Honorary University Fellows
Mrs Mayce Yu is a stalwart advocate of civic responsibility and the advancement of higher education. She is the wife of the late Dr Daniel Yu Chung-Kwong, the celebrated industrialist and founder of Maxwell Electronics Limited, philanthropist, and distinguished Honorary Graduate and Honorary University Fellow of the University of Hong Kong.
Mrs Yu is a devout Christian, devoted wife, and thoughtful steward of both familial and societal duty. For more than fifty years she stood faithfully by Dr Yu’s side, supporting him as he developed an innovative electronic flash unit for photography that achieved significant commercial success in the US and around the world. Throughout their long partnership, she combined care for her family with an unwavering commitment to the business they built together.
Following Dr Yu’s passing in 2023, Mrs Yu assumed responsibility for overseeing Maxwell Electronics Ltd, ensuring the continuity of the company’s operations while safeguarding its legacy. In that role she has moved deliberately to channel the family’s resources outward, committing the fruits of their enterprise to initiatives that strengthen society.
Education, medical science and research have been at the centre of her charitable focus. She has been a staunch supporter of the University of Hong Kong and of other institutions of higher learning, and she has prioritised funding for innovative research with the potential to improve health and well-being. At the University of Hong Kong, she and Dr Yu established the Daniel and Mayce Yu Medical Development Fund to provide the best possible teaching and learning opportunities, as well as research and knowledge exchange activities for HKU students, scientists and future medical and health practitioners.
Mrs Yu’s philanthropic approach is guided by faith and by a sincere desire to make a practical, lasting difference through prudent stewardship and heartfelt giving. Whether by enabling scholarships, underwriting research projects, or supporting academic programmes that train the next generation of leaders and scientists – Mrs Yu continues to honour her husband’s memory while advancing opportunities for education, discovery and making a positive impact on humanity and the world.
Citation delivered by Professor Chak Sing Lau, Vice-President and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Health)
Mrs Mayce Yu is a stalwart advocate of civic responsibility and the advancement of higher education. She is the wife of the late Dr Daniel Yu Chung-Kwong, the celebrated industrialist and founder of Maxwell Electronics Limited, philanthropist, and distinguished Honorary University Fellow (2014) and Doctor of Social Sciences honoris causa (2023) of the University of Hong Kong.
People often say, "behind every great man is a great woman," but this underestimates what Mrs Mayce Yu was to Dr Yu. She stood steadfastly by his side for more than fifty years, from when they first met and before Dr Yu set up his company to his last days, sharing his vision and being his emotional anchor and architect of domestic stability.
Following Dr Yu’s passing in 2023, Mrs Yu assumed responsibility for overseeing Maxwell Electronics Limited, ensuring the continuity of the company’s operations while safeguarding its legacy. In that role she has moved deliberately to channel the family’s resources outward, committing the fruits of their enterprise to initiatives that strengthen society, particularly in education and scientific research, and support those in need. She has been a staunch supporter of the University of Hong Kong and other institutions of higher learning.
At the University of Hong Kong, Dr and Mrs Mayce Yu established the Daniel and Mayce Yu Medical Development Fund to provide the best possible teaching and learning opportunities, and to advance research and knowledge exchange for HKU students, scientists and future medical and health practitioners. She has also continued to support the long-term development of the University campus, helping to create an environment in which research, education and discovery may flourish.
Although her philanthropy is substantial, Mrs Yu has always preferred to work quietly and without personal publicity. Guided by her faith as a devout Christian and by a sincere desire to make a practical and lasting difference, she has directed her generosity towards initiatives that expand opportunity, strengthen scientific endeavour, and improve lives. Through prudent stewardship and heartfelt giving, Mrs Yu continues to honour her husband’s memory while advancing the causes close to both their hearts: education, scientific discovery, care for those in need, and the betterment of humanity.
Therefore, Mr Pro-Chancellor, it is my great pleasure to present Mrs Mayce Yu for the Honorary University Fellowship, in recognition of her contributions to academia and society.