Chin Fung Kee
Encyclopedia
Chin Fung Kee was a respected and outstanding Malaysian civil engineer
in engineering
practice, as well as engineering research
and education
. He is known for his excellence in geotechnical
, structural
and hydraulic engineering
. He was a local pioneer engineer who played a key role in the development of engineering education
, research and practice in the country. His knowledge and contributions benefited the engineering fraternity both nationally and internationally and his achievements where recognized worldwide.
family of Mr. Chin Siew Woon and Madam Chang Nyuk Khim in 1920 in Nibong Tebal
, Penang
. Like many overseas Chinese from Taisan District of the Guangdong Province in China
, the forefathers of Chin left China in the 1800s to seek their fortune in British Malaya
. He was the third generation to be born in Malaya.
Chin completed his secondary education
at the High School, Bukit Mertajam
and was awarded a Straits Settlements Scholarship to study at Raffles College, Singapore where he obtained a First Class Diploma in Arts. He then taught in his old school until he won a Queen's Scholarship in 1949 to study Civil Engineering at the Queen's University Belfast, UK. In Belfast he won the Foundation Scholarship in Civil Engineering and the Belfast Association of Engineers Prize. In 1952, Chin graduated with First Class Honours in Engineering and proceeded to complete his Master's degree at the same University while working as an assistant lecturer
.
in 1956 as lecturer and went on to senior lecturer and finally professor. He was acting Vice Chancellor for seven years and for a period he was simultaneously the professor and Dean of engineering, deputy and acting Vice Chancellor.
s, bridges, high-rise buildings, reclamations and structures on soft ground.
Chin played a major role in the formation and development of the Faculty of Engineering, University of Malaya. In 1957 after independence, the Government decided to set up the University of Malaya in Kuala Lumpur
. Together with other teaching staff he volunteered to approach the then Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman
, to get his support to set up a Faculty of Engineering in Pantai Valley.
With the approval of the Tunku and an allocation of RM1.5 million only for the project, the team led by Chin went full swing to build the Faculty of Engineering at Pantai Valley. Within a period of only four months the engineering buildings were completed and equipment were moved from Singapore to Pantai Valley in Kuala Lumpur to enable the first session in engineering to continue in May 1958 without a break. For many nights, he had to sleep in his car to supervise the 24-hour work program.
When he was the acting Vice Chancellor, Chin was the de facto project director in the planning, design and construction of many buildings in University of Malaya, including the international award winning Faculty of Medicine
building.
During the early years of his tenure with the Faculty of Engineering Chin worked closely under the founding professor and Dean, C.A.M. Gray. Their great achievement, attained through the collective efforts of both staff and students, was to produce the first batch of five graduate
s in 1958 and to build up in a short period of a few years, a degree which achieved international recognition. A pass degree in engineering from the University of Malaya then was readily accepted by British universities for postgraduate studies which normally required a good honours degree.
After the retirement of Professor Gray, Chin took over the leadership of the Faculty. As Dean and acting Vice Chancellor he expanded and further developed the Faculty of Engineering into a reputable engineering school recognized internationally. Since the early days in the 1950s, many thousands of well educated and highly trained engineers have graduated from the University of Malaya to serve mainly in Malaysia and Singapore. Many of them have been, and some still are, holding key positions in the Government and private sector
s in both countries. Many have also done well in postgraduate studies in leading universities overseas.
Chin was an outstanding engineer in geotechnical, structural and hydraulic engineering and is remembered for his leading role in the design and construction of the first Penang Bridge
, the KOMTAR
building foundation rectification work in Penang and many other important projects such as the North-South Expressway.
Chin was very deeply involved in the planning, design and construction supervision of the Penang Bridge. This project has won a prestigious international award, see below. He introduced some innovative design features thus achieving considerable savings in cost and time. In particular, special natural rubber bridge bearings were designed for the project to take care of seismic loading
. This has given rise to a new industry and market for the use of Malaysian natural rubber. The bridge bearings were later further developed into special foundation bearings (base isolators
) and used in seismic design of earthquake resisting buildings and bridges worldwide.
