Honorary University Fellows
Mr Chiu Ying Lam is a Chartered Meteorologist and the former Director of the Hong Kong Observatory.
Mr Lam received his secondary school education at King’s College, then read mathematics and physics at this University, and graduated with a BSc Special degree in 1972.
He went on to study meteorology at Imperial College, London, and joined the Hong Kong Observatory as a weather forecaster in 1974. He was appointed Director in 2003, and after a lifetime of loyal service to the Observatory, retired in 2009.
Mr Lam is renowned and respected by the international meteorological community for his expertise and insights, and for his tireless efforts to organize regional and global projects to promote better meteorological service worldwide.
He served the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) as lecturer, expert and consultant on numerous occasions and also as chairman of various expert groups. From 2003 to 2008, he served as Vice President of the Asian arm of the WMO.
He is also an outspoken advocate for the need to respond to man-made climate change. In recognition of his contributions to international meteorology and environmental awareness, Mr Lam was made an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Meteorological Society earlier this year, and an Honorary Fellow of the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management in 2009.
Mr Lam is also a widely-respected bird-watcher. He served as Chairman of the Hong Kong Bird Watching Society between 1997 and 2004, and is now its Honorary President. He is a co-author of the book, Birds of Hong Kong and South China, the standard field guide for this part of the world.
The University has also benefitted from Mr Lam’s support over the years. From 1999 to the present, he has been sharing his experience and expertise with our students as one of our HKU Mentors, and has supported our campus development activities.
Since retiring, Mr Lam frequently gives lectures to a wide spectrum of audiences, ranging from students to professional bodies, on subjects like leadership and management, climate change, life-style and happiness. He has also given his time to promoting Putonghua, serving the Red Cross and helping other charities.
Mr Lam was awarded the Silver Bauhinia Star in 2009.
Citation delivered by Professor Allan CHEUNG, Acting Dean of Science
In Hong Kong, when people talk about ‘the weather man’, they sometimes mean the little cartoon character in weather reports. But more often than not, they are referring to one man whom they have come to rely on and respect.
This man is Mr LAM Chiu Ying.
As a Chartered Meteorologist and the former Director of the Hong Kong Observatory, Mr Lam is quite literally – forgive me – a man for all seasons.
Indeed, when it comes to riding out the storm, clouds with silver linings, or any other weather metaphors, it is very likely that Mr Chiu Ying Lam has heard them all!
Mr Lam received his secondary school education at King’s College, then read mathematics and physics at this University, and graduated with a Bachelor of Science Special degree in 1972.
He went on to study meteorology at Imperial College, London, and joined the Hong Kong Observatory as a weather forecaster in 1974. He was appointed Director in 2003, and after a lifetime of loyal service to the Observatory, retired in 2009.
His term as Director was characterised by an emphasis on people, as illustrated by his enthusiasm for engaging the public and his endeavours to deliver services relevant to the changing needs of the community.
Mr Lam is renowned and respected by the international meteorological community for his expertise and insights, and for his tireless efforts to organise regional and global projects to promote better meteorological service worldwide.
He served the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) as lecturer, expert and consultant on numerous occasions and also as chairman of various expert groups. From 2003 to 2008, he served as Vice President of the Asian arm of the WMO.
The WMO’s website of official weather forecasts was Mr Lam’s brainchild. Since going live, it has won numerous awards and helped many developing countries gain the global visibility they would never have otherwise been able to achieve.
Mr Lam is also an outspoken advocate for the need to respond to man-made climate change, and leads by example. He has become widely known for holding on to well-worn garments and shoes for a decade or so, out of his sincere belief that less material consumption will contribute to a better environment.
In recognition of his contributions to international meteorology and environmental awareness, Mr Lam was made an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Meteorological Society earlier this year, and an Honorary Fellow of the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management in 2009.
Mr Lam is also a widely-respected bird-watcher. He was instrumental in popularising the hobby of bird-watching in Hong Kong, and was the first local enthusiast to offer bird-watching classes. This in turn helped create a new generation of people who cared about nature conservation in Hong Kong.
Mr Lam served as Chairman of the Hong Kong Bird Watching Society between 1997 and 2004, and is now its Honorary President. He is a co-author of the book, Birds of Hong Kong and South China, the standard field guide for this part of the world.
The University has also benefitted from Mr Lam’s support over the years. From 1999 to the present, he has been sharing his experience and expertise with our students as one of our HKU Mentors, and has supported our campus development activities.
Since retiring, Mr Lam frequently gives lectures to a wide spectrum of audiences, ranging from students to professional bodies, on subjects like leadership and management, climate change, life-style and happiness. He has also given his time to promoting Putonghua, serving the Red Cross and helping other charities. Mr Lam was awarded the Silver Bauhinia Star in 2009.
It gives me great pleasure, Mr Pro-Chancellor, to present Mr Lam Chiu Ying for the Honorary University Fellowship, in recognition of his contributions to Hong Kong and academia.