[1] The institution aims to facilitate the exchange of knowledge and ideas, train the members in new technology and practices, and to raise the standing and visibility of engineers.

On 3 June 1882, The Hong Kong Engineers' Institute was established at Hongkong Hotel, with John Inglis as the first president.

During the World War II, Finnie was imprisoned by the Japanese Army in the civilian internment camp at Stanley where he still organised talks on engineering.

[7] The Institution's accreditation board conducts professional assessments of Bachelor's, Associate's and Higher Diploma programmes in Engineering and Computer Science in Hong Kong and overseas universities.

The journal welcomes submissions of research papers, literature reviews, engineering case studies, technical notes or articles and written discussions involving advanced technology[10]。 The HKIE also publishes the monthly magazine "Hong Kong Engineer", the Institution Yearbook and the Annual Report[11]。