Hong Kong Metropolitan University (HKMU) awarded Honorary University Fellowships to three distinguished individuals today (14 November) in recognition of their remarkable contributions to society and to the development of the University. The recipients are Ms Chan Man-chong, Dr John Leung Lai-yin, and Father John Wotherspoon.
Addressing the ceremony, HKMU Council Chairman Ir Dr Conrad Wong Tin-cheung congratulated and paid tribute to the recipients. “Their professional achievements, exemplary personal qualities and dedication to education embody compassionate service to society,” he said. He added that the remarkable contributions of the three Honorary Fellows in the arts, parasports development and community service resonate deeply with HKMU's mission as a self-financing university and the first university of applied sciences in Hong Kong.
Ir Dr Wong stated that HKMU is steadfast in its commitment to advancing Hong Kong's position as a leading international hub for post-secondary education. In the 2024/25 academic year, the University was ranked fifth among the nine JUPAS universities for undergraduate enrolment, reflecting the trust bestowed upon it by students and families across Hong Kong and beyond.
Following are brief profiles of the three recipients (in alphabetical order of surname):
Ms Chan Man-chong
Ms Chan Man-chong is a highly respected pipa artist, Chinese music educator and conductor, who has dedicated her life to training and educating others in Chinese instrumental music. A passionate advocate of Chinese culture, Ms Chan has devoted herself to promoting Chinese cultural legacies through music education. From 1979 to 2004, she served in the Government Music Office, overseeing Chinese instrumental music and orchestral training. After retiring, she took on the role of Director and Resident Conductor of the Hong Kong Plucked String Chinese Orchestra (HKPSCO). Ms Chan is an alumna of HKMU and has contributed significantly to her alma mater through active involvement in cultural and musical activities and as a member of the HKMU Foundation. (Learn more)
Dr John Leung Lai-yin
Dr John Leung Lai-yin, a senior practitioner in radiology, has made tremendous contributions to the development of parasports. Over the past decade, he has served as the team doctor for the Hong Kong, China Delegation in various major parasports events, including the 2017 Asian Youth Para Games and the 2018 Asian Para Games. In 2024, he was appointed Chef de Mission of the Hong Kong, China Delegation to the Paris Paralympic Games, which won a record eight medals. Dr Leung also holds significant leadership positions, including Chairman of the Sports Association for the Physically Disabled of Hong Kong, China, and Vice President of the China Hong Kong Paralympic Committee. (Learn more)
Father John Wotherspoon
Father John Wotherspoon, a Catholic priest from Australia, has dedicated 40 years to helping the disadvantaged in Hong Kong, including spending the past 16 years serving vulnerable individuals on Temple Street, Jordan. In 2017, Father John helped establish two NGOs: MercyHK and Voice for Prisoners. MercyHK operates several centres dedicated to caring for vulnerable people, especially the homeless and drug addicts. Voice for Prisoners works to stop drug trafficking into and within Hong Kong and helps prison inmates undertake correspondence study courses. Father John's prison ministry has seen him dedicate his holiday time over the past decade to travelling to the home countries of drug mules to help combat drug trafficking into Hong Kong. (Learn more)
