Lingnan University Honors Three Distinguished Individuals

30 Oct 2009

Group photo at the Lingnan University 39th Congregation: (front row from left) Treasurer Mr Patrick Yeung, Deputy Council Chairman Ms Sophia Kao, Doctor of Business Administration Dr James Tak Wu, University Chancellor The Hon Donald Tsang, Doctor of Social Sciences Dr The Hon Leung Chun-ying, Doctor of Laws Prof David Oxtoby, Council Chairman Mr Bernard Chan, President Prof Chan Yuk-Shee and (back row) members of the senior management.

Group photo at the Lingnan University 39th Congregation: (front row from left) Treasurer Mr Patrick Yeung, Deputy Council Chairman Ms Sophia Kao, Doctor of Business Administration Dr James Tak Wu, University Chancellor The Hon Donald Tsang, Doctor of Social Sciences Dr The Hon Leung Chun-ying, Doctor of Laws Prof David Oxtoby, Council Chairman Mr Bernard Chan, President Prof Chan Yuk-Shee and (back row) members of the senior management.

 

Three distinguished individuals today received their honorary degrees from the Chancellor of Lingnan University the Honorable Mr Donald Tsang in recognition of their contribution to education, the businesses, and the community.

The three recipients at Lingnan University 39th Congregation are : Dr Leung Chun-ying, Convenor of the non-official members of the Executive Council, Chairman of DTZ Asia Pacific and former Council Chairman of Lingnan University, the degree of Doctor of Social Sciences ; Professor David Oxtoby, President of Pomona College, the degree of Doctor of Laws ; and Dr James Tak Wu, Honorary Chairman of Maxim’s Group and Lingnan alumnus, the degree of Doctor of Business Administration.

Addressing the audience, Lingnan University President Professor Chan Yuk-Shee recalled his own graduation in the mid 70’s when the world economy was struggling from the aftermath of the oil crisis, a situation akin to the current global economic downturn. However, he added that he is a great believer in the Chinese idiom “ the young should be held in awe”, believing that the fresh graduates, with their energy, optimism and resourcefulness, will eventually be successful despite the many obstacles they encounter along the way. Professor Chan also quoted the founding father of modern China Dr Sun Yat-sen, the “father of optic fibers” and 2009 Nobel laureate in Physics Professor Charles Kao, and US President Barack Obama as examples of the vast potentials of young people.

Speaking on behalf of the honorary graduands, Mr Leung Chung-ying said he is deeply moved by the education philosophy and fine tradition of Lingnan University, especially when he was its Council Chairman from 1999 to 2008. He believes that Lingnan University can only go from strength to strength and appeals for public support of tertiary education in Hong Kong.

1,117 students graduated on the day, among whom there are 818 bachelor degrees, 78 postgraduate diplomas, 219 master degrees, and 2 doctoral degrees.


Enclosed :
1. Citation of the Honorable Dr Leung Chung-ying, Doctor of Social Sciences, honoris causa (translated from Chinese)
2. Address by Dr Leung Chun-ying (translated from Chinese)
3. Citation of Professor David Oxtoby, Doctor of Laws, honoris causa
4. Citation of Dr James Tak Wu, Doctor of Business Administration, honoris causa (translated from Chinese)