President Qiu Yong Receives Honorary Doctorate from the Chinese University of Hong Kong
On November 29, at the 86th Congregation for the Conferment of Degrees of the Chinese University of Hong Kong 2018, Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and Chancellor of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, presented a Degree of Doctor of Science, honoris causa, to Tsinghua University President Qiu Yong. The conferment ceremony was presided over by the Vice-Chancellor and President of the Chinese University of Hong Kong Prof. Rocky S. Tuan.
The award is in recognition of the outstanding achievements and contributions made by President Qiu in academia and to greater society, including for the promotion of scientific research and development, cross-disciplinary research in the field of organic optoelectronics, as well as the important role he has played in university management, talent cultivation, education and teaching, and cooperation between the two universities.
More than 1500 participants were present at the conferment ceremony, including Council Chairman of the Chinese University of Hong Kong Dr. Leung Nai-pang, and from Tsinghua University - Former President Gu Binglin, Vice President and Provost Yang Bin, Assistant President and Director of the Academic Affairs Office Peng Gang, and alumni representatives.
Sze-Wing Tang, Professor and Chairman of the Department of Chinese Language and Literature at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, gave the conferment speech to President Qiu. He praised his journey and achievements, saying that once a young freshman pursuing a dream, Professor Qiu is now the head of a university driving the collective pursuit of an exalted goal. In this 35-year journey, Professor Qiu has been studying and working in one place - his alma mater, embodying the quintessential Tsinghuanese from head to toe. Professor Qiu has dedicated himself to scientific research, material development, and the translation of research findings. He is an advocate of novel cross-disciplinary research, and much renowned for his belief and efforts in integrating the laboratory with entrepreneur research platforms paving the way for product research commercialization. Professor Qiu’s dedication and passion for nurturing young scholars is also inspiring. He has won countless accolades for his scientific innovations and pedagogic passions. Throughout his career, Professor Qiu has taught by example and impressed many young minds. He has persevered in discovering new knowledge and scaling new heights. He has championed cross-disciplinary research, promoted the integration of academic research and industry applications, setting new trends in the community with his vision and vigor. Both as a scholar and as an individual, he epitomizes the true spirit of Tsinghua University encapsulated in its motto ‘Self-Discipline and Social Commitment’. He practices what he preaches and acts as a role model.
On the day, three distinguished individuals were awarded the Degree of Doctor, honoris causa of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, for their outstanding contributions to culture, art, scientific research, education, and the promotion of people's well-being. In addition to President Qiu, the Former Chairman of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, Former Member of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong, and recipient of the Gold Bauhinia Star of Hong Kong Simon Ip Sik-on; and Former Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, recipient of the Golden Bauhinia Star and the Grand Bauhinia Medal of Hong Kong, Joseph Yam Chi-kwong were awarded Degree of Doctor of Social Science, honoris causa of the Chinese University of Hong Kong.
Subsequently, the ceremony also held a degree awarding session, where 451 graduating students enjoyed the momentous occasion.
Tsinghua University and the Chinese University of Hong Kong signed their first exchange agreement back in 1985. In recent years, teacher-student exchange and academic cooperation between the two universities have become increasingly frequent. On May 29, 2017, President Qiu was appointed as Honorary Professor of the Faculty of Science of the Chinese University of Hong Kong and other renowned Tsinghua professors, including Chen-Ning Yang, Honorary Director of Institute For Advanced Study of Tsinghua University; Andrew Chi-Chih Yao, Dean of the Institute for Interdisciplinary Information Sciences, and Shing-Tung Yau, Director of Yau Mathematical Sciences Center, are also distinguished professor-at-large at the Chinese University of Hong Kong.
Writers: Wilson Khor, Celina Jiang
Editors: King Madeleine Rose, Guo Lili
