Walking through 80 years, HKU Science nurtures generations of alumni, who devote their time and effort for the betterment of society. We believe Oak Anniversary is an opportune time for us to reconnect with our alumni and feature their achievements. In this auspicious occasion, Distinguished Alumni Award is launched to highlight the outstanding achievements of our alumni.
When talking about achievements, there is no absolute definition. This award aims to address accomplishments in disparate fields, and include alumni from different generations. It is hoped that there would be succession of HKU Science spirit among generations of alumni.
Eighteen Distinguished Alumni were selected in celebration of our oak anniversary, of which the selection was based on one or more of the following criteria:
- Role in science education and/ or scientific research
- Business/ professional achievements in a field of interest or scholastic achievements, with outstanding personal attributes
- Services and contributions to HKU Science and the University
- Community services and contributions to society and the world
Although the honoring of the Distinguished Alumni was postponed due to the unprecedented fallout of coronavirus pandemic and social protests in 2019, we were glad to have the Virtual Honoring successfully held on Oct 8, 2020.
Distinguished Alumni with notable achievements in science education or scientific research
Professor Shuk-Mei HO
1974 BSc graduate; 1977 PhD graduate
- Vice Chancellor for Research of University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Arkansas, USA (2019 – present)
- Director of Cincinnati Cancer Centre and Hayden Family Endowed Chair for Cancer Research University of Cincinnati Medical Centre, Cincinnati, USA (2013 – 2019).
“Pursue the higher purpose on hands and knees; unlock the impossible with your mind.”
Professor Tze-Leung LAI
1967 BA graduate in Mathematics
- Ray Lyman Wilbur Professor of Statistics of Stanford University
- Director of Financial and Risk Modelling Institute, Stanford University
“Acquisition of knowledge serves as a higher guiding light; and with an intelligent and inquiring mind, one can be a person of wisdom and virtue.”
Professor Frederick Koon-Shing LEUNG
1977 BSc graduate
- Chair Professor and Kintoy Professor in Mathematics Education, The University of Hong Kong
- Changjiang Scholar of Ministry of Education, China
- Hans Freudenthal Medallist 2013
“Do your best, and God will do the rest!”
Professor Kam-Biu LUK
1976 BSc graduate
- Professor of University of California, Berkeley
- Hung Hing Ying Distinguished Visiting Professor in Science and Technology, The University of Hong Kong
- Laureate of China’s 2019 Future Science Prize
- Fellow of American Academy of Arts and Sciences
“Pursue a dream with zeal but be flexible.”
Professor Man-Keung SIU
1966 BSc (General) graduate; 1967 BSc (Special) graduate
- Retired Professor of Department of Mathematics, The University of Hong Kong
“Teach the subject in order to nurture people, and nurture people through teaching the subject. One who is not tired of learning is not tired of teaching. There is no end to learning as there is no end to teaching.”
(為教人而教書,由教書而教人。學而不厭,方能教而不倦。學無止境,教無止境。)
Professor Yum-Tong SIU
1963 BA graduate in Mathematics
- William Elwood Byerly Professor of Mathematics of Harvard University
- Member of National Academy of Sciences, USA
- Foreign Member of Chinese Academy of Sciences
“Like a mirror opens the half-acre square pond;
reflected sunlight, cloud shadows play, stay, and bond.
O, tell me how can the water be clear like so?
From the source a divine, live fountainhead does flow!”
(Zhu Xi, 1130-1200)
南宋 朱熹《讀書有感》:
半畝方塘一鑑開,天光雲影共徘徊。
問渠哪得清如許?爲有源頭活水來。
Distinguished Alumni with exceptional accomplishments in their professions
Dr Anissa Lai-Kuen CHAN WONG
1980 BSc graduate
- Chairman of Task Force on Review of School Curriculum
- Founding Chairman of Hong Kong Principals’ Institute
- Principal of St Paul’s Co-educational College (2004 – 2017)
“It is easy in the world to live after the world’s opinions; it is easy in solitude to live after your own; but the great man is he who in the midst of the crowd keeps with perfect sweetness the independence of solitude.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
Mr Yim-Kwong CHAN
1966 BSc (General) graduate
- Senior Consultant of AXA China Region Insurance Co. Ltd.
- Instigator and Founding Member of Hong Kong Insurance Industry Coalition
“The secret of success in insurance is to know the language of the mathematics of money, the language of men, and the language of God.”
Mr Peter Wing-Leung LAI
1980 BSc graduate
- Financial Commentator
- Fellow of Hong Kong Securities and Investment Institute
- Fellow of The Hong Kong Institute of Directors
“Apply scientific analysis in daily life practically and practicably.”
(善用科學分析,融於實際生活)
Professor Paul Kwan-Sing LAM
1982 BSc graduate; 1984 MPhil graduate
- Designated President of Open University of Hong Kong
- Executive Director of Special Projects of City University of Hong Kong
- Jeanie Hu Professor of Science of City University of Hong Kong
- Director of State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution
“We're not obligated to succeed. We're obligated to do our best every day.”
Ms Oi-Lin LEE
1970 BSc (Hons) graduate
- Life member, Past Vice Chairman and Current Academic Adviser of Hong Kong Surface Finishing Society
- Member of HK Institute of Construction Management Board
“It’s always a happy experience to serve for the well-being of others.”
Professor Alexander Ping-Kong WAI
1981 BSc graduate
- Designated President and Vice-Chancellor of HKBU
- Deputy President and Provost of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU)
- Former Vice President (Research Development) of PolyU
- Fellow of The Optical Society (OSA)
- Fellow of Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
“Never give up!”
Mr Chee-Kuen YIP
1981 BSc graduate
- Adviser of H2OPE Centre, Water Supplies Department (2015 – present)
- Chief Curator of Macao Science Centre (2007 – 2012)
- Chief Curator, Hong Kong Science Museum (1998 – 2007)
“I do and I understand.”
Distinguished Alumni with outstanding services and contributions to HKU
Professor Kwan-Ming CHAN
1959 BSc graduate
- Professor Emeritus of California State University, Long Beach, USA
- President of USA Chapter, HKU Science Alumni Association
“HKU Science, your boundless encouragement and guidance, surpasses the highest mountain;
Hong Kong our hometown, our affection to you runs deeper than the ocean.”
(港大理科, 獎勵輔導, 恩重崇山;
香港我家, 家園鄉土, 親若深海)
Professor Kin-Fai CHENG
1964 BSc (General) graduate; 1965 BSc (Special) graduate
- Emeritus College Principal of HKU SPACE Community College
- Former Dean of Science of The University of Hong Kong
“Whatever you do, do it with all your heart. Be happy and do good.”
Distinguished Alumni with impressive services and contributions to society
Dr Boon-Ying LEE
1973 BSc (Special) graduate; 1979 PhD graduate
- Former Director of Hong Kong Observatory
“Science informs life. Don’t ever regret studying it.”
Mr Kar-Chun LO
1973 BSc graduate
- Member of Hong Kong Exchange Fund Advisory Committee, Hong Kong Monetary Authority
- Non-Executive Director of Securities and Futures Commission
“Get the facts and do due diligence, never just assume or take things for granted.”
Mr Jasper Yok-Sing TSANG
1968 BA graduate in Mathematics
- Former President of Legislative Council
- Vice Chairman of Hong Kong Policy Research Institute
“Happiness belongs to those who have the courage to change what can be changed and the serenity to accept what cannot. Success belongs to those who have the wisdom to tell between the two.”
More information about the selection of Distinguished Alumni Award 2019 →