Campus Digest

HKBU celebrates 59th anniversary at Founders’ Day Reception and presents 2nd Distinguished Alumni Award to four alumni

30 Mar 2015

HKBU held the Founders’ Day Reception last Friday (27 March) to celebrate the University’s 59th anniversary. The occasion provided a good opportunity for the University to update its community members and friends on its development. Around 350 guests including government officials, Consuls General, HKBU’s Council and Court members, HKBU Foundation members, Honorary doctorate and fellowship recipients, donors, alumni, staff and students attended the event.

The University also presented the second Distinguished Alumni Award to four outstanding alumni in recognition of their professional accomplishments and remarkable contribution. The four alumni are Dr Chiu Chun-bong, Dr Justin Chiu Kwok-hung, Dr Matthew Lui Yue-chun and Professor Mark Kai-keung. 

Officiating guests at the Reception included Dr Eric Li Ka-cheung, Steward of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, Mr Cheng Yan-kee, Chairman of the Council and the Court of HKBU, Mrs Pamela Chan, Deputy Chairman of the Council and the Court of HKBU, Mrs Doreen Chan, Treasurer of the Council and the Court of HKBU, and Professor Albert Chan, President and Vice-Chancellor. 

In his welcome remarks, Mr Cheng Yan-kee said that HKBU is dedicated to nurturing all-round achievers who not only shine in their own academic and professional realms, but are also conscious of their social responsibilities and willing to serve the community. A guiding principle that has played an important role despite the University’s transformation over the years is the ethos of whole person education. The many outstanding students and alumni in attendance demonstrate the effectiveness of HKBU’s educational philosophy. 

In addition, Mr Cheng expressed his appreciation to Professor Albert Chan, who will retire in July 2015. In appreciation of Professor Chan’s tremendous contributions to the University, HKBU established the “Albert and Mabel Chan Exchange Scholarship” which will provide financial support for outstanding students participating in exchange studies in Mainland or overseas universities. 

HKBU will be turning 60 in 2016 and a series of activities will be held throughout the year to showcase the University’s strengths and plans for the new era. Mr Cheng took the opportunity to call on University supporters to help make the celebration a resounding success. 

Professor Albert Chan highlighted the University’s major achievements over the past year. These included HKBU’s encouraging research performance as reflected on the Research Assessment Exercise 2014 announced by the University Grants Committee in January. Compared with other tertiary institutions, HKBU tops the four-star rating in four areas: Chinese Medicine, Mathematics and Statistics, Geography and Music. Other accomplishments included HKBU’s research beachheads set up with partner institutes in Changshu, Haimen, Shenzhen and Huizhou on the Mainland for the betterment of research and education. Professor Chan also expressed his gratitude to the staff, students, alumni and friends of HKBU for their support of the development of the University.

Mr Cheng and Professor Chan thanked the HKBU Foundation, its members and donors for their fundraising efforts in support of the University’s long-term development. They presented HKBU Foundation certificates to acknowledge more than 10 donors who had made cumulative donations of HK$1 million and above to the University.

Please click here to view the photo album of the Founders’ Day Reception, and click here for the snapshots of the Distinguished Alumni Award presentation.