Honorary University Fellows
Citation delivered by Dr Albert CHAU, Dean of Student Affairs
Ms Esther Chi Lan SUEN is the Managing Director of Simatelex Manufactory Company Limited.
Ms Suen is a native of Hong Kong, attended Maryknoll Sisters’ School and holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Manitoba, Canada. After returning to Hong Kong, Ms Suen was persuaded to join the family business by her father, the late Mr Suen Chi Sun, who had founded Simatelex in 1969, and developed it from a small Hong Kong family manufacturing business into one of Hong Kong's leading electric appliance manufacturers to the global market. Ms Suen was appointed Managing Director in 1997, and under her capable leadership, Simatelex continues to grow and thrive. It now employs more than 15,000 staff in five factories in Guangdong province.
Ms Suen also continues another tradition that began with her father: philanthropy. Through the two Charitable Trusts established by her father – the Suen Chi Sun Charitable Foundation and the Simatelex Charitable Foundation – Ms Suen continues to support many charitable causes, particularly those related to higher education, medical research, emergency relief and the arts.
This intergenerational belief in charity is one that the University has especially good reason to salute. Over the years, Ms Suen has generously and regularly supported the research endeavours of the HKU Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine through the Foundations.
In 2005, the University’s Suen Chi Sun Hall was opened, made possible by a munificent donation from the Simatelex Charitable Foundation – a lasting tribute to a man who recognized the value of education from the daughter who keeps his cherished memory alive.
Keeping in mind the importance of internationalisation at HKU, of providing opportunities for our students to learn about other cultures and helping them to become global citizens, I am pleased to report that of the 300 students that now reside at Suen Chi Sun Hall, 39% are non-local, hailing from 14 different countries around the world.
Despite its short history of just over 3 years, the Hall has emerged a prominent living and learning community known for its cultural diversity, intellectual richness and familial spirit. Ms Suen has been a stalwart supporter of this growth. In the Hall, students and staff are deeply appreciative of Ms Suen and her family for their care and commitment to education. The Suen family is in fact warmly considered by students as members of the hall family.
It gives me great pleasure, Mr Pro-Chancellor, to present Ms Esther Chi Lan SUEN for the Honorary University Fellowship, in recognition of her contributions to Hong Kong and student development and research in the academia.