Chairman Report of M&S Section (2003-2004)

The Specialised Section in Manufacturing and Systems Engineering (SSMS) is pleased to report that SSMS has continued to be very active in 2003/2004. We have organized two technical visits and four technical seminars in various topics of Manufacturing and Systems Engineering. Details of all activities organized by the SSMS are shown in Appendix.

This year, extra efforts have been spent in promoting manufacturing and industrial engineering professional to young engineers in Hong Kong. SSMS was one of the supporting organisations of the “Young Manufacturing and Industrial Engineers Career Development Program in Pearl River Delta” which is managed by the Manufacturing and Industrial Engineering Division of HKIE and partly funded by the Professional Services Development Assistance Scheme (PSDAS) of HKSAR. A series of seminars and technical visits were held from October 2003 to April 2004. The major objective of this program was to assist young manufacturing and industrial engineers to have a better understanding of the economic situation, regulation and working culture in PRD, with a particular emphasis on providing the young engineers adequate knowledge and competence to compete in the industry.

Our Section has also continued to strengthen the link with other professional bodies. A seminar co-organized by the Section, MIE of HKIE and IGDS alumni of PolyU was successfully held in March, which has attracted more than 150 participants to attend. It is expected that there will be more collaborations in the coming Session.

The largest scale of technical seminar organised by the Section this year was on AVS which has been successfully held in June and attracted more than 130 participants. One local newspaper, Ming Pao, and one PC magazine, Hi-tech, had sent their reporters to the seminar to report this event. The seminar was sponsored by three companies, namely, Group Sense (International) Ltd., Solomon Systech, and RTI Industries Co., Ltd. It was also supported by the Department of Electronic Engineering, CUHK, United College CUHK and Electronic Engineering Alumni Association, CUHK.

Last but not the least, I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere thanks to all Committee Members of the Section and helpers for their devoted effort. Without their dedication to serve this Committee, we could not have such a success.

Mr. Eric Liu

Sept 2004

Activities organised by M&S Section in 03-04

Welcoming speech by founding chairman

We are proud to announce the official establishment of the Specialised Section in Manufacturing & Systems Engineering, which is one of the five specialised sections in the institution of Electrical Engineers. The main objective of this section is to promote the advancement of manufacturing and systems engineering technology in Hong Kong and facilitate the exchange of ideas and information among members:

Over the past few decades, the global economy has undergone significant structural changes and has completely redefined industrial competitiveness. Twice in this century, our fundamental ideals of how we manufacture goods have changed from the age of mass production to lean production and then to mass custornization. We are the beginning of another profound and fundamental change. The core activity if Manufacturing is no longer confined to the production and assembly of products, but now lies in the systematic processing of knowledge to create value for customers. It is estimated that more than 50% of the GDP in major economies is now knowledge-based. Traditional physical resource-based industries are becoming less important, while high tech, high value-added industries and services especially manufacturing related services that capitalize on information technology are rapidly expanding.

A seamless integration of the old and new economy provides the clues to the rejuvenation of the old and new economy provides the clues to the rejuvenation of our industry. The name of our specialized section reflects these changes. With the establishment of the new Section, we hope we can contribute our best efforts in promoting the application of the manufacturing & system engineering in Hong Kong.

Professor WB Lee

Chairman, (1999 - 2000) Specialised Section in Manufacturing & Systems Engineering

Interests of the Section

There are four sub-groups under this M&S Section. Each sub-group is co-ordinated by one M&S Section committee member. In the founding session, the following sub-groups are formed:

• World Class Manufacturing
  
• Strategic information Systems
  
• Product Innovation
  
• Electronics Manufacturing

The interests of the sub-group are to:

• Promote the advancement of knowledge & technology in Hong Kong and facilitate the exchange of ideas and information among members with a special focus in professional groups.
  
• Organize various types of professional activities for members such as conferences, symposia, seminars and visits etc.

Who should join the M&S section?

All classes of IEE members i.e. fellow member, associate member and students member who have interests in promoting, contributing or participating to the activities in the aspects of Manufacturing & Systems Engineering can join this Specialized Section.

How to apply for M&S membership?

No special application is required. Any class of IEE members registered with the Manufacturing Division shall become the member of the Section automatically at no extra cost. Members with registration other than the Manufacturing Division can join us also by contacting any committee members of the Section.

The Specialized Section will obtain through the headquarters information of IEE members who have registered with the Manufacturing Division. Such information will be updated regularly and will be strictly used only for distribution about the Specialized Section.

Benefits of joining M&S Section

By joining the M&S Section, members can participate in the activities organized by the section. The following are some examples:

Technical Programs

Regular meetings such as seminars, conferences, symposiums, delivery of lectures, presentation or demonstrations, and discussion of manufacturing & systems engineering or related subjects.

Technical Visits

Visits, social meetings which can foster new inspiration and knowledge.

Links to Related Professional Networks

Communication network and services, http://www.iee.org/oncomms/pn/communications

E-infrastructure, http://www.iee.org/OnComms/pn/einfrastructure/

Manufacturing enterprise, http://www.iee.org/OnComms/pn/manufacturing/

Systems engineering, http://www.iee.org/OnComms/pn/systemseng/