Press Release

HKBU confers honorary doctoral degrees on six distinguished persons

Friday, 11 Sep 2020

Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) conferred honorary doctoral degrees on six distinguished persons today (11 September) for their outstanding professional achievements and remarkable contributions to society.

Dr Cheng Yan-kee (鄭恩基博士), a distinguished consulting civil and structural engineer, Dr Liu Chak-wan (廖澤雲博士), an eminent entrepreneur and community leader, and Dr Stanley Yim Yuk-lun (嚴玉麟博士), a visionary entrepreneur and a passionate philanthropist, were awarded the degree of Doctor of Business Administration, honoris causa. Professor Jeremy K Nicholson, a pioneer in biomedicine, and Professor Sir Fraser Stoddart, a trailblazer in molecular mechanostereochemistry, were bestowed the degree of Doctor of Science, honoris causa. Professor Zhong Binglin (鍾秉林教授), a renowned educator, was awarded the degree of Doctor of Social Sciences, honoris causa. Please click here for background information on the six honorary doctoral degree recipients.

At today's conferment ceremony, Professor Roland Chin, President and Vice-Chancellor of HKBU, said that our world is in chaos as we have been hit by social unrest, the pandemic, geopolitical tensions, and climate change. He added that it is against this global backdrop of confusion and distress that we gather here today to honour six individuals who re-instil hope in us and restore smiles to our faces.

"From science and business to education and engineering, all culminating in service to humanity, the six honorary doctoral degree recipients have dramatically changed the way we live. Their vision and capability to make a meaningful impact on society and our lives is especially inspiring at this difficult time as we struggle with newly emerging global challenges and search for opportunities for creativity and growth," said President Chin.

On behalf of the honorary doctoral degree recipients, Dr Cheng Yan-kee expressed their sincere gratitude to HKBU for bestowing this honour upon them. Having served the Council and the Court of HKBU for 20 years as a member and then Chairman, Dr Cheng said that from its inception the University has had a rich and distinguished tradition of service to Hong Kong: not simply supporting, but actively catalysing and driving economic growth and social progress.

"HKBU enjoys 'world-class' talent among its ranks as well as the strong backing of career achievers and steadfast partners. Together, we will build a more agile, adaptive, and resilient organisation, so that we are ready for whatever the future holds," said Dr Cheng.

Professor Stoddart shared in his speech that changing places and mixing cultures helps the creative juices to flow. He said: "Diversity begets creativity. Science is global and there's no going back: scientists, the world over live in a global village."

Professor Stoddart also pointed out that a major facet of scientific progress lies in the training of young scientists to carry the torch of discovery and invention in the sciences onwards and upwards into the next generation.

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Please click here for full version of President Roland Chin's address.