 2016)

• Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Surveyors Meeting cum Mei-chau Surveying Conference in Mei-chau, Guangdong (4 to 5 November 2016)

• 8th Cross-Strait Geomatics Conference in Xiamen, Fujian (23 to 25 November 2016)

Awards

• Eddie Lee Memorial Education Foundation and BSD Scholarship Award (3 February 2016)

• HKIS Quantity Surveying Division Scholarship Presentation Ceremony (18 April 2016)

• HKIS Diploma Presentation cum Dissertation Awards Presentation (30 May 2016)

• HKIS Scholarship Presentation Ceremony (14 July 2016)

• Quality Property & Facility Management Award 2016 (29 September 2016)

• Hong Kong Green Building Council’s Green Building Award 2016 (22 November 2016)

PDD Annual Conference - “Planning and Development, Past, Present & Future” (22 Oct)

HKIS Annual Conference (10 Sept)

Building Surveyors Conference - “Innovation Technology in Building Surveying” (15 Oct)

Quality Property & Facility Management Award 2016 (29 Sept)

HKIS Diploma Presentation cum Dissertation Awards Presentation (30 May)

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2.4 Publications

The following publications were issued by the Institute:-

• Surveying & Built Environment Vol 25• Practice Notes for Quantity Surveyors – Pre-

Contract Estimates and Cost Plans • Surveyors Serve Hong Kong• HK IS Gu idance Notes on Va lua t i on o f

Development Land (subject to ratification at the AGM)

2.5 Community and Charity Services

The Hong Kong Council of Social Service awarded the “10 Year Plus Caring Organisation Logo” to the HKIS in recognition of our commitment to the community and our concern for its employees and the environment over the past decade. This is the tenth consecutive year in which the HKIS has been honoured with this award and we thank the Agency for Volunteer Service for nominating the HKIS throughout these years.

The HKIS volunteering team has continued to participate in Project SPARKLE, a mentorship programme with TWGH’s Jockey Club Tin Shui Wai Integrated Services Centre. The programme aims to create a harmonious and healthy environment to facilitate the development of children who live in Tin Shui Wai. Several events and activities were organised by the Community and Charity Services Committee.

2.6 Dispute Resolution

Appointment services for resolving disputes included:-

• Arbitrator (HKIA and HKIS Joint Appointment): 1• Mediator (HKIA & HKIS Joint Appointment):  1• Independent Valuation Expert: 13• Mediator for Joint Mediation Helpline Office Ltd: 2

HKIS organised an adjudicators’ training course and a written examination for the admission of members into the HKIS Panel of Adjudicators, in April and July respectively. This was in response to the proposed Security of Payment Legislation for the Construction Industry, which aims at enhancing the security of payment in construction-related contracts and introducing adjudication for speedy resolution of construction disputes.

3. Promoting the Surveyors’ Brand

The Institute created a marketing plan and engaged a public relations firm to facilitate our branding initiatives as well as to increase our public exposure.

3.1 Divisional Themes

The Institute came up with four themes this year, which we believed would contribute to the business efficiency and success of Hong Kong. These included:-

10 Year Plus Caring Organisation – presentation ceremony

Project SPARKLE

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(1) Better use of private land resources through lease modifications and land exchange;

(2) Better cost control in Government projects;(3) Promoting best practice and culture for building

repair and maintenance; and (4) The development of Spatial Data Infrastructure.

Apart from sharing our professional insights and expertise with the Government, members also expressed their views in over 20 articles that were published in the columns of prominent local newspapers (Hong Kong Economic Times and Hong Kong Economic Journal).

3.2 Community Campaign

As part of the “Appreciate Hong Kong” Campaign, the Institute hosted the community campaign “Touring Central with Surveyors” for the second year. This event allowed participants to better understand the role of surveyors in the city’s development cycle by visiting buildings with historical and economic significance. The highly successful event attracted good public interest with 270 participants taking part in a total of 23 guided tours.

Riding on the success of the campaign, the Institute published a booklet “Surveyors Serve Hong Kong”, which was distributed to guests at the HKIS Annual Dinner in November.

3.3 Promotion of the Profession

The Institute, in collaboration with the Education Bureau’s Business-School Partnership Programme, held a career talk on “Career Prospects of the Surveying Profession” on 19 October 2016, promoting the surveying profession. Around 15 secondary schools participated with over 110 students and teachers in attendance.

