Dr James Wu Man Hon has done much to help Hong Kong in the fields of educational and industrial progress. Born in Hong Kong in 1920, he and his classmates started free summer schools for underprivileged children in their early student days. After graduating from King's College, he went on to become an engineering student of the University of Hong Kong in 1940 but because of the war and the Japanese invasion was forced to continue his studies in mechanical engineering in free China. There he and another student organised a Hong Kong University alumni association which helped over 100 refugee students complete their studies.
Dr Wu's educational work continued after the war. He is a founder member of Hong Kong Polytechnic which was established in 1972 and involved himself personally in the recruitment of its academic staff. He has also maintained his links with the University of Hong Kong and donated money last year to establish the James Wu Computer Laboratory for Systems Engineering.
In the business world, Dr Wu is an industrialist and real estate owner and is chairman of the well-known Hong Kong company, Hopewell Holdings, as well as Life Honorary President of the Federation of Hong Kong Industries. He also served as an Urban Councillor from 1968 to 1973 and a Legislative Councillor from 1972 to 1979. He was awarded an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1974. Just last year, the Hong Kong Polytechnic conferred on him an honorary Doctor of Engineering degree.
In recognition of his services to the economy of Hong Kong, the University has resolved to confer upon him the degree of Doctor of Laws honoris causa.