In the field of foundations, in 1970 he developed the concept of inverse slope method for the prediction of pile ultimate bearing capacity
, without having to test the pile to failure. This method, which can save both cost and time during construction, is now internationally known and acknowledged as the 'Chin Method' in the piling industry. Arising out of his involvement as an independent consultant in the Komtar building foundation problem in 1977, Chin developed a method of diagnosing pile condition in the ground. This method has been widely used by practising engineers.
Chin devoted much of his time and efforts to carrying out research
in respect of the needs and the problems faced by the country. He published more than technical and research paper
s and a book entitled: "The Penang Bridge - Planning, Design and Construction". The book which gives a first hand account of all the important aspects of the bridge is a treasure to our national engineering heritage. The Institution of Engineers
, Malaysia published a book entitled "Selected Papers of Professor Chin Fung Kee" for ease of reference and the benefit of the practising engineers. His many findings have found extensive application not only in development projects in Malaysia but also overseas.
In 1984 he was conferred the Doctor of Science degree by his Alma Mater, Queen's University of Belfast, based on his independent research over the years during his working life. He was also awarded Honorary Doctor of Science degrees by his Alma Mater, the University of Singapore, and the University of Glasgow
.
Throughout his professional career Chin was dedicated to public service
. He served as an honorary consultant to the Malaysian Government on numerous engineering problems and projects. He was a member of several commissions and committees set up by the Malaysian Government to administer, study and investigate various matters pertaining to engineering.
He was Chairman of the governing Council of the National Institute for Scientific and Industrial Research of Malaysia; Member of three Royal Commission
s; Member of the National UNESCO Commission, Malaysia and Member of the Coordinating Advisory Committee, Malaysia Rubber Research and Development Board. In 1988, the National Council of Scientific Research and Development Malaysia awarded him the National Science Award.
In recognition of his contributions he was conferred the Johan Mangku Negara in 1967, the Panglima Setia Mahkota (which carries the title of Tan Sri) in 1980, and the Darjah Yang Mulia Pangkuan Negeri Pulau Pinang (which carries the title of Datuk) in 1985.
His successes earned him widespread reputation and recognition. He was an Honorary Fellow of both the Institution of Civil Engineers
, UK and the Institution of Engineers, Malaysia of which he was a founder Council Member in 1959 and the President from 1966 to 1968. He was also President of the Southeast Asian Geotechnical Society from 1973-1975. He was elected the Vice President for Asia of the prestigious worldwide organization known as the International Society for Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering in 1981-1985. He was also elected Chairman of the Commonwealth Engineer's Council in 1973-1977.
Chin died on 29 August 1990 after a short illness
. He is survived by his wife, Madam Wong Swee Yong (died 10 November 2010), a daughter, Madam Kathleen Chin Kie Fong and three sons, Dr. Alan Chin Kie Loong, Dr. Ian Chin Kie Cheng and Peter Chin Kie Siew.
Chin is remembered, among his many outstanding qualities, a man of high integrity and strong principles which he practised consistently throughout his long career. These two qualities form the moral backbone of our profession and are vital in discharging our responsibilities of public trust and safety.
In memory of Chin's achievements and contributions, several Lectures and Awards were named after him. The Southeast Asian Geotechnical Society established a Professor Chin Fung Kee Lecture to be delivered at every Society Conference held once every three years in Southeast Asia
. In Malaysia the annual Professor Chin Fung Kee Memorial Lecture was set up and funded by the Engineering Alumni Association of the University of Malaya in 1991. Each year this prestigious Lecture is organized jointly by this Association and the Institution of Engineers, Malaysia. Over the years this Lecture series has become an established tradition and each year the Lecture forms an important event in the annual calendar of the engineering profession.
His former students also provided funds for the annual 'Tan Sri Professor Chin Fung Kee Prize' awarded to the top student in the master's degree program in Geotechnical and Geo-environmental Engineering at the Asian Institute of Technology
in Bangkok
. The Tungku Abdul Rahman College established the annual 'Professor Chin Fung Kee Memorial Prize' for the best student in the Final Year Advanced Diploma in Technology (Building) Examination. The University of Malaya set up the Professor Chin Fung Kee Gold Medal Award which is given each year to the best engineering student in the final year examination.
