Mr Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges has been Chief Executive Officer of The Hong Kong Jockey Club since 2007. Under his far-sighted leadership, the Club has developed into a world-class racing organization, while The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust has become one of the world's top ten charity donors. This has allowed the Club to provide increasing support for Hong Kong's many evolving areas of civic and social need, including youth development, elderly services, sports, and arts, culture and heritage. The Club has made a significant contribution to the development of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University under the guidance of Mr Engelbrecht-Bresges and his management team. The University has been able to construct impressive edifices including the Innovation Tower and the Auditorium, establish teaching and research facilities such as the Rehabilitation Engineering Centre and the Design Institute for Social Innovation, and provide a range of education and community programmes.
Living the Club's purpose, which is the betterment of our society, Mr Engelbrecht-Bresges has been actively engaging in public service. He was a Board Member of the Equestrian Events (Hong Kong) of the Games of the XXIX Olympiad Co Ltd. Currently, he is a Board Member of the Community Chest, an Executive Committee Member of the Hong Kong Management Association, and a member of the International Advisory Board of the Sichuan University. Internationally, he is Vice Chairman of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities, the world's highest thoroughbred racing authority, and Chairman of the Asian Racing Federation. He was awarded the Gold Bauhinia Star by the HKSAR Government in 2016 and Leader of the Year 2017 in the Sports/Culture/Performing Arts category. A forward thinker and an admirable leader, Mr Engelbrecht-Bresges was conferred the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Humanities by PolyU.
Chairman,
Our honorary doctoral degree recipient today has played a profound role in reshaping one of Hong Kong's most important and culturally significant organizations.
Over the last 12 years, Mr Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges has been the chief architect of a remarkable transformation, building The Hong Kong Jockey Club into a philanthropic powerhouse that delivers unrivalled economic and social value for the people of Hong Kong.
Since he became its Chief Executive Officer in 2007, the Club has developed into one of the world's leading horse racing organizations, while The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust has become one of the world's top ten charity donors.
These two achievements go hand-in-hand, for Mr Engelbrecht-Bresges is a firm believer in the philosophy of "doing well by doing good". Drawing on the Club's historic roots as a not-for-profit organization, he saw clearly that the more it contributed to the health and wealth of Hong Kong, the more successful it would become.
On this foundation, and motivated by a deep commitment to maintaining Hong Kong racing's status as a global leader, he and his team built a robust, strategic and successful integrated business model rooted in the Club's core purpose of acting for the betterment of our society.
From the start, Mr Engelbrecht-Bresges had the vision to make radical but necessary changes to how horse racing in Hong Kong is regulated and governed. By establishing a strong governance framework to ensure fair competition, animal welfare and zero tolerance with respect to the use of prohibited substances, Mr Engelbrecht-Bresges has successfully repositioned horse racing in Hong Kong as a trusted and well-run competitive sport that sets global standards of integrity. Hong Kong racing is now a global brand, well known for its utmost integrity and outstanding quality.
Under his far-sighted leadership, the Club has achieved remarkable progress in providing world-class racing entertainment and responsible sports wagering and lottery services. As a consequence, it has doubled its tax contributions and quadrupled its charitable donations in just ten years. Currently, it is the single largest taxpayer in Hong Kong.
This has allowed the Club to generate increasing levels of financial, material and strategic support for Hong Kong's many evolving areas of civic and social need, including education and training, youth development, elderly services, sports and recreation, arts, culture and heritage, medical and health, family services, and environmental protection, thus benefitting Hong Kong people from all walks of life, today and tomorrow. Under Mr Engelbrecht-Bresges' leadership, the Club's charities contribution has adopted a more strategic approach in recent years, evolving from a primarily "reactive grant approver" to a more "proactive social change orchestrator".
Mr Engelbrecht-Bresges once shared his secret of success: "Have a clear vision of what you want. Be decisive about what you do. And last but not least, people are the most important; therefore build a strong team who will translate strategies into actions."
With a lifelong passion for horse racing and breeding thoroughbreds, Mr Engelbrecht-Bresges had already chalked up a number of impressive industry accomplishments prior to joining the Club.
Soon after he graduated from the University of Cologne with a degree in Economics, Finance and Statistics, he had the opportunity to run one of the biggest stud farms in Germany. Captivated by the experience of breeding, training and racing horses, he decided to embark on a career in the field.
