Chinese American Institute of Engineers & Scientists

A Brief Biography of CAIES

            The 1930s were lean years for the country.  They were years of frustration for many college graduates, especially Chinese American graduates who were trained and skilled engineers looking for jobs that were not available to them.  Many ended working in laundries, restaurants, and other places involving menial work.  An economic recovery in the early 1940s due to the United States’ involvement in World War II, opened some doors to these Chinese American engineers.  While young men around the country were being drafted into the armed forces, many Chinese Americans found opportunities to participate in military industry and defense work on the home front.

Under this backdrop, the Chinese American Institute of Engineers (CAIE) was founded in 1943.in San Francisco.  This group of young engineers working in the defense industry founded the organization with the purpose to foster leadership and develop a forum for Chinese American engineers to interact professionally, technically, and socially.  The group was incorporated in California in 1961 and its name was amended in 1978 to Chinese American institute of Engineers and Scientists (CAIES), broadening its scope and membership.

Throughout its history, CAIES has organized educational events, symposia, conventions and community activities important to the engineering, scientific, and Chinese American communities.  In the early 1970s, under the leadership of Lawrence S. Jue, CAIE led the resistance against the closure of three elementary schools in Chinatown/North Beach.  In 1976 and 1977, under the leadership of Thomas F. Lee, CAIE organized a series of Chinese American Community Forums, supported by a grant from California Council for the Humanities in Public Policy .  With an attendance of over one hundred community leaders and service workers, these events were hailed to be the first large-scale Chinese American community dialogue.

From 1973 through the 1980s, CAIE/CAIES represented and brought world-class delegations to China. By its own fundraising endeavors, CAIE/CAIES members and family traveled throughout China to deliver numerous technical and educational talks and presentations  to their counterparts in China.  Members Jack T. Quan, Harold Wong, Edwin Fong, Edmund Leung, Jack and Daisy Quan, James P. Wong, Alexander Tseng, Raymond H. Chan, and many others contributed substantially in leading tours and technical presentations.

In 1993, under the leadership of Joseph Leung, CAIES co-sponsored the US-China Energy Conference in Beijing with the Chinese Science and Technology Commission (now Ministry of Science and Technology).   US Delegation to the conference consisted of top U.S. government officials, leading company executives and energy specialists.   CAIES members successfully facilitated technical exchanges and business negotiations among energy experts of both countries.  CAIES members contributed valuable articles and policy papers for the conference proceedings.  Their recommendations have been highly valued in the industry.Many of the projects outlined in the proceedings have been implemented.

Among the many technical and social activities CAIES organizes every year, the Annual  Scholarship Dinner Dance Party is a tradition that began in 1964.  Through generous donations and prudent investment, the CAIES scholarship fund has rewarded many deserving students studying technical, science, and engineering degrees alike. Historically the scholarship recipients have had outstanding academic records and great leadership potential. In addition, many of recipients have been women.

Many CAIES members serve as leaders, officers and trustees of other community organizations.  They are particularly sought after by these organizations because of their language proficiency, analytical and management skills, skills in communications, and professional integraty.

After 60 years of service and leadership, CAIES continues to work with its resources to encourage, lead, and serve its members, and to work for the benefit of the community.