Metrology Symposium 2021 (Metrology Around Us)

The Government Laboratory (GL), Hong Kong Council for Testing and Certification (HKCTC), Open University of Hong Kong (OUHK) and Standards and Calibration Laboratory of Innovation and Technology Commission (SCL) jointly organized the online Metrology Symposium 2021 on 28^th May 2021.  The theme is “Metrology Around Us”.  Hong Kong Society for Quality (HKSQ) was one of supporting organizations. The seminar aimed to share selected several interesting topics around our daily life and the recent development in the transformation of the International System of Units (SI) to the digital world led by the International Committee for Weights and Measures (CIPM).  Group photo was took after welcoming address and opening remarks.

The first speaker was Mr. Brian HT Lee (Electronics Engineer, SCL) and his topic entitled “Can we use a smartphone as a luxmeter?” In the beginning, he asked us to think a student proposed to measure the plant’s growth rate against light condition using luxmeter. Is this measurement method appropriate? 

Then he introduced basic theory of photometry and radiometry, as well as photometric units.  Some daily life examples of luminous flux were discussed. 

Finally, Mr. Lee compared the key components in smartphone and instrumental luxmeter.  The key difference was the acceptance angle that the smartphone luxmeter reading is dropped by ~10% to the instrumental luxmeter.

The second speaker was Dr. Alvis CF Au Yeung (Electronics Engineer, SCL) and his topic named “Is time running at the same rate at different places in Hong Kong?”  Dr. Yeung shared the content including definition of second, Caesium and optical clock as well as general relativity theory.

Firstly, Dr. Yeung briefed the definition of second, SI base unit of time. It used the fixed numerical value of the caesium frequency to express the unit Hz (s^-1).

Then he briefed the general relativity theory and Lorentz time dilation named after the Lorentz transformation that related the space-time coordinates.  And he introduced the effect of the gravitational time dilation. He showed the different altitude in Tai Mo Shan and Avenue of Stars.

Finally, Dr. Yeung calculated the atomic clock runs 9ns faster per day at Tai Mo Shan.

HKIE Webinar - Route to Registered Quality Management Engineers

 The HKIE webinar named “Route to Registered Quality Management Engineers” was co-organized by OUHK-S&T, HKIE CA, MI divisions, HKICA, IET-Hong Kong and InstMC(HK) on 19^th Nov 2020.  For global market, mutual recognition of professional qualification for cross boarder services is one of the key factors to the success. This webinar aimed to introduce the registration scheme of Quality Management Engineers, Mutual Recognition Agreement between HKICA and Guangdong Product Certification Service Association (粤港澳大湾区质量管理工程技术人才资格互认), career path of Registered Quality Management Engineers in China and HKQF - Recognition of Prior Learning for Testing and Certification Practitioners.  In the beginning, Dr. SL Mak (OUHK) introduced the speakers.

The first speaker was Ir Dr. Tommy Lo (President of Hong Kong Institution of Certified Auditor (HKICA) and Associate Professor in the Architecture and Civil Engineering Dept, CityU) and his topic entitled “Registered Quality Management Engineers – Greater Bay Areas Engineer Professional”.  

In the beginning, Dr. Lo briefed the background of HKICA and they were the first association to achieve SIO 17024 by CNAS.  In this year, they extended scope to cover Quality Management Engineers for GBA.  

After that he briefed the Quality Management Engineer (QME) which was a professional in charging QA of an organization with ISO 9001 QMS audit knowledge and engineering background or training. 

Finally he described the QME requirements including Training (e.g. at least 16hr internal audit training course), Competence and Experience.  There were three grade of QME that was Associate QME (AQME), QME and Senior QME (SQME).  Mainly different was in “Competence and Experience”. The link of application form is at http://hkica.org/membership-application-form/ .

The representative for Mr. Chen Yaojin, (Deputy President of Guangdong Product Certification Service Association) presented Quality Management Engineer (QME).

