The President
Y.K. Cheng is the 93rd President of the Institution, and the 3rd President to be based outside the UK.
Y.K. Cheng studied civil engineering at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania from 1972-1976, and upon graduation; he worked at Skidmore Owings and Merrill in Chicago, Illinois until 1977.
From 1977 to the present day, Y.K. Cheng joined his father’s company H.K. Cheng & Partners where he has been heavily involved in the structural and foundation design of many notable tall, complex building structures for wind effects and earthquake resistance, often associated with deep excavation, slope stability and difficult ground conditions.
Presidential Inaugural Address 2013: Shaping Our Future
Personal background
I was born in Hong Kong in 1955. I cannot recall the exact moment that I wanted to become an engineer, but I do remember a childhood frequently exposed to buildings and structures. Many family friends were in the construction industry and my father H.K Cheng (F) celebrates a 60 year association with the lnstitution, this year.
He joined in 1953 in Hong Kong as a Graduate, and was elected to corporate membership the following year. He was the recipient of the Institution’s Gold Medal in 2001 for his personal contribution in establishing structural engineering as a pre-eminent profession in Hong Kong.
A professional institution membership in those days, as is the case today, imply career advancement and the promise of a better life.
My interest in structures (and the engineering behind them) came about through my curiosity, and being immersed in that environment for a long time.
Y.K. Cheng's full speech is available below.