Chin was a humble man, a role model
, a teacher and a friend to many who have been fortunate to know him and worked with him. He dedicated his life to excellence and service to the engineering profession and to society at large. Very few people in the engineering fraternity can match the width and depth of his achievements. He is remembered as one of the great engineers who have excelled in engineering practice, research and education.
It is well-known that Chin played a leading role in the Penang Bridge Project. His humility is exemplified by the following passage in his book entitled: "The Penang Bridge - Planning, Design and Construction":
"Engineers who actually engineer are not soloists at heart. A coveted product of engineering, be it a spacecraft
or a major bridge, is the tangible result of a colossal amount of teamwork extending over many years. The Penang Bridge Project which was bestowed the Grand Award by the Council of Consulting Engineers of Washington in the 1986 US Engineering Excellence Competition is certainly the product of the dedicated effort of a large number of engineers from the Malaysian Highway Authority
and many other government departments, from the consulting engineers Howard Needles Tammen & Bergendoff Int Inc, Jurutera Konsultant (SEA) Sdn Bhd and their Associates and from the Contractors Hyundai Engineering and Construction Co Ltd and their local joint venture construction companies. Consequently the writer of this book is but only the scribe who has documented, hopefully with accuracy the results of the labour of the many engineers concerned."
In summary, Chin was a man of truly outstanding qualities, who distinguished himself in terms of his achievements and contributions to society. He was a man of high integrity and strong principles. In a long career lasting over 40 years he was well known as a brilliant research worker, university lecturer and practising engineer who distinguished himself not only in Malaysia but also in the international arena. He contributed immensely and selflessly to the engineering profession and to society at large. Above all, his lasting legacy which continues to this day is that he inspired a whole generation of engineers to engineering excellence which is crucial for the progress and advancement of the profession.
On 7 November 2009, in honour of Chin's immense contribution to engineering development in Malaysia, the Institution of Engineers, Malaysia (IEM) named the auditorium in the new IEM building after Chin.
, Ireland
), MCIWEM, Hon. FICE, Hon. DSc (Belfast
, Singapore
and Glasgow
),FWA, Tan Sri Datuk,JMN, PSM, DMPN
Civil engineer
A civil engineer is a person who practices civil engineering; the application of planning, designing, constructing, maintaining, and operating infrastructures while protecting the public and environmental health, as well as improving existing infrastructures that have been neglected.Originally, a...
in engineering
Engineering
Engineering is the discipline, art, skill and profession of acquiring and applying scientific, mathematical, economic, social, and practical knowledge, in order to design and build structures, machines, devices, systems, materials and processes that safely realize improvements to the lives of...
practice, as well as engineering research
Research
Research can be defined as the scientific search for knowledge, or as any systematic investigation, to establish novel facts, solve new or existing problems, prove new ideas, or develop new theories, usually using a scientific method...
and education
Education
Education in its broadest, general sense is the means through which the aims and habits of a group of people lives on from one generation to the next. Generally, it occurs through any experience that has a formative effect on the way one thinks, feels, or acts...
. He is known for his excellence in geotechnical
Geotechnical engineering
Geotechnical engineering is the branch of civil engineering concerned with the engineering behavior of earth materials. Geotechnical engineering is important in civil engineering, but is also used by military, mining, petroleum, or any other engineering concerned with construction on or in the ground...
, structural
Structural engineering
Structural engineering is a field of engineering dealing with the analysis and design of structures that support or resist loads. Structural engineering is usually considered a specialty within civil engineering, but it can also be studied in its own right....
and hydraulic engineering
Hydraulic engineering
This article is about civil engineering. For the mechanical engineering discipline see Hydraulic machineryHydraulic engineering as a sub-discipline of civil engineering is concerned with the flow and conveyance of fluids, principally water and sewage. One feature of these systems is the extensive...
. He was a local pioneer engineer who played a key role in the development of engineering education
Engineering education
Engineering education is the activity of teaching knowledge and principles related to the professional practice of engineering. It includes the initial education for becoming an engineer and any advanced education and specialization that follow...
, research and practice in the country. His knowledge and contributions benefited the engineering fraternity both nationally and internationally and his achievements where recognized worldwide.
