Student & Alumni Voices

Experience

student &
alumni voices

Andy FONG
(BEng in Mechanical Engineering)

“HKU Engineering fuelled my growth through global exposure and strong academic support”

Meet Andy, a passionate Mechanical Engineering graduate who turned his passion for aircraft technology into an exciting journey! ✈️

“🛠️From a young age, airplanes and engineering fascinated me, so Mechanical Engineering was my first choice when choosing major. In my third year, I had the opportunity to intern at Cathay Pacific, where I acquired expertise in aircraft maintenance and igniting my aviation passion. My exchange experience at the University of Edinburgh broadened my global horizons, allowing me to experience different cultures and engineering practices firsthand.”

🏎️At HKU, Andy immersed himself in the vibrant community of HKU Engineering. “One of my most memorable experiences was joining the HKU Racing Team to design and build a small-scale electric Formula-style race car. From the initial design to the final build, working alongside my teammates and participating in the international Formula Student competition was incredibly rewarding. Watching the race car that I helped create racing on the track gave me a profound sense of achievement. This experience not only allowed me to apply my academic knowledge but also helped me forge lasting friendships with others who share my passion.”

Now pursuing an MSc in Advanced Mechanical Engineering at Imperial College London, Andy‘s aiming to innovate in aeroelasticity research for aircraft turbines.🎯

Arya RAJESH
(Global Engineering and Business Programme)

“HKU feels like my second home—a place where innovation meets community.”

🏠 “I was initially worried about cultural differences, but HKU’s global community quickly put me at ease. One of my favourite experiences was founding the Street Food Club at Chi Sun College, taking fellow residents to explore Hong Kong’s vibrant food scene. These moments not only deepened my appreciation for local culture but also helped me build meaningful friendships with students from diverse backgrounds, making campus life incredibly enriching.” 🤝

🎓 Arya is a student of the Global Engineering and Business Programme and a scholarship recipient from India. She is also an awardee of the HKU Entrance Scholarship and the HKSAR Government Scholarship.

“Thanks to these scholarships, I am able to immerse myself in Engineering and Finance through a flexible and interdisciplinary curriculum. Outside the classroom, I have actively engaged in hackathons and tech seminars, including the Morgan Stanley Women4Tech Forum and the Code to Give Hackathon, which have broadened my skills and network. The strong HKU alumni community has been instrumental in my development, providing mentorship through the HKU Mentorship Programme, helping me gain clarity and confidence in my future career path.” 🔥

Jiayi YANG
(HKU Engineering-Cambridge Undergraduate Recruitment Scheme)

“HKU empowered me to explore freely, discover my passions, and gear up for what’s ahead. Cambridge is one of the many incredible opportunities HKU made possible.”

HKU has strong academic connections with top universities around the globe. The HKU-Cambridge Undergraduate Recruitment Scheme is one of the University’s collaborations that designed for high-calibre students with outstanding academic credentials.

Meet Jiayi, who completed her first two years at HKU and has just begun her new journey at the University of Cambridge.

“Building on the strong foundation I gained at HKU, I’m now delving into thermodynamics and materials science at one of the world’s most dynamic academic institutions.”

Reflecting on Jiayi’s learning journey at HKU, she realised that education is a life-on-life experience, enriched through active participation in volunteer work.

“Volunteering with children battling leukaemia taught me that education is more than just transferring academic knowledge — it’s about connection, courage, and hope. That experience led me to Africa, where I spent six weeks teaching through HKU AIESEC. In a sunlit classroom, surrounded by eager learners, I discovered my passion for making education meaningful and accessible across cultures.”

Yiming WANG (BEng + MScEng in Artificial Intelligence in Engineering)
& Aryan SOKHIYA (Elite Programme)

Friendships that Last from High School to University – Journey to IB Scholar

Q.Why did you choose HKU Engineering?

Aryan: HKU stood out to me because of its strong emphasis on innovation and interdisciplinary learning. The flexibility in the Engineering curriculum, especially the elite engineering programme, provides me time and exposure to various engineering fields.

