Campus Digest
HKBU confers degrees on over 6,000 graduates and honours four distinguished persons at 55th Commencement
17 Nov 2014
Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) held its 55th Commencement on 13, 14, 15 and 17 November to confer undergraduate degrees and higher degrees on more than 6,400 graduates, including over 1,000 graduates from the Beijing Normal University – HKBU United International College. The University also conferred honorary doctoral degrees on four distinguished persons today (17 November) for their academic or professional achievements and their remarkable contributions to society.
Professor Bai Chunli (白春禮) (in absentia), a renowned scientist, was awarded the degree of Doctor of Science, honoris causa. Dr Cecil Chan Shu-on (陳樹安), a distinguished consulting engineer and entrepreneur, was awarded the degree of Doctor of Humanities, honoris causa. Mr Hui Yin-fat (許賢發), an outstanding leader in social welfare services, was awarded the degree of Doctor of Social Sciences, honoris causa. Dr Johnnie To Kei-fung (杜琪峯), a famous film director and producer, was awarded the degree of Doctor of Letters, honoris causa.
In addressing the congregation, Professor Albert Chan, President and Vice-Chancellor of HKBU, said that the occasion is named “commencement” for graduation is not an end but a beginning of each graduating student’s next exciting journey in life.
Professor Chan said that the University sought to give students the tools that they would need for the next stage of their life, including academic knowledge, professional competencies, an international outlook, creative thinking abilities, team skills, a passion for lifelong learning and good citizenship values. The sum of all these qualities is Whole Person Education, an ethos championed by HKBU’s founding fathers. Therefore, Professor Chan is confident that HKBU graduates are “whole persons”, capable of making the most out of opportunities and calmly facing the challenges ahead when they venture out into the world.
In addition, Professor Chan offered five useful tips to the graduating students. They are: (1) Be ready to start small but dream big: consider every job a chance to learn, and use every available chance to pursue one’s passion; (2) Be open to new experiences and to absorbing all that these experiences can teach you: many seemingly unrelated experiences acquired may all be useful someday; (3) Be ready to pick up new knowledge: apart from being well versed in the fundamentals of a certain specialty, it is equally crucial to acquire the ability to adapt and relearn; (4) Be prepared to fail, then stand up and start over; (5) Be kind to oneself, take breaks and make time for the people who are important.
Dr Cecil Chan delivered a speech on behalf of the four honorary doctors. He expressed gratitude and appreciation to HKBU for the honours conferred on them. He used the example of the great strides in transport over the past 50 years to illustrate how the world has progressed, and that contributions made by mankind have made it a better place to live in. Contributions can come from many people, in different magnitudes, and in various forms, including scientific and technological innovations, professional engineering, artistic designs, managerial skills and life experiences. Therefore, he believes that every single person, as a citizen of the Global Village, has a role to play towards the well-being of society.
Brief Introduction on HKBU Honorary Doctorate recipients 2014
Professor Bai Chunli (Doctor of Science, honoris causa)
Professor Bai Chunli is a renowned scientist, and is currently President of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, The World Academy of Sciences, Founding Director of the National Centre for Nanoscience and Technology and Chief Scientist of the National Steering Committee for Nanoscience and Technology. Professor Bai is the first Chinese scientist to actively engage in research in nanotechnology, and one of the pioneers in the field of scanning tunnelling microscopy. Under Professor Bai’s leadership, his research team successfully developed the first computer-controlled scanning tunnelling microscope (STM) operating at ambient condition, the first low-temperature STM, the first ultrahigh vacuum-STM, the first laser atomic force microscopy and the first ballistic electron emission microscopy in China. He was conferred International Medal by the Society of Chemical Industry, UK and awarded “Medal of Contributions to Development of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology” by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, becoming the first Chinese scientist to receive this honour.
Dr Cecil Chan Shu-on (Doctor of Humanities, honoris causa)
Dr Cecil Chan is a consulting engineer and entrepreneur. He founded the Everite Group of companies which was granted over 30 international patents for their designs and manufacturing of novelty toys and gifts for overseas export. Dr Chan undertook a leading role in establishing Hong Kong’s first multi-disciplinary product-testing and field certification laboratory which promotes sector-wide adherence to higher quality standards for manufactured goods. He also pioneered the implementation of the Hong Kong “Q-mark” Scheme with the aim of enhancing the quality-image of the territory’s manufactured products. As Honorary President of the Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong, Dr Chan facilitated the establishment of University- and College-based YMCAs in local tertiary institutions to provide students with leadership training. A steadfast supporter of HKBU, he was Deputy Chairman of the Board of Governors of the then Hong Kong Baptist College, and was a strong proponent of the College’s eventual transformation to University status. He is currently one of the Honorary Presidents of the HKBU Foundation and Member of the Foundation’s Board of Governors.
Mr Hui Yin-fat (Doctor of Social Sciences, honoris causa)
Mr Hui Yin-fat is an outstanding pioneering social work leader in Hong Kong, dedicated to the development of social work education. He is renowned not only in the Asia-Pacific region, but also globally for his advocacy of best practices in social welfare services. Mr Hui, well deserving of the title of “Welfare Hero”, advocated social welfare policies, the effects of which continue to impact Hong Kong today. He was member of the Executive Council and Legislative Council, and played a leading role in the institution of the Comprehensive Social Security Assistance Scheme, the setting up of a Central Provident Fund Scheme, as well as legislation regulating residential care homes for the elderly and the Social Workers Registration Ordinance. As the first Chinese Director of The Hong Kong Council of Social Service since it was founded, Mr Hui enabled the establishment of the Agency for Volunteer Service and the Hong Kong Physically Handicapped and Able-Bodied Association. He chaired the Advisory Committee of HKBU’s Social Work Department and lent his expertise to the development of the University’s Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work.
Dr Johnnie To Kei-fung (Doctor of Letters, honoris causa)
Dr Johnnie To, a famous film director and producer, has played an instrumental role in the development of the Hong Kong film industry and has devoted tremendous efforts to grooming local talents. Dr To was a producer and director of Television Broadcasts Ltd and produced well-known TV drama series including Yesterday’s Glitter and Legend of the Condor Heroes. He later co-founded Milkyway Image Ltd and produced a series of films with a distinctive local flavour that were noted for their creativity, including A Hero Never Dies, Running Out of Time and The Mission. In the past three decades, he has directed and produced over 70 films of diverse genres and cinematic styles. His films have become the emblem of Hong Kong filmography on the global stage. Dr To was named best director three times in the Hong Kong Film Awards, three times in the Golden Horse Awards of Taiwan, six times in the Hong Kong Film Critics Society Awards, and three times in the Golden Bauhinia Awards. To date, his award list tops any director of Chinese films.
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