Honorary University Fellows
The Honourable Anna Wu Hung-yuk is a member of the Executive Council of the Hong Kong SAR, Chairperson of the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority, and a member of the Law Reform Commission.
Ms Wu received her LLB degree from HKU in 1974 and her PCLL in 1975, and is currently the Chair of the HKU Academic Board for Postgraduate Certificate in Laws, an Honorary Lecturer of the Department of Professional Legal Education and an Honorary Fellow of the Centre for Comparative and Public Law at HKU.
Ms Wu was a member of the Legislative Council from 1993-1995), during which time she initiated the Equal Opportunities Bill, the first private member's dealing with a whole area of policy. She was the Chairperson of the Equal Opportunities Commission from 1999-2003. During her term, she successfully litigated against the government in several high profile cases on gender bias in education and discrimination against people associated with mental illness in employment.
Ms Wu is also a Council Member of the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre, and has served as Chair of the Consumer Council and of the Operations Review Committee of the Independent Commission against Corruption of Hong Kong.
Ms Wu was extensively involved with the development of the Consumer Legal Action Fund to fund strategic litigation for consumers and the sectorial studies on Hong Kong’s competitive environment in business during her association with the Consumer Council. Ms Wu has been actively promoting alternative dispute resolution mechanisms through use of ombuds systems, mediation and conciliation processes to provide wider access to redress and justice in addition to the court system in Mainland China and in Hong Kong.
Ms Wu was awarded the Silver Bauhinia Star in 2000 and the Gold Bauhinia Star in 2011.
Citation delivered by Professor Johannes Man Mun CHAN, Dean of Law
The Honourable Anna Wu Hung-yuk is a member of the Executive Council of the Hong Kong SAR, Chairperson of the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority, and a member of the Law Reform Commission.
Ms Wu received her LLB degree from HKU in 1974 and her PCLL in 1975. She became a solicitor in a leading law firm, and soon pursued a distinguished career with an outstanding record of public service. Ms Wu was a member of the Legislative Council from 1993 to 1995, during which time she initiated the Equal Opportunities Bill, the first Private Member's Bill dealing comprehensively with all forms of discrimination.
The current anti-discrimination laws, albeit of a narrower scope than what she has proposed, and the Equal Opportunities Commission came about as a consequence of her initiative.
I understand she wishes to pay tribute to the role played by the Faculty of Law in the development of these very important social and human rights laws in Hong Kong.
This wish is typical of her thoughtfulness and generosity, and the role she mentions is one in which the Faculty is pleased and proud to have played a part.
Ms Wu was the Chairperson of the Equal Opportunities Commission from 1999 to 2003. During her term, she successfully litigated against the government in several high-profile cases on gender bias in education and discrimination against people associated with mental illness in employment. She is also a member of the Operations Review Committee of the Independent Commission against Corruption of Hong Kong, ensuring that the watchdog against corruption is itself being watched and that it operates within the realm of the rule of law.
Ms Wu has served as Chair of the Consumer Council and was extensively involved with the development of the Consumer Legal Action Fund to fund strategic litigation for consumers and the sectorial studies on Hong Kong’s competitive environment in business during her association with the Consumer Council. Her efforts have laid a strong foundation for the current bill on competition law.
Ms Wu is also a Council Member of the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre, She has been actively promoting alternative dispute resolution mechanisms through use of ombuds systems, mediation and conciliation processes to provide wider access to redress and justice, in addition to the court system, in Mainland China and in Hong Kong.
Ms Wu is also committed to higher education. She helps set up the law school at Shantou University. She is currently the Chair of the HKU Academic Board for Postgraduate Certificate in Laws, an Honorary Lecturer of the Department of Professional Legal Education and an Honorary Fellow of the Centre for Comparative and Public Law at HKU. She is a strong supporter of our public law programme, particularly in the areas of human rights and anti-discrimination.
Ms Wu has received the Alumni Medal for Outstanding Student from the HKU Law Faculty, the ‘Women of Influence Award 2003: Professional of the Year’ from the American Chamber of Commerce Hong Kong and International Women’s Forum Hong Kong, the Second Prism Award from the Hong Kong Lesbian and Gay Film Festival, and the ‘IWF Woman Who Makes A Difference Award 2004’.
Ms Wu is a Justice of the Peace, and was awarded the Silver Bauhinia Star in 2000 and the Gold Bauhinia Star in 2011 in recognition of her outstanding public services.
It gives me great pleasure, Mr Pro-Chancellor, to present the Honourable Anna Wu Hung-yuk for the Honorary University Fellowship, in recognition of her contributions to Hong Kong and academia.