Newly appointed CIHT President, Mitesh Solanki, and CIHT Chief Executive Sue Percy CBE visited CIHT Hong Kong and CIHT Malaysia at the end of June for the first time since before Covid. Both international groups arranged various visits to government departments, academic and professional institutions and large scale transport infrastructure projects.
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The Chartered Institution of Highways & Transportation (CIHT) Malaysia Branch was honoured to host CIHT UK President, Mr. Mitesh Solanki, and Chief Executive, Ms. Sue Percy, for an official visit to Malaysia from 22–23 June 2025. The visit marked a significant moment for CIHT Malaysia, offering opportunities for knowledge exchange, professional dialogue, and institutional collaboration.
Sunday 22 June 2025
The programme began with a technical site visit to the Operations Control Centre (OCC) for MRT Lines 1 and 2 in Sungai Buloh, hosted by Prasarana Malaysia Berhad. The delegation was welcomed by senior representatives from Prasarana and CIHT Malaysia, including Rapid Rail COO Ir. Arnizan Ariffin, Prasarana Group COO of Strategy & Development Dr. Prodyut Dutt, CIHT Malaysia Chairman Datuk Ir. Zakaria Ahmad Zabidi, and Vice Chairman Dato’ Ir. Wong Wai Ching. The session featured meaningful dialogue on best practices in urban rail operations and public transportation management.
That evening, CIHT Malaysia held a Welcome Dinner at KLGCC, attended by the CIHT Malaysia Committee and key stakeholders. The dinner featured the presentation of CIHT Certificates of Merit to distinguished members of the Malaysian Branch, recognizing their exceptional service. Tokens of appreciation were also presented to the President and & Chief Executive of CIHT UK to mark the occasion.
Monday 23 June 2025
The delegation visited Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), where they engaged in a collaboration talk with the Faculty of Civil Engineering. Mr. Solanki and Ms. Percy encouraged students to take advantage of free CIHT student membership and access the CIHT Learn platform. The event strengthened academic ties and promoted professional development among emerging engineers.
The final engagement was a courtesy meeting with the Road Engineering Association of Malaysia (REAM). The session included an insightful briefing by REAM Immediate Past President Datuk Ir. Ahmad Redza Ghulam Rasool, showcasing the association’s contributions to the road engineering sector.
Overall, the visit successfully reinforced CIHT’s role as a global platform for collaboration in highways and transportation and further elevated CIHT Malaysia’s standing within the regional professional community.
The CIHT Presidential Visit to Hong Kong was marked by significant meetings, discussions, and explorations aimed at enhancing collaboration in the engineering and transport sectors. The visit commenced on the evening of 24 June, when Mark and Raymond Tang welcomed Mr. Mitesh Solanki, President, and Ms. Sue Percy, Chief Executive of CIHT, at Hong Kong airport. A delightful surprise awaited them in the form of bouquets from Mark. Their early arrival allowed for a scenic trip to Victoria Peak, where they enjoyed breathtaking views of the skyline and Victoria Harbour, setting a positive tone for the days ahead.
On 25 June, both Sue and Mitesh participated in a pivotal meeting concerning the reciprocal recognition agreement with the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (HKIE). They met key figures including Ir. Eric Ma, Immediate Past President, and Ir. Alice Chow, the newly appointed HKIE President. The discussions centred on developments since the last signing of the agreement, particularly progress with the Engineering Council on Chartered Engineer (CEng) status. Topics also included the roles of transport planners and road safety auditors within CIHT. A noteworthy announcement was made regarding Ir. Alice Chow's upcoming visit to London in November 2025 for a potential signing ceremony.
In the afternoon, they met Mr. Tony Yau, Director of Highways, and his team, who provided a briefing on the master plan for the Northern Metropolis Highway and Route 11. The conversations focused on road safety audits, walkability, and climate action, reflecting the importance of sustainable transport solutions.
Later, they visited AtkinsRealis, where they met Managing Director Kelvin Cheng. They engaged in a fruitful exchange about the engineering landscape and development in Hong Kong. The day culminated with dinner at the Pacific Club, where Sue and Mitesh interacted with the CIHT Hong Kong Committee and the Emerging Professionals Committee, fostering connections with the next generation of transport professionals.
On 25 June, both Sue and Mitesh participated in a pivotal meeting concerning the reciprocal recognition agreement with the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (HKIE). They met key figures including Ir. Eric Ma, Immediate Past President, and Ir. Alice Chow, the newly appointed HKIE President. The discussions centred on developments since the last signing of the agreement, particularly progress with the Engineering Council on Chartered Engineer (CEng) status. Topics also included the roles of transport planners and road safety auditors within CIHT. A noteworthy announcement was made regarding Ir. Alice Chow's upcoming visit to London in November 2025 for a potential signing ceremony.
In the afternoon, they met Mr. Tony Yau, Director of Highways, and his team, who provided a briefing on the master plan for the Northern Metropolis Highway and Route 11. The conversations focused on road safety audits, walkability, and climate action, reflecting the importance of sustainable transport solutions.
Later, they visited AtkinsRealis, where they met Managing Director Kelvin Cheng. They engaged in a fruitful exchange about the engineering landscape and development in Hong Kong. The day culminated with dinner at the Pacific Club, where Sue and Mitesh interacted with the CIHT HK Committee and the Emerging Professionals Committee, fostering connections with the next generation of transport professionals.
The second day, 26 June, proved particularly hot for the visitors. Mark took them to the Central Kowloon Route (CKR) site office, where they met Mr. Alex Tsang, Chief Engineer 1. They were impressed by the Smart Site Management Hub, which showcased innovative technologies addressing construction challenges in densely populated areas. A shuttle bus tour highlighted how the CKR integrates with Route 6, connecting the Kowloon Peninsula and featuring significant environmental considerations, including a provisional platinum accreditation for the CKR Administration Building under BEAM Plus.
Raymond Pau and the team then guided them to the Cross Bay Link in TKO, where Mr. Michael Leung elaborated on innovative construction methods using high-strength steel. The design of the Cross Bay Link aimed for a lighter foundation and significant decarbonisation, demonstrating a commitment to sustainable construction practices.
In the afternoon, Alan Yan facilitated a visit to the MTRC headquarters, where Mr. Carl Devlin discussed the opportunities and challenges associated with the new railway expansion projects.
On the final day, 27 June, the visit included a meeting with Prof. Becky Loo from the University of Hong Kong, who shared insights about the Master of Transport Policy and Planning programme, which has been running since 1997. Sue and Mitesh expressed interest in potential collaboration. A dim sum lunch at Hong Kong Polytechnic University provided a delightful culinary experience, enhanced by discussions on road safety led by postgraduate students.
The visit concluded with a meeting with Mr. Michael Fong, Director of Civil Engineering & Development, who presented various innovative technologies in land formation while prioritising ecological conservation.
The AGM of CIHT Hong Kong was a poignant occasion, with the presence of the President and Chief Executive from London stirring emotional responses among the office bearers. The Annual Dinner celebrating CIHT's 40th anniversary attracted around 400 participants from across the industry, providing a platform for valuable exchanges among government officials, policymakers, and industry stakeholders. Sue and Mitesh discussed the importance of transport planning and road safety audits, promoting a future of collaboration and a shared commitment to climate action.
For more information or to get involved, please contact:
hongkong@ciht.org.uk
malaysia@ciht.org.uk
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