She firstly briefed the background of QME which related the government policy document named “關於深化工程技術人才職稱制度改革的指導意見” in Guangdong. 

Then she briefed the Mutual Recognition Agreement between HKICA and Guangdong Product Certification Service Association (粤港澳大湾区质量管理工程技术人才资格互认).  The purpose of QME to enhance the competitive edge, job opportunity and establishing professional standard in quality management, etc.  

Finally, she mentioned the evaluation method and through once examination to obtain two certificates which recognized in GBA.  Lastly, the whole application process was introduced.

The last speaker was Ir Dr. Fanny Tang (Director of Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Assessment Agency for Testing, Inspection and Certification (TIC)) and her topic was “RPL Assessment Agency for Testing, Inspection and Certification Industry”.  

Firstly, Dr. Tang briefed the RPL assessment scheme and its background under HKQF that OUHK was appointed assessment agency of RPL for TIC industry.  

Then she introduced different functional areas of TIC industry and briefed the categories of the test such as Physical and Mechanical Test, Chemical and Microbiological Test, as well as, Electronic and Electrical Test.  

After that she briefed the RPL clusters which selected by applicants those fit with their experience.  Most of applicants applied level 4 clusters that one of examples to be demonstrated was QA of Inspection Operation.  

Lastly, Dr. Fanny Tang briefed the assessment methods including written test, interview, practical assessment and its combination that depended on the level of RPL clusters.

Reference:

HKIE-MIS - http://mi.hkie.org.hk/  

HKIE-CAD - http://ca.hkie.org.hk/

CMHK - https://eshop.hk.chinamobile.com/tc/

HKICA - http://hkica.org/

OUHK-RPL - http://rpl.ouhk.edu.hk/

Metrology Symposium 2020 (SI Unit – Fundamentally Better)

The Government Laboratory (GL), Hong Kong Council for Testing and Certification (HKCTC), Open University of Hong Kong (OUHK) and Standards and Calibration Laboratory of Innovation and Technology Commission (SCL) jointly organized the Metrology Symposium 2020 on 10^th Jan 2020.  The theme is “The International System of Units – Fundamentally Better”.  Hong Kong Society for Quality (HKSQ) was one of supporting organizations. On May 20, 2019, the World Metrology Day (WMD) 2019, the International System of Units (SI) was revised so that all the seven base units, namely, the second, the metre, the kilogram, the ampere, the kelvin, the mole and the candela, were defined based on seven defining constants related to the fundamental laws of nature. Before the seminar, I met many friends in testing and certification industry and we took a photo for memory. Ir. Brenda Lam and I took a photo first.

I also took a photo with Dr. Dr. Eric Sze and Mr. Raymond Leung.

I met Mr. CM Tsui again and took a photo for memory.

Dr. Steven Yang, Ms. Brenda Lam and I were all gradated in CityU (EE, AP & BCH/AP/SEEM).

I am honor to meet Dr. Alex CK Tse (Programme Director, Directorate Office, OUHK).

Gilson HK Lab team (Nic, Sally & Ben) also joined this metrology symposium.

In the beginning, Prof. Yuk-Shan Wong (President, OUHK) gave welcoming address. He said he serviced as Chairman of Consumer Council for many years in which metrology is important in measurement.  It is not only focused on Quality but Quantity is also critical.  Finally, he expected metrology as foundation of science in Testing and Certification which could be a new economic development engine.

Then all speakers and guests took a group photo.

The first and keynote speaker was Mr. CM Tsui (Head of Laboratory, Standards and Calibration Laboratory) and his topic entitled “A 35-year History of Setting up Primary Standards of Physical Measurements for Hong Kong”.  Firstly, Mr. Tsui reviewed the history of metrological infrastructure development since Mr. Gordon Bell (Director Royal Observatory) suggested to maintain and certify standards of measurement in 1977.  In that time, the Governor of Hong Kong appointed the Advisory Committee on Diversification (ACD) to study the ways to facilitate diversification of industry and the report issued in 1979.

