Dear Members,

1. Council Election 2009/2010

Congratulations to the Council Members:

President:	Ms Anna Kwong, FHKIA
Vice Presidents:	Mr KS Wong
	Ms Wai Lee Chow
Hon Secretary:	Mr Dominic Lam
Hon Treasurer:	Mr Felix Lok
Council:	Mr Alexander Lush
	Ms Alice Yeung
	Mr Bernard Hui
	Prof Edwin Chan
	Mr Franky Choi
	Mr Ivan Ho
	Ms Julia Lau
	Mr Martin Tam
	Ms Polly Sun
	Dr Ronald Lu
	Ms Rosman Wai
	Ms So Ching
	Ms Susan Leung
	Mr Tony Tang
	Mr Tang Wai Kin

I wish the Council every success in leading the Institute to higher grounds.

2. Operations Manual

After 20 months of work, the Council has endorsed the operations manual. It has been put into use with the understanding that there may be some minor adjustments to iron out any irregularities discovered during use.

The Manual will enable the incoming Council, Sub-committees and the Secretariat to be familiar with the norms and procedures of the Institute to enable it to function even more effectively and efficiently.

3. Venice Biennale

HKIA organized the exhibits for the Hong Kong Pavilion led by Mrs Rita Lau, Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development. HKIA thanks the Secretary for the 50% matching grant of the funds for this exhibition.

During its 2 months’ exhibition, a total of 30,000 people visited the Hong Kong Pavilion.

This Biennale will be an excellent vehicle for Hong Kong to promote its creative industry on the international scene.

The exhibition will return to Hong Kong and will be held at the Heritage Discovery Centre, Kowloon Park.

4. Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development (MOHURD)

The MOHURD-CAEC Delegation led by Mr Feng Zongzhan, Division Chief of MOHURD visited Hong Kong from 29 November 2008 to 30 November 2008.

Meetings were arranged for Mr Feng and his colleagues to meet members of HKIA and HKIE.

5. Retired Member/Fellow

In recognition of contributions made by Fellows during their association with the Institute, Council agreed that they are entitled to keep the title 'Fellow' upon switching to the Retired Member category. Retired Fellow will enjoy the same rate of membership subscription as Retired Member.

6. HKIA-Shui On Land Golf Day

This was held on Friday, 14 November 2008 on the Eden Course of the Hong Kong Golf Club, Fanling.

A total of 94 golfers participated with Shui On Land as the title sponsor. There were quite a number of sponsorships and donations of prizes. The event was friendly but competitive with all those who attended enjoying themselves on a beautiful autumn day.

Thanks go to the event organizer, Ms Suzie Wakai of B&W - Far East Publicity Ltd. The fund raised was HK$526,000 for this event.

7. HKIA Conference 2008

The Conference with the theme of Shang-Kong-Ny-Lon on “Urbanism + Architecture: A Comparative Perspective for the Design of Hong Kong” was held at the Grand Ballroom of the Conrad Hotel on Saturday, 22 November 2008.

The Hon John Tsang, Financial Secretary of HKSAR delivered the welcome speech. A total of 262 participants attended in what was a long day from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm with most attendees staying till the end indicating the quality of the speakers. The presentation by the five speakers were excellent, interesting and informative with examples of what each city can learn from each other.

HKIA shall ask the speakers for permission to put the powerpoint presentations on the website with a summary of the interviews between the speakers and the moderators for member’s reference.

The information from the Conference is to be used by HKIA to further improve on Hong Kong’s built environment with overseas examples.

8. HKIA Annual Ball 2008

The Acting Chief Executive, The Hon Henry Tang, attended the Ball and delivered the welcome speech. He also presented the Dr Cecil Chao Architectural Design Award to Pei Partnership Architects.

Mr I M Pei who was unable to attend due to a previous engagement gave a video acceptance speech.

The Ball was filled to capacity with 452 participants.

The induction of the President Elect, Ms Anna Kwong, for the position of President of HKIA 2009/2010 was successfully conducted.

Entertainments by HKIA and AIA (HK Chapter) members were performed to celebrate the four cities of the Conference namely Shanghai, Hong Kong, New York and London through a series of songs and dance. The performances warmed the audience. The grand finale was the singing and dancing to the song of “YMCA” by the Village People whereby the performers and the audience all stood up to participate. The letters and body language of “YMCA” were substituted by “HKIA”. This joint performance was enjoyed by all and the Ball concluded on a very high note following the success of the Conference with general dancing and generous lucky draws which followed.

A total of HK$2,391,000 was raised from the Golf Day, Conference and Ball.

9. AGM

The AGM is the last official function of my term as President of HKIA. It is held on Tuesday, 16 December 2008 at 7 pm at the Apex, 75/F Central Plaza, Wanchai. The guest speaker is the Hon Henry Tang, Chief Secretary for Administration of the HKSAR.

Mr Tang’s speech will be uploaded on the HKIA website later.

We have the honour to have Ms Wang Su-qing, Director General, Mr Chen Bo, Division Chief of the Department of Construction Market Administration of MOHURD; Ms Sun A-qing, Deputy Director General, Mr Cai Wen-feng, Division Chief and Ms Wu Yuan, Deputy Division Chief of Coordination Department, Liaison Office of the Central Peoples’s Government in the Hong Kong S.A.R. here with us to officiate at the presentation of the PRC Class 1 Registered Architect Certificates to HKIA Members who qualified through the Mutual Recognition through CEPA.

10. Conclusion

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Council Members, the Sub-committees and the Secretariat for all their hardwork they have done in the last two years and to the members for giving me this chance to serve the Institute.

I wish you all good health and that you would continue to create a quality sustainable environment for the next generation.

Dr Ronald Lu, FHKIA
President
The Hong Kong Institute of Architects

16 December 2008

President Meessage

President Report at the 2nd QGM on 22 June 2009

President Report at the 1st QGM on 26 March 2009

President Anna Kwong Accession Speech on 22 Nov 2008