The thematic talks titled Decoding Building, the Versatile Building Doctor and Green Urban Planning were held on 14 October and 26 November 2016 by the Building Surveying Division and Planning and Development Division respectively. Each talk attracted around 30 secondary school students.

We supported the Bui ld ing Safety Pioneer Programme 2016/17, organised by the Buildings Department and co-organised by the Education Bureau. The programme aims at promoting building safety to secondary school students continuously with a sense of awareness and responsibility towards a safe, high quality and sustainable Hong Kong built environment. The role of the Building Surveyor in building maintenance was presented by the HKIS in the “Joint Talk with Building Professionals (architects, engineers and surveyors)” on 24 September 2016. Several Building Surveying companies also provided opportunities for secondary school students to visit their offices in order to learn about the contributions made by building professionals, and at the same time, opportunities for the companies to nurture the

Booklet “Surveyors Serve Hong Kong”

Touring Central with Surveyors

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students’ interest in joining the building construction industry.

We joined the annual Hong Kong Trade Development Council’s Education and Careers Expo during the period from 28 to 31 January 2016. We also met with Hong Kong Trade Development Council to discuss the promotion of the services of Professional Surveyors and surveyor’s participation in the Belt and Road Initiative.

The Divisions and Young Surveyors Group visited various academic institutions and joined the Information Days organised by local universities to share their views and advices on career prospects with the students.

The HKIS Scholarship was first launched in 1988 to acknowledge the undergraduate students in the final years of their HKIS-accredited courses for their outstanding academic performances in the previous academic years. The HKIS organised its first Presentation Ceremony for the Scholarship in the Surveyors Learning Centre on 14 July 2016, and presented 46 awards to the scholarship winners from four academic institutions, namely, City University of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, University of Hong Kong, and the Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education.

3.4 Researches

The General Council approved research funding for two projects, namely:-

• The Non-linear Relationship between Rental Price and Office Space in Hong Kong.

• The Successful Factors for Shopping Malls in Hong Kong.

The following research projects were completed during the year:-

• The Effective Use of Web-based Management Tools for Property Management Companies in Hong Kong.

• The Relationship between Green Certified (BEAM Plus) Buildings and Property Price in Hong Kong.

3.5 Textbook Writing Sponsorship

A textbook writing sponsorship is provided to interested academic staff of local universities to produce textbooks on local topics for the surveying practitioners and students. Two textbooks were completed this year:-

Book title Author(s)

Business Terms & Phrases for Surveyors, Engineers & Facilities Managers in Hong Kong

Sr Benny Kwok (Property and Facility Management Division, HKIS)

Target Cost Contracting (TCC) Strategy in Construction: Principles, Practices and Case Studies

Dr Daniel Chan & Dr Joseph Chan, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Education and Careers Expo 2016 (28-31 Jan)

HKIS Scholarship Presentation Ceremony (14 July)

Career Talk – Career Prospects of the Surveying Profession (19 Oct)

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4. Members’ Communication and Services

We value members’ experience with the Institute.

4.1 Networking

The HKIS Members’ Welfare Committee successfully held two drinks gatherings for members on 31 May and 1 December 2016, with 130 and 88 members in attendance respectively. These events provided invaluable networking opportunities for members across all grades and Divisions.

4.2 HKIS Archive

An archive has been developed under the HKIS website to allow easier access to the Institute’s records, including its publications, reports and media coverage.

4.3 Wikipedia

A Wikipedia page for the HKIS has been enhanced and updated with new contents to serve as a platform for the promotion of the Institute’s public stature.

4.4 Members’ Forums

The Housing Policy Panel organised a discussion forum on “Elderly Housing Policy” on 17 June 2016. The forum reviewed the existing housing policy against the needs of the Elderly in Hong Kong. Speakers from different sectors shared their views on the role of the Government, NGOs and the private sector in this area, as well as issues surrounding the housing supply and demand situation in private and public housing.

4.5 Extraordinary General Meeting and Forum

A discussion forum was held on 9 September 2016 to explain the rationale behind the resolutions on the proposed amendments to the HKIS Rules of Conduct, Constitution and Bye-Laws, the proposed revisions to annual subscriptions and application fees, and the ratification of Guidance Notes on Standards, before an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) was held to pass the resolutions.

