CityU confers honorary awards on three outstanding persons
City University of Hong Kong (CityU) conferred honorary doctorates on three prominent persons at the Honorary Awards Ceremony today (13 November) in recognition of their significant achievements and contributions to the well-being of society. The Hon Leung Chun-ying, University Chancellor, presided over the ceremony.
The three outstanding recipients were: Professor Bai Chunli (Professor Bai was awarded the degree in absentia), President of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS); Mr Hu Fa-kuang, Honorary Chairman of Ryoden Development Limited, and Dr Allan Zeman, Chairman of the Ocean Park Corporation and Chairman of Lan Kwai Fong Holdings Limited.
(For the biographies of the honorary doctorate holders, please refer to the attached pages.)
Professor Bai, Honorary Doctor of Science, is not only one of China’s most eminent scientists and an outstanding nanotechnology pioneer, but also a highly accomplished science and technology leader. His research spans many areas, including the structure and properties of polymer catalysts, X-ray crystallography of organic compounds, and molecular mechanics and extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) research on conductive polymers. He has a long list of scientific publications and has won more than a dozen prestigious awards and prizes at the national, ministerial and provincial levels.
From mid-1980s, Professor Bai devoted himself in particular to the study of scanning tunnelling microscopy and established the Youth Laboratory of Nanoscience and Technology at CAS. He was promoted to the CAS Vice-Presidency in 1996, and was elected to membership of the Academy in 1997. He was promoted to become the CAS Executive Vice-President in 2004, then CAS President and Chairman of the Presidium of the Academic Divisions of the CAS in 2011. In September this year, he was selected as the new President of the Academy of Sciences for the Developing World.
Mr Hu Fa-kuang received an Honorary Doctor of Social Science. A chartered engineer, he founded Ryoden Engineering Limited, a former company of Ryoden (Holdings) Limited, in 1966. Under his leadership, Ryoden became a multinational conglomerate, engaged in diversified areas such as semi-conductors, building materials, household electronic appliances, electric power generation plants, industry automation, E&M engineering, property development, hotels, Chinese medicine, and fashion, with business interests in Hong Kong, mainland China and Southeast Asia.
Mr Hu is very active in public service and has taken up significant roles in many government and public organisations. Mr Hu is a renowned sports advocate, too. He is currently Vice-President of the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China, and Life Honorary President of several sports associations in Hong Kong. In appreciation of Mr Hu’s significant contributions to sports development and his support for the University, CityU named its sports centre as the Hu Fa Kuang Sports Centre in 2010.
Through innovative ideas and hard work, Dr Zeman, Honorary Doctor of Business Administration, has transformed Lan Kwai Fong in the Central District of Hong Kong into a world-renowned tourist attraction, enhancing Hong Kong’s international reputation in the process.
Having lived in Hong Kong for over 40 years, Dr Zeman is very involved in government services and community activities. He has spearheaded new initiatives at Ocean Park, where he has been Chairman since 2003. He has also served as a member of the General Committee of the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce, member of the Board of the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority, and Chairman of its Performing Arts Committee. In recognition of his distinguished public and community service, particularly his significant contributions to the tourism industry and cultural development, he was awarded Hong Kong’s Gold Bauhinia Star and the Grand Bauhinia Medal. He has also been honoured by leading organisations as businessman and stylemaker of the year.
In addressing the graduates in his note of thanks, Dr Zeman said, “Family and roots are the bedrock of a successful career. The people who influenced you, inspired you, shaped you and cared for you are not going to go away now that you are graduates heading for the workforce. They will still be there, supporting you from the wings, and you should look in on them from time to time. Keep in touch with your alma mater, CityU, maintain your network, stay grounded.” He also encouraged the graduates to follow their hearts, pursue their dreams, and do what they believe in.
Dr Norman Leung Nai-pang, Pro-Chancellor of CityU, Mr Herman Hu Shao-ming, Council Chairman, Mr Raymond Or Ching-fai, Deputy Council Chairman and Professor Way Kuo, President, also attended the ceremony.
Professor Kuo said in his speech that students in different disciplines should value learning and the acquisition of the basics of their specialised fields; and they should apply themselves to learning about the latest developments in their fields. “When your knowledge is eclectic, try to make your feelings varied, too. You should identify yourself with others and the universe. Once you have an expanded mind and heart, you can make yourself rich in knowledge, great in sympathy, and immense in love. You can make remarkable contributions to society and human progress,” he said.
Summer Shiu Wai-sum, Bachelor of Business Administration (Honours) in Marketing, represented the graduates. “Fear will never bring you success. Only perseverance and enthusiasm can lead you to excellence. Let us always bear in mind that ‘You always pass failure on the way to success,’” she said.
