Page 35 - Gi August 2020

igem news

THE PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS

NEW PRESIDENT DUNCAN WONG PRESENTS
HIS PLANS FOR THE YEAR AHEAD

Therefore, it is imperative for us
to ensure they are fully supported,
particularly during this period.
The key to maintaining a good
membership number is by staying
SPEAKING AT THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE relevant. We will ensure that both
our communications with members
and our value preposition are of the
highest possible standard. As the old
Chinese saying goes: “in every crisis
lies opportunity”. We, as an institution,
have made great strides with the
NEW PRESIDENT DUNCAN WONG
launch of digital offerings including
IT IS INDEED my great privilege to IGEMtv and webinars on a broad range
be elected as the President of our of topics for our members, which we
institution for the coming year. Our will continue to build on.
institution has gone from strength to Our Past President, the late Dr Michael
strength under Antony’s leadership Olden, said the following in 1988 in
and I have learnt a great deal from relation to the core business of our
ANTONY AT THE GAS INDUSTRY AWARDS him over the past two years. Going institution: “The institution… is a learned
forward, I shall do my best to uphold society comprising persons who, by
However, the pandemic crisis has given the very high standards he has set. taking upon themselves the mantle
IGEM the opportunity to consider how it This appointment is particularly of membership, are required to guard
can modernise its operation, said Antony. special to me as it is only the second jealously gas engineering professional
This has included the launch of regular time in our institution’s history that standards, provide a forum for
webinars, hosted on the institution’s a President has come from the Far discussion of topics of mutual interest,
IGEMtv platform, plus online training East, the first being James Kwan, further and develop the education and
courses and business-as-usual activities who assumed the role exactly 20 educational requirements for those
conducted via videoconference. years ago. In fact, James also played desirous of entering the profession and
“In my speech at the start of the an instrumental role in establishing lead the field of engineering in matters
year, I said I wanted the industry to the now flourishing Far East District associated with the manufacture,
pull forwards and really focus on the Section back in 1996, together with distribution and utilisation of fuel gases.”
future,” said Antony, “and I’m pleased Past President and former Honorary As the UK moves towards net zero
to say that IGEM is really playing its Secretary John Clarke. I am privileged carbon by 2050, Dr Olden’s words are
role, especially in the hydrogen arena.” to have served as the Chair of as appropriate now as they were 30
Antony pointed to IGEM’s the FEDS – now a vibrant Section years ago. For the coming year, my
involvement in the Hydrogen comprising gas professionals in Hong proposed focus for our institution
Programme Development Group, Kong and mainland China and an will be innovation and going ‘green’.
its standards work for Hy4Heat, the integral part of our institution. It is becoming increasingly likely that
upcoming Hydrogen Knowledge This year to date has been most hydrogen will be the gas of the future
Centre, and the creation of a hydrogen extraordinary due to Covid-19 and it and both our institution and our
committee as evidence of how the has also been one of the most – if not members must be well-positioned for
institution is spearheading the the most – challenging years facing this. In this regard, I am delighted we
transition to low carbon gas. our institution. Our membership have already started work on creating
He concluded by expressing his numbers are down as a result of the a hydrogen standard.
appreciation to all the members and economic effects of the virus and I Thank you again for bestowing the
staff who have assisted him during will work closely with the Executive honour of being your President on
his term in office. Thanks were also Board, Council, the CEO, IGEM staff me. I look forward to working closely
extended to the Chief Executive and and the Sections in addressing this. with each and every one of you
the Secretariat team for their excellent I mention our Sections as they are during my tenure for the betterment
response to the Covid-19 crisis. the lifeblood of our institution. of our great institution.
He then welcomed IGEM’s new
President Duncan Wong, presenting
him ‘virtually’ with the presidential for the company’s overall business capacities, including as Executive
chain of office and wishing him well for results in the Hong Kong market. He is for six years. Duncan is a Chartered
the year ahead. Duncan is currently the a Past Chair of IGEM’s Far East District Engineer, a Fellow of both IGEM and
General Manager of Marketing & Sales Section and has also served the Hong HKIE, and has a Master’s degree in
for Hong Kong’s Towngas, responsible Kong Institution of Engineers in various Business Administration.

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