At the 216th Congregation of the University of Hong Kong, honorary degrees were conferred upon three distinguished individuals: Professor Gang Chen, Professor Arthur Li Kwok-cheung, and Dr Patrick Poon Sun-cheong. The ceremony was held on November 26 at Loke Yew Hall in the Main Building, and officiated by Dr the Honourable Sir David Li, Pro-Chancellor of HKU.
Professor Gang Chen, who received the degree of Doctor of Science honoris causa, is globally recognised as a pioneering figure in the field of power engineering, particularly for his seminal contributions to nanoscale heat transfer and energy sciences, and whose achievements in advancing a wide range of technologies have had a profound impact on both the scientific community and society at large.
After a long and distinguished career in academia, in which he served at Duke University, UCLA, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), he is currently the Carl Richard Soderberg Professor of Power Engineering at MIT, directing both the Pappalardo Micro/Nano Engineering Laboratory and the Rohsenow-Kendall Heat and Mass Transfer Laboratory.
Professor Arthur Li, who received the degree of Doctor of Science honoris causa, was born into an illustrious family in Hong Kong and is a distinguished educator and surgeon with outstanding contributions to Hong Kong’s education and medical sectors. He holds the degree of Doctor of Medicine from Cambridge University and is a specialist in hepato-pancreato-biliary surgery.
He has served the Chinese University of Hong Kong successively as its Founding Chair of Surgery, Chairman of the Department of Surgery, Dean of Medicine, and Vice-Chancellor, and is currently its Emeritus Professor of Surgery.
Professor Li was Secretary for Education and Manpower of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) of the People’s Republic of China from 2002 to 2007. He is presently a member of its Executive Council and of the HKSAR Basic Law Committee of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress. Professor Li was Chairman of Council at the University of Hong Kong from 2016 to 2021.
Dr Patrick Poon, who received the degree of Doctor of Social Sciences honoris causa, is a pioneering actuary, distinguished business leader, and committed philanthropist whose lifelong contributions to professional services, education, and the community have left a lasting impact in Hong Kong and beyond.
He holds a BSc (Honours) from the University of Hong Kong and was the first Hong Kong-born citizen to be accredited with full professional actuarial qualifications by the Institute of Actuaries in the UK in 1975. His professional career spans over 40 years in the life insurance and financial services industry, including top leadership positions at multinational corporations across the Asia Pacific Region and Greater China.
A steadfast supporter of his alma mater, Dr Poon has served on the University Court and Council, and is currently the Deputy Chairman of the HKU Foundation. He established the Patrick Poon Lecture Series in Actuarial Science in 2003, the Patrick S C Poon Professorship in Statistics and Actuarial Science in 2011, and the Patrick S C Poon Scholarship Scheme in 2011 – significantly enriching academic opportunities for both students and faculty in the field. He was conferred an Honorary University Fellowship by HKU in 2011.
In the acceptance speech that Dr Patrick Poon delivered on behalf of the honorary degree recipients, he said: “What a year it has been for the University of Hong Kong. It is exciting to see the University setting new records globally and regionally. Dividends of this collective success are surely to be immediately enjoyed by graduating students and the University community.
He added: “Of course, the three of us are delighted to share in this auspicious period in the University’s history. We wish the University every success and continued innovation.”
Honorary Degrees are awarded to individuals in recognition of their distinguished service and commitment to the University, the community, and to academia. They are also conferred to those who have made valuable intellectual, social and cultural contributions to society and the world.
honoris causa
honoris causa
honoris causa
