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199th Congregation (2018)

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HKU confers honorary degrees upon three outstanding individuals at the 199th Congregation

May 18, 2018

From left: Dr David MONG Tak Yeung, Dr Jack MA Yun, Dr TANG Ching Wan, the Chancellor of the University, the Chief Executive of the HKSAR The Hon Mrs Carrie LAM CHENG Yuet Ngor, HKU Pro-Chancellor Dr David Li Kwok Po, HKU Council Chairman Professor Arthur Li, HKU Acting President Professor Paul Tam
From left: Dr David MONG Tak Yeung and Dr Jack MA Yun, Doctors of Social Sciences honoris causa; Professor TANG Ching Wan, Doctor of Science honoris causa; University Chancellor and HKSAR Chief Executive Mrs Carrie LAM CHENG Yuet Ngor; HKU Pro-Chancellor Dr David LI Kwok Po; HKU Council Chairman Professor Arthur LI; HKU Acting President Professor Paul TAM

The Chancellor of the University of Hong Kong (HKU) and HKSAR Chief Executive Mrs Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet Ngor presided at the 199th Congregation today (May 18) to confer honorary degrees on three outstanding individuals.

The honorary degree recipients are:

Doctor of Science honoris causa
TANG Ching Wan

Doctor of Social Sciences honoris causa
Jack MA Yun
David MONG Tak Yeung

Dr Jack Ma, Doctor of Social Sciences honoris causa, delivered the acceptance speech on behalf of the honorary graduates. He thanked the University of Hong Kong for giving him this great trust of honour, which is a recognition of the entrepreneurship, of the “never give up” spirit.

He praised Hong Kong for its inclusiveness, innovation and its young people.

“I love Hong Kong because of Hong Kong’s inclusiveness, because of its open spirit, its open trade, open culture and open policy that made HK today.”

He urges young people to embrace innovation and look beyond Hong Kong to eye on the world, to become experts for the future.

He said new technology is going to change every aspect of the world and people have to change.

“In the future, it is not about a competition of knowledge, it’s the competition of creativity, it’s the competition of imagination, it’s the competition of learning, it’s the competition of independent thinking.”

He believes young people should not focus only on IQ, EQ, but also LQ, the Quotient of Love, to care about others and their success.

“In my heart, Hong Kong is the city closest to the world. And I believe tomorrow Hong Kong will be the city closest to the future.” He said.

Honorary Degrees of the University of Hong Kong are awarded to individuals in recognition of their distinguished service and commitment to the University, the community and academia. They are also conferred to those who have made valuable intellectual, social and cultural contributions to society and the world.