Biography
Chin was born into a goldsmithGoldsmith
A goldsmith is a metalworker who specializes in working with gold and other precious metals. Since ancient times the techniques of a goldsmith have evolved very little in order to produce items of jewelry of quality standards. In modern times actual goldsmiths are rare...
family of Mr. Chin Siew Woon and Madam Chang Nyuk Khim in 1920 in Nibong Tebal
Nibong Tebal
Nibong Tebal 高淵 is a town under parliamentary constituency P047. It is situated in Seberang Perai on the mainland side of Penang, Malaysia, bordered by Parit Buntar in Perak and Bandar Baharu in Kedah....
, Penang
Penang
Penang is a state in Malaysia and the name of its constituent island, located on the northwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia by the Strait of Malacca. It is bordered by Kedah in the north and east, and Perak in the south. Penang is the second smallest Malaysian state in area after Perlis, and the...
. Like many overseas Chinese from Taisan District of the Guangdong Province in China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
, the forefathers of Chin left China in the 1800s to seek their fortune in British Malaya
British Malaya
British Malaya loosely described a set of states on the Malay Peninsula and the Island of Singapore that were brought under British control between the 18th and the 20th centuries...
. He was the third generation to be born in Malaya.
Chin completed his secondary education
Secondary education
Secondary education is the stage of education following primary education. Secondary education includes the final stage of compulsory education and in many countries it is entirely compulsory. The next stage of education is usually college or university...
at the High School, Bukit Mertajam
Bukit Mertajam
Bukit Mertajam is the capital of Central Seberang Perai, Penang, Malaysia. It is commonly known as BM among its locals. It is located nearby Kulim, Kedah.-About:...
and was awarded a Straits Settlements Scholarship to study at Raffles College, Singapore where he obtained a First Class Diploma in Arts. He then taught in his old school until he won a Queen's Scholarship in 1949 to study Civil Engineering at the Queen's University Belfast, UK. In Belfast he won the Foundation Scholarship in Civil Engineering and the Belfast Association of Engineers Prize. In 1952, Chin graduated with First Class Honours in Engineering and proceeded to complete his Master's degree at the same University while working as an assistant lecturer
Lecturer
Lecturer is an academic rank. In the United Kingdom, lecturer is a position at a university or similar institution, often held by academics in their early career stages, who lead research groups and supervise research students, as well as teach...
.
Academic career
Chin returned to Malaya in 1954 and served as an engineer with the Drainage and Irrigation Department before joining the University of MalayaUniversity of Malaya
The University of Malaya is located on a campus near the centre of Kuala Lumpur, and is the oldest university in Malaysia. It was founded in 1905 as a public-funded tertiary institution...
in 1956 as lecturer and went on to senior lecturer and finally professor. He was acting Vice Chancellor for seven years and for a period he was simultaneously the professor and Dean of engineering, deputy and acting Vice Chancellor.
Achievement
He retired as Professor Emeritus in 1973 and joined Jurutera Konsultant (SEA) Sdn. Bhd. He was responsible for the design and construction supervision of many highwayHighway
A highway is any public road. In American English, the term is common and almost always designates major roads. In British English, the term designates any road open to the public. Any interconnected set of highways can be variously referred to as a "highway system", a "highway network", or a...
s, bridges, high-rise buildings, reclamations and structures on soft ground.
Chin played a major role in the formation and development of the Faculty of Engineering, University of Malaya. In 1957 after independence, the Government decided to set up the University of Malaya in Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur is the capital and the second largest city in Malaysia by population. The city proper, making up an area of , has a population of 1.4 million as of 2010. Greater Kuala Lumpur, also known as the Klang Valley, is an urban agglomeration of 7.2 million...
. Together with other teaching staff he volunteered to approach the then Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman
Tunku Abdul Rahman
Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj ibni Almarhum Sultan Abdul Hamid Halim Shah, AC, CH was Chief Minister of the Federation of Malaya from 1955, and the country's first Prime Minister from independence in 1957. He remained as the Prime Minister after Sabah, Sarawak, and Singapore joined the...
, to get his support to set up a Faculty of Engineering in Pantai Valley.
With the approval of the Tunku and an allocation of RM1.5 million only for the project, the team led by Chin went full swing to build the Faculty of Engineering at Pantai Valley. Within a period of only four months the engineering buildings were completed and equipment were moved from Singapore to Pantai Valley in Kuala Lumpur to enable the first session in engineering to continue in May 1958 without a break. For many nights, he had to sleep in his car to supervise the 24-hour work program.
