The Open University of Hong Kong (OUHK) held its Honorary Degrees Ceremony 2020 yesterday (10 November) to confer Honorary Doctorates on four distinguished persons in recognition of their important contributions to the society. The recipients are the Life Honorary Chairman of the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce of Hong Kong Dr Jonathan Choi Koon-shum, professional accountant Mrs Nellie Fong Wong Kut-man, orthopedic specialist Dr Ko Wing-man, and renowned scientist Prof. Xu Yangsheng. OUHK Pro-Chancellor Dr Charles Lee Yeh-kwong presided over the ceremony.
Addressing the ceremony, OUHK President Prof. Yuk-Shan Wong commended the four Honorary Doctorates recipients, who shared the same vision with the University in supporting the development of a better world, for their extraordinary accomplishments. He expressed that the pandemic has reminded human societies to have innovation and enthusiasm, as well as continuous breakthroughs in knowledge when confronting unending and unrelenting challenges. The contributions from the four recipients are remarkable and impactful.
Prof. Wong also shared his views on education during the ceremony. He mentioned that education plays a central role in the development of all societies. “On top of the personal growth of individual students, the practical and social dimensions are also important. In this way, education should help students gain the appropriate knowledge, skills and values so that they will be able to serve the diverse needs of the progressing society and function as productive citizens,” he said.
Prof. Wong believed that values education, especially the cultivation of societal values, requires much more systematic actions in Hong Kong. He suggested several ways to achieve good education, including a review of education policies and focuses, enhancement of the relationship between the government and schools, a review of the school curriculums, and provision of more training to teachers, so as to facilitate the students to develop both intelligence and character, as well as to equip them to be capable of enriching both their personal lives and the society.
Brief profiles of the four Honorary Degree of Doctor are as follows:
Dr Jonathan Choi Koon-shum, GBS, JP ( Doctor of Business Administration, honoris causa)
Dr Jonathan Choi Koon-shum is the Life Honorary Chairman of the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce of Hong Kong. Dr Choi has contributed significantly to the development of trade and commerce not only in Hong Kong, but in the mainland and other parts of the world. At the same time, he participates actively in public and community services as well as the development of higher education. Through the Sunwah Foundation and The Jonathan KS Choi Foundation, Dr Choi continues the legacy of philanthropy, whether in terms of enhancing student access to higher education, fostering academic and research exchange, or strengthening research in innovation and technology. ( Learn more)
Mrs Nellie Fong Wong Kut-man, GBS, JP ( Doctor of Social Sciences, honoris causa)
Mrs Nellie Fong Wong Kut-man led a successful career in accountancy, and also made important contributions to the development of Hong Kong by serving in public administration bodies like the Legislative Council and Executive Council. She was a Hong Kong Affairs Advisor to the Chinese Government and served in the committee on Hong Kong's return of sovereignty back to China. With her assistance, the OUHK collaborated with the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission to organize a distance learning professional training programme for the senior executives of state-owned enterprises during 2009 – 2014. She now devotes her time in active community works. ( Learn more)
Dr Ko Wing-man, GBS, JP ( Doctor of Social Sciences, honoris causa)
Dr Ko Wing-man is a specialist in orthopedic surgery. Dr Ko has been enthusiastically involved in community services, including the Hong Kong Anti-Cancer Society and the Hong Kong Red Cross. After the Sichuan earthquake in 2008, he participated actively in the rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts. In 2000, Dr Ko, representing Hospital Authority, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with OUHK to support the presentation of Higher Diploma in Nursing Programme. From 2012 to 2017, he served the HKSAR as the Secretary for Food and Health, playing a major role in protecting and promoting the health of Hong Kong citizens. ( Learn more)
Professor Xu Yangsheng ( Doctor of Science, honoris causa)
Professor Xu Yangsheng is the President of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, as well as a world-renowned expert in robotics and artificial intelligence. He publishes widely and contributes to the advancement of intelligent control systems in China's space technology. Through his leadership and hard work, the Chinese University in Shenzhen has developed into a prestigious higher education institution in the mainland and overseas. He has helped rally a huge number of globally renowned scholars and scientists in Shenzhen who are bringing new insight and momentum for the region's development, and facilitated the interaction and cooperation between Hong Kong and the mainland. ( Learn more)
About the OUHK:
Established by the Government in 1989, The Open University of Hong Kong (OUHK) has developed into a full-fledged university providing high quality and flexible university education at various levels to secondary school graduates and working adults. As a dynamic and innovative university, the OUHK currently offers programmes of different academic levels to about 10,000 full-time students and 9,000 part-time students. Our mission is to advance learning, knowledge and research that meet students’ learning aspirations and society's talent needs, focusing on practical and professional programmes.
OUHK comprises six Schools, i.e. School of Arts and Social Sciences, Lee Shau Kee School of Business and Administration, School of Education and Languages, School of Nursing and Health Studies, School of Science and Technology, and Li Ka Shing School of Professional and Continuing Education (LiPACE). LiPACE provides lifelong learning opportunities by offering full-time sub-degree programmes, community learning and professional programmes. OUHK website: www.hkmu.edu.hk
