The biggest event of the MMNC Division on its 30^th Anniversary Session is the Conference on “Advanced Technology in Transportation for a Better Environment” which was successfully held at Hong Kong Polytechnic University (HKPU) on April 24, 2009. The Conference attracted more than 360 numbers of HKIE members and other practitioners in the transportation industry to attend with strong sponsorship support from many well known companies in the field.

With the dedicated support from members of the Organising Committee and the co-organizer, the Department of Mechanical Engineering of HKPU, we are very pleased to be able to deliver a conference that embraces three disciplines of the Division, namely, Mechanical, Marine and Naval Architecture and Chemical. We have worked closely with industry stakeholders and successfully invited experts in railways, road vehicles, traffic noise, marine vessels and aviation to talk about the advancement in technology in their respective fields in achieving a common goal, the goal for a better environment.

Ir Dr Alex Chan, Past President of HKIE and Past Chairman of the Division firstly delivered his welcome address at the Conference on April 24, 2009 while the principal guest, Ms Anissa Wong, Permanent Secretary for the Environment officiated the opening of the Conference by giving her opening speech. Two heavy weight speakers, Mr. Martin Dunn from MTRC and Dr Colin Brown from IMechE in UK then delivered their keynote speech with topics in line with the theme of the Conference. After the Plenary Session, the Conference was then separated into two parallel sessions with presentations on latest technology and associated pollution abatement measures in road, marine, railway and aviation transportation sector. Experts, academicians and industry leaders shared with the participants how they have improved the design, operation and maintenance of their transportation service in building a better environment.

In making this Conference possible much gratitude goes to the members of the Steering Committee, Organizing Committee and other supporting organizations whom had kindly offered their assistance in the various roles in the event.  Also, a big “thank you” goes to the speakers, session chairs as well as all the other volunteers who have made the event smooth and successful.

Principal Guest, Ms Anissa Wong, Permanent Secretary for the Environment (fifth from the right) took a group photo with the keynote speakers and members of Steering Committee and Organizing Committee of the Conference

Over 360 participants attended the Conference