The 62nd College International pour la Recherche en Productique (CIRP) General Assembly successfully took place in Hong Kong in August 2012, attracting some 830 people, 98% of whom were from outside Hong Kong. 

HKUST President Prof Tony F Chan delivered a memorable speech at the opening ceremony and keynote speakers shared their innovative ideas on research related to manufacturing processes, production equipment and automation, manufacturing systems, and product design and manufacturing. Speakers included Prof Andrew Nee, CIRP President, Dr Frank Zhao, Group Vice President of Geely Automotive Company, and Dr Lienjing Chen, Managing Director, Pratt & Whitney China Operations. 

CIRP is an eminent academic organization founded in the early 1950s to address issues related to modern production science and technology through scientific research and international cooperation. The organization has around 550 members from over 40 countries, with membership intentionally limited to enhance exchange and personal relationship-building. It also encourages participation of industry in its activities.

The 2012 program started with a research associate conference in Dalian, followed by a pre-conference tour of Shanghai-Nanjing. Two post-conference trips were arranged to Tianjin-Dalian-Beijing and Taipei-Hsinchu. All the tours included industry visits, sightseeing and cultural expeditions. The Chair of the Organizing Committee was Prof Mitchell Tseng, Industrial Engineering and Logistics Management, HKUST School of Engineering.