When he was the acting Vice Chancellor, Chin was the de facto project director in the planning, design and construction of many buildings in University of Malaya, including the international award winning Faculty of Medicine
Medicine
Medicine is the science and art of healing. It encompasses a variety of health care practices evolved to maintain and restore health by the prevention and treatment of illness....
building.
During the early years of his tenure with the Faculty of Engineering Chin worked closely under the founding professor and Dean, C.A.M. Gray. Their great achievement, attained through the collective efforts of both staff and students, was to produce the first batch of five graduate
Graduation
Graduation is the action of receiving or conferring an academic degree or the ceremony that is sometimes associated, where students become Graduates. Before the graduation, candidates are referred to as Graduands. The date of graduation is often called degree day. The graduation itself is also...
s in 1958 and to build up in a short period of a few years, a degree which achieved international recognition. A pass degree in engineering from the University of Malaya then was readily accepted by British universities for postgraduate studies which normally required a good honours degree.
After the retirement of Professor Gray, Chin took over the leadership of the Faculty. As Dean and acting Vice Chancellor he expanded and further developed the Faculty of Engineering into a reputable engineering school recognized internationally. Since the early days in the 1950s, many thousands of well educated and highly trained engineers have graduated from the University of Malaya to serve mainly in Malaysia and Singapore. Many of them have been, and some still are, holding key positions in the Government and private sector
Private sector
In economics, the private sector is that part of the economy, sometimes referred to as the citizen sector, which is run by private individuals or groups, usually as a means of enterprise for profit, and is not controlled by the state...
s in both countries. Many have also done well in postgraduate studies in leading universities overseas.
Chin was an outstanding engineer in geotechnical, structural and hydraulic engineering and is remembered for his leading role in the design and construction of the first Penang Bridge
Penang Bridge
Penang Bridge is a dual carriageway toll bridge connects Gelugor on the island of Penang and Seberang Prai on the mainland of Malaysia on the Malay Peninsula. The bridge is also linked to the North-South Expressway in Prai and Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway in Penang. It was officially opened to...
, the KOMTAR
KOMTAR
Komtar Tower, or Menara Komtar Complex is Penang's tallest building and the sixth tallest building in Malaysia located in the heart of George Town, dominating the island's skyline. KOMTAR is a portmanteau of Kompleks Tun Abdul Razak. When the skyscraper topped out it was the second tallest building...
building foundation rectification work in Penang and many other important projects such as the North-South Expressway.
Chin was very deeply involved in the planning, design and construction supervision of the Penang Bridge. This project has won a prestigious international award, see below. He introduced some innovative design features thus achieving considerable savings in cost and time. In particular, special natural rubber bridge bearings were designed for the project to take care of seismic loading
Seismic loading
Seismic loading is one of the basic concepts of earthquake engineering which means application of an earthquake-generated agitation to a structure...
. This has given rise to a new industry and market for the use of Malaysian natural rubber. The bridge bearings were later further developed into special foundation bearings (base isolators
Base isolation
Base isolation, also known as seismic base isolation or base isolation system, is one of the most popular means of protecting a structure against earthquake forces...
) and used in seismic design of earthquake resisting buildings and bridges worldwide.
In the field of foundations, in 1970 he developed the concept of inverse slope method for the prediction of pile ultimate bearing capacity
Bearing capacity
In geotechnical engineering, bearing capacity is the capacity of soil to support the loads applied to the ground. The bearing capacity of soil is the maximum average contact pressure between the foundation and the soil which should not produce shear failure in the soil...
, without having to test the pile to failure. This method, which can save both cost and time during construction, is now internationally known and acknowledged as the 'Chin Method' in the piling industry. Arising out of his involvement as an independent consultant in the Komtar building foundation problem in 1977, Chin developed a method of diagnosing pile condition in the ground. This method has been widely used by practising engineers.
