Press Release

HKBU confers six Endowed Professorships and honours their donors

Thursday, 30 April 2026

 

Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) held the Inauguration Ceremony of Endowed Professorships 2026 today (30 April) to confer Endowed Professorships and an Endowed Associate Professorship on six distinguished scholars. The event also acknowledged the tremendous support received from the respective donors.

Dr Kennedy Y H Wong, Chairman of the Council and the Court of HKBU cum Chairman of the Board of Governors of HKBU Foundation, presided over the Ceremony. He conferred the Endowed Professorship titles on six scholars and presented them with certificates of appointment. The six scholars are (in alphabetical order of academic disciplines):

·         Professor Zhang Hongjie, Cheung On Tak Endowed Professor in Chinese Medicine;

·         Professor Anna Kwan Hiu-yee, Vincent V.C. Woo Endowed Associate Professor in Chinese Medicine;

·         Professor Peng Bo, Philip K.H. Wong Foundation Endowed Professor in Chinese Medicine – Geriatric Medicine;

·         Professor Michael Ng Kwok-po, Dr. Elizabeth K.S. Law Endowed Professor in Data Science;

·         Professor Daniel W L Lai, Fung Hon Chu Endowed Professor in Humanics; and

·         Professor Li Min, Ma Pak Leung Endowed Professor in Innovative Neuromedicine.

In his welcoming address, Professor Alex Wai, President and Vice-Chancellor of HKBU, congratulated the newly appointed endowed faculty and expressed the University’s heartfelt gratitude to the donors. He noted that as the University celebrates its 70th anniversary this year, HKBU has continued to make strides in nurturing talent, advancing knowledge, and contributing to society, with the Endowed Professorships Scheme serving as a key pillar in strengthening the University’s teaching and research capabilities.

He added, “Each endowed professorship represents not only a prestigious title, but also a lasting legacy and a bridge between visionary donors and the University’s mission. These partnerships provide vital resources that propel our education and research forward, empowering us to push boundaries and explore new frontiers of knowledge.”

To express its deep appreciation, the University presented a commemorative plaque to each donor, including Mr Gavin Cheung King-chi, representative of the Cheung On Tak Charity Foundation; Ms Cindy Wu and Mr Harry Yeung, representatives of the Vincent and Lily Woo Foundation; Mr David Wong and Mr John Wong, representatives of the Philip K.H. Wong Foundation; Dr Elizabeth K S Law, Chairman of Park Hotel Property Management Limited; Miss Alison Kwok, representative of Ma Pak Leung Company Limited; and Mr Wong Kai Man, representative of the Fung Hon Chu Foundation.

HKBU launched the Endowed Professorships Scheme in 2006 in which donors can name a professorship in a specific academic field. To date, the University has established 12 Endowed Professorships and one Endowed Associate Professorship. The Scheme aims to recruit and retain the world’s top scholars, thereby strengthening the University’s research capacity, extending the frontiers of knowledge, and nurturing upcoming talent and leaders for society. It also provides remarkable opportunities for visionary donors to partner with the University in advancing ground-breaking research and academic excellence in their chosen disciplines for the betterment of humankind. For more information, please visit the Scheme’s website.

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The six scholars conferred Endowed Professorship titles pose a photo with Dr Kennedy Y H Wong, Chairman of the Council and the Court of HKBU cum Chairman of the Board of Governors of HKBU Foundation: (From left) Professor Zhang Hongjie, Cheung On Tak Endowed Professor in Chinese Medicine; Professor Peng Bo, Philip K.H. Wong Foundation Endowed Professor in Chinese Medicine – Geriatric Medicine; Professor Michael Ng Kwok-po, Dr. Elizabeth K.S. Law Endowed Professor in Data Science; Dr Kennedy Y H Wong; Professor Daniel W L Lai, Fung Hon Chu Endowed Professor in Humanics; Professor Li Min, Ma Pak Leung Endowed Professor in Innovative Neuromedicine; and Professor Anna Kwan Hiu-yee, Vincent V.C. Woo Endowed Associate Professor in Chinese Medicine.
Distinguished guests who attended the ceremony: (1st row, from left), Professor Alex Wai, President and Vice-Chancellor of HKBU; Mr Harry Yeung and Ms Cindy Wu, representatives of the Vincent and Lily Woo Foundation; Miss Alison Kwok, representative of Ma Pak Leung Company Limited; Mr John Wong and Mr David Wong, representatives of Philip K.H. Wong Foundation; Dr Kennedy Y H Wong, Chairman of the Council and the Court of HKBU cum Chairman of the Board of Governors of HKBU Foundation; Mr Gavin Cheung King-chi and Ms Annie Cheung King-wai, representatives of the Cheung On Tak Charity Foundation; Dr Elizabeth K S Law, Chairman of Park Hotel Property Management Limited; Mr Wong Kai Man, representative of the Fung Hon Chu Foundation; and Mr Kevin Liem, Treasurer of the Council and the Court of HKBU. (2nd row, from left) Professor Terence Lau, Interim Chief Innovation Officer; Dr Albert Chau, Vice-President (Teaching and Learning); Professor Martin Wong, Provost; Professor Zhang Hongjie, Cheung On Tak Endowed Professor in Chinese Medicine; Professor Peng Bo, Philip K.H. Wong Foundation Endowed Professor in Chinese Medicine – Geriatric Medicine; Professor Michael Ng Kwok-po, Dr. Elizabeth K.S. Law Endowed Professor in Data Science; Professor Daniel W L Lai, Fung Hon Chu Endowed Professor in Humanics; Professor Li Min, Ma Pak Leung Endowed Professor in Innovative Neuromedicine; Professor Anna Kwan Hiu-yee, Vincent V.C. Woo Endowed Associate Professor in Chinese Medicine; Professor Lyu Aiping, Vice-President (Research and Development) cum Dean of Graduate School; Ms Christine Chow, Vice-President (Administration) and Secretary; and Professor Johnny M Poon, Dr Hung Hin Shiu Endowed Professor in Music of HKBU.