At the EGM held on 19 September, six out of seven resolutions were passed in respect of the amendments to the Rules of Conduct and Constitution relating to the Competition Ordinance, admission to membership and the ratification of

Guidance Notes on Standards (namely the Rules of Conduct, Valuation Standards, Guidance Notes on Land Boundary Survey and Surveyors Acting As Experts in Commercial Rent Determination – A Joint Guidance Note with RICS Hong Kong) as well as the approval of an increase in the annual subscriptions and application fees for membership admission. The proposal to implement an automatic annual subscription adjustment mechanism was not passed.

4.6 Forum for the Creation of an Additional Post of Vice-President

To cope with the growing demands and expectations arising from the development of the surveying profession, the General Council considered and agreed that it was necessary to add one additional post of Vice-President to the existing number of Office Bearers to assist in the affairs of the Institute. A discussion forum was organised by the General Council on 24 October 2016 to explain the rationale behind its decision.

4.7 Competition Ordinance

A work ing group was formed to study the implications of the Scales of Professional Charges (or Fees Scales) and Rules 1.2.5 and 1.2.6 of the HKIS Rules of Conduct under the Competition Ordinance (Cap. 619). The HKIS was advised by the appointed legal advisors that the Fees Scales and the two Rules were in contravention of the Ordinance and should be abolished. Such abolition became effective at the EGM on 19 September.

4.8 Cooperation with Other Professional Institutes

Regular meetings and liaison were held with four other professional institutes, the Hong Kong Institute of Architects, Hong Kong Institute of Planners, Hong Kong Institute of Landscape Architects and Hong Kong Institution of Engineers to exchange views and pursue subjects of common interest and concerns.

The Institute participated in various functions of the Construction Industry Alliance in 2016 with an aim to promote the healthy growth of the construction industry in Hong Kong.

We also exchanged views on subjects including membership reciprocity agreement and measures to better nurture our young members with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. We joined the

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Institute of Construction Managers for lunch to discuss various issues relating to the construction industry.

5. Mainland and International Cooperation

5.1 Mainland Affairs and Cooperation

The Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA) and Belt and Road Initiative have opened up many opportunities for surveyors. The Institute has continued to steer partnerships with different professional organisations in China.

Several delegations travelled to Mainland cities including Beijing, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Shenzhen and T ianjin to meet with different government and professional bodies related to the surveying sector to foster the exchange of professional knowledge and to explore further cooperation opportunities.

The HKIS Ma in land Affa i rs Commit tee , in collaboration with the Beij ing, Shanghai and Guangzhou Forums, organised a CPD event and site visit in Chengdu on 19 and 20 April 2016. Prominent speakers presented topics on the real estate development project of Sino-Ocean Taikoo Li Chengdu, the research of Top 50 Tenants in 2015, and the Sichuan-Europe Strategic Cooperation under One-Belt-One-Road Initiative. Members also visited Chengdu IFS, Tian Fu New Area Planning Exhibition Hall and the Science City Planning Exhibition Hall. A members’ gathering was also arranged.

The Mainland Affairs Committee has maintained close dialogue with relevant Mainland ministries and counterparts since 2011. A 20-member delegation, led by President Sr C K Lau and Past President and Chairman of Mainland Affairs Committee, Sr Stephen Lai, paid an annual visit to Beijing from 12 to 14 June 2016. The delegation visited the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office of the State Council, met with officials from the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, the Ministry of Commerce, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Land and Resource, and joined a CPD event and members’ dinner arranged by the HKIS Beijing Office. The delegation continued on a technical visit to Shanghai on 15 and 16 June.

On 14 to 15 November 2016, a 21-member delegation, led by President Sr C K Lau and Past President and Chairman of Mainland Affairs

Committee, Sr Stephen Lai, visited Guangzhou. The delegation met with officials of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the People’s Government of Guangdong Province, and had a discussion forum with the Department of Housing and Urban-Rural Development of Guangdong Province and related professional counterparts.

