Hong Kong Metropolitan University (HKMU) will confer honorary doctorates on four distinguished individuals in recognition of their exceptional achievements and significant contributions to society.
The recipients are Prof. S. Tamer Cavusgil, Ms Chan Yuen-han, Prof. Cheng Kai-ming, and Dr Choo Heng-cheong. The conferment ceremony will be held on 9 December.
Following are brief profiles of the four recipients:
Prof. S. Tamer Cavusgil (Doctor of Business Administration, honoris causa)
Prof. S. Tamer Cavusgil is one of the leading figures in the field of International Business and is currently a Regents' Professor and the Fuller E. Callaway Professorial Chair at Georgia State University (GSU) in the United States. He has held numerous esteemed positions at renowned universities throughout his career, including the founding Executive Director of the Center for International Business Education & Research at GSU and Dean of Fellows at the Academy of International Business (AIB), a leading association of international business scholars and specialists.
Through his academic research, Prof. Cavusgil has significantly advanced knowledge in internationalisation of the firm, global strategy, emerging markets and buyer-seller relationships in cross-border business. His research has had a profound impact on the academic community, shaping the way scholars approach global business challenges. He has authored over 200 articles in top-tier academic journals and more than two dozen books and has served on the editorial boards of leading academic journals in the field of international business. He has guided over 40 doctoral students in his career, many of whom are now accomplished educators and scholars.
Prof. Cavusgil has also left his footprint on the business community through his lectures in executive development programmes and consultancy work with multinational corporations. His deep understanding of international business dynamics, coupled with his analytical acumen, has enabled organisations to make informed decisions and capitalise on opportunities in diverse markets worldwide. He has served on many advisory boards, task forces and government bodies, where his expertise has been instrumental in shaping business practices, policies and regulations that impact both the local and global economy.
From 2018 to 2020, Prof. Cavusgil served as Distinguished Professor at HKMU's Lee Shau Kee School of Business and Administration, providing invaluable knowledge and guidance to the School's Institute of International Business and Governance (IIBG). He is currently a supervisor in the School's Global PhD Programme.
Ms Chan Yuen-han, GBS, SBS, JP (Doctor of Social Sciences, honoris causa)
Ms Chan Yuen-han has served as Vice-Chairman, Honorary Chairman and Advisor of the Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions (FTU). She also held a number of public roles, and won multiple Legislative Council and District Council elections, serving as a Legislative Council member for nearly 20 years. She has made significant contributions to formulating public policies, promoting social welfare measures and advancing the rights of disadvantaged groups.
Since joining the FTU as a full-time staff member at the age of 16, Ms Chan has been fighting tirelessly for the rights of the working class. She led numerous protests on behalf of workers who were laid off or underpaid. Her balanced and objective approach to policymaking, coupled with her dedication to serving the public, has earned her the respect of people from all walks of life.
During her tenure as Chairman of the Women's Commission, Ms Chan supported the Li Ka Shing School of Professional and Continuing Education at HKMU in launching the “The Capacity Building Mileage Programme”, which empowers women to acquire new knowledge, develop their potential and lead more fulfilling lives.
Prof. Cheng Kai-ming, SBS, JP (Doctor of Education, honoris causa)
Prof. Cheng Kai-ming is a distinguished expert in education policy and development, with a rich and diverse career encompassing roles as a teacher, principal, researcher, university administrator, policy-maker and global consultant.
Emerging as a key figure in local education policy in the late 20th century, Prof. Cheng's involvement in the landmark 3-3-4 structural changes marked a transformative moment in the educational framework of Hong Kong. He has also worked as a consulting researcher for major international organisations, including the World Bank and UNESCO, contributing to the institutional evaluations, accreditations and policy discussions of the education systems of various countries. He is renowned for his focus on understanding the impact of societal changes on education.
Prof. Cheng has a longstanding association with HKMU. He served as a Council member of the then Open Learning Institute and the then Open University of Hong Kong (OUHK), providing invaluable counsel during the institution's early development. Additionally, he conducted lectures on our campus in 2016 and 2019, sharing his extensive insights on education with both students and faculty members.
Dr Choo Heng-cheong (Doctor of Letters, honoris causa)
Dr Choo Heng-cheong is a luminary in the realm of traditional Cantonese opera. Born into a family of opera performers, he made his stage debut at the tender age of nine and became a music leader at the age of 13, quickly gaining recognition and becoming a sought-after music director for numerous renowned Cantonese opera troupes, including Sin Fung Ming, Chor Fung Ming, Tai Lung Fung, Hing Sun Sing, Chung Sun Sing, Hing Fung Ming, and Sun Ma. He also served as a vocal coach for many famous performers, including Lung Kim- sang and Mui Suet-si.
Dr Choo has directed the recording of more than 100 Cantonese opera albums songs and participated in movie soundtrack work. He is proficient in a wide range of traditional Chinese instruments and has mastered various Western instruments. When composing music, he blends Chinese and Western elements in innovative ways.
When Cantonese opera experienced a downturn from the late 1960s to the 1980s, Dr Choo dedicated himself to preserving this unique cultural and artistic form. He actively trained next-generation performers, promoted the art form through public education, and produced a series of short films to share his insights with professional young artists and global audiences.
Dr Choo's association with Hong Kong Metropolitan University began in 2016 when he gave a Cantonese opera lecture at the University. During the 30th anniversary celebration of the then OUHK, he served as the artistic advisor for the highly acclaimed Cantonese opera concert “Dream of the Red Chamber”. In 2023, he also served as the Guest Chief Musician at the opening ceremony of HKMU's Ina Ho Cantonese Opera Research Centre.
