UM confers honorary doctorates on three distinguished individuals
The University of Macau (UM) today (1 December) held the Ceremony for the Conferment of Honorary and Higher Degrees 2018. At the ceremony, UM conferred honorary doctorates on Prof Joseph Sung Jao-yiu, Dr Anthony Lau Siu Wing, and Mr Lao Ngai Leong, for their outstanding achievements and significant contributions to social development and education.
At the ceremony, Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture of Macao SAR Tam Chon Weng, acting as the representative of Macao SAR Chief Executive and UM Chancellor Chui Sai On, and accompanied by UM University Council Chair Lam Kam Seng and UM Rector Yonghua Song, conferred the Doctor of Education honoris causa degree on Prof Joseph Sung, the Doctor of Business Administration honoris causa degree on Dr Anthony Lau, and the Doctor of Social Sciences honoris causa degree on Mr Lao Ngai Leong.
In his speech, Tam said: ‘Each of the three honorary doctors excels in his own field and has made extraordinary contributions to education and social development. Thanks to you, the university spirit will be enriched, and the students will have new role models to follow. On behalf of the SAR government, I would like to express my sincerest thanks for your care and support for the educational, scientific and technological development of Macao.’
Prof Hong Gang Jin, dean of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, delivered a citation for Prof Joseph Sung. Prof Jin said: ‘A world-renowned scientist, Prof Sung, together with his research team, has achieved pioneering research results, which have had a major impact on the practice of gastroenterology worldwide. Prof Sung was hailed as the ‘Asian Hero’ by Time magazine for his selfless and courageous fight against the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) during its outbreak in 2003. Prof Sung served as the vice-chancellor and president of the Chinese University of Hong Kong from 2010 to 2017. As a visionary academic leader, Prof Sung is a firm advocate for holistic education. To him, the first and foremost mission of a university is to educate the young – to nurture them into individuals with humanness, creativity, critical thinking, and global citizenship.’
Prof Jacky So, dean of the Faculty of Business Administration, delivered a citation for Dr Anthony Lau. Prof So said: ‘Dr Anthony Lau is one of the pioneers of the air cargo and logistics business. When the Hong Kong Airport was in a state of chaos after its move in 1998 from the old location to the current location, Dr Lau led the industry to work with the Hong Kong government and the air cargo terminal operators to restore normal airport operations.He has received many awards, including the Bronze Bauhinia Star from the Hong Kong SAR government for his contributions to the Hong Kong logistics industry in 2009. In addition, as an alumnus of UM, Dr Lau is committed to supporting the university’s mission of advancing whole-person education and producing future leaders for Macao. Dr Lau also encourages other alumni to support alumni-themed activities at UM and strives to keep alumni connected and engaged with one another. He is also a member of the Honorary Advisory Board of UM’s Asia-Pacific Academy of Economies and Management.’
Prof Lionel Ni, vice rector (academic affairs) of UM, delivered a citation for Mr Lao Ngai Leong. Prof Ni said: ‘Regardless of how busy he is as an elite business leader, Mr Lao has been devoting himself to charitable and social causes for decades. He has led and participated in numerous community and charitable activities in Macao. Not only is he a philanthropist and a staunch supporter of education, he also serves the public by participating in different associations and civic affairs. As an advocate of education, Mr Lao sits on university councils and secondary school boards in Macao and in mainland China. Not least, Mr Lao has been donating to the underprivileged in Macao for the past several decades and has been giving back generously to his motherland. In addition, as a National People's Congress deputy for five consecutive terms, Mr Lao is most acclaimed for his political role in building connections between Macao and the nation. Mr Lao is the epitome of how Chinese business elite of high moral standard may contribute to society and the nation: with a good conscience, in a practical manner, and for charitable causes and the greater good.’
Prof Joseph Sung delivered a speech on behalf of the honorary degree recipients to thank the university for awarding the honorary degrees. He said, ‘In recent years, the University of Macau has gone a long way in its teaching and research, as reflected in its rising academic standing. Its big and beautiful new campus is enviable, and is also making a huge difference to the university’s development.’