Delegates Meet with Yi Jun, Vice-minister of the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development in Beijing

Delegates meet with Kurexi Maihesuti, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Land and Resources and also the Director General of the National Administration of Surveying, Mapping and Geoinformation in Beijing

5.2 Mainland Forums

CPD events and members’ gatherings were organised by the Beijing, Guangzhou and Shanghai Forums for members in the Mainland as follows:-

Beijing Forum

• CPD seminar on “An Overview of Hong Kong Stock Market” cum Members’ Dinner (6 April 2016)

• CPD seminar on “The Development of Chinese Engineering Cost Consulting Enterprises in the Next 10 Years” cum Members’ Dinner (13 June 2016)

• Site visit to Tianjin (23 July 2016)

Guangzhou Forum

• CPD seminar on “An Overview of Guangzhou Grade A Office Market” cum Members’ Dinner (14 November 2016)

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Shanghai Forum

• CPD seminar on “Overa l l P lann ing and Development Strategy of Shanghai 2040” (12 March 2016)

• Project Visit to Shimao Shenkeng Hotel in Shanghai (4 June 2016)

• Study Tour to Shanghai and Members’ Dinner (15 June 2016)

• Members’ Dinner and Gathering in Shanghai (29 November 2016)

• Project Visit to HKRI Taikoo Hui in Shanghai (3 December 2016)

5.3 International Cooperation

Over the past year, the Institute has been spending a considerable amount of time in driving the activities of various international and regional professional organisations.

Past President, Sr T T Cheung was officially appointed as the 2016 to 2018 Chairman of the International Cost Engineering Council (ICEC) in the 10th ICEC World Congress 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in mid-October 2016.

Chairman of General Practice Division, Sr K K Chiu, a member of the Advisory Forum Working Group of the International Valuation Standards Council (IVSC) for many years, has taken up the membership of the Nomination Committee.

Playing a proactive role in setting international standards, the HKIS has joined the International Construction Measurement Standards Coalition (ICMSC), and among others, is actively exploring the standards including the International Land Measurement Standards (ILMS), International Property Measurement Standards (IPMS) and the International Ethics Standard (IES).

On the regional front, the HKIS is proud to maintain a strong presence in Asia Pacific as our delegates shared their insights at the 20th Pacific Association of Quantity Surveyors Congress (PAQS) 2016 in Christchurch, New Zealand.

10th ICEC World Congress 2016 in Rio, Brazil (8-12 Oct)

IVSC Annual General Meeting 2016 in Bali (10-12 Oct)

PAQS 2016 in Christchurch, New Zealand (20-24 May)

PAQS 2016 in Christchurch, New Zealand (20-24 May)

5.4 Reciprocal Recognition of Qualifications

We raised the status of the Institute as well as that of the surveying profession by working closely with counterparts and other professional bodies outside Hong Kong.

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Signing Ceremony for the Reciprocity Agreement between ICES (Commercial Management) and the HKIS (QSD) (22 Apr)

Signing Ceremony for the Memorandum of Cooperation on BIM Development among the HKIS, RISM, and SISV (9 Sept)

6. Nurturing Young Leaders within HKIS

Different ways were explored to increase the exposure of our young members. Young members actively participated in various committees and working groups and organised different events, including a study tour to Vietnam, the annual dinner and drinks gathering, all of which demonstrated their devotion to the Institute.

Excellent results were achieved by the HKIS Dragon Boat Team in the Stanley International Dragon Boat Championship 2016 and the Joint Professionals Dragon Boat Competition 2016.

The HKIS always encourages members to develop their interests. Some of our members have formed a Surveyors Band (S!R). S!R held a number of shows and concerts and was invited to perform at the HKIS Annual Dinner in November 2016.

Our young surveyors also appeared in newspaper columns and dedicated interviews.

7. Words of Appreciation

Taking this opportunity, I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to all Office Bearers, members of the General Council, Boards, Divisional Councils, Committees, Policy Panels, Working Groups, Advisors, and the HKIS Secretariat staff for their unfailing support and contributions towards the Institute’s work.

I wish the HKIS and the incoming General Council every success in the year to come.

Sr C K Lau President (2015-2016)The Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors

The HKIS has entered into reciprocal arrangements with China Engineering Cost Association (CECA), China Institute of Real Estate Appraisers and Agents (CIREA) and China Association of Engineering Consultants (CAEC). Many of our members have made use of their professional qualifications in China to promote and expand their businesses in Greater China.

A Reciprocity Agreement was signed between the Commercial Management Stream of the Chartered Institution of Civil Engineering Surveyors (ICES) and the Quantity Surveying Division of the Institute on 22 April 2016.

To further the interests of the HKIS members, the HKIS entered into a Memorandum of Cooperation on Building Information Modelling (BIM) Development with the Royal Institution of Surveyors Malaysia (RISM), and Singapore Institute of Surveyors and Valuers (SISV) on 9 September 2016.