Andrew: Nah, he wishes. I’ve loved making things since secondary school, where I first discovered programming through game design. I choose HKU Engineering because of its world-class research in areas like 6G and biotech, and its strong support for innovative student projects. So happened that they offer a very specific AI programme, which I think it’s a perfect opportunity for me to turn my creativity into real-world impact!

Q. Any Tips to freshmen or other IB fellows?

Aryan: Balance academics with holistic development – participate in clubs, sports etc. Furthermore, stay organized as that will boost your productivity and disallow for wasted time and efforts

Andrew: Yes, joining clubs is fascinating. I was also surprised at the range of clubs and services offered by HKU. I joined the RoboMaster and UAS team, and I am astonished at the level of passion they have for robotics.

Randolph ZHONG
(BEng in Mechanical Engineering; Captain of the HKU Robocon Team in 2025)

“The team gave their all in both training and competition. A defining moment came when technical issues surfaced right before a match; the team worked through the night to resolve them and completed final adjustments at the last minute. That unwavering spirit was the greatest reward!”

In 2025, the HKU Robocon Team reached a major milestone—they captured the championship at the Robocon Hong Kong Contest 2025, then represented Hong Kong at ABU Robocon 2025 in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, finishing as runners-up—an inspiring feat.

As the captain, Randolph reflects on the journey, “Starting from scratch to build intelligent basketball robots, iterating on structural designs, and crafting tactical strategies. The team gave their all in both training and competition. Afterward, we exchanged ideas with top teams across the Asia-Pacific—including the champion team from the University of Tokyo—gaining valuable insights into robot design. A defining moment came when technical issues surfaced right before a match; the team worked through the night to resolve them and completed final adjustments at the last minute. That unwavering spirit was the greatest reward!”

Randolph thrives in HKU Engineering’s vibrant, tight-knit community, where active learning and student-led initiatives are encouraged. With a flexible curriculum, he has combined academics with hands-on work—designing car components with HKU Racing as part of his graduation thesis. 🏎️🤖

Supported by HKU Engineering and its lively community, these experiences have sharpened his technical skills and broadened his global outlook.

Angus LI
(BEng in Civil Engineering)

“HKU Engineering empowered me to make tangible and meaningful impacts”

“One of the greatest aspects of HKU Engineering is the abundance of opportunities to go beyond classroom learning,” said Angus, a Civil Engineering student. “During my internship, I was involved in urban planning projects, such as redesigning parking lots and conducting traffic surveys. These hands-on experiences challenged me technically but were also incredibly rewarding, blending excitement with personal growth. The maturity I’ve gained through these immersive opportunities has left a lasting impression, shaping both my professional skills and character—especially in understanding the responsibility of engineers, i.e. to create positive social impacts.”💡

Angus also participated in the Project Mingde Summer Training Programme 2025, which involves building infrastructure, promoting education, and providing social services in impoverished areas of Asia.

“It was a 39-day mission in Vietnam alongside 10 other HKU students from diverse background and disciplines. We built a kitchen for a local kindergarten, delivering essential social services to an underserved community. On-site, I gained practical skills such as mixing concrete, fixing rebar, and constructing foundations, while also applying my academic knowledge to review engineering drawings and solve real-world challenges 🛠️. Despite setbacks caused by severe weather, I enhanced my risk management, scheduling, and communication skills.”

Patrick KWAN (BEng in Industrial Engineering and Logistics Management)

“HKU Engineering actively encourages international exchange, which helped me develop a strong appreciation for multicultural collaboration and global innovation ecosystems.”

Patrick Kwan, a student majoring in Industrial Engineering and Logistics Management is passionate about using data-driven insights and operational analysis to optimize real-world systems across industries.

🚆 During the summer term of his second year, he interned at Metro Trains Melbourne, where he gained hands-on experience in operating green urban transportation systems.

“Melbourne is a leader in green innovation within public infrastructure,” Patrick shares. “During my internship, I’ve led research on several sustainability initiatives—including solar power, battery storage, and water heating solutions—to help transform existing facilities and infrastructure in the company.” This experience not only broadened his technical expertise but also deepened his appreciation for the role engineers can play in driving sustainability and impact, and fostering harmony between society and the environment.