Chin devoted much of his time and efforts to carrying out research
Research
Research can be defined as the scientific search for knowledge, or as any systematic investigation, to establish novel facts, solve new or existing problems, prove new ideas, or develop new theories, usually using a scientific method...
in respect of the needs and the problems faced by the country. He published more than technical and research paper
Research paper
Research paper may refer to:* Academic paper , which is published in academic journals and contains original research results or reviews existing results* Term paper, written by high school or college students...
s and a book entitled: "The Penang Bridge - Planning, Design and Construction". The book which gives a first hand account of all the important aspects of the bridge is a treasure to our national engineering heritage. The Institution of Engineers
Institution of Engineers
The Institution of Engineers is the national organization of engineering professionals in India. IEI has over 0.5 million members from 15 engineering disciplines in 99 centres/chapters in India and overseas; it is the largest multi-disciplinary engineering professional society in the...
, Malaysia published a book entitled "Selected Papers of Professor Chin Fung Kee" for ease of reference and the benefit of the practising engineers. His many findings have found extensive application not only in development projects in Malaysia but also overseas.
In 1984 he was conferred the Doctor of Science degree by his Alma Mater, Queen's University of Belfast, based on his independent research over the years during his working life. He was also awarded Honorary Doctor of Science degrees by his Alma Mater, the University of Singapore, and the University of Glasgow
University of Glasgow
The University of Glasgow is the fourth-oldest university in the English-speaking world and one of Scotland's four ancient universities. Located in Glasgow, the university was founded in 1451 and is presently one of seventeen British higher education institutions ranked amongst the top 100 of the...
.
Throughout his professional career Chin was dedicated to public service
Public services
Public services is a term usually used to mean services provided by government to its citizens, either directly or by financing private provision of services. The term is associated with a social consensus that certain services should be available to all, regardless of income...
. He served as an honorary consultant to the Malaysian Government on numerous engineering problems and projects. He was a member of several commissions and committees set up by the Malaysian Government to administer, study and investigate various matters pertaining to engineering.
He was Chairman of the governing Council of the National Institute for Scientific and Industrial Research of Malaysia; Member of three Royal Commission
Royal Commission
In Commonwealth realms and other monarchies a Royal Commission is a major ad-hoc formal public inquiry into a defined issue. They have been held in various countries such as the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and Saudi Arabia...
s; Member of the National UNESCO Commission, Malaysia and Member of the Coordinating Advisory Committee, Malaysia Rubber Research and Development Board. In 1988, the National Council of Scientific Research and Development Malaysia awarded him the National Science Award.
In recognition of his contributions he was conferred the Johan Mangku Negara in 1967, the Panglima Setia Mahkota (which carries the title of Tan Sri) in 1980, and the Darjah Yang Mulia Pangkuan Negeri Pulau Pinang (which carries the title of Datuk) in 1985.
His successes earned him widespread reputation and recognition. He was an Honorary Fellow of both the Institution of Civil Engineers
Institution of Civil Engineers
Founded on 2 January 1818, the Institution of Civil Engineers is an independent professional association, based in central London, representing civil engineering. Like its early membership, the majority of its current members are British engineers, but it also has members in more than 150...
, UK and the Institution of Engineers, Malaysia of which he was a founder Council Member in 1959 and the President from 1966 to 1968. He was also President of the Southeast Asian Geotechnical Society from 1973-1975. He was elected the Vice President for Asia of the prestigious worldwide organization known as the International Society for Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering in 1981-1985. He was also elected Chairman of the Commonwealth Engineer's Council in 1973-1977.
Chin died on 29 August 1990 after a short illness
Illness
Illness is a state of poor health. Illness is sometimes considered another word for disease. Others maintain that fine distinctions exist...
. He is survived by his wife, Madam Wong Swee Yong (died 10 November 2010), a daughter, Madam Kathleen Chin Kie Fong and three sons, Dr. Alan Chin Kie Loong, Dr. Ian Chin Kie Cheng and Peter Chin Kie Siew.
Chin is remembered, among his many outstanding qualities, a man of high integrity and strong principles which he practised consistently throughout his long career. These two qualities form the moral backbone of our profession and are vital in discharging our responsibilities of public trust and safety.
