209th Congregation (2023)

(From left) Mr Albert Yang (attends on behalf of Professor Yang Chen Ning) , Professor John Hennessy, Ms Brigitte Lin Ching Hsia, Professor Dame Carol Black, Dr the Honourable Sir David Li, Professor Xiang Zhang, Professor Steven Chu, Dr Jack Dangermond and Dr Colin LAM Ko Yin

Professor Dame Carol Black

Professor Steven Chu

Dr Jack Dangermond

Professor John Hennessy

Professor Yang Chen Ning

Dr Colin LAM Ko Yin

Ms Brigitte Lin Ching Hsia

The University of Hong Kong (HKU) conferred honorary degrees upon eight distinguished individuals at the 209th Congregation. A ceremony officiated by Dr the Honourable Sir David Li, Pro-Chancellor of HKU, was held at Loke Yew Hall, Main Building today (April 3). 

Seven honourees were conferred at the ceremony. Nobel Laureate in Physics and former US Secretary of Energy Professor Steven Chu, the founder and president of Environmental Systems Research Institute (Esri) Dr Jack Dangermond, Turing Award winner and former President of Stanford University Professor John L Hennessy, and Nobel Laureate in Physics Professor Yang Chen Ning (conferred in absentia) received the Doctor of Science honoris causa; renowned clinician and UK government advisor Professor Dame Carol M Black, Vice Chairman of Henderson Land Development Dr Colin Lam Ko Yin, and celebrated icon of Chinese language cinema Ms Brigitte Lin Ching Hsia received the Doctor of Social Sciences honoris causa.

Dr Colin Lam Ko Yin delivered an acceptance speech on behalf of the honorary degree recipients .

“As honourees, we represent a diverse range of backgrounds, but we are united in our commitments to a better tomorrow,” said Dr Lam. “The University of Hong Kong has a century-long reputation for excellence, and today’s ceremony highlights the collaboration between academic and business communities in driving innovation, progress and ESG.  Environmental, Social and Governance considerations are vital in our world today.  It is essential to prioritize the well-being of our planet.”

Dr Lam said the honourees, each of them a colossus in his or her respective field, have “pushed the boundaries of human knowledge and innovations, and dedicated their lives to improve the world”. He also shared the Lee Shau Kee Foundation and its group companies’ contributions to fighting the pandemic, promoting green buildings, initiating innovative transitional housing projects, supporting higher education institutions and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. He looks forward to working with his fellow honourees to build a more sustainable and equitable future for Hong Kong and the world.

The late Mr Daniel YU Chung Kwong, a celebrated industrialist and the Chairman and Director of Maxwell Electronics Limited, was conferred Doctor of Social Sciences honoris causa in February 2023.

Honorary Degrees are awarded to individuals in recognition of their distinguished service and commitment to the University, the community, and to academia. They are also conferred to those who have made valuable intellectual, social and cultural contributions to society and the world.

For more photos and videos of the honorary graduates, please click here.
The 209th Congregation website at: https://www4.hku.hk/hongrads/

A video of Professor Yang Chen Ning, conferred in absentia, can be viewed clicking here.