Honorary University Fellows

Professor Lee Chack Fan is a distinguished professor of geotechnical engineering and a renowned leader in Hong Kong’s higher education sector.

Professor Lee holds a BEng (CivE) (first class honours) and a MSc (Eng) from HKU, and a PhD from the University of Western Ontario, Canada. He has worked on hydropower, energy and transportation projects in Canada and China for over 40 years, including projects like the Three Gorges, Ertan, Lijiaxia and others across China. He is the author of over 300 engineering publications and some 20 literary books.

From 1994 to his retirement in 2015, he has served the University as a Chair Professor, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research), Pro-Vice-Chancellor (University Relations) and Director of HKU SPACE. He is currently Emeritus Professor and Deputy Chairman of the HKU Foundation.

Since its establishment in 2003, Professor Lee has served as the Director of the Jao Tsung-I Petite Ecole, a world class research institute for Chinese cultural studies, founded by the legendary scholar Professor Jao Tsung-I, University Laureate. Professor Lee is also an expert in the history and development of Buddhism, and helped establish the University’s Centre of Buddhist Studies in 2000.

Professor Lee is an Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering, and a Fellow and former President of the Hong Kong Academy of Engineering Science. He is a Fulbright Distinguished Scholar and has received the Gold Medal of the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers. He holds honorary degrees from the University of Western Ontario, Plymouth University, Edinburgh Napier University, University of Macau and the Open University of Hong Kong. He is very active in public service and has served on numerous government committees.

Professor Lee was appointed a Justice of the Peace in 2003, and awarded a Silver Bauhinia Star in 2005 and a Gold Bauhinia Star in 2013. 

Professor Lee graduated from HKU with bachelor and master degrees in Civil Engineering in 1968 and 1970 respectively. And it is at this University where his desire to serve the community planted its roots when he headed the Hong Kong Post-Secondary Social Service Team and helped build bridges, roads and dams for villages in the New Territories. If you ever happen to find yourself in Sai Kung, you can see one of those bridges, still standing and still serving the villagers.

His doctorate degree in geotechnical engineering took him to the University of Western Ontario, where he later taught before starting his 20-year long career with Ontario Hydro in Canada. He was involved in designing major hydroelectric and nuclear power stations, notably Darlington and Bruce for those familiar with the area; researching the disposal of both nuclear fuel waste and radioactive waste; and managing dam safety for 68 hydroelectric plants.

On returning to his alma mater in 1994, Professor Lee joined the Department of Civil Engineering, and was the Chair of Geotechnical Engineering from 1996 to 2008, the latter eight years of which he took up double duty as Pro-Vice-Chancellor – first overseeing Research, and then University Relations – before taking up directorship of HKU SPACE from which he retired in 2015.

Over the years, Professor Lee has published more than 280 journal papers and 15 monographs, and his research efforts led to the mitigation of the landslide disasters so prevalent in Hong Kong until the 1980s, and were used to guide prevention strategies in Mainland China.

The World Bank, the United Nations Development Plan, the Asian Development Bank, the International Atomic Energy Agency and the Canadian International Development Agency have all benefitted from his advice, as has the Hong Kong Government, which has sought his expertise from Public Works to Education.

Professor Lee has participated in the feasibility and design reviews of infrastructure projects across Mainland China, including the Daya Bay Project, but most notable of all he was a key advisor for one of the most advanced engineering feats of the modern world: the Three Gorges Project.  Highly regarded by the authorities, he is regularly consulted and called upon for major challenges, including disasters and large-scale development projects.

His decades of commendable achievements are not without honours and due recognition. He was elected a Fellow of the Hong Kong Academy of Engineering Science, the Canadian Academy of Engineering, and an Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering. He was awarded the K Y Lo Medal of the Engineering Institute of Canada, the Gold Medal of the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers, the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, and a Gold Bauhinia Star. He was a Fulbright Distinguished Scholar in 2005 and has received multiple honorary doctorates.

But the other side of Professor Lee is that of a Renaissance man whose passion for Chinese culture and the Buddhist faith led him to create two landmark academic institutes at HKU:  the Jao Tsung-I Petite Ecole to honour and preserve the great master’s teachings and works. And the Centre of Buddhist Studies, which has become an international hub for intellectuals in the pursuit of Buddhist teaching and studies.

He remains the Director of the Petite Ecole, as he has been since its inception, and has extended the impact of the Chinese maestro across Hong Kong society, in Mainland China, and further to the international community, in Britain, Japan and Europe.

A favourite subject of Professor Jao’s paintings was the lotus flower. Rooted in mud but emerging straight and pure, the lotus is known as “the gentleman of flowers”. This is perhaps also the perfect allegory for Professor Lee.

He sees the world not as most of us see it. Grounded in his faith, he sees the world as one of love, of caring, of compassion. Professor Lee lives and breathes the Buddhist philosophy of harmony and benevolence to the world every day, as anyone who has ever met him can testify to, and has authored more than 20 popular books to share the Buddhist philosophy, mindfulness and values of altruism.

There can be no other man who can command such heartfelt and abiding respect for his immense contributions in the service of others.  He established the Fu Hui Education Foundation, which has donated millions to sponsor more than 10,000 under-privileged children in remote and impoverished regions.  From his intimate links to many rural areas in Mainland China, to his work for the preservation of Dunhuang art and heritage – Professor Lee’s personal involvement in and passion for all that he does encourages others to follow suit.  Although he is an engineer, one will always find him on the list of advisor to museums, cultural and heritage initiatives, no less the West Kowloon Cultural District project.

It is much to the good fortune of this University that Professor Lee has blessed us with his wisdom and kindness. He has opened doors for new ways of thinking, nurtured the younger generations, whether as teacher, pioneer, community leader, or the inaugural Master of Lap-Chee College for 500 students.  He has always created a positive force on the path to greatness.

This standard-bearer. This alchemist. This man of steadfast principles who leads by example, and a tireless friend of those in need. Professor Lee is unassuming and compassionate, and his many achievements remind us of the values and commitment of generations of HKU alumni.

Mr Pro-Chancellor, in recognition of his extraordinary contributions to engineering, Chinese culture and Buddhism, and for his outstanding scholarship and humanitarian deeds, it gives me great pleasure to present our distinguished colleague and loyal alumnus Professor Lee Chack-fan for the Honorary University Fellowship.