ICE and Hong Kong Institution of Engineers renew mutual recognition agreement

The ICE and the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (HKIE) have announced their mutual recognition agreement has been renewed until November 2030.

Under this framework, qualified professionals from either institution can apply for membership at the other through a streamlined, efficient process.

This reduces administrative barriers and promotes international mobility.

The agreement was renewed by ICE Past President Professor Jim Hall and HKIE President Alice Chow at a signing ceremony and celebratory dinner on 3 November.

Professor Hall said: "The ICE and HKIE are both committed to very high standards of professional expertise and ethics, which means that the people of Hong Kong can trust the work of engineers operating under this new agreement."

Chow added that the agreement "signifies our shared commitment to upholding global professional standards and creating greater mobility and opportunities for our members to contribute to engineering excellence worldwide". 

"By recognizing each other’s expertise and qualifications, we open new doors for our members to grow, lead, and make a meaningful impact both at home and around the world," she said.

Collaboration across institutions

The renewed agreement applies specifically to members of the ICE (MICE) who are Chartered Civil Engineers, and to members of HKIE (MHKIE) within the civil and geotechnical disciplines.

This collaboration is vital for the ICE’s continued growth and engagement in Hong Kong, where engineering professionals often pursue dual qualifications.

A significant number of volunteers actively serve as ICE reviewers and HKIE assessors. This dual role demonstrates the deep integration between the two bodies and ensures consistent standards across institutions.

MHKIE status is a statutory requirement for certain engineering roles in Hong Kong.

This means many professionals who achieve Chartered Engineer (CEng) status through the ICE then apply for MHKIE membership via the mutual recognition pathway.

This agreement plays a pivotal role in supporting career development and regulatory compliance for engineers working in Hong Kong and beyond.

"The ICE is dedicated to supporting civil engineering in Hong Kong and disseminating Hong Kong’s many remarkable achievements in civil engineering to ICE members around the world," said Professor Hall.

For more details about the agreement and how to apply for membership under the mutual recognition scheme, please visit the ICE and HKIE websites.