In memory of Chin's achievements and contributions, several Lectures and Awards were named after him. The Southeast Asian Geotechnical Society established a Professor Chin Fung Kee Lecture to be delivered at every Society Conference held once every three years in Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia, South-East Asia, South East Asia or Southeastern Asia is a subregion of Asia, consisting of the countries that are geographically south of China, east of India, west of New Guinea and north of Australia. The region lies on the intersection of geological plates, with heavy seismic...
. In Malaysia the annual Professor Chin Fung Kee Memorial Lecture was set up and funded by the Engineering Alumni Association of the University of Malaya in 1991. Each year this prestigious Lecture is organized jointly by this Association and the Institution of Engineers, Malaysia. Over the years this Lecture series has become an established tradition and each year the Lecture forms an important event in the annual calendar of the engineering profession.
His former students also provided funds for the annual 'Tan Sri Professor Chin Fung Kee Prize' awarded to the top student in the master's degree program in Geotechnical and Geo-environmental Engineering at the Asian Institute of Technology
Asian Institute of Technology
The Asian Institute of Technology is an international institution for higher education in engineering, advanced technologies, and management and planning...
in Bangkok
Bangkok
Bangkok is the capital and largest urban area city in Thailand. It is known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon or simply Krung Thep , meaning "city of angels." The full name of Bangkok is Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom...
. The Tungku Abdul Rahman College established the annual 'Professor Chin Fung Kee Memorial Prize' for the best student in the Final Year Advanced Diploma in Technology (Building) Examination. The University of Malaya set up the Professor Chin Fung Kee Gold Medal Award which is given each year to the best engineering student in the final year examination.
Chin was a humble man, a role model
Role model
The term role model generally means any "person who serves as an example, whose behaviour is emulated by others".The term first appeared in Robert K. Merton's socialization research of medical students...
, a teacher and a friend to many who have been fortunate to know him and worked with him. He dedicated his life to excellence and service to the engineering profession and to society at large. Very few people in the engineering fraternity can match the width and depth of his achievements. He is remembered as one of the great engineers who have excelled in engineering practice, research and education.
It is well-known that Chin played a leading role in the Penang Bridge Project. His humility is exemplified by the following passage in his book entitled: "The Penang Bridge - Planning, Design and Construction":
"Engineers who actually engineer are not soloists at heart. A coveted product of engineering, be it a spacecraft
Spacecraft
A spacecraft or spaceship is a craft or machine designed for spaceflight. Spacecraft are used for a variety of purposes, including communications, earth observation, meteorology, navigation, planetary exploration and transportation of humans and cargo....
or a major bridge, is the tangible result of a colossal amount of teamwork extending over many years. The Penang Bridge Project which was bestowed the Grand Award by the Council of Consulting Engineers of Washington in the 1986 US Engineering Excellence Competition is certainly the product of the dedicated effort of a large number of engineers from the Malaysian Highway Authority
Malaysian Highway Authority
The Malaysian Highway Authority or Lembaga Lebuhraya Malaysia is a government agency under the Malaysian Ministry of Works...
and many other government departments, from the consulting engineers Howard Needles Tammen & Bergendoff Int Inc, Jurutera Konsultant (SEA) Sdn Bhd and their Associates and from the Contractors Hyundai Engineering and Construction Co Ltd and their local joint venture construction companies. Consequently the writer of this book is but only the scribe who has documented, hopefully with accuracy the results of the labour of the many engineers concerned."
In summary, Chin was a man of truly outstanding qualities, who distinguished himself in terms of his achievements and contributions to society. He was a man of high integrity and strong principles. In a long career lasting over 40 years he was well known as a brilliant research worker, university lecturer and practising engineer who distinguished himself not only in Malaysia but also in the international arena. He contributed immensely and selflessly to the engineering profession and to society at large. Above all, his lasting legacy which continues to this day is that he inspired a whole generation of engineers to engineering excellence which is crucial for the progress and advancement of the profession.
On 7 November 2009, in honour of Chin's immense contribution to engineering development in Malaysia, the Institution of Engineers, Malaysia (IEM) named the auditorium in the new IEM building after Chin.
Honours and awards
DSc (Belfast), FICE, FIStructE, FIE (Malaysia, SingaporeSingapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
, Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
), MCIWEM, Hon. FICE, Hon. DSc (Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
, Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
and Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
),FWA, Tan Sri Datuk,JMN, PSM, DMPN