Hong Kong built environment leader receives Honorary Fellowship
Posted on: 23 July, 2025
Andrew Chun Cheong Keung, one of Hong Kong’s most seasoned civil engineering and construction management professionals, has been made an Honorary Fellow of the University College of Estate Management. He received the accolade during the University’s Graduation Day ceremony at Reading Town Hall this month.
The English town of Reading, near London, is not exactly the vibrant and cosmopolitan metropolis of Hong Kong. But it is nevertheless the place that marks the pinnacle of Mr Keung’s professional life, receiving an honorary fellowship from University College of Estate Management (UCEM) to rapturous applause.
“You could say this concludes my career!” he said, speaking to us afterwards. “It’s overwhelming. This is a great moment for me.”
He added: “I’ve been working hard for the industry for that long, and I’m coming to semi-retirement – I am very proud of myself.”
Forty years of dedicated service
And so he should be. This honorary fellowship from UCEM (recently changed to University of the Built Environment to reflect its university status and focus), on Friday 4 July, is the culmination of nearly 40 years of dedicated service to civil engineering and construction that shaped landmark projects across Hong Kong, Macau, Sydney, and London.
His journey in the built environment began in the late 1970s while studying civil engineering in London.
“After graduating I spent a year at Imperial College doing research, and I thought: ‘It’s not my cup of tea’. Some friends said, ‘Don’t be stupid – go back to Hong Kong and do some real stuff!’”
Australia’s building boom
Back home, he qualified as a chartered engineer within three years, then moved to Australia just as the nation’s bicentennial building boom took off.
“There were a lot of projects,” he said, still cloaked in the elegant royal blue attire of an Honorary Fellow, despite the heat of the day. “I was a lucky guy working there on Darling Harbour and in mining.”
Returning during Hong Kong’s own construction surge, Mr Keung rose to senior leadership, recently retiring from the position of Director and General Manager of Paul Y. Construction Company Limited to set up his own consultancy.
‘It’s very rewarding’
He also lectures at the Centre for Continuing Education (CCE), University of Macau.
“That’s how I linked up with UCEM,” he said, “because my graduates wanted to pursue further education so I recommended them to do a Master’s degree at the University College of Estate Management. A couple of good students ended up doing a Master’s there and one or two graduated last year.”
His teaching highlights a key insight into Mr Keung’s passion to “transfer knowledge to the younger generation”.
He said: “It’s very rewarding, and that’s why I will continue to remain young at heart – continue teaching, no retirement, and continue to help the next generation.”
Mr Keung’s professional service is equally highly acclaimed. He chaired the Chartered Institution of Civil Engineering Surveyors (CICES) Hong Kong Region from 2007 to 2009. Being appointed as the President’s Representative (Far East) for CICES in 2012, he set up CICES China Region in 2014 and CICES Macau in 2016. In recognition of his distinguished contribution to the institution, he received the CICES President Award in 2015. He was also the President of the Hong Kong Institute of Project Management from 2013-2019.
Sustainability a key focus
Sustainability within the global built environment is a key focus of his, and for which he has a clear message:
“Regarding climate change, it takes time to change the mindset; it’s not just about punching numbers. One person doing it is not enough – you need a circular economy.”
He adds: “In Hong Kong, we have a lot of Government support but it’s not always easy. Even though the society is affluent, people are still thinking of making cuts. The sustainability of construction materials can be more expensive, methods of construction could be more expensive, and so people can be reluctant. But then I say, ‘in 20 years’ time you might regret what you do today if we are not changing’.”
Proud of his new fellowship, Mr Keung concluded: “This fellowship is a message to my family and my community in the industry that hard work is recognised.”
With his industry insights and ongoing commitment to education, he is set to remain an influential voice in the future of the built environment.
Want to follow in Mr Keung’s footsteps? Consider embarking on these courses offered by University of the Built Environment Hong Kong.
