< Previous6 CHAPTER 1 THE BEGINNING CHAPTER 2 THE ORGANISATION CHAPTER 3 CAFEO CHAPTER 4 AFEO CONFERMENTS CHAPTER 5 MARCHING FORWARD PG7 PG43 PG67 PG89 PG115 CONTENTS AFEO — OVERSEEING THE ENGINEERING FRATERNITYCHAPTER 1 THE BEGINNING8 THE BEGINNING Chiefs of delegation of Engineering Institutions joining hands after signing the article of agreement for the establishment of the ASEAN Federation of Engineering Organisations (AFEO), at the closing day of the 2nd CEISAN on the 6th Feb 1980 in Manila. (L-R) Ir. Wong Kin Hong (President, IEM), Tay Sin Yan (President IES), Engr. Lydia G Tansinsin (Chairman, PTC & Organising Chairman 2nd CEISAN), Ir. G.M. Tampubolon (President, PII), Dr. Prasom Sthapitanonda (representing EIT)9 HISTORY OF AFEO THE BEGINNING In view of their common historical background and geographical similarities, The Institution of Engineers, Malaysia (IEM) and The Institution of Engineers, Singapore (IES) promoted interaction and rapport among their members. This gave rise to engineering conventions between these two countries. This was the humble beginning of our regional engineering cooperation. The engineering convention was known as the IEM/IES or IES/IEM (depending on the hosting party) Engineering Convention. The 1st IES/IEM Engineering Convention was held in Singapore in November 1973 with the theme, “The role of Engineers in National Development”. This was followed by the 2nd IEM/IES Engineering Convention held in Malaysia in Nov/ Dec 1974 with the theme “Industrial Safety” AFEO WAS FORMALLY ESTABLISHED ON 6 TH OF FEBRUARY, 1980 BY THE FIVE FOUNDING MEMBERS REPRESENTING INDONESIA, MALAYSIA, THE PHILIPPINES, SINGAPORE AND THAILAND. AFEO WAS SUBSEQUENTLY RECOGNISED AND REGISTERED AS A NON-GOVERNMENTAL ENTITY OF ASEAN ON AUGUST 1, 1982. In the meantime, the five South Asian countries of Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand met to discuss the benefits of forming the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). This marked the beginning of regional- focused support, rather than looking to the West. The 3rd IES/IEM was organised by Singapore in 1976. The theme of the convention was “Energy Resources, Utilisation & Conservation”. The organiser strongly advocated to invite participants from fellow engineering institutions of other ASEAN countries. The proposal was accepted and the agreement was reached to invite other engineering fraternities in this region. During this convention, IES proposed for the establishment of the Convention of Engineering Institutions of South East Asian Nations (CEISEAN) in accordance with the set of “Ten-point Principles”. IEM/IES had to reach out to individual embassies to get the contact names and addresses of their engineering organisations. For the Philippines, however, they learned that there were numerous engineering associations by disciplines. Therefore they had to contact the governmental professional institution to get the integrated engineering association, the Philippine Technological Council (PTC). During the discussion of CEISEAN’s formation two years earlier, the Indonesian Institute of Engineers and the Institution of Engineers, Malaysia got in touch and proposed the formation of “Federation of Engineers of ASEAN”, but this was not pursued. 10 Ultimately, it was decided that the 1st CEISEAN was to be held in Malaysia in 1978, and the second one in Manila in 1979. The 1st CEISEAN was held in December 1978 with the theme “The Need and Strategy for Infrastructure Planning and Development in South East Asia”. The 2nd CEISEAN was actually held in Manila in February 1980 (not 1979), hosted by the Philippine Technological Council (PTC). The highlight of the 2nd CEISEAN was the agreement reached for the establishment of the ASEAN Federation of Engineering Organisations (AFEO). The effort was led by Engr. Lydia G. Tansinsin, as she was the one who proposed the formation. The Philippines provided the draft constitution that became the basis of the discussion with the five countries. Consensus was reached after a long discussion with a final version of the AFEO’s Constitution and its establishment agreed upon on February 6, 1980. This agreement was signed, copy attached, by the 5 country representatives, namely: Ir. G.M. Tampubolon, Indonesia; Ir. Wong Kin Hong, Malaysia; Engr. Lydia G. Tansinsin, the Philippines; Engr. Tay Sin Yan, Singapore; and Dr. Prasom Sthapitanonda, Thailand. The application of registration of AFEO was submitted to the ASEAN Secretariat by Engr. Lydia G. Tansinsin for approval to be a recognised as a non-government organisation of ASEAN. The 4th CEISEAN held in Indonesia 1982 was renamed: CAFEO 1 (Conference of the ASEAN Federation of Engineering Organisations). Since then, CAFEO has been held annually in each member country based on alphabetical order. AFEO started with five members in 1980: • Persatuan Insinyur Indonesia (PII) • The Institution of Engineers, Malaysia (IEM) • Philippine Technological Council (PTC) • The Institution of Engineers, Singapore (IES) • The Engineering Institution of Thailand under H. M. the King Patronage (EIT) Soon after, the next five joined AFEO to make the total ten members: • Pertubuhan Ukur, Jurutera dan Arkitek (PUJA) Brunei in 1984 • Vietnam Union of Science and Technological Associations (VUSTA) in 1998 • The Federation of Myanmar Engineering Societies (Fed. MES) in 2000 • The Engineering Institution of Cambodia (BEC) in 2001 • Lao Union of Science and Engineering Associations (LUSEA) was admitted on September 3, 2002. HISTORY OF AFEO THE BEGINNING11 6 February 1980 The 1 st interim meeting in Manila, the Philippines was chaired by Engr. Lydia Tansinsin. AFEO Constitution was signed by the five-founding member-countries. It was also announced that IES President was chosen as the 1 st interim AFEO Chairman. The meeting also requested each of the country representatives to obtain endorsement for this formation from each member country. Once all the countries have obtained home country council and government’s consent only then can it be submitted for registration to the ASEAN Secretariat. 15 April 1981 2nd Interim meeting in the Ladyhill Hotel, Singapore. PII was appointed to be the chair for the meeting. The name 4th CEISEAN was still in use at this point. As recorded in the meeting minutes, “Ir. Tampubolon, President of PII further confirmed his agreement to host the 4th CEISEAN in Indonesia in 1982.” 1 August 1982 The registration’s approval of AFEO with the ASEAN Secretariat was obtained. This date is taken as the official AFEO’s formation date. 8 August 1982 The 4 th CEISEAN. AFEO Declaration was signed. Proceeded with the 1 st AFEO Governing Board meeting. The “4 th CEISEAN” name was changed to “CAFEO 1”. 9 August 1982 CAFEO 1 was officially launched by the Republic of Indonesia’s President, President Soeharto at the State Palace in Jakarta. 12 August 1982 1 st AFEO Governing Board meeting at the Hotel Horizon, Jakarta 17 January 1984 2 nd AFEO Governing Board meeting at the Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok. IEM was appointed to manage AFEO’s finance. 11 September 1984 3 rd AFEO Governing Board meeting at the PJ Hilton Petaling Jaya. IEM was appointed as the collection centre as part of the AFEO’s finance management. 27 September 1985 4 th AFEO Governing Board meeting at the Plaza Hotel, Manila. 23 October 1986 5th AFEO Governing Board meeting at the Raffle City, Singapore. The AFEO logo was approved, with five gold blades without any border. Note: This article was prepared based on the article “The Background & Evolution of the Convention of Engineering Institutions of South East Asian Nations (CEISEAN) and the ASEAN Federation of Engineering Organisations (AFEO)” by Engr. Tay Sin Yan (AFEO Founder), published in BULLETIN IEM, August 1980. Information was also gathered from Engr. Lydia G. Tansinsin (AFEO Founder) and Ooi Bee Eng (Early AFEO Secretariat). THE BEGINNING12 1st CEISAN – Dinner Reception 1978. Seated on the left: Wong (IEM secretariat), Standing: Rosie Chiam (Ir. TT Chiam’s wife), Mrs Yoon Shee Leng, Datin Brigitte Yusof (wife of Datuk Yusof Yunus) THE BEGINNING13 1st CEISAN, 1978 – Exhibition. Standing: Ir. Chan Chiang Heng (Chairman of Exhibition Organising Committee), Razak Bidin, Tan Sri Ir. Lee San Choon (Minister of Works and Public Amenities), Chan Boon Teik, Ir. Yoon Shee Leng THE BEGINNING14 DECADES OF ESTABLISHMENT HISTORY To promote collaboration between organisations 1st IEM/IES Engineering Convention Convention of Engineering Institutions of Southeast Asian Nations 1st CEISEAN 4th CEISEAN was renamed CAFEO 1 with 5 members: IEM, IES, PTC, PII, EIT AFEO Established 1 Aug 2022. CAFEO 40 AFEO 40th Anniversary 1973197819822022 197719802002 Decision to invite other engineering organisations in the region 1980 Agreement was reached to form AFEO 1981 Guiding Principles for the Conference of AFEO (CAFEO) established 1984 PUJA 1998 VUSTA 2000 FedMES 2001 EIC 2002 LUSEA 3rd IEM/IES Eng Convention 3rd CEISEAN10-Member AFEO THE BEGINNING1515 FOUNDERS & FOUNDING MEMBERS My most memorable moment in AFEO was being tasked to lead a team of engineering reps from four countries who are predominantly male to spearhead the formation of AFEO. As the sole woman in the team, I need to navigate the team to achieve consensus on the draft prepared by the Philippines in many aspects in establishing the six objectives of AFEO. The formation of AFEO on February 6, 1980, is a good move for ASEAN as it gives engineers a platform to interact with each other taking into account the cultural diversity, exchange ideas on advancing engineering technology, and creating activities that are beneficial for all members. AFEO allows engineers the opportunity to assist and know each other by understanding the culture and the spirit of cooperation which drives the continuous growth and sustainability of AFEO. The Conference of AFEO (CAFEO) is an important part of AFEO as it allows meetings and discussions of different topics. I recall the momentous event which took place in the 1st CAFEO at Bali, Indonesia whereby ASEAN officially recognized AFEO as a non-governmental organization (NGO). I wish that all ASEAN engineers congregate under AFEO and for AFEO to continue to be the engineering voice in ASEAN. DR. LYDIA G. TANSINSIN THE BEGINNING As of 31 December 2021, the AFEO Founding Members - Ir. Wong Kin Hong (IEM), Ir. G.M. Tampubolon (PII), Dr. Prasom Sthapitanonda (EIT) are deceased.Next >