Hong Kong Metropolitan University (HKMU) held its Honorary University Fellowship Presentation Ceremony today (4 November) to present Honorary University Fellowships to four distinguished persons: Ir Dr Alex Chan Siu-kun, Managing Director of Applied Technology Integration Limited; Mr Eugene Liu, Managing Partner of RSM Hong Kong; Dr Allen Shi Lop-tak, President of the Chinese Manufacturers' Association of Hong Kong; and Mrs Maria Sung Law Man-kwan, founder of the Holy Café Training Centre. HKMU Council Chairman Ir Dr Conrad Wong Tin-cheung presided over the ceremony.

Addressing the ceremony, Ir Dr Wong commended the four Honorary Fellowship recipients for their accomplishments in their respective fields and contribution to the betterment of society, as well as for being highly valued role models for the young generation to look up to. He said he believed that a comprehensive education must be grounded in reality. Throughout the years, HKMU has forged a reputation for providing highly relevant education. This has been made possible by constantly building and maintaining connections with corporations and organisations, as well as distinguished individuals like the four new Honorary Fellows joining HKMU today, he said.

Ir Dr Wong also emphasised that HKMU, with self-accreditation status, has the capability to respond swiftly to the needs of society in terms of launching new programmes. He said, “HKMU has built up a strong portfolio in the health and medical fields, areas that are becoming increasingly fundamental to societal well-being.” For example, the University is going to launch a new bachelor's degree programme for medical laboratory technologists, and it is now building a physiotherapy clinic to give students in the Bachelor of Science with Honours in Physiotherapy programme an opportunity to put their knowledge into practice.

HKMU President Prof. Paul Lam Kwan-sing congratulated the four new Honorary Fellows and expressed his gratitude to them for their support for the University. He said, “Through their passion, achievements and dedication to serving others, our Honorary Fellows are valued role models, who help inspire our students, faculty, staff and others.”

He added that society today faces many challenges, from questions of politics and the pandemic to issues such as the so-called 'brain drain' and declining student numbers in secondary schools. The HKMU community can look to the Honorary Fellows for inspiration and guidance during these challenging times. The University will continue to uphold the mission of offering innovative, flexible, affordable, high-quality education to all members of our community, he said.

The brief profiles of the four Honorary University Fellows are as follows:

Ir Dr Alex Chan Siu-kun, Managing Director of Applied Technology Integration Limited and former Chairman of the Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications (HKCAAVQ), has contributed greatly to the development of education and infrastructure projects in Hong Kong. While serving the HKCAAVQ for 12 years, he provided able leadership in the development of the quality assurance mechanism underpinning the implementation of the Hong Kong Qualifications Framework and drove the HKCAAVQ to become a leading, globally recognised regional independent quality assurance body. ( learn more)

Mr Eugene Liu, Managing Partner of RSM Hong Kong and a pivotal figure in the field of public accounting, has made an enormous contribution to the development of the profession, particularly in nurturing the next generation of professionals. Mr Liu had the vision of establishing a platform for students to gain hands-on experience in the business world. A rigorously designed internship programme, launched in collaboration with HKMU in 2015, has since provided training for over 180 students. ( learn more)

Dr Allen Shi Lop-tak, President of the Chinese Manufacturers’ Association of Hong Kong (CMA), is a renowned entrepreneur and philanthropist, who has worked assiduously for industrial and business development, as well as youth education. In his former presidency of the Hong Kong Young Industrialists Council Foundation (HKYIC), he made generous donations to universities for student bursaries and activities. Together with HKMU, HKYIC launched an internship programme in Vietnam, a mentorship programme, and other local internship projects and sharing sessions covering various professions. ( learn more)

Mrs Maria Sung Law Man-kwan is the founder of Holy Café Training Centre, a social enterprise that provides job opportunities and training for people with disabilities, helping them build their capacity for self-care and integrate into society. Thanks to donations from warm-hearted people, Mrs Sung's team prepares and distributes 1,080 lunch boxes weekly to the elderly. The team has also partnered with numerous organisations, philanthropists and volunteers to offer daily necessities and various kinds of help to the underprivileged, including low-income families, single parents and people suffering from chronic illnesses. ( learn more)