名譽大學院士
李焯芬教授為著名岩土工程專家,亦是香港高等教育界的傑出領袖,他在專業、教育和文化等不同領域都有重大建樹,成就驕人。
李教授畢業於香港大學,專攻土木工程,獲頒工學學士(一級榮譽)學位及工學碩士學位,其後赴加拿大深造,獲西安大略大學哲學博士學位。他在加拿大及中國從事水利、能源及基建工程逾40年,當中包括長江三峽、二灘及李家峽等水利樞紐及其他重點工程。李教授著作甚豐,工程科技專著逾300篇,另有文史著作約20冊。
李教授於1994年返回母校服務,歷任港大講座教授、副校長(研究)、副校長(外務),以及港大專業進修學院院長,至2015年退休。他目前為港大榮休教授和港大教研發展基金副主席。
李焯芬教授一直致力推動中國文化傳承。自2003年港大成立饒宗頤學術館以來,李教授一直擔任館長一職。該館由國學大師兼港大桂冠學人饒宗頤教授所倡立,以其淵厚中國文化研究而馳名遐邇。李教授亦熱衷佛學研究,於2000年協助創辦香港大學佛學研究中心,對推廣佛學教育不遺餘力。
李教授為中國工程院、加拿大工程院及香港工程科學院院士,以及香港工程科學院前院長;曾當選美國富布萊特傑出學人並獲授香港工程師學會金章。此外,他又獲加拿大西安大略大學、英國普利茅斯大學、愛丁堡納皮爾大學、澳門大學及香港公開大學頒授榮譽博士學位。李教授多年來熱心參與公共及社會服務,並在多個政府委員會以及機構出任公職。
李教授於2003年獲委任為太平紳士,2005年獲頒銀紫荊星章及於2013年獲頒金紫荊星章。
Citation delivered by Professor Ian HOLLIDAY, Vice-President and Pro-Vice-Chancellor
The alchemists of old could only dream of harnessing the elements. Yet Professor Lee Chack-fan has managed to almost do just that as a world authority in geotechnical engineering, landslide prevention, and hydropower. Lauded for his engineering work, behind this brilliant mind of science lies a man of letters.
Professor Lee graduated from HKU with bachelor and master degrees in Civil Engineering in 1968 and 1970 respectively. And it is at this University where his desire to serve the community planted its roots when he headed the Hong Kong Post-Secondary Social Service Team and helped build bridges, roads and dams for villages in the New Territories. If you ever happen to find yourself in Sai Kung, you can see one of those bridges, still standing and still serving the villagers.
His doctorate degree in geotechnical engineering took him to the University of Western Ontario, where he later taught before starting his 20-year long career with Ontario Hydro in Canada. He was involved in designing major hydroelectric and nuclear power stations, notably Darlington and Bruce for those familiar with the area; researching the disposal of both nuclear fuel waste and radioactive waste; and managing dam safety for 68 hydroelectric plants.
On returning to his alma mater in 1994, Professor Lee joined the Department of Civil Engineering, and was the Chair of Geotechnical Engineering from 1996 to 2008, the latter eight years of which he took up double duty as Pro-Vice-Chancellor – first overseeing Research, and then University Relations – before taking up directorship of HKU SPACE from which he retired in 2015.
Over the years, Professor Lee has published more than 280 journal papers and 15 monographs, and his research efforts led to the mitigation of the landslide disasters so prevalent in Hong Kong until the 1980s, and were used to guide prevention strategies in Mainland China.
The World Bank, the United Nations Development Plan, the Asian Development Bank, the International Atomic Energy Agency and the Canadian International Development Agency have all benefitted from his advice, as has the Hong Kong Government, which has sought his expertise from Public Works to Education.
Professor Lee has participated in the feasibility and design reviews of infrastructure projects across Mainland China, including the Daya Bay Project, but most notable of all he was a key advisor for one of the most advanced engineering feats of the modern world: the Three Gorges Project. Highly regarded by the authorities, he is regularly consulted and called upon for major challenges, including disasters and large-scale development projects.
His decades of commendable achievements are not without honours and due recognition. He was elected a Fellow of the Hong Kong Academy of Engineering Science, the Canadian Academy of Engineering, and an Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering. He was awarded the K Y Lo Medal of the Engineering Institute of Canada, the Gold Medal of the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers, the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, and a Gold Bauhinia Star. He was a Fulbright Distinguished Scholar in 2005 and has received multiple honorary doctorates.
But the other side of Professor Lee is that of a Renaissance man whose passion for Chinese culture and the Buddhist faith led him to create two landmark academic institutes at HKU: the Jao Tsung-I Petite Ecole to honour and preserve the great master’s teachings and works. And the Centre of Buddhist Studies, which has become an international hub for intellectuals in the pursuit of Buddhist teaching and studies.
He remains the Director of the Petite Ecole, as he has been since its inception, and has extended the impact of the Chinese maestro across Hong Kong society, in Mainland China, and further to the international community, in Britain, Japan and Europe.
A favourite subject of Professor Jao’s paintings was the lotus flower. Rooted in mud but emerging straight and pure, the lotus is known as “the gentleman of flowers”. This is perhaps also the perfect allegory for Professor Lee.
He sees the world not as most of us see it. Grounded in his faith, he sees the world as one of love, of caring, of compassion. Professor Lee lives and breathes the Buddhist philosophy of harmony and benevolence to the world every day, as anyone who has ever met him can testify to, and has authored more than 20 popular books to share the Buddhist philosophy, mindfulness and values of altruism.
There can be no other man who can command such heartfelt and abiding respect for his immense contributions in the service of others. He established the Fu Hui Education Foundation, which has donated millions to sponsor more than 10,000 under-privileged children in remote and impoverished regions. From his intimate links to many rural areas in Mainland China, to his work for the preservation of Dunhuang art and heritage – Professor Lee’s personal involvement in and passion for all that he does encourages others to follow suit. Although he is an engineer, one will always find him on the list of advisor to museums, cultural and heritage initiatives, no less the West Kowloon Cultural District project.
It is much to the good fortune of this University that Professor Lee has blessed us with his wisdom and kindness. He has opened doors for new ways of thinking, nurtured the younger generations, whether as teacher, pioneer, community leader, or the inaugural Master of Lap-Chee College for 500 students. He has always created a positive force on the path to greatness.
This standard-bearer. This alchemist. This man of steadfast principles who leads by example, and a tireless friend of those in need. Professor Lee is unassuming and compassionate, and his many achievements remind us of the values and commitment of generations of HKU alumni.
Mr Pro-Chancellor, in recognition of his extraordinary contributions to engineering, Chinese culture and Buddhism, and for his outstanding scholarship and humanitarian deeds, it gives me great pleasure to present our distinguished colleague and loyal alumnus Professor Lee Chack-fan for the Honorary University Fellowship.