The 2012 Congregation is being held from 13 to 20 November. This year CityU produced 7,230 graduates through its provision of quality professional education, comprising 161 doctor of philosophy degrees, eight doctor of business administration degrees, seven doctor of juridical science degrees, 11 engineering doctorates, eight master of philosophy degrees, 2,728 master’s degrees, 204 postgraduate diplomas/certificates, 3,733 bachelor’s degrees, and 370 associate degrees.
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Biographies of the three CityU honorary doctorate holders
Professor Bai Chunli, President of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), received an Honorary Doctor of Science. Professor Bai is a pioneer in the field of scanning tunnelling microscopy in China. He began his research into this important area of nanotechnology in the mid-1980s, studying technology as well as molecular nanotechnology. Professor Bai has a long list of scientific publications and has won more than a dozen prestigious awards and prizes at the national, ministerial and provincial levels. Professor Bai has also undertaken research on the X-ray crystallography of organic compounds, molecular mechanics and extended X-ray absorption fine structure.
Professor Bai was Director of the Academic Division of Chemistry, CAS, and the Founding Director of the China National Center for Nanoscience and Technology. He was appointed Vice-President of CAS in 1996, Deputy Vice-President in 2004 and President in 2011. He is a member of CAS; a Fellow and Vice-President of the Academy of Sciences for the Developing World; a Foreign Associate of the US National Academy of Sciences; a Foreign Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Royal Danish Academy of Sciences and Letters, Pakistan Academy of Sciences, and Mongolian Academy of Sciences; a member of the German National Academy of Sciences and Engineering; and Honorary Fellow of the UK Royal Society of Chemistry and Indian Academy of Sciences. He holds honorary doctorates from more than 10 universities in the US, UK, Russia, Australia, Sweden and Denmark. Professor Bai is also Honorary President of the Chinese Society of Micro-Nano Technology, Chief Scientist for the National Steering Committee for Nanoscience and Technology, and President of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences. In addition, he is a member of the Central Coordination Group for Talent Work, National Education System Reform Leading Group and the 12th Five-Year Plan National Economic and Social Development Expert Group, and Deputy Director of the National Science and Technology Award Committee.
Mr Hu Fa-kuang, Honorary Chairman of Ryoden Development Limited, received an Honorary Doctor of Social Science. He graduated from Shanghai Jiao Tong University with a Bachelor of Science degree and he is a chartered engineer. He founded Ryoden Engineering Limited, a former company of Ryoden (Holdings) Limited, in 1966. Mr Hu is very active in public service. He has taken up significant roles in many government and public organisations, as a member of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, a Hong Kong Affairs Advisor, a Legislative Councilor, the first Chairman of the Land Development Corporation, Chairman of the Consultative Committee of the New Airport, Chairman of the Hong Kong Employers’ Federation, and President of the HK–Shanghai Economic Development Association Limited. Mr Hu is a renowned sports advocate, too. He is currently Vice-President of the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China, and Life Honorary President of several sports associations in Hong Kong, such as the Cycling Association, the South China Athletic Association, and the Table Tennis Association. In appreciation of Mr Hu’s significant contributions to sports development and his support for the University, CityU named its sports centre as the Hu Fa Kuang Sports Centre in 2010. Mr Hu was appointed a Justice of the Peace in 1977 and awarded the Order of the British Empire and Commander of the British Empire in 1985 and 1989 respectively. In 1999, he was awarded the Order of the Sacred Treasure (Gold Rays with Rosette) by the Japanese Government, and the Magnolia Gold Award by the Shanghai Municipal People’s Government. He was awarded the Gold Bauhinia Star by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) in 2002 in appreciation of his contributions to public affairs in Hong Kong.
Dr Allan Zeman, Chairman of the Ocean Park Corporation and Chairman of Lan Kwai Fong Holdings Limited, received an Honorary Doctor of Business Administration. Through innovative ideas and hard work, Dr Zeman has transformed Lan Kwai Fong in the Central District of Hong Kong into a world-renowned tourist attraction, earning him the nickname “Father of Lan Kwai Fong”. Having lived in Hong Kong for over 40 years, Dr Zeman is very involved in government services and community activities. He has spearheaded new initiatives at Ocean Park, where he has been Chairman since 2003, transforming it into a world-class venue. The HKSAR government awarded Dr Zeman the Grand Bauhinia Medal in 2011 in recognition of his distinguished public and community service, particularly his significant contributions to the tourism industry and cultural development. He has also served as a member of the General Committee of the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce, member of the Board of the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority, and Chairman of its Performing Arts Committee. Dr Zeman is an Independent Non-Executive Director of Pacific Century Premium Developments Limited, Sino Land Company Limited, and Tsim Sha Tsui Properties Limited. Dr Zeman sits on the Board of Wynn Resorts, and is Vice-Chairman of Wynn Macau Limited. He also runs luxury residential and resort property developments in Phuket, Thailand.