Patrick also participated in multiple exchange programmes in Belgium, France, and the UK, which enhanced his global perspective and strengthened his belief that engineering can connect nations, cultures, and ideas to deliver innovative solutions.

Alumni Story
Driven to power change in future energy: Grace Tam

Captivated by the intricacies of everyday machinery from a young age, Grace Tam has always had a desire to uncover how objects are conceived and constructed from first principles. Her profound curiosity about the mechanics of the world led her to pursue mechanical engineering at HKU, fulfilling a dream she held for over a decade. After graduating, she joined CLP, one of Asia’s largest investor-owned power businesses, driven by a passion to address climate challenges and sustainable future. Grace’s career trajectory has been remarkable. Now serving as Senior Manager in the Development and Asset Management team at CLP, she has also earned her status as a chartered engineer, achieving another long-held goal. Her steady rise is attributed not only to her dedicated work ethic but also to the interdisciplinary training she received during her undergraduate and master’s studies at HKU’s Faculty of Engineering.

2015 CLP Power generation business graduate trainee peers

Grace has never let the traditional perception of the power industry as male-dominated deter her. From her early days as a graduate trainee, to her involvement in the Black Point Power Station’s additional gas-fired generation unit D1 project to her current involvement in managing CLP’s diverse energy portfolios across Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland, Australia, India, Taiwan Region, and Southeast Asia – she has consistently embraced challenges and adapted to change.

“The gender barrier is fading,” Grace shared from CLP’s new headquarters in Kai Tak, Hong Kong. “The rise of STEAM education has empowered women to excel in science. This shift is inspiring the next generation of female engineers to break new ground.” At CLP, women occupy numerous leadership roles, from senior corporate management to analysts, strategists, engineers, and other professionals, reflecting a more inclusive industry.

Hosting a networking event for CLP’s Female Engineering Students Mentoring Programme

Laying a strong foundation

Grace’s professional journey began early in her academic life. When she was a Year 2 undergraduate, she joined the HKU Engineering Alumni Association (HKUEAA) as a student helper, where she forged connections with professional engineers from diverse generations, laying the foundation for her growth. Through the HKUEAA Graduate Mentor Scheme, Grace was paired with an accomplished mentor – a chartered engineer and chartered financial analyst – who encouraged her to always think out of the box, a principle she continues to cherish. Now, as an executive committee member of HKUEAA, she recently organised a delegation of 27 students and alumni to Beijing, fostering collaboration and inspiration. “HKUEAA is a vibrant, cross-generational community that thrives on mutual learning and challenges stereotypes,” she shared. “It’s taught me to embrace change and value the unique perspectives each generation brings.”

Grace as the Event-in-Charge of HKUEAA Graduate Mentor Scheme 2018

Inspiring future engineers during the HKUEAA Beijing Delegation, January 2025

HKUEAA Executive Committee 2024–2025 celebrates 50 years with esteemed guests

Her time at HKU, coupled with her job rotations across CLP’s key business units, laid a solid foundation for her professional success. “My lectures and tutorials at HKU taught me the fundamentals of mathematics and science, as well as teaching me to apply analytical thinking to tackle complex problems,” she recalled. “This approach is essential in my daily work, whether I’m optimising asset performance or conducting root cause analysis to address underlying issues, not just their symptoms.”

Her undergraduate capstone project, where she collaborated with peers from varied backgrounds to develop a wearable sensor for monitoring air quality, was particularly formative. “It honed my ability to work across disciplines, a skill I rely on when tackling challenges involving multiple engineering fields, financial considerations, and resource constraints,” she explained.

Pursuing a master’s degree in energy engineering shortly after joining CLP, Grace deepened her expertise in renewable energy technologies, smart grids, electric vehicles, power systems and energy management. This programme not only aligned with the power industry’s evolving demands but also equipped her with specialised knowledge to navigate emerging trends and support her career growth.

In 2020, Grace’s assignment to the 550MW combined cycle gas turbine project at Black Point Power Station marked a pivotal growth in her career at CLP. This green-field project to add a new gas-fired generation unit significantly advanced Hong Kong’s climate goals. Collaborating with international contractors and suppliers exposed Grace to diverse perspectives, cutting-edge technologies, and innovative problem-solving approaches, significantly enriching her expertise.

