Professor W.K. Chow elected as the new President of Asia-Oceania Association for Fire Science and Technology
周允基教授當選為新一屆亞太區火災科學及技術協會主席

Professor W.K. Chow, Chair Professor of Architectural Science and Fire Engineering, Department of Building Services Engineering, was elected as the new President of the Asia-Oceania Association for Fire Science and Technology (AOAFST) in September, 2007.

The Asia-Oceania Association for Fire Science and Technology (AOAFST) was established in 1995 to improve the level of basic fire science and technology in the Asia-Oceania region for satisfying the demand. Collaboration between fire scientists and engineers of Oceanian countries are very strong, and there are big construction projects requiring special fire safety design.

AOAFST is one of the most successful branch organizations of the International Association for Fire Safety Science (IAFSS). International meetings are arranged periodically for scientists and engineers dealing with fire researches in Asian and Oceanian countries for keeping its activities in a high level. Almost all associated activities in fire science and engineering at the Asia-Oceania region will be discussed.

The Asia-Oceania Symposium for Fire Science and Technology (AOFST) is one of the most important activities of the AOAFST. This symposium will be organized once every 2 or 3 years. Six were held before in China, Russia, Singapore, Japan, Australia and Korea in 1992, 1995, 1998, 2000, 2001 and 2004, respectively. The 7th AOFST Symposium was held from 20 to 22 September 2007 in Hong Kong. Over 200 experts from Japan, Mainland, Korea, Taiwan, France, Singapore, India, USA, Canada, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Finland, the Netherlands, Russia and Hong Kong attended.

Recently, Professor Chow has also been awarded the status and title of Visiting Professor, which is attached to the Faculty of Art, Design and the Built Environment, School of Built Environment, University of Ulster, UK from 1 February 2008 to 31 January 2012.

Professor Chow is also the Founding President, Society of Fire Protection Engineers – Hong Kong Chapter since 2002. He was the recipient of the Harold E. Nelson Service Award in 2006 and elected as Fellow of SFPE in 2007. He was just invited to give an invited lecture on “Fire Engineering Research and Education in Hong Kong” at the 3rd International Symposium on the 21st Century Center of Excellence Program, Tokyo University of Science on 10 March 2008.

The 7th AOFST Symposium, 20 September 2007

From left to right:
Ir CHU Man Chun Charles
International President
The Institution of Fire Engineers, UK

Mr CHEUNG Hau-wai, JP
Director of Buildings
Hong Kong Buildings Department

Ir LAM Chun Man Anthony, JP, SGM
Chairman of Fire Engineering Discipline
The Hong Kong Institution of Engineers

Mr KWOK Jing Keung, JP
Director of Fire Services
Hong Kong Fire Services Department

Professor W.K. CHOW
President of AOAFST

Professor Toshi HIRANO
Formerly Professor of Tokyo University and
Director General, National Research Institute of Fire and Disaster, Japan
President, Chiba Institute of Science, Japan
Founding President of AOAFST
Former Chairman of International Association for Fire Safety Science

Professor Yuji HASEMI
Waseda University, Japan
Vice-Chairman, International Association for Fire Safety Science