Leading Hong Kong businessman recognised by University of Aberdeen

Lord Wilson bestows Hong Kong honour

The University of Aberdeen this week awarded an honorary doctorate to a prominent Hong Kong businessman and philanthropist (Wednesday, September 19). The ceremony took place at the Dynasty Club in Hong Kong at 6.00pm and was presided over by the University’s Chancellor and penultimate Governor of Hong Kong, Lord Wilson of Tillyorn.

Fong Yun-wah, a leading member of the business community in Hong Kong, was awarded the degree of Doctor Honoris Causa.  Mr Fong has a distinguished lifetime record of exemplary public service and philanthropy in education - within China and beyond.

Through two foundations, Fong Yun-wah helps to promote academic exchanges between Hong Kong and mainland China. In recent years, he has made donations for the establishment of dozens of schools and the setting up of computer centres on the Chinese mainland, actively participating in the development of the great Northwestern region.  He has also contributed a great deal to higher education in Hong Kong through other charities and his long association with several universities.  He serves on the Board of Trustees of United College, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, and the Sponsorship & Development Fund Committee of the Open University of Hong Kong.  He is also Vice-Patron of the Hong Kong Child Health Foundation, a committee member of the Hong Kong Red Cross, a Trustee of the Wildlife Fund for Nature in Hong Kong, and he has held important positions associated with a number of hospitals.

In recent years, Fong Yun-wah also established a scholarship to benefit students from mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau who, during their first year at the University of Aberdeen, have demonstrated academic merit and outstanding commitment to their undergraduate studies.

Delighted to be returning to Hong Kong, Lord Wilson was accompanied by the University of Aberdeen's Principal and Vice Chancellor, Professor C Duncan Rice. Their presence underscores the University's long-standing links with Asia.  Historically, University of Aberdeen graduates have played a significant role in the region with graduates actively involved in business and commerce across the Asia Pacific region.  Hong Kong is home to an extremely active group of its alumni.

Prior to Mr Fong's degree ceremony, Lord Wilson and Principal Rice met with Professor Roland Chin, Acting President of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology to ratify an agreement on student exchange.  The agreement will enable the exchange of science and engineering undergraduates between the two institutions. The Chancellor and Vice Chancellor also visited the Chinese University Hong Kong during the week.

The University of Aberdeen has also concluded a number of Memoranda of Understanding with universities in Hong Kong and mainland China.  In 2006 it established a Masters course in International Real Estate Markets, the first of its kind in the UK, to be initially delivered jointly with the Hong Kong University. 

Principal and Vice Chancellor, Professor C Duncan Rice, is looking forward to welcoming HKUST students to Aberdeen.  He said: "The University of Aberdeen is proud of its associations with Hong Kong's leading universities and greatly values such agreements.   They reflect the high value placed on higher education in Scotland and Hong Kong and mutually reinforce our respective academic strengths."