Campus Digest

Mr David Santandreu receives prestigious academic award from French Government

23 Jun 2015

Mrs Lilas Bernheim, Deputy Consul General of France in Hong Kong and Macau (left), presents the award to Mr David Santandreu. Mrs Lilas Bernheim, Deputy Consul General of France in Hong Kong and Macau (left), presents the award to Mr David Santandreu.
Mrs Lilas Bernheim, Deputy Consul General of France in Hong Kong and Macau (left), presents the award to Mr David Santandreu.

 

Mr David Santandreu, Director of the Da Tong Project of the Faculty of Arts, was awarded Officier dans l’Ordre des Palmes Académiques (Officer in the Order of Academic Palms) by the French Prime Minister and Minister of Education for his outstanding contributions to Higher Education. According to the Consulate General of France in Hong Kong and Macau Mr Santandreu is the first Officier (Palmes Académiques) in Hong Kong history.

Mr Santandreu is pleased to receive the award, he said: “I am absolutely ecstatic. I couldn’t believe it at first when I was informed that the Prime Minister had decided to promote me to Officer, which is similar to an OBE in the UK. I was even happier when the Deputy Consul General told the audience at the ceremony that it was ‘exceptional’ to be promoted at my age.”

Mr Santandreu has extensive experience in teaching and learning, having held senior academic and administrative roles in institutions in Hong Kong, Australia and South Korea. He has received prestigious teaching awards and was knighted by the French Government for his contribution to education.

The Order of Academic Palms is the oldest and most highly respected award presented to scholars by the French government. It recognises those who have rendered eminent service to French education and have contributed actively to the prestige of French culture.