Is There a Future for Engineers in Hong Kong?

1. Is There a Future for Engineers in Hong Kong? CUHK EE 2003.2.17

2. Is it really all gloom and doom? The most common grumblings: • The world is not doing well, but HK is doing worse; • Even though China is an exception, HK is being marginalized and there is no role left for HK; • Even if HK can contribute, it is no longer competitive. CUHK EE

3. Is the world in trouble? • Business cycles are a fact of life: the last two decades were simply an anomaly; • ride with the tide: survival depends on rising and falling together; • China is by far the brightest spot, and there is plenty of room for growth. This is our unique and invaluable comparative advantage ! CUHK EE

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7. Does HK really benefit from China’s rise? • HK serves China in a unique and critical role: the world’s top 3 financial center; the world’s leading transport hub; a world city in Asia which international business prefers; CUHK EE

8. For the last 2 years: voted as the World’s #1 Airport by over a million travellers. World’s #1 International Air Cargo Throughput since 1996; selected as “Cargo Airport of the Year” in 2002. CUHK EE

9. In 2001, the port of Hong Kong handled some 178 million tonnes of cargo (90% from Southern China), making the territory the world's busiest container port. CUHK EE

10. Does HK really benefit from China’s rise? • HK’s promixity to the fastest growing and most dynamic region of China provides tremendous advantages: • GuangDong accounts for over 40% of China’s total exports and pays 1/7 of China’s total tax; • Shenzhen is the hi-tech centre of China: • in 2001, 1,500 computer components makers, 500 software companies, and 200 R&D centers. CUHK EE

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12. Does HK really benefit from China’s rise? • China provides HK the most competitive manufacturing base and the most promising market. CUHK EE

13. A recent quote from London Economic Times, 2003/2: • “Monthly direct foreign investment is US$ 1 Billion”; • HK is still the leading investor; • more investment into China than the rest of Asia put together; • “Fastest economic growth in human history”; • “The new workshop of the world”. CUHK EE

14. But are we still competitive? Aren’t we too expensive? • How did we become so “expensive”? • Is that our goal or is that a sin? • What can we learn from others? • London, New York, … • Vietnam, Bangladesh, …. • Whatever happened to our “added value”? CUHK EE

15. Yes, what is our “VALUE”? & how much is that worth?

16. What is our strength? We are really the bridge between the world and China. The bridge is built on: • understanding of different cultures via exposure; • mobility; • interpersonal skill built first and foremost on language and presentation skills. CUHK EE

17. What sort of engineering graduate will a China/HK company be looking for? • Language (English & Chinese) skill; • Cultural awareness; • Willingness & ability to face the world; • Leadership: as a team leader, and then as a manager & beyond. • Based on: subject knowledge (expertise). CUHK EE

18. Language • Market driven; • Breakdown of space and time barrier: internet & email become the direct channels; • Communications skill: “packaging”: form over matter. CUHK EE

19. Cultural Awareness • Stage 1: moving beyond 黄玉郎 & 周星驰; • Stage 2: talking about 红楼梦 to Foreigners and about Shakespeare to Chinese; • Stage 3: talking about Shakespeare to Foreigners and about 红楼梦 to Chinese. CUHK EE

20. Facing the world • People skill; • Understanding and then overcoming the cultural barriers; • a venturous and confident spirit: • Go anywhere; • See anyone; • Do anything. CUHK EE

21. Leadership • Humble; • Participatory; • Responsible; • Decisive. This will take plenty of time. This will take lots of effort. Most of all, do you want to be a leader? CUHK EE

22. Do we still need subject knowledge? Of course! But the pace and complexity of technical expertise demand more from you: • Attitude: the willingness to learn; • Methodology: learn how to learn; • Substance: basic knowledge as a foundation CUHK EE

23. And if you can achieve all that.. • Chinese companies will be glad to have you to help them link up to the outside world; • Foreign companies will be glad to ask you to help them penetrate into China; • Hong Kong will be proud to have you as our sons and daughters. CUHK EE

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26. Example: an IC Development Support Centre at HKSP • In 2000, China’s total IC import was HK$92 B: • $64 B in GuangDong; • $32 B by HK Manufacturers in PRD. • Forecast for 2005: GuangDong’s IC consumption will be $164 B; • The Centre will bring in capability to design, test and validate IC’s for this market & others. CUHK EE

27. How many engineers will HK need by 2005? • The IC Development Support Centre will need 2,000 IC design engineers; • Other initiatives such as the Photonics Centre in Applied Science and Technology Research Institute will need more; • Foreign companies now coming into the Science Park are already hiring; • Eventually there has to be a recovery of the IT and other hi-tech industries. CUHK EE

28. What then will be a future HK? • An economically integrated but politically separated entity with PRD; • The region becomes the world’s most competitive city-region; • top notch infrastructure; • wonderful quality of life. In short ... CUHK EE

29. A place we are proud to call our home.

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31. Do you want to be a part of that success? • How can I NOT be replaced? • How can I take full advantage of all the favorable conditions to make myself ever more valuable and competitive? • How can I leverage on the biggest geographical and human resources advantages and play a far bigger role? CUHK EE

32. Simple indicators: • Do you read English newspapers / magazines / books? • Is your email / ICQ in English? • Can you watch an English movie without subtitles? • Do you have or seek opportunities to converse in English? • Do you ever travel independently? CUHK EE

33. The world has never been as accessible, as dynamic, and as promising. And it is yours for the taking. Go for it!