Alice Chow: First Female HKIE President Empowering Women in Engineering

In June 2025, Alice Chow became the first female President of the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (HKIE), a historic milestone in her 35-year career. From one of two female graduates in her 1980s civil engineering class to becoming a globally recognized Arup Fellow, Alice's journey redefines what it means to be a leader in a male-dominated field, proving that women can break barriers and shape a sustainable future. Her illustrious journey is testament to her transformative impact through her leadership at HKIE and Arup, her advocacy for women in engineering and global humanitarian efforts.

Humble Beginnings

Alice's path to engineering was not a childhood dream, but a pragmatic choice shaped by circumstance and determination. Raised in a family where her father emphasized financial independence—"He said he'd support us only until 18," she recalls—Alice left Hong Kong at 17 to pursue further education in the UK. Initially drawn to nursing, she applied to schools in the UK, securing a spot at a government program with a modest tuition of £169 a year. Working nights at a Chinese takeaway to fund her studies, she demonstrated the independence that would define her career. "It was hard, but it trained me to be very independent and solve problems on my own," she says. Her pivot to engineering came after completing her nursing course, when age restrictions delayed her entry into the profession. Studying physics and mathematics, she chose civil engineering for its tangible, high-paying opportunities. "I didn't like electrical engineering, all the small things I cannot touch," she laughs.

Graduating during a tough job market in Hong Kong, Chow faced rejection, sending out 100 unanswered applications. Undeterred, she pursued a master's in structural engineering. Her thesis on the mapping effects of steel in bridges caught the eye of a UK consultancy, where she impressed with her work ethic, earning her a work visa. This tenacity laid the foundation for her return to Hong Kong, where she joined a local firm working on an ambitious airport project, enduring grueling 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. shifts for ten months to build her expertise. "They taught me the basic principles—what to look for and to be careful of," she says, crediting her seniors for her foundational knowledge in structural and civil engineering.

Breaking Gender Barriers

As one of only two female graduates in her engineering class, Chow was stepping into a traditionally male-dominated field—a choice that led to skepticism from those around her. Her own grandfather questioned her choice: "Why study something only men do?" Yet, she found camaraderie among classmates who cooked for her and treated her with respect. "Studying was a honeymoon period," she notes, but the workplace posed tougher challenges. At her first Hong Kong consultancy, she overheard her boss remark that her $6,000 monthly salary could "put a flask in the office," a comment that stung but fueled her drive. "It motivated me; I had to work hard and do a good performance," she says. By age 30, Alice had earned qualifications in structural engineering, civil engineering, and project management, becoming a chartered engineer and defying stereotypes. Her resilience offers a blueprint for women in male-dominated fields, advising them to be independent: "If you rely on others to help you, then you will not gain the experience."

Leading with Empathy and Foresight

As HKIE President and Arup Fellow, Alice drives high-profile projects like Hong Kong's airport and smart hospitals, integrating sustainable development goals (SDGs) to prioritize energy efficiency and community benefits. Her leadership is rooted in empathy and foresight, qualities she honed through experience. "You must think of others first—what do they need? What are their problems?" she explains, an approach that fosters collaboration across multidisciplinary teams to ensure projects deliver societal benefits. At Arup, she's spearheaded award-winning infrastructure, integrating sustainable development goals (SDGs) to address energy efficiency and community needs.

At HKIE, Chow championed sustainable development goals (SDGs), partnering with government and social welfare groups to propose solutions like retrofitting lifts in aging buildings with drones or temporary external lifts to aid elderly residents. Her Enginpreneurs programme with Cyberport fosters sustainable startups, such as one using AI to predict power failures. "They are very special," she says of the startups, emphasizing their potential to address real-world challenges. Her innovative leadership drives sustainable engineering and inspires women in Hong Kong's engineering sector.

Empowering Women in Engineering

Alice's advocacy to women in engineering is central to her legacy. Through HKIE's Taskforce of Women in Engineering, she has led initiatives like flexible work hours to help women balance professional and personal responsibilities, noting that such policies benefit all engineers but are critical for retaining women. The impact is tangible: women engineers are staying longer and advancing further, supported by a network that helps them reintegrate after absences.

Her mentorship is deeply personal. Alice recalls guiding a shy 14-year-old mentee from a disadvantaged background through the Strive and Rise program. Over three years, she guided the girl to a top-tier school, now exploring an engineering career. "I saw her growing up and solving her problems step by step…I feel very happy," Alice says. She also inspires women to take lead, drawing on her own journey: "You can make it," encouraging them to work hard and seize opportunities.

To attract more women to engineering, Alice advocates educating parents, teachers, and principals about the field's stability and rewards. She asserts that women can also thrive in the field, challenging outdated perceptions. Her message to young women is clear: "Just try it; don't be afraid. Make mistakes…Things will be okay. Don't run away from your mistakes. Rectify them. Then you become stronger."

Global Impact and Sustainable Vision

Alice's volunteer missions with Médecins Sans Frontières in Afghanistan, Ethiopia, and post-tsunami Banda Aceh highlight engineering's global reach. In Afghanistan, a male-dominated region, she built trust by applying her structural engineering skills to construct shelters using local materials like brick and timber. "They said, 'You know nothing. You're female, you stay in the car," she recalls. By proving her expertise, she won respect, proving knowledge transcends gender barriers.

Alice's global experiences inform her work in Hong Kong, where she emphasizes respecting local needs and cultures in project design. Her SDG Taskforce initiatives, including educational materials for schools, inspire young women to pursue sustainable engineering careers. In East Asia, Alice sees rapid urbanization as both a challenge and opportunity. "We need to slow down," she explains, highlighting the need to tie infrastructure to sustainable growth and leverage strengths like Hong Kong's role as a connector.

A Legacy of Action and Inspiration

As HKIE's first female President, Alice's legacy is driven by action. A UK Institution of Civil Engineers senior fellow, she declares, "Don't be afraid to get your hands dirty." This mindset defines her leadership. Her presidency theme, "Together, we rise," calls on engineers to innovate and collaborate for a better future. Alice Chow's story is a clarion call to embrace challenges, lead with compassion, and uplift others. Her journey from a lone student in the UK to a global engineering leader inspires women to break barriers, pursue meaningful careers, and leave a lasting impact. As she steps into her presidency, Alice continues to build not just infrastructure, but a future where women engineers can thrive.