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

Going the extra mile: An HKU delegation meets Daw Aung San Suu Kyi in Burma Honorary University Fellowships Presentation: Celebrating the spirit of community Honours In March 2012, at a time when Nobel Peace Laureate Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was still unable to travel outside her country, the University nevertheless chose to confer a Doctor of Laws honoris causa upon her in absentia, in recognition of her commitment to non-violent struggle for democracy and human rights. So when an HKU delegation was scheduling a November 2012 trip to Burma to foster academic ties, it seemed the perfect opportunity to present the degree to her in person. The delegation was led by Vice-Chancellor Professor Lap-Chee Tsui and included Professor Ian Holliday, Burma expert and Professor in Politics and Public Administration; Professor John Spinks, Director of Undergraduate Admissions and International Student Exchange; HKU Librarian Mr Peter Sidorko and Director of Communications Ms Katherine Ma. At the ceremony in Daw Suu’s home in the newly built capital, Nay Pyi Taw, she was also appointed Honorary Professor in the HKU Faculty of Social Sciences, and the first Honorary Advisor of the HKU SERVICE 100 global service- learning programme. Daw Suu said it was a great pleasure for her to accept the Honorary Degree. She hoped her ties with HKU would remain strong and that relations between Burma and Hong Kong and the Mainland would grow closer. “This is an acknowledgement not of me personally, but of what we have been trying to achieve in Burma,” she noted. In her new capacities as an HKU Honorary Professor and Advisor, Daw Suu hopes to use the example of HKU to empower young people in her own country. She said that the military authorities there believed that undergraduates getting together made trouble. “Of course they make trouble, but it’s the right kind of trouble. And we have to teach them how to make trouble in the right way again.” Professor Ian Holliday, presenting the Honorary Professorship to Daw Suu, hoped she would share her knowledge about human rights advocacy with HKU students and community members. He said: “We can’t think of a better person from within our Asian region, our Asian neighbourhood, to really embody the philosophy of global citizenship to which we are committed.” Daw Suu said she would like to come to Hong Kong as soon as possible to meet students but could not say exactly when. She likes meeting young people, she said, adding that they have always given her hope. The Presentation Ceremony on October 4, 2012 saw an unusually sombre start, as the Vice- Chancellor reminded the audience that the University had lost ‘two of its own’ in the Lamma IV ferry accident just a few days earlier. After observing a moment’s silence, the Vice-Chancellor noted that honouring the memory of those lost also involved celebrating their lives, their achievements and the way they touched others. This was, in effect, the point of the Honorary University Fellowships and those in attendance were there to celebrate the lives of nine distinguished individuals and their contributions to the community and the University. The Fellowships were created in 1995 as a means for the University community to thank and salute the lives of those who have made important contributions 9LFH &KDQFHOORU 3URIHVVRU /DS &KHH 7VXL ULJKW DQG 3URIHVVRU ,DQ +ROOLGD\ RI¿FLDWH WKH FRQIHUUDO FHUHPRQ\ LQVLGH 'DZ 6XX¶V KRPH µ5RVH &RWWDJH¶ %DFN URZ IURP OHIW 0U -RVHSK :RQJ &KRQJ FKXQ 'U -RVHSK 7LQJ 6XQ SDR 0U 6LPRQ 6XHQ 6LX PDQ 0U 3KLOLS /DP %LQJ OXQ 0V %HOLQGD +XQJ .ZDL \L 'U <RUN &KRZ <DW QJRN DQG 0U &KDQ .RRQ FKXQJ )URQW URZ IURP OHIW 'U 1LFRODV <HXQJ 6KX \DQ 9LFH &KDQFHOORU 3URIHVVRU /DS &KHH 7VXL 3UR &KDQFHOORU 'U 'DYLG /L .ZRN SR &RXQFLO &KDLUPDQ 'U /HRQJ &KH KXQJ DQG 0U &KRQJ &KDQ \DX in their own unique ways to the University, to academia, and to Hong Kong. The HKU Pro-Chancellor Dr the Honourable David Li Kwok-po presided at the Ceremony at which Fellowships were presented to Mr Chan Koon- chung, acclaimed writer and film producer; Mr Chong Chan-yau, community service leader and advocate for the underprivileged; Dr York Chow Yat-ngok, former Secretary for Health; Ms Belinda Hung Kwai-yi, social worker, philanthropist and education advocate; Mr Philip Lam Bing-lun, former HKU Director of Finance; Mr Simon Suen Siu-man, industry leader and advocate of Chinese art and culture; Dr Joseph Ting Sun-pao, Hong Kong and Pearl River Delta historian; Mr Joseph Wong Chong-chun, industry leader and education advocate; Dr Nicolas Yeung Shu-yan, renowned engineer, education advocate and community service leader. At the ceremony, Vice-Chancellor Professor Lap- Chee Tsui extended his gratitude on behalf of the University community to the fellows for their contributions to the University and society. “This evening we will be honouring nine individuals who have shown, in thought, and word, and deed, how deeply they appreciate the value of education, and how important the welfare of society is to them,” he said. “They themselves lead by example,” he said. “Their significant contributions are made selflessly and we are glad to have this opportunity to express our gratitude.” M 29 The University of Hong Kong Bulletin February 2013