Spotlight on Chartered Engineer: Ray Choy
This time, we get the lowdown on IGEM Chartered Engineer Ray Choy, Deputy Director at Sinopec. He tells us of his journey in the industry so far and his proudest achievements to date.
Having worked for Sinopec for over 15 years, Ray Choy’s knowledge within the sector has grown extensively.
After studying electrical engineering, he began working at a local power station to kick off his career, he later moved to work as a Maintenance Supervisor at a cable car company before joining Sinopec in 2009.
He joined the company as an engineer, where he developed a passion for the oil and gas industry, and over the years climbed the corporate ladder to become Deputy Director.
In this position, he oversees the technical service department and advances infrastructure and development projects including petrol, hydrogen and electric refuelling stations.
His development stems from a strong commitment to continuous personal growth, driven by dedicated efforts through CPD.
Throughout his time at Sinopec, Ray became acquainted with several IGEM members whose professionalism and technical knowhow he admired. This inspired him to make the decision to join himself.
After further research into ways he could advance his career, Ray joined IGEM as a Member Manager in 2019. The application process encouraged Ray to seek clarity on his weaknesses, which helped him to write a clear action plan with timelines.
Enriching his knowledge further, he undertook training courses and sought advice from peers on how he could amplify his knowledge to become a chartered member.
After obtaining his Chartered Engineer status earlier in the year, Ray speaks highly of the benefits of his new title.
“By joining IGEM, I am now professionally qualified, which has given me improved career development and prospects, and enhanced my credibility.
“I can also network with professionals by participating in technical talks and visits organised by IGEM, enabling me to keep abreast of the latest technologies and applications in the gas and energy field.
“Being a Chartered Engineer is a much-valued status as it is internationally recognised. The status also qualifies me to become a Registered Professional Engineer in Hong Kong, opening up greater career opportunities.”
In his current role, Ray is heavily involved with the development of hydrogen fuelling stations as there is a huge potential for hydrogen use in Hong Kong.
He describes how hydrogen’s wider adoption will be deployed mainly in vehicles and power generation, for both small units and larger power stations.
When asked for his thoughts on the future of energy, Ray said that biogas also has potential for growth, particularly in the areas of green power and waste-to-energy.
Looking ahead, Ray strives to enhance his areas of expertise and further his knowledge of engineering. He also plans to acquire professional registration in an electrical discipline and would like to progress his IGEM membership to Fellowship status.
He plans to grasp every opportunity he is offered and share his passions with the next generation to encourage more engineers to join the energy sector.