Grace at Black Point Power Station’s 550MW gas turbine D1 unit

Boldly embracing changes

As a passionate advocate for sustainability, Grace views herself as a global citizen, committed to addressing climate challenges. Inspired by advancements in the Chinese Mainland’s renewable energy sector, she seized the opportunity to take on a management role with CLP China’s renewable energy business, leading her to work across more than ten cities on the Chinese Mainland.

During her first assignment in Jilin province, Northeast China, Grace encountered a whirlwind of new experiences, from distinct regional accents and unfamiliar cuisine to extreme cold and cultural nuances.

Reflecting on her time at CLP China, Grace said, “It was a transformative growth opportunity. I was privileged to be among the early pioneers in developing and implementing a centralised control model in CLP China’s renewable energy high-capacity regions. This initiative enabled CLP China to transition from a dispersed, site-based management to an integrated regional framework, addressing challenges from rapid business expansion through advanced technologies. This shift significantly enhanced operational efficiency, performance, and cost optimisation.” Grace also cherished collaborating with her colleagues on the Chinese Mainland, whom she found remarkably open-minded and supportive. “Their recognition of my commitment created a dynamic, inspiring environment,” she noted. “Our teamwork underscored the power of teamwork in achieving engineering excellence.”

Grace encourages Generation Z to pursue their ambitions proactively. “Without a goal, you can’t score,” she emphasised. “Be the driver of your career, not a passenger. Success comes from striving with purpose.”

Inspecting CLP China’s wind farm turbines in snowy Jilin, China

Tackling hillside challenges at CLP China’s solar power station in Liaoning, China

Looking Ahead

Grace’s journey from a curious student to a leader in the energy sector exemplifies perseverance, adaptability, and a commitment to lifelong learning. As the energy industry accelerates toward ambitious carbon reduction goals, she is determined to lead transformative initiatives. Grace aims to lead projects that advance sustainable energy development, inspire the young to enter the field, and contribute to the global carbon goals.

Alumni Story
Bridging Dreams and Career: Cindy Choi

Seeing the completion of a bridge or civil structure built from scratch gave Cindy Choi Tsz Wing a strong sense of satisfaction.

In the mid-2010s, Cindy graduated from HKU Engineering’s unique five-year Double Degree Programme in Civil Engineering and Law — a special curriculum that awarded her both a Bachelor of Engineering in Civil Engineering (Law) and a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree¹. While such a combination may seem unconventional, for Cindy, it was the perfect blend.

“I’ve always loved physics, mathematical calculations, and problem-solving—engineering felt like a natural fit,” she recalls. “Yet, law fascinated me too. It taught me how to think critically, communicate clearly, and research independently—skills that have been invaluable in my career.”

After graduating, she further pursued a Master’s degree in Structural Engineering at HKU, and has since devoted herself to designing and building bridges, as well as other steel and concrete structures. Now, as an Associate at the consultancy firm Aurecon, she thrives on projects that push her technical and creative limits.

¹ This programme was offered from 2004 to 2011.

Where Law Meets Engineering

Her legal training has proven surprisingly useful in her engineering career. “Contracts, negotiations, risk management—understanding the legal side helps me draft precise specifications and avoid disputes,” she explains. “But what I love most about engineering is the tangible impact. Lawyers work with legal documents, whereas civil engineers build things that shape cities.”

Breaking New Ground

One of her most memorable achievements? It relates to her early project – the construction of a steel-concrete composite girder vehicular bridge and a steel warren truss footbridge for the YOHO Hub at Yuen Long Station, which won the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers Innovation Award 2022 Grand Prize. Cindy designed two bridges in very close proximity to transport facilities, marking the first-ever construction project in Hong Kong adopting the “Rotational Bridge Launching Method”.

The site’s particular constraint – it was located right above a light rail track – drove Cindy and her teammates to adopt an unconventional approach. “The private developer was willing to try this approach despite the high cost. The experience was a breakthrough for our team. We tried various modelling approaches before coming up with a design that was reliable and safe,” Cindy recalled.

