Honorary University Fellows

Citation for Dr Tam Wah Ching written and delivered by Dr Gabriel M Leung at the Honorary University Fellowships Presentation Ceremony on December 15, 2005:

「不以利為利，以義為利也。」(“Pecuniary gain is not to be considered prosperity, but prosperity will be found in righteousness.”) – these concluding words of The Great Learning 「大學之道」by Confucius sum up well Tam Wah Ching's philanthropic philosophy. It is most fitting that the University's motto「明德格物」 takes from the opening text of the same manuscript.

Tam is a successful industrialist and respected philanthropist in Hong Kong. Born into humble beginnings on the mainland, he came to the territory at the age of twelve and founded Nam Wah Neonlight & Electrical Manufacturing as a young entrepreneur during the 1950s. His enterprise has since flourished and become a household name.

Tam’s deeply held conviction in giving back has sustained decades of generous commitment to this University, to the wider local community and to China. In following the Confucian tradition, he has consistently resourced educational activities for today’s students who will become tomorrow's leaders. Taking on honorary patronage and board membership of the HKU Foundation, endowing the Wah Ching Centre of Research on Education in China, the Wah Ching Fund for Promoting Chinese Culture, the Mrs Tam Wah Ching Fund for Chinese-Western Medical Research, and more recently, the Tam Wah Ching Medical Development Fund are but a few highlights of the breadth of his devotion to scholarship and learning.

Charity and philanthropy are hallmarks of a civil society. Not only has Tam made immense contributions towards this ideal by his benevolence, he has personified the ethicality of altruistic corporate social responsibility and set a new standard for all to follow. Tam’s lifelong involvement with the Lions Club is a shining example of his civility. Indeed, he has answered Helen Keller's challenge to the early Lions many times over by becoming a “knight of the Blind in this crusade against darkness”.

Tam's consistent largesse and forward-looking ideals make him not only an embodiment of the “Hong Kong dream” but also a philanthropic role model. Mr Pro-Chancellor, it is my privilege to introduce Dr Tam Wah Ching for the Honorary University Fellowship.