Professor Sylvia Fung Yuk-kuen, BBS
Dr Ina Ho Chan Un-chan, BBS
Mr Benedict Sin Nga-yan
Professor Xu Bing
Hong Kong Metropolitan University (HKMU) will confer honorary doctorates on four distinguished individuals in recognition of their outstanding achievements and significant contributions to society. The recipients are Professor Sylvia Fung Yuk-kuen, Dr Ina Ho Chan Un-chan, Mr Benedict Sin Nga-yan and Professor Xu Bing. The Honorary Degrees Ceremony will be held on Monday, 8 December 2025.
Following are brief profiles of the four recipients (in alphabetical order of surname):
Professor Sylvia Fung Yuk-kuen, BBS (Doctor of Social Sciences, honoris causa)
A pioneering figure in nursing, Professor Sylvia Fung Yuk-kuen has made extensive contributions to the professional advancement of local nurses and midwives. She has more than 50 years of experience in the nursing profession and served as the Chief Nurse of the Hospital Authority, overseeing all 20,000 nurses in the public healthcare sector.
During the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) epidemic in 2003, Professor Fung was appointed Acting Hospital Chief Executive of Wong Tai Sin Hospital, which was transformed into Hong Kong's first SARS convalescent hospital. Her efforts in leading and uniting nurses during this challenging period earned her the Florence Nightingale Medal awarded by the International Committee of the Red Cross.
Professor Fung was awarded the Bronze Bauhinia Star by the Hong Kong SAR Government in 2013 in recognition of her lifelong dedication to healthcare and public service. She is currently an Honorary Professor in the School of Nursing and Health Sciences at HKMU and is President of the Hong Kong Academy of Nursing and Midwifery.
Dr Ina Ho Chan Un-chan, BBS (Doctor of Social Sciences, honoris causa)
Dr Ina Ho Chan Un-chan has contributed to the development of education, welfare, medical services, and arts and culture in Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland for decades.
While cultivating a successful career as a businesswoman, Dr Chan has actively participated in public service. She began her involvement with Tung Wah Group of Hospitals as a Director in 2006 and became Chairman in 2013. Since 2006, Dr Chan has served as the Vice-Chairman of “Mother's Work” (Obra das Mães), a non-profit organisation with a long history and distinctive service in social welfare in Macao, and she was the Honorary Vice-President of The Hong Kong Anti-Cancer Society from 2007 to 2019. Between 2010 and 2014, she was a member of the 10th and 11th Guangdong Provincial Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.
Dr Chan is deeply passionate about Chinese performing arts, particularly Cantonese opera. In 2023, she generously donated to HKMU to establish Ina Ho Cantonese Opera Research Centre, which promotes education, academic research and international exchange in the field of Cantonese opera. In recognition of Dr Chan's contribution to the University, she was conferred the title of Honorary President of the HKMU Foundation.
Mr Benedict Sin Nga-yan (Doctor of Business Administration, honoris causa)
Mr Benedict Sin Nga-yan serves as Director and General Manager of Myer Jewelry Manufacturer Limited and President and Director of the Hong Kong Jewellery and Jade Manufacturers Association. He is a distinguished veteran in the fine jewellery industry and a visionary leader. Following his passion, Mr Sin embarked on what would prove to be a lifelong career in the jewellery industry in 1987. When local manufacturers gradually moved their operations to the Chinese Mainland, Mr Sin made the principled decision to reopen his factory in Hong Kong to ensure their knowledge and craftsmanship would be passed on to future generations.
This profound commitment to people also defines Mr Sin's extensive record of public service. He currently serves as an Honorary Advisor for Hong Kong Gold and Silver Ornament Workers and Merchants General Union and has been a Fei Cui Standard Industry Advisor for the Gemmological Association of Hong Kong since 2022. As President Honoris Causa of Hong Kong Young Industrialists Council, he is deeply invested in empowering the young people of Hong Kong.
As a governor of the Sin Wai Kin Foundation, founded by his late father, Mr Sin continues his family's legacy of philanthropic support for education and the humanities. He is a staunch supporter of applied sciences education and vocational and professional education and training (VPET). He has also generously contributed his expertise to HKMU as a member of the Advisory Peer Group for the Bachelor of Applied Science in Gemmology and Jewellery Studies programme, providing valuable insights.
Professor Xu Bing (Doctor of Letters, honoris causa)
Known internationally for his creative works, Professor Xu Bing has received numerous awards from leading universities and organisations. Born in Chongqing and raised in Beijing, Professor Xu graduated from the Central Academy of Fine Arts (CAFA) in 1981, where he subsequently joined the faculty. He served as Vice President of the CAFA from 2007 to 2014.
Professor Xu is renowned for blending traditional Chinese culture with contemporary elements, transcending cultural boundaries and pioneering new perspectives of thought. His works have been exhibited in leading museums and institutions worldwide, including the Smithsonian's National Museum of Asian Art in Washington, D.C., the Guggenheim Museum, and the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York.
In 1993, Professor Xu pioneered Square Word Calligraphy. This innovative creation transforms English words into forms resembling Chinese characters, boldly challenging conventional perceptions and encouraging people to change their established ways of thinking. In March 2025, the Hong Kong Museum of Art held a special exhibition on Professor Xu's calligraphy.
Professor Xu is an accomplished arts educator. He was appointed as Hong Kong's Ambassador for Cultural Promotion by the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau in 2024, where he plays a vital role in nurturing young artistic talent.
