Dr. Joseph Ng (BScEE'73), the man behind the multi-continent, multi-industry JNE Group of Companies, has made tremendous accomplishments and contributions.
Born in China, Joe moved to Hong Kong at the age of 12 to join his father. He and four other boys made the epic journey by floating on a pillowcase filled with ping-pong balls across kilometres of open water before being picked up by a fisherman.
In 1968, Joe arrived in Canada to study electrical engineering, spending his first two years at the University of Prince Edward Island and then transferring to UNB to complete his engineering degree. After obtaining his degree, he returned to Hong Kong, but happily a friend convinced him to return to Canada, and he found work at Stelco in Hamilton. He founded JNE Engineering in 1980, which has evolved into a multi-industry group of companies with professional staff and projects around the world.
Throughout his success, Joe has demonstrated commitment to his community as chair of the Hamilton Health Sciences Campaign, and through extensive involvement with the Hamilton Chinese community.
In 2013, his alma mater, UNB, awarded him with an honorary doctor of science degree for his accomplishments as a visionary and entrepreneur. Following is the oration by Dr. Jane Fritz (MScCS'82) at the ceremony, originally published here.
"To quote one of Joe’s letters of nomination: “Joe’s story is a true inspiration”. Born in China, Joe moved to Hong Kong at the age of 12 to join his father – in dramatic fashion. He and 4 other boys made the journey by floating on a pillowcase filled with ping pong balls across kilometres of open water before being picked up by a fisherman. In 1968 Joe arrived in Canada to study electrical engineering, spending his first two years at the University of Prince Edward Island and then transferring to UNB to complete his engineering degree. After obtaining his degree, he returned to Hong Kong, but happily a friend convinced him to return to Canada, and he found work at Stelco in Hamilton, Ontario.
His career as an employee was fairly short-lived. After a three year secondment to Dofasco, Joe made the decision to go into business for himself, and hence in 1980 JNE Engineering was born. JNE extended its reach to China shortly after its inception. In 1994, JNE Engineering expanded to become JNE Consulting Ltd., a full-service multi-disciplinary engineering firm serving a wide range of industries. Today, the Joe Ng Group consists of Joe Ng Engineering, JNE Consulting, JNE Automation, JNE Chemicals, JNE Biotech, and JNE Power, with professional staff and projects around the world, maintaining offices in Canada, the U.S., and China.
Joe has set an example not just by his success in business, but also through his commitment to community, giving generously of both his time and financial support. He has been very active in his involvement with the Hamilton Chinese Community, the Art Gallery of Hamilton, Junior Achievement, Habitat for Humanity, the United Way, and community health care institutions and initiatives, including chairing the Cornerstone of Care campaign for Hamilton Health Services. He has been especially active in his support of higher education. He sits on the Faculty of Engineering Dean’s Advisory Board at McMaster University and has established the Joe Ng – JNE Consulting Chair in Design, Construction and Management of Infrastructure Renewal at McMaster, as well as scholarships for international students. He has also been a generous benefactor to UNB, supporting many projects over the years and most recently establishing the Joseph S. Ng Laboratory for Nanotechnology.
Joe Ng has been recognized many times for his business and community achievements. He has received prestigious awards from the City of Hamilton, the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce, McMaster University, the University of Prince Edward Island and the Professional Engineers of Ontario. In 2002 he received the Golden Jubilee Medal. To once again quote one of his nomination letters, as a “builder of an international engineering corporation, generous supporter of the arts, health care, higher education and his local community, and loyal alumnus of UNB, Joe is a true testament to the potential that can be achieved with vision, determination, and compassion for one’s fellow human beings.” It is the great privilege of the University of New Brunswick to admit Joseph Ng to the degree of Doctor of Science honoris causa."
