IES UPDATE The following three stories/interviews were first published in the IES 50th Anniversary Gala Dinner Souvenir Magazine.
Tribute to Er. Kenneth Gin, Founding IES President IES’ illustrious 50-year journey began with one of Singapore’s most eminent pioneer engineers: Er. Kenneth Y D Gin
Er. Gin, first President of IES (1966/1968)
On its 50th anniversary, IES journeys back in time with its founding President, Er. Kenneth Gin, a man whose pioneering work had not only laid down enabling roots for the growth of a stellar institution, but shaped Singapore’s early years of nation-building through civil engineering excellence. Er. Gin’s became the founding president of IES at its historic inaugural meeting held at the Public Works Department Sports Club at Kallang on 1 July 1966. Aided by his steadfast stewardship in its early years and his longstanding contributions in the succeeding decades, IES grew in stature as the premier engineering institution in Singapore.
12
Er. Gin’s hallmark selflessness and dedication have set high standards for his successors to emulate. As the first President, he tirelessly initiated the setting up of various committees to look into various tasks that would define IES’ future roles. He also remained actively engaged in the institution’s affairs until the turn of the century, playing a key role in transforming IES from a humble set-up of just 166 engineers to the heart and voice of more than 5,000 members today. Born in Melbourne, Australia in 1924, Er. Gin moved to Singapore only in 1956, when he married Dr. Wee Kit Gin, a Singaporean medical doctor, out of a romance that blossomed from a fishing trip! The relocation was a difficult decision for Er. Gin, as it meant foregoing a secure job and the prospect of becoming a par tner of a large firm of engineering consultants, Scott & Furphy. But looking back, Er. Gin has no regrets as his move to Singapore gave him the unique oppor tunity to play a leading role in establishing the basic infrastructure systems of a country that is to become a global economic powerhouse and one of the world’s most livable cities. Er. Gin’s contributions to Singapore as a civil engineer started in 1956 when he was one of the project engineers for the Merdeka
THE SINGAPORE ENGINEER June 2016
Er. Gin appointed as the general manager of the Public Utilities Board in 1966