Ir Johnny Fan Siu Kay graduated from the Hong Kong Technical College, a predecessor of PolyU, with a Higher Diploma in Structural Engineering in 1972. With unswerving effort and dedication to his profession, Mr Fan progressed to become Technical Director of Ho & Lam Consulting Engineers Limited. Innovative and visionary, Mr Fan is well-known for providing tailor-made infrastructure and property solutions to meet the ever-increasing expectations of his clients. His professionalism has made him a notable achiever in the dynamic and fast-growing construction industry.

Over the years, Mr Fan has conveyed his valuable experience to the industry through his service to many professional associations. From 2001 to 2003, he was Chairman of the Joint Structural Division of The Hong Kong Institution of Engineers. He also served as a committee member of The Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (Structural Division) and The Institution of Structural Engineers (Hong Kong Branch) from 1997 to 2005.

Mr Fan has also devotedly contributed his professional knowledge to the development of his alma mater. In the 1980s, he began serving the PolyU Building Association as one of its key members and has helped provide a valuable platform for the exchange of knowledge among alumni and students in the construction industry. He was President of the PolyU Building Association from 1991 to 1993 and served as the Founding President of the PolyU Civil and Structural Engineering Alumni Association which was established in 1995. He was also a member of the Advisory Committee of the PolyU Department of Civil and Structural Engineering from 1996 to 1998.

In addition, Mr Fan is a committed alumni leader, participating actively in the development of the Federation of PolyU Alumni Associations in various capacities. Working together with the University, Mr Fan was one of the key members in the early development of the Federation. When the Federation was formed in 1995, he took up the role as its First Vice Chairman, fostering many Federation initiatives, and he has continued to serve in the Federation since then. Since April 2007, he has also been a member of the PolyU Council, representing the interests of the alumni community. 

Mr Chairman, University Council Members, President Tong and Honoured Guests,

It is indeed a great honour to receive this Fellowship from my alma mater, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to the University for this accolade. PolyU has a long tradition of encouraging students to make the best use of their professional knowledge innovatively for the benefit of society and mankind. As an alumnus of PolyU, I am truly proud of our University’s mission and I do put it into practice, applying my professional knowledge innovatively in solving real-life problems and making this world a better place.

Ever since I embarked on my career, I realized that not only has the professional training at the University facilitated my career development, but that the guidance of my past mentors and teachers has also benefitted me tremendously. Taking this opportunity, and from the bottom of my heart, I wish to thank Ir Professor Ng Sai-ho who was my teacher and the Head of Department of Building, Surveying and Structural Engineering at the then Hong Kong Technical College, a predecessor of PolyU. His enthusiasm and dedication to his profession has deeply inspired me to always think out of the box in order to meet the changing needs of my clients and of the society.

Over the years, I have served my alma mater through participating in the work of the University Council, the Department of Civil and Structural Engineering, and various alumni associations. This involvement has been most rewarding and I very much hope that I have contributed to the development of PolyU as well as to the nurturing of our next generation.

In this rapidly changing new era, what we have learnt today will become obsolete tomorrow. Thus, the skills to apply our knowledge and our creativity for the benefit of the world are far more important than just mastering what we learn today. I am glad that PolyU has incorporated this philosophy in both its teaching and learning.

Finally, I sincerely wish PolyU even greater success in its visionary education, research and innovation in the years to come.

Thank you.