HKU Bulletin May 2004 (Vol. 5 No. 3)

Honouring the Distinguished A n opera singer, a renowned philanthropist and a surgeon were among six people awarded honorary degrees at the Loke Yew Hall, in March. Ms Pak Suet Sin , one of Cantonese opera’s most endur ing stars was conferred the degree of Doctor of Letters honoris causa . Her long and i l lust r ious career has won her widespread applause. In 1990 she established the Yam-Pak Charitable Foundation to support research into Cantonese traditional dramatic art. The Hon . Mi chae l Kadoor i e , Chai rman of The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels Ltd and CLP Holdings Ltd, was conferred the degree of Doctor of Laws honoris causa . As a trustee of the Kadoorie Charitable Foundation, Mr Kadoorie is a renowned phi lanthropist . The Foundation has generously funded agricultural projects and schools in Hong Kong. In 2000 the Kadoorie Biological Sciences Bui lding was opened at the University in memory of Mr Kadoorie’s father, Sir Lawrence. 4 5 NEWS ROUND-UP Professor Arnold George Dominic Maran i s Professor Emer i tus of Otorhinolaryngology at the University of Edinburgh, and immediate past- president of the Royal Col lege of Surgeons of Edinburgh. His distinguished service to the medical profession has won him international acclaim. He has taken an active part in both clinical and basic research. His sustained efforts to ensure a high standard of training and practice for Hong Kong is widely admired. He was conferred the degree of Doctor of Science honoris causa . Mr Darwin Chen has enjoyed a distinguished career highlighted by ser v i ces to the commun i t y. He i s cu r r en t l y Cha i rman o f t he Ar t s Deve l opment Counc i l . Hi s achievements in this area have already earned him the conferment of an Honorary University Fellowship from the University and an Honorary Fel lowship of the Academy of Performing Arts. He was conferred the degree of Doctor of Social Sciences honoris causa . Madam Qi an Zhengy i ng i s Cha i rwoman o f t he Na t i ona l Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and a member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering. She has been the mastermind behind many key water conservancy projects in China since 1944 and has provided professional advice on the construction of many massive dams and power plants which have greatly mitigated flood hazards along the Lower Yellow River. Madam Qian was conferred the degree of Doctor of Science honoris causa . Mrs Mary Rodrigues is an alumna of the University who has remained close to her alma mater. She has served the University as a member of both the Court and the Council. She has worked tirelessly for Convocation, retiring as its Chairperson in 2001 after serving for three consecut ive terms. Mrs Rodrigues was conferred the degree of Doctor of Social Sciences honoris causa . Pak Suet Sin Michael Kadoorie Arnold Maran Darwin Chen Qian Zhengying Mary Rodrigues