HKU’s Honorary University Fellowships were created in 1995 to recognise individuals whose belief in the importance of academia, and whose personal generosity and commitment to society, marked them as exceptional.
“Every university is built around a sense of belonging,” said HKU President and Vice-Chancellor Professor Xiang Zhang. “Likewise, HKU is founded on the values of excellence, innovation and engagement with the greater community.”
Continuing this tradition, Honorary University Fellowships were awarded to six distinguished individuals, in recognition of their contributions to the University and to the community. HKU Pro-Chancellor Dr the Honourable Sir David Li Kwok-po presided at the presentation ceremony that was held at Loke Yew Hall on June 17.
“We are honouring six extraordinary individuals from diverse backgrounds and experiences. They are leaders, innovators, and pioneers whose lives and achievements have been a true inspiration to others,” noted Professor Zhang.
The newest Fellows are Dr Raymond Chan Wai-man, Professor Lee Sum-ping, Mr Charles Xiaojia Li, Professor Evelyn Man Yee-fun, Ir Professor Paul Poon Wai-yin and Mrs Mayce Yu Lai Mei-sim.
Dr Raymond Chan Wai-man
Dr Raymond Chan Wai-man is the Managing Director of the Shaw Group of Companies and Chairman of the Shaw Foundation and the Shaw Prize Foundation, overseeing the Group’s overall business operations as well as its philanthropic endeavours.
Under Dr Chan’s leadership, the Shaw Group has been building on its storied role in the development of the film and television industry by developing a platform for innovation in emerging digital media technologies to create global impact. He has focussed the Shaw Foundation on education, arts and culture, healthcare and the relief of hardship, with an emphasis on supporting the local community. And as Chairman of the Shaw Prize Foundation, Dr Chan has guided the prestigious international award since its inception in 2012, honouring outstanding contributions in astronomy, computer science, life science and medicine, and mathematical science.
Professor Lee Sum-ping
Professor Lee Sum-ping is a distinguished physician and world-renowned gastroenterologist, and has served as the 39th Dean of the Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine at the University of Hong Kong. He holds MBBS and MD degrees from HKU, a PhD from the University of Auckland, New Zealand, and is currently Professor Emeritus in the Division of Gastroenterology at the University of Washington, US.
In an illustrious career that has spanned the globe, Professor Lee has studied, worked and lived in Hong Kong, New Zealand, Australia, the US and the UK. He served as Dean of the Medical Faculty at HKU from 2008 to 2013, during which time he also co-founded the Centre for Medical Humanities and Medicine, and the Centre for Medical Ethics and Law. He was also instrumental in the commissioning of the HKU-Shenzhen Hospital and the Hong Kong Gleneagles Hospital.
Mr Charles Xiaojia Li
Mr Charles Xiaojia Li is Founder and Chairman of Micro Connect and Chairman of Micro Connect (Macao) Financial Assets Exchange (MCEX).
Mr Li founded Micro Connect in 2021, a start-up that provides financial services through a unique model that combines micro-financing with data analytics to support small businesses, particularly in China, and helps build a new financial ecosystem that connects global capital to the real economy of China. Before founding Micro Connect, he served as Chief Executive of Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX) from 2010 to 2020. During this time, he orchestrated some of the most significant strategic initiatives in HKEX’s history, including the acquisition of the London Metal Exchange in 2012 and the launch of the Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect cross-border trading scheme in 2014, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Stock Connect in 2016, Bond Connect in 2017, and the Listing Reforms in 2018.
Professor Evelyn Man Yee-fun
Professor Evelyn Man Yee-fun is a teacher educator specialising in English language teacher training. She taught at the Faculty of Education of the Chinese University of Hong Kong until retirement and remains actively involved in education at all levels.
Professor Man holds a BA from HKU, a PGCE, Adv Dip Ed and MA from the University of London, and a PhD from the University of Toronto. Following in the footsteps of her father, the late Dr Dexter Man Hung-cho (an Honorary Degree recipient and Honorary University Fellow of HKU), and her sister, Ms Irene Man Yee-ching (also an Honorary University Fellow of HKU), Professor Man continues her alma mater’s legacy of contribution and commitment, especially in alumni relations. Professor Man has been an HKU Mentor since the scheme’s earliest stages, has served as President of the Hong Kong University Alumni Association, including President of its Ontario Chapter in Toronto, and President of the Old Halls Alumni Association. She has taught at HKU’s Faculty of Education on many of the Education Bureau’s Language across the Curriculum Courses, and supervised participants onsite in schools. She has also lent her counsel to the HKU Court, HKU Foundation, and numerous committees, both at HKU and in other education-related organisations.
Ir Professor Paul Poon Wai-yin
Ir Professor Paul Poon Wai-yin is a distinguished engineer, a respected leader with over 50 years’ experience in the power and electrical engineering industry, a former Vice-Chancellor of CLP Power Academy, and currently the Managing Director of Poon’s Engineering Limited.
Ir Professor Poon holds a BSc (Eng) degree from the University of Hong Kong and has worked for the power utilities and engineering consultancies as a professional power and electrical engineer. He joined CLP in 1981 and after decades of exemplary contributions was appointed Managing Director of CLP Power and Chairman of CLP Engineering in 2013. In 2017, he established CLP Power Academy and assumed the role of Vice-Chancellor. In his current role as Managing Director of Poon’s Engineering Limited, his focus is on the provision of energy and environmental consultancy to NGOs and professional institutions.
Mrs Mayce Yu Lai Mei-sim
Mrs Mayce Yu Lai Mei-sim is a stalwart advocate of civic responsibility and the advancement of higher education. She is the wife of the late Dr Daniel Yu Chung-kwong, the celebrated industrialist and founder of Maxwell Electronics Limited, philanthropist, and distinguished Honorary Graduate and Honorary University Fellow of the University of Hong Kong.
Mrs Yu is a devout Christian, devoted wife, and thoughtful steward of both familial and societal duty. Following Dr Yu’s passing in 2023, Mrs Yu assumed responsibility for overseeing Maxwell Electronics Ltd, ensuring the continuity of the company’s operations while strategically channelling the family’s resources outward, committing the fruits of their enterprise to initiatives that strengthen society. She has been a staunch supporter of HKU and other institutions of higher learning, and has prioritised funding for innovative research with the potential to improve health and well-being. At HKU, she and Dr Yu established the Daniel and Mayce Yu Medical Development Fund to provide the best possible teaching and learning opportunities, as well as research and knowledge exchange activities for HKU students, scientists and future medical and health practitioners.
