HKU Bulletin May 2016 (Vol. 17 No.2)

The 195 th Congregation of the University of Hong Kong conferred Honorary Degrees on five individuals who are not only outstanding in their fields, but have also applied their abilities to benefit wider society. HONOURING THOSE WHO GIVE BACK The individuals are cardiologist and global health care leader Dr Victor Joseph Dzau, geneticist Dr Mary-Claire King, geneticist and HKU’s 14 th Vice-Chancellor Professor Lap-Chee Tsui, Hong Kong’s first Secretary for Justice Dr the Honourable Elsie Leung Oi-sie and businessman and philanthropist Dr the Honourable Lui Che-woo. Professor Tsui delivered the acceptance speech on behalf of the Honorary Graduates, in which he noted that globalisation had greatly increased the demand for individuals with multiple skills who could innovate and lead. This made it incumbent that universities not only create and transmit knowledge and train competency in their students, but also instil value in the next generation of leaders. From left: Council Chairman Professor the Honourable Arthur Li, Dr Mary-Claire King, Professor Lap-Chee Tsui, President Peter Mathieson, Dr Victor Joseph Dzau, Dr the Honourable Elsie Leung Oi-sie, Dr the Honourable Lui Che-woo and Pro-Chancellor Dr the Honourable David Li Kwok-po. Professor Tsui, who led HKU from 2002 to 2014, noted that his proudest achievement here was “building a cohesive university family of staff, students, alumni and friends” and he encouraged the University family to continue to work together and achieve excellence. “When I was here at HKU, I had a group of absolutely brilliant and hardworking staff, both academic and non-academic, and a bunch of most loyal alumni and highly supportive friends,” he said. Dr Dzau, the President of the National Academy of Medicine in the United States and Vice Chair of the Governing Body of the National Research Council, is a renowned physician and scientist who has the rare distinction of making an impact in two fields: cardiovascular medicine and genetics, and health care innovation and global health. The latter in particular was influenced by his childhood experiences. Dr Dzau was born in Shanghai in 1945 and his family fled in 1950 to start a new life in Hong Kong. Years later, his post-war experiences fed his passion for addressing global health inequality. At Duke University, where he is Chancellor Emeritus and James B Duke Professor of Medicine, he helped to launch the Duke Global Health Institute, among other initiatives. He has also advised many governments, companies and universities, serves on the Board of Health Governors of the World Economic Forum, and recently received the Project HOPE Global Health Partner Award for his contributions to global health care services. A VISION FORGED IN CHILDHOOD Dr Victor Joseph Dzau Doctor of Science honoris causa These achievements are significant in their own right, but Dr Dzau also transformed the field of cardiac regeneration through his work on the rennin angiotensin system in cardiovascular disease and gene therapy for cardiovascular disease. His research has benefited many people suffering from heart and blood vessel disease, ranging from hypertension to heart failure. A guiding principle in Dr Dzau’s work has been to embody the concept of translational medicine, from ‘bench to bedside’, and to give back to society by bringing his understanding of health, social inequality, clinical practice and science to the policy arena. “I am sure you will work with Professor Mathieson in the same spirit of partnership and commitment that you did with me, and I look forward to seeing this great university of Hong Kong continue to go from strength to strength in the years to come.” 34 | 35 The University of Hong Kong Bulletin | May 2016 Honours