In Memoriam

Remembering Professor Ian Davies

The University’s 13ᵗʰ Vice-Chancellor Professor Ian Davies passed away in London peacefully on July 24 at the age of 72. A memorial service was held for Professor Davies on August 29 in the Rayson Huang Theatre, attended by colleagues, alumni and friends who came together to pay their respects to the much-loved member of the HKU family.

The service began with a silent tribute and introduction by Dean of Dentistry Professor Thomas Flemmig, followed by an address by President and Vice-Chancellor Professor Peter Mathieson.

Professor Mathieson said in his address: “Many in Hong Kong will remember him for being the driving force behind the establishment of the territory’s first Faculty of Dentistry. They may remember that he was appointed to the post of Vice-Chancellor at a very difficult time for the University. They will quite rightly remember him for his role in improving the provision of dental care for the Hong Kong community, and for the stabilising leadership he brought to the University during some challenging times.”

Professor Davies’s dedication, contributions and achievements were highlighted in the eulogy delivered by Professor Esmonde Corbet, Clinical Professor of Dentistry, and tributes were delivered by Dr the Honourable Sir David Li Kwok-po, Pro-Chancellor; Emeritus Professor Rosie Young, Honorary Clinical Professor of Department of Medicine; and Dr Gordon Chiu, Honorary Clinical Associate Professor of Faculty of Dentistry. Attending guests then had a chance to reminisce about the life and work of Professor Davies through a presentation of snapshots and video before the memorial service came to an end.

Professor Davies was one of the pioneers who established at HKU what was and continues to be Hong Kong’s first and only Faculty of Dentistry. He served as Dean of the Faculty of Dentistry and Director of Prince Philip Dental Hospital concurrently from 1983 to 1989 and the University’s Pro-Vice-Chancellor from 1991 to 2000. In the last two years of his Pro-Vice-Chancellorship, he also served as the Registrar, and was the University’s Vice-Chancellor from 2000 to 2002. Professor Davies was an Honorary Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, the College of Dental Surgeons of Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Academy of Medicine. He was appointed Emeritus Professor at HKU, made Justice of the Peace in 1991, awarded a Silver Bauhinia Star in 2003, and conferred an Honorary Doctorate by HKU in 2006.■