Hong Kong Metropolitan University (HKMU) will confer honorary doctorates on four distinguished individuals in recognition of their outstanding achievements and significant contributions to society. The recipients are Professor Sylvia Fung Yuk-kuen, Dr Ina Ho Chan Un-chan, Mr Benedict Sin Nga-yan and Professor Xu Bing. The Honorary Degrees Ceremony will be held on Monday, 8 December 2025.
Following are brief profiles of the four recipients (in alphabetical order of surname):
Professor Sylvia Fung Yuk-kuen, BBS (Doctor of Social Sciences, honoris causa)
A pioneering figure in nursing, Professor Sylvia Fung Yuk-kuen has made extensive contributions to the professional advancement of local nurses and midwives. She has more than 50 years of experience in the nursing profession and served as the Chief Nurse of the Hospital Authority, overseeing all 20,000 nurses in the public healthcare sector.
During the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) epidemic in 2003, Professor Fung was appointed Acting Hospital Chief Executive of Wong Tai Sin Hospital, which was transformed into Hong Kong's first SARS convalescent hospital. Her efforts in leading and uniting nurses during this challenging period earned her the Florence Nightingale Medal awarded by the International Committee of the Red Cross.
Professor Fung was awarded the Bronze Bauhinia Star by the Hong Kong SAR Government in 2013 in recognition of her lifelong dedication to healthcare and public service. She is currently an Honorary Professor in the School of Nursing and Health Sciences at HKMU and is President of the Hong Kong Academy of Nursing and Midwifery.
Dr Ina Ho Chan Un-chan, BBS (Doctor of Social Sciences, honoris causa)
Dr Ina Ho Chan Un-chan has contributed to the development of education, welfare, medical services, and arts and culture in Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland for decades.
While cultivating a successful career as a businesswoman, Dr Chan has actively participated in public service. She began her involvement with Tung Wah Group of Hospitals as a Director in 2006 and became Chairman in 2013. Since 2006, Dr Chan has served as the Vice-Chairman of “Mother's Work” (Obra das Mães), a non-profit organisation with a long history and distinctive service in social welfare in Macao, and she was the Honorary Vice-President of The Hong Kong Anti-Cancer Society from 2007 to 2019. Between 2010 and 2014, she was a member of the 10th and 11th Guangdong Provincial Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.
Dr Chan is deeply passionate about Chinese performing arts, particularly Cantonese opera. In 2023, she generously donated to HKMU to establish Ina Ho Cantonese Opera Research Centre, which promotes education, academic research and international exchange in the field of Cantonese opera. In recognition of Dr Chan's contribution to the University, she was conferred the title of Honorary President of the HKMU Foundation.
Mr Benedict Sin Nga-yan (Doctor of Business Administration, honoris causa)
Mr Benedict Sin Nga-yan serves as Director and General Manager of Myer Jewelry Manufacturer Limited and President and Director of the Hong Kong Jewellery and Jade Manufacturers Association. He is a distinguished veteran in the fine jewellery industry and a visionary leader. Following his passion, Mr Sin embarked on what would prove to be a lifelong career in the jewellery industry in 1987. When local manufacturers gradually moved their operations to the Chinese Mainland, Mr Sin made the principled decision to reopen his factory in Hong Kong to ensure their knowledge and craftsmanship would be passed on to future generations.
This profound commitment to people also defines Mr Sin's extensive record of public service. He currently serves as an Honorary Advisor for Hong Kong Gold and Silver Ornament Workers and Merchants General Union and has been a Fei Cui Standard Industry Advisor for the Gemmological Association of Hong Kong since 2022. As President Honoris Causa of Hong Kong Young Industrialists Council, he is deeply invested in empowering the young people of Hong Kong.
As a governor of the Sin Wai Kin Foundation, founded by his late father, Mr Sin continues his family's legacy of philanthropic support for education and the humanities. He is a staunch supporter of applied sciences education and vocational and professional education and training (VPET). He has also generously contributed his expertise to HKMU as a member of the Advisory Peer Group for the Bachelor of Applied Science in Gemmology and Jewellery Studies programme, providing valuable insights.
Professor Xu Bing (Doctor of Letters, honoris causa)
Known internationally for his creative works, Professor Xu Bing has received numerous awards from leading universities and organisations. Born in Chongqing and raised in Beijing, Professor Xu graduated from the Central Academy of Fine Arts (CAFA) in 1981, where he subsequently joined the faculty. He served as Vice President of the CAFA from 2007 to 2014.
Professor Xu is renowned for blending traditional Chinese culture with contemporary elements, transcending cultural boundaries and pioneering new perspectives of thought. His works have been exhibited in leading museums and institutions worldwide, including the Smithsonian's National Museum of Asian Art in Washington, D.C., the Guggenheim Museum, and the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York.
In 1993, Professor Xu pioneered Square Word Calligraphy. This innovative creation transforms English words into forms resembling Chinese characters, boldly challenging conventional perceptions and encouraging people to change their established ways of thinking. In March 2025, the Hong Kong Museum of Art held a special exhibition on Professor Xu's calligraphy.
Professor Xu is an accomplished arts educator. He was appointed as Hong Kong's Ambassador for Cultural Promotion by the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau in 2024, where he plays a vital role in nurturing young artistic talent.
20 Nov 2025
SIGN UP FOR OUR LATEST NEWS
