Honorary University Fellows
Ir Dr Joseph CHOW Ming Kuen is a civil and structural engineer by profession.
He holds a BSc (Eng) (1964) from HKU and has spent almost 50 years in the design, construction and management of many major local and international infrastructural and building projects. He founded JMK Consulting Engineers in 1992 and remains its Independent Non-Executive Chairman.
As a student, Dr Chow was elected Chairman of the HKU Engineering Society and organised its Golden Anniversary Celebrations in 1962 – a role he would reprise for the Faculty’s Centenary Celebrations in 2012. He is the Founding President of the HKU Engineering Alumni Association and has served the University, inter alia, as a Court Member, Founding Senior Member of the HKU Foundation, and an HKU Mentor to its students.
Dr Chow has been the President of the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers, and Chairman of the Hong Kong Engineers Registration Board and the Hong Kong Construction Workers Registration Authority.
Dr Chow has been Chairman of the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority and of the Governing Committee of the Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital. He has also served, inter alia, as a member of the Housing Authority, Hospital Authority, Chinese Medicine Council and Education Commission. He has been the Deputy Chairman of Council of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, which awarded him an Honorary Doctorate in 1999. He is also an Honorary Senior Superintendent of the Hong Kong Auxiliary Police Force.
Dr Chow was appointed a Justice of the Peace in 1992 and awarded an OBE in 1997.
Citation delivered by Professor Norman Tien, Dean of Engineering
Ir Dr Joseph M K Chow graduated from HKU in 1964 (BSc(Eng)-Civ).
Dr Chow has had a long and distinguished career in his field as a civil and structural engineer. He is Chairman of Joseph Chow & Partners Ltd and was Chairman of PYI Corporation Limited from 2005 to 2011. He is also an Independent Non-Executive Director of Chevalier International Holdings Limited, Build King Holdings Limited, and Road King Infrastructure Holdings Limited, and Non-Executive Director, of Wheelock Properties Limited.
He is a most committed alumnus. He served as a Court Member of the University from 1983 to 2001. He is a Founding Senior Member of the HKU Foundation and was a Mentor with the HKU Mentorship Programme in 1997-99. He served as a member of the Special Projects Panel of the University’s Centenary Celebrations.
Moreover, he led the Engineering Centenary Celebrations in 2011 as Chairman of the Organising Committee. A memorable gala dinner for engineering alumni and friends was staged at the HK Convention & Exhibition Centre, bringing back the last five deans and generations of graduates. A publication Engineering at HKU: A Century of Excellence was published, recording the achievements of the faculty against the evolving changes of society and industry. Dr Chow also chaired the Fundraising Committee, which raised $3 million for the Faculty. His leadership is exemplary, and his devotion unparalleled.
Dr Chow has chosen to give back to society in many ways, including holding a number of positions with professional bodies. He is the current Chairman of the Hong Kong Construction Workers Registration Authority, and is the former President of the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers and the former Chairman of the Hong Kong Engineers’ Registration Board.
Dr Chow also is a strong supporter of education and was Chairman of the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority from 1996 to 2003. He is an Honorary Senior Superintendent with the Hong Kong Auxiliary Police Force, and a former chairman of both the Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital and the Hong Kong Country Club. In 1998, Hong Kong Polytechnic University conferred on him an Honorary Doctor of Engineering.
Dr Chow is a distinguished alumnus who has used his knowledge and expertise to contribute to his alma mater and society. He continues to help the University by rallying support from alumni and the public, and by nurturing future generations of Engineering professionals. One of his next projects is the revival and re-engineering of Hornell Hall, the non-residential hall he belonged to when he was student at HKU.
For his contributions to the profession and the community, Dr Chow was appointed a Justice of the Peace in 1992 and awarded an OBE in 1997.
It gives me great pleasure, Mr Pro Chancellor, to present Ir Dr Joseph CHOW Ming Kuen for the Honorary University Fellowship, in recognition of his contributions to Hong Kong and academia.