She added: “Initially we thought of using crane, the typical way to lift the prefabricated components up, but it involved lots of temporary works near the light rail track and was risky. In trying to overcome the challenge, I carried out research to develop this design approach, and we had the support of experienced specialist contractors.”

Photo taken at the YOHO Hub site on the night of the rotation of the steel footbridge

Creativity under Constraints

Building bridges in a dense urban city like Hong Kong inevitably comes with more challenges. Cindy’s projects often involve working overnight to avoid disrupting traffic or rail services. “We have to find ways to build structures without affecting the traffic; otherwise, there will be complaints,” said calm, soft-spoken Cindy.

A chartered engineer, she is undaunted by foreseen or unforeseen obstacles. “When you look back after solving all the problems, you feel happy – even though the process was stressful.”

In one of her recent projects, she came up with a cost-effective design for an underground stormwater storage tank. Earlier, she worked on creating the 250m-long extradosed Tuen Mun River Bridge and standard viaducts between Tuen Mun Station and A16 Station, though her team’s model for an iconic structure was eventually not adopted. Yet she relishes every chance to develop new connections and ideas, including joining design competitions held on the Chinese mainland, where she used digital tools to develop analysis models for the design of unique and irregular structures proposed by architects. “In Hong Kong, architects typically work on conventional infrastructure, with few opportunities to design iconic and aesthetically impressive bridges.”

Conceptual Design of Chijiaokou River Bridge for Dongguan Waterfront Economic Development Zone Landscape Bridge Design Competition © Arup

This arch bridge proposal won the Ideal Architecture Festival 2021 Architecture Award. (https://news.znztv.com/bk/120785472.html)

A Foundation for Multidisciplinary Success

Looking back, Cindy credits HKU’s broad engineering training – covering structural, geotechnical, environmental, and transportation engineering – for preparing her for complex, cross-disciplinary projects and to collaborate with engineers from other disciplines.

For young people interested in civil engineering, Cindy’s advice is simple: explore widely. “Internships, research, reading – find what excites you. This field is vast, get the most out of it.”

Undoubtedly skills in new technologies such as parametric modelling, artificial intelligence (AI) and building information modelling (BIM) are important today. Cindy has kept up her learning spirit to take advantage of the latest technological trends. “We’ve been identifying tedious tasks that AI can handle. That frees us to focus on structural schemes and find better, more cost-effective solutions. We believe AI can be applied in complicated structures but it will take a long time for development. To start with, we picked some simple structures and tried to standardise the design process to facilitate AI adoption.”

The new viaducts will be constructed near existing buildings and bridges in Shatin.

Grasshopper is a parametric modelling tool which allows generation of analysis models and drawings, thereby enhancing design efficiency.

Her explorative efforts are undoubtedly helped by her training, growing experience and personal commitment. “Some days are tough, but when you stand under a bridge you designed, knowing it’ll serve people for decades, that’s satisfying—that’s what keeps me going.”

Alumni Story
Entering a challenging and eye-opening journey

From the control tower of Hong Kong’s busy airport to the frontlines of delivering humanitarian aid, Deaky Wong’s journey exemplifies how engineering can foster much-needed change.

While growing up in Hong Kong, she had never envisaged the plight of refugees in desperate need of food and medicines, or victims of calamitous natural disasters or civil wars in third-world countries. But since her final project while studying at the University of Hong Kong’s Engineering Faculty in the late 2000s, she has been able to see the world up close and personal.

On completing her final-year project as an operation analyst at Asia Airfreight Terminal (AAT), she was offered a job as a Student Air Traffic Control Officer at the Civil Aviation Department (CAD), marking the start of her rewarding aviation career. “My supervisor in AAT was an alumnus of my engineering department; he encouraged me to take the opportunity. I hadn’t planned for it, but was accepted after I passed all required tests,” said Deaky, who majored in logistics and supply chain management.

One perk of her CAD job is to receive training as a private pilot, which she completed successfully, and since 2011, she has been flying as a private pilot for leisure.

