The Open University of Hong Kong (OUHK) held its Honorary University Fellowship Presentation Ceremony 2020 yesterday (22 October) to confer Honorary University Fellowships on three distinguished personalities. The recipients are engineering expert Mr Paul Chong Kin-lit, Cantonese opera virtuoso Mr Choo Heng-cheong, and economist Dr David Wong Yau-kar. OUHK Pro-Chancellor Dr Charles Lee Yeh-kwong presided over the ceremony.
Addressing the ceremony, the Chairman of the University Council Mr Michael Wong Yick-kam lauded the three Honorary Fellowship recipients for their accomplishments on various fields, as well as their strong commitment toward promoting education for the youth and dedication to creating a better society through knowledge-sharing. He said that their tireless efforts in inspiring others through sharing insights and contributing their expertise for all should certainly be recognized.
Mr Michael Wong sincerely thanked the recipients for their staunch support which has meant a lot to the University's development. “This year though, COVID-19 has changed almost everything. The economy has taken a massive hit, knocking virtually all sectors into turmoil. Although higher education has been relatively resilient, we have faced big challenges in carrying out our academic mission effectively. It is only the remarkable dedication and hard work of our University's faculty and staff members as well as other stakeholders that has enabled us to do this, and I heartily thank every one of them,” Mr Wong said.
OUHK Acting President Prof. Reggie Kwan Ching-ping expressed his deepest gratitude to the three outstanding recipients for walking hand in hand with the University all along. Despite the disruptions brought by COVID-19, the OUHK’s continuous development and a suite of Quality Enhancement Measures to enhance teaching and learning, boost research impact, expand co-curricular learning programmes, scholarships and support for sports and other activities, have altogether created a real sense of forward momentum in the University. Prof. Kwan strongly believed that the University’s achievement relies on the assistance from long-time supporters, donors, friends and staff.
Prof. Kwan also said that all members of the University community excitedly look forward to the grand opening of the OUHK Jockey Club Institute of Healthcare. The new campus will become a hub for an impressive array of health-focused teaching, training and research work. All the students will have access to its splendid new Learning Commons, its sports facilities, and many other social and leisure features. At the same time, the OUHK is looking for a new University title that can better reflect its current status, unique characteristics, and strategic focuses. “The wealth of title nominations we have received from OUHK stakeholders and the public attest to the widespread support for our commitment to meeting the changing needs of the times,” Prof. Kwan said.
Brief profiles of the three distinguished leaders are as follows:
Mr Paul Chong Kin-lit is the Managing Director and co-founder of The Southa Group. He has given Hong Kong over 40 years of expertise in the field, with a special focus on vocational and professional education and training. He has served on numerous high-level public bodies and committees, including eight years on the OUHK Council with two years as Chairman of the Human Resources Committee, during which he contributed hugely to the University's development. (learn more)
Mr Choo Heng-cheong, a virtuoso musician from a family of remarkable musical talents, has played a major role in the preservation and development of traditional Cantonese opera in Hong Kong, especially by acting as a role model and teacher for the younger generation of musicians. On several occasions in recent years he has teamed up with the OUHK, including as artistic advisor for the 30th Anniversary highlight, the Cantonese Opera Concert on Dream of the Red Chamber. (learn more)
Dr David Wong Yau-kar is the Chairman of the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority. As a distinguished economist, he has followed his family tradition in contributing immensely to Hong Kong's economic and social development. In particular, he has made far-reaching contributions to important social and economic reforms in Hong Kong over the last three decades, focusing on the needs of ordinary people and small and medium-sized businesses. (learn more)
About the OUHK:
Established by the Government in 1989, The Open University of Hong Kong (OUHK) has developed into a full-fledged university providing high quality and flexible university education at various levels to secondary school graduates and working adults. As a dynamic and innovative university, the OUHK currently offers programmes of different academic levels to about 10,000 full-time students and 9,000 part-time students. Our mission is to advance learning, knowledge and research that meet students’ learning aspirations and society's talent needs, focusing on practical and professional programmes.
OUHK comprises six Schools, i.e. School of Arts and Social Sciences, Lee Shau Kee School of Business and Administration, School of Education and Languages, School of Nursing and Health Studies, School of Science and Technology, and Li Ka Shing School of Professional and Continuing Education (LiPACE). LiPACE provides lifelong learning opportunities by offering full-time sub-degree programmes, community learning and professional programmes. OUHK website: www.hkmu.edu.hk
