Campus Digest

HKBU confers degrees on over 6,500 graduates and honours four distinguished persons at 57th Commencement

14 Nov 2016

HKBU held its 57th Commencement on 11, 12 and 14 November to confer undergraduate degrees and higher degrees on more than 6,500 graduates, including over 1,000 graduates from the Beijing Normal University – HKBU United International College. In addition, the University conferred honorary doctoral degrees on four distinguished persons today (14 November) for their outstanding achievements in their fields and remarkable contributions to society.

Accomplished filmmaker and producer Professor Elizabeth M Daley was awarded the degree of Doctor of Letters, honoris causa; distinguished Mathematics scholar Professor Martin Hairer was awarded the degree of Doctor of Science, honoris causa; outstanding entrepreneur Mr David Mong Tak-yeung was awarded the degree of Doctor of Social Sciences, honoris causa; renowned scholar in African-American literature and President of Swarthmore College, USA, Professor Valerie Smith was awarded the degree of Doctor of Letters, honoris causa.

In his address, President and Vice-Chancellor Professor Roland Chin spoke on the need to “create changes for a better world”. He said the four honorary doctoral recipients had demonstrated how one person could make such a positive impact on the world. He said they served as exceptional role models for the student graduates. Professor Chin also used the examples of remarkable changemakers who have studied at HKBU and also those in history who have made a real difference to the lives of so many people. They include physically impaired HKBU student Mr Ngan Chiu-ming, who developed the smartphone app that locates wheelchair-friendly restaurants; and HKBU alumnus Mr Chan Hung, who established the free tutorial school for underprivileged children. Professor Chin said that while HKBU graduates have benefitted from the impact made by other changemakers, the graduates themselves should be encouraged to contribute their own efforts to make additional changes for a better world.

Speaking on behalf of the four honorary doctors, Professor Valerie Smith shared on the three missions of liberal arts education: they are that such an education teaches students to think critically, prepares them to adapt to change, and empowers them to collaborate effectively at work and in their communities. A proper measure of the benefits of liberal arts education is how well that the exposure it gives to different ways of thinking, knowing and experiencing the world broadens students’ perspectives and inspires their creativity and resilience. Professor Smith encouraged the people who have benefited from, or who are dedicated to delivering, liberal arts education to share their stories, enabling others to see how it can transform the lives of those it touches, and prepare them to solve the various challenges that face societies across the globe.

For the brief introduction on the Honorary Doctorate recipients, please visit: HKBU to confer honorary doctoral degrees on four distinguished persons

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