Deaky at Control tower at CAD’s time

Co-workers in CX Engineering Line maintenance team

Flying as private pilot for leisure

CX Betsy Awards holder in the past 2 years

Taking the plunge

In 2019, she ventured outside Hong Kong, taking up the post of aviation officer at the United Nations World Food Programme, based in Rome, Italy. By then she had worked at Cathay Pacific (CX)’s Engineering Department for seven years. A desire for fresh challenges led Deaky to join the United Nations agency. Her academic and professional background was such a strong match that she was hired for the position without the need for a formal interview.

The move exposed her to the multitudes of tragedies and challenges facing vulnerable people around the world. That work experience was truly valuable, she recalled, broadening her global vision, making her a stronger, more adaptable person well-versed to diverse cultures.

Snapshots of Deaky during her UN humanitarian work.

“There were countries that I had never heard of especially in Africa, and things that you would not find from news reports in Hong Kong,” she said. “We had to liaise with other United Nations agencies and international NGOs and arrange flights to deliver the aid needed. That required understanding the situation of domestic airports, e.g. where re-fueling was possible, where helicopters might be needed, or looting or kidnappings had occurred. We heard about bad news every day and that became a norm to us.”

The soft skills she developed at HKU, through alumni and other activities, helped her adapt to a challenging, multi-cultural environment. “During my studies, I learned about how to deal with people and the importance of integrity and a sense of responsibility. The personal ties formed during those years are also valuable.”

Previously, she served as a University of Hong Kong Young Alumni Mentor, as well as a mentor for the Department of Data and Systems Engineering. She is also a chartered member of both The Hong Kong Institute of Engineers (HKIE) and the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT).

Because of her extensive exposure, she managed to stay calm while thinking about the war/ conflict in Ukraine and Gaza, when her parents complained to her about the chaos in Hong Kong at the height of the COVID pandemic.

Besides re-uniting with her family, she returned to Hong Kong in 2024 to rejoin CX, a company where she felt a strong sense of belonging. Currently working as a Senior Maintenance and Engineering System Transformation Engineer at the flagship carrier, she is responsible for developing a new, advanced Maintenance & Engineering system for deployment in 2028.

Several of her former HKU Engineering classmates/ alumni have also joined the aviation field, Deaky says, amid growing gender diversity as more females are working as pilots or in the areas of aircraft maintenance, cargo and IT. Her current supervisor is an alumna of HKU Engineering.

Female commercial & private pilots

An adventurous spirit

Having visited up to 70 countries, including Palestine, Kazakhstan, Fiji, Cuba, Jordan using CX’s travel benefits, she enjoys tremendously exploring different parts of the world. “The world is big and your vision remains limited if you focus only on Hong Kong.”

Her adventurous spirit was partly shaped by her undergraduate experience, during which she went on exchange to the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, followed by a short-term programme at Harvard in her fourth year. “These international exposures broadened my horizons and inspired me to travel to different countries,” she said.

While pursuing her Master’s degree in Transport Policy and Planning at HKU between 2014 and 2016, she also joined a tour organised by two HKU alumni to North Korea. Having researched North Korea’s peculiarities, she was fascinated to see the “hermit kingdom” with her own eyes.

Throughout the years, Deaky has always been unwilling to let opportunities slip by. “If there is any opportunity that I know I would regret not taking, I will seize it,” she said.

For students considering a career in her field, she emphasises the importance of final year project and internships, which offer valuable insights into different industries and roles, and enhance the chances of securing graduate trainee positions.

Aircraft maintenance, she added, is one of the fields most closely related to engineering studies. Meanwhile, expertise in artificial intelligence and the emerging low-altitude economy will be increasingly in demand. “AI and new technologies can improve efficiency. Whether you accept them or not, you must learn to adapt.”

“At CX, we already adopt AI-driven tools for predictive maintenance – identifying aircraft components or systems that are more prone to problems.”

Her journey—from aviation to humanitarian work—demonstrates how an engineering foundation, paired with openness and adaptability, can bring forth meaningful impact. Her story serves as a powerful reminder to HKU students and alumni that an engineering education can enable them to make a difference anywhere in the world. Embrace your opportunities, pursue your goal, and let your aspirations take flight.

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