HKU Bulletin February 2013 (Vol. 14 No. 2)

HKU’s Honorary Graduates: All Outstanding in Their OwnWay In recognition of their exceptional contributions to society and the world, and their commitment to academia and the University, three outstanding individuals – Syed Kemal Shah Bokhary, Henry Cheng Kar-shun and Yao Ming – were conferred Honorary Degrees by HKU Chancellor Dr the Honourable Leung Chun-ying at the 187 th Congregation on November 27, 2012 in Hong Kong. A delegation led by the Vice-Chancellor also travelled to Burma to confer an Honorary Degree on Nobel Peace Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi. Honours Syed Kemal Shah Bokhary å æ ç è æ é æ ê ë ì í î ï æ ð æ é ñ î ç ì ò î ì The Hon Mr Justice Syed Kemal Shah Bokhary was presented for the degree of Doctor of Laws honoris causa in recognition of his contributions to the legal sector and Hong Kong. Justice Bokhary was born and grew up in Hong Kong. He was appointed a Queen’s Counsel in 1983, a High Court Judge in 1989, a Court of Appeal in 1993 and a Permanent Judge of the Court of Final Appeal in 1997. He became known for his liberal views and their forthright expression. Through his judgments, he adopted forceful positions on important issues involving Hong Kong’s legal autonomy, freedom of expression and freedom of assembly. Described as ‘the conscience of the court’, he retired as a Permanent Judge of the Court of Final Appeal in 2012 but was re-appointed as a Non-Permanent Judge. Justice Bokhary has had a close relationship with the University as Patron of our Law Faculty’s Advocacy and Mooting Society, as an honorary lecturer and recently Honorary Professor. Yao Ming å æ ç è æ é æ ê ó æ ç ñ ì ô ó ç ñ õ ð ç õ î ï æ ð æ é ñ î ç ì ò î ì For his contributions to sport and humanity, Yao Ming was presented for the degree of Doctor of Social Sciences honoris causa . Born in 1980 in Shanghai, of parents who were both famous basketball players, he joined the Shanghai Sharks at age 17. He played for China at three Olympic Games, leading the Chinese national team into the quarterfinals at the 2004 Athens and 2008 Beijing Olympics. Mr Yao has made outstanding contributions in HIV/AIDS advocacy and has helped fight the social and cultural stigma associated with HIV/ AIDS with his participation in the prevention and treatment of the disease. In 2008, Mr Yao was presented with the Award for Outstanding Contributions to the AIDS Response by UNAIDS, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS. In 2008, he established the Yao Ming Foundation, which helps the lives of children in China and the USA. Henry Cheng Kar-shun å æ ç è æ é æ ê ó æ ç ñ ì ô ó ç ñ õ ð ç õ î ï æ ð æ é ñ î ç ì ò î ì Dr Henry Cheng was presented for the degree of Doctor of Social Sciences honoris causa for outstanding charitable work and fostering ties between Hong Kong and the Mainland. Dr Cheng is now the Chairman and Executive Director of New World Development Company and Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group Limited. His wide business interests and pioneering developments in China have gone hand in hand with strenuous efforts to help develop education in the Mainland. Notable examples of Dr Cheng’s contributions are the establishment of the Better Hong Kong Foundation, the founding of the Cheng Yu Tung Management Institute, the establishment of the New World Mathematics Award and the Wu Zhi Qiao (Bridge to China) Charitable Foundation. Dr Cheng has generously supported the development of the University’s Centennial Campus and the Faculty of Law. The University’s Cheng Yu Tung Tower is named after his family in recognition of their benefactions. ö ÷ ø ù ú û ü ý þ ÿ ö ú û ú þ þ ý þ ý ý ÿ ú û þ ý ý ú ÿ û û û ÿ Joking with the gentle giant: A dialogue with Yao Ming His enormous standing (both literally and figuratively) proved irresistible. Every seat in Loke Yew Hall was taken, and even nearby classrooms with live broadcasts were filled, as HKU staff and students flocked to see basketball legend Yao Ming on November 28 last year. Though a commanding and dignified presence at the 187 th Congregation just the day before, Mr Yao was here relaxed ú ÿ ý ú ö ÷ ø ÿ ü ü û ÿ ý û ÿ ý þ ý ú ý ý ö ü ú þ ú ý ú û and engaging, literally folding his enormous frame down to a more student-friendly size, and joking and bantering with his fans. Basketball and sports were of course discussed, but Mr Yao also described his HIV/AIDS advocacy and answered questions about his Foundation’s work with children in need and his interest in animal conservation. He also spoke about his studies and what it was like growing up in a family where both parents were also celebrated basketball players. 27 February 2013 The University of Hong Kong Bulletin