The Reverend Father Alfred J Deignan, SJ has played a leading role in both secondary and tertiary education and served for many years as the warden of Ricci Hall (1970-1978) at the University of Hong Kong. He concurrently served as a member of the University Court and as a member of many committees, such as the Hall Committee and as Chaplain of the University. A former teacher, and former Principal of Wah Yan College, in Kowloon, Reverend Father Deignan’s life-long dedication to education has won him the respect of the community he serves.
With his rich experiences in both secondary and university education he was able to play a significant role during a series of education reforms in Hong Kong. He made available his services to both diocesan and lay inter-school councils. When he retired as Principal of Wah Yan College in 1992 he continued to give workshops on education to secondary schools in Hong Kong and the wider Asia region.
He has been Regional Superior of the Jesuits in Macau and Hong Kong since 1996, and also serves as Chairman of the Hong Kong International Institute of Educational Leadership.
In recognition of his enormous contributions to education in Hong Kong and Asia, the University has resolved to confer upon him the degree of Doctor of Social Sciences honoris causa.