Then Mr. Tsui told us that HKG Standards and Calibration Laboratory (SCL) was established in 1984. He introduced their time and frequency standard and the first HP5061A caesium beam frequency standard was acquired in 1983.  At that time LORAN-C timing receiver was used to synchronize the HP5061A to UTC(USNO) by receiving the LORAN-C signal from Gesashi, Okinawa, Japan.  He also briefed the history of traceability for time synchronization such as 1989 using GPS Receivers, 2007 using Multi-Channel GPS Receivers and 2017 using Multi-Frequency GPS Receivers.

OUHK Testing and Certification Day 2019

The Open University of Hong Kong (OUHK) organized the "Testing and Certification Day " to increase public awareness and coverage of the Testing and Certification (T&C) industry on research and development. The seminar named “Testing and Certification: Quality and Safety Enhancement in Building and Construction Industry” organized in T&C Day on 2^nd Nov 2019. Hong Kong Society for Quality (HKSQ) is one of the supporting organizations.  I represented HKSQ to attend the seminar and I summarized this seminar for sharing below.  Before the seminar, we took a photo with Prof. Reggie Kwan (VP(Academic), OUHK) and Prof. Philips Wang Fu Lee (Dean of School of Science and Technology, OUHK) and many old T&C friends including Mr. KW Chen, Mr. Richard Tse, Dr. SL Mak, Dr. Eric Sze and Ms. Fanny Tang, etc. 

When Ir. Dr. KW Lo (Chairman, HKQAA) arrived, we took a group photo for guests, speakers and supporting organization representatives.

In the beginning, Prof. Reggie Kwan (VP(Academic), OUHK) gave welcome speech and he said T&C Day aimed to connect T&C Industry so as to promote testing and certification services.  Construction industry needed T&C service to assure construction safety and building quality.  He said this year was OUHK 30^th anniversary and we had 9888 full time students under JUPAS, ~8000 in night school and more than 1000 research students.  

Ir. Eric Pang, JP (Acting Director, Electrical and Mechanical Service Department, HKSAR Government) gave opening speech and he said T&C industry developed well since 80s and was foundation support in Hong Kong.  The 3^rd party certification is very important in product safety and reliability.  EMSD got IMS certification including ISO 9001, ISO 14001, OHSAS 18001, ISO 27001, ISO 55001, and recently ISO 37001. Moreover, the Headcounter of EMSD got ISO 50001 energy management system. Finally, he said government and industry were promoting Modular Integration Construction (MiC). 

All speaker received OUHK flag and took a group photo.

Ir. Dr. KW Lo (Chairman, HKQAA) was the first speaker and his topic named “International and regional standards development - from quality, occupational safety and health to sustainable architecture”.  Firstly, he introduced HKQAA background and this year also its 30^th anniversary.  

Then Dr. Lo briefed international trend of Construction Industry from quality, quality & environment, quality, safety & environment, and then to sustainability.  ISO Standards employment included ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, ISO 50001, ISO 21930, ISO 21929-1 & ISO 21929-2, and ISO 19650 (BIM).  

OUHK Seminar on “Challenges in Implementation of Laboratory Management according to ISO/IEC 17025:2017”

The Open University of Hong Kong (OUHK) organized the seminar named "Challenges in Implementation of Laboratory Management according to ISO/IEC 17025:2017 " on 25^th July 2019.  Dr. Eric Tung-Po Sze was the speaker and he introduced the different between ISO/IEC 17025:2017 and ISO/IEC 17025:2005 version.  The main changes stated in the new version were risk-based thinking, greater flexibility and definition of laboratory.  Firstly, Dr. Eric Sze mentioned the use of information technology (e.g. LIMS) and new definition of Laboratory that laboratory activities included testing, calibration and “sampling, associate with subsequent testing or calibration”.

Then Dr. Sze stated the verbal forms used in the new version from strong level to weak level term and they were “Shall” > “Should” > “May” > “Can”.

And then he introduced the new version standard structure. The old one mainly separated into clause 4 – Management requirements and clause 5- Technical requirements.  The new one separated into clause 4 – General requirements, clause 5 – Structural requirements, clause 6 – Resource requirements, clause 7 – Process requirements and clause 8 – Management requirements.  

Dr. Sze use a common flow to explain the processes of laboratory.  However, some participants discussed the sequence of review of request and sampling.  “It is depended on what type of testing you performed.” Dr. Sze replied.  

After that he mentioned the alignment with ISO 9001 in management requirement and introduced the Option A (defined in ISO/IEC 17025) and Option B (in accordance with ISO 9001). 

In according to ISO 9001, your system followed the Plan-Do-Check-Act cycle and defined the policy and objectives.  They should address Competence, Impartiality and Consistent Operation (e.g. intra-lab test).  

OUHK 1st Meeting of RPL Steering Committee

I was honor to be appointed as Steering Committee Member of Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Assessment Agency for the Testing, Inspection and Certification Industry of the Open University of Hong Kong (OUHK) again.  Before the meeting, Prof. Philips Wang Fu Lee (Dean of School of Science and Technology, OUHK) and Ms. Fanny Tang (Director, The Assessment Unit, RPL Assessment Agency for TIC Industry, OUHK) presented flag to committee members for memory.

The mission of the RPL Assessment Agency is to provide a fair, open and impartial assessment service in accordance with the RPL Clusters formulated from the Specification of Competency Standards (SCS) for the TIC Industry and enable employees of various backgrounds to receive formal recognition of the knowledge, skills and experience that were already acquired. 

I also met Mr. Raymond Wong (Head of Collaboration, CMA Testing) in the committing meeting. We are also a committee member in TIC ITAC HKQF. 

Reference:

RPL Assessment Agency for TIC Industry - http://rpl.ouhk.edu.hk/

RPL HKQF - https://www.hkqf.gov.hk/en/rpl/index.html

OUHK Testing and Certification Day 2018

The Open University of Hong Kong (OUHK) organized the "Testing and Certification Day " to increase public awareness and coverage of the Testing and Certification (T&C) industry on research and development. The seminar named “Testing and Certification: Research and Development” organized in T&C Day on 3^rd Nov 2018. Hong Kong Society for Quality (HKSQ) is one of the supporting organizations.  I represented HKSQ to attend the seminar and I summarized this seminar for sharing below.  Before the seminar, we took a group photo for guests, speakers and supporting organization representatives.

(Left: Ir. Angel Wong (Senior Consultant, HKPC), Ir. Dr. KW Lo (Chairman, HKQAA) and I)

I met Dr. Xueping Chen (CTO of Vitargent).

(Left: Dr. Leo FW Lee (Lecture, HKBU), Dr. Crystal Fok (Associate Director, HKSTP), Dr. Tony CC Lee (Assistant Professor, T&C, OUHK)

(Left: I, Mr. Stanley Ng (Director, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Youth Society) and Dr. SL Mak (Assistant Professor, OUHK))

In the beginning, Prof. Reggie Kwan (Vice President (Academic), OUHK) gave welcome speech.  He mentioned that they promoted R&D in Testing and Certification Industry and applied RGC Funding in the past 5 years successfully.  

Prof. Albert Yu (JP, Chairman, HKCTC) was officiating guest and gave an opening speech.  He said Hong Kong Council for Testing and Certification aimed to promote testing and certification industry in Hong Kong through our strength on integrity and professionalism.  

And then Souvenirs presentation and group photo of all guests and speakers.

The first speaker was Ir. Dr. Hon Lo Wai Kwok (Chairman, HKQAA; and LegCo Member, Legislative Council – Engineering Constituency) and his presentation entitled " Promoting Innovation and Technology – the Exertion on the Role of the Certification Industry  (促進創新科研 – 認證行業發揮的角色) ".  In the beginning, Dr. Lo briefed the importance of Innovation and Technology in the world such as UN Sustainable Development Goal and Global Innovation Index (GII), etc.