Subsequently, he became Vice President of the German Breeders' and Owners' Association, and CEO of the German Jockey Club. He spent six years as Executive Vice President and ten years as a Board Member of the German Racing and Breeding Authority, the governing body of German horse racing and breeding.
When Mr Engelbrecht-Bresges joined the Club in 1998, therefore, he brought with him both a novel perspective and the steadfast goal of bringing the highest standards to Hong Kong's horse racing business.
In 2008, Hong Kong's abiding love of equestrian sports was paraded on the world stage, as our city hosted the equestrian events of the 2008 Summer Olympic Games. Being a Board member of the Equestrian Events (Hong Kong) of the Games of the XXIX Olympiad Co Ltd, the company charged with managing the operations of the Olympic equestrian events in Hong Kong, Mr Engelbrecht-Bresges made invaluable contributions by leading the venue planning and construction as well as managing the operations. The successful staging of the events has significantly enhanced Hong Kong's position as a world-leader in equestrian sports.
At the same time, his presence and achievements in the international arena have put Hong Kong on the map as a centre of world-class racing. Mr Engelbrecht-Bresges is Vice Chairman of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities, the world's highest thoroughbred racing authority, and Chairman of the Asian Racing Federation, which comprises over 20 member racing jurisdictions and promotes horse racing within Asia.
Living the Club's purpose, which is the betterment of our society, Mr Engelbrecht-Bresges has been actively engaging in public service. He is a Board Member of the Community Chest, an Executive Committee Member of the Hong Kong Management Association, and a member of the International Advisory Board of the Sichuan University. He also served on the final judging panel of THE ONE International Humanitarian Award 2019, which rewards individuals who have dedicated their lives to serving others.
Mr Engelbrecht-Bresges's achievements and contributions have been widely recognized. In 2016, he was honoured with the Gold Bauhinia Star by the HKSAR Government for his passion, visionary leadership and achievements in raising the Club to an international leading position in horse racing, and enhancing its status as a premier charity and community benefactor. He was also awarded Leader of the Year 2017 in the sports, culture and performing arts category.
The Club has made a significant contribution to the development of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University under the guidance of Mr Engelbrecht-Bresges and his leadership of the management team. In particular, the University has been able to construct impressive edifices including the Innovation Tower and this Auditorium, set up major teaching and research facilities such as the Rehabilitation Engineering Centre and the Design Institute for Social Innovation, and organize education and community programmes such as the Summer Internship Programme and the "PolyU Serves" Community Service Project.
Chairman, today, we salute a forward thinker and an admirable leader. It is my great honour to present Mr Engelbrecht-Bresges for the conferment of the degree of Doctor of Humanities honoris causa.
Chairman Lam, President Teng, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
I am very honoured by the conferment of this prestigious degree by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, and humbled by the generous remarks in the citation. But more important I think, is the recognition of The Hong Kong Jockey Club's contributions to society.
I began my gratifying and rewarding journey with the Club 21 years ago. What brought me to Hong Kong was not just the city's extraordinary can-do-spirit, but the Club's community benefactor role in society.
Indeed, through our unique integrated business model, we deliver economic and social value for the benefit of all. This includes, but is by no means limited to, our charitable donations, which have quadrupled over the last decade, thanks to the success of the Club's businesses.
These additional resources have facilitated a transformation of the Club's charities strategy over the last five years, with our Charities Trust now adopting a more proactive approach. In particular, it is focusing on four strategic areas namely, Youth, the Elderly, Sports, and Arts, Culture and Heritage.
For young people from across the social spectrum, the Club has been helping them to develop and to realise their potential.
And with Hong Kong's elderly, the fastest-growing demographic group, the Club has been helping our senior citizens stay active and healthy, while making the city more age friendly.
Sport, as we all know, is good for our health. But it also creates social cohesion and helps to develop positive attitudes and values. In this regard, the Club has been rolling out programmes for citizens of all ages to realise the benefits of sports participation.
And last but not least, Arts, Culture and Heritage. While the arts enrich our community life, our heritage and cultural preservation reminds us all about our past, and to support advancement by giving history due consideration. In this respect, I am very proud of Tai Kwun, our largest Arts, Culture and Heritage project; which just received the Award of Excellence in this year's UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation.
About half of the Club's donations are now being allocated to these four strategic areas while we continue to support the other existing sectors. And I must say that as CEO of the Club, I feel very privileged to be able to serve the community in this way.
I am also very grateful to the many people who have inspired me on my journey. In particular, my late father who had the highest levels of integrity and discipline, and who always lived up to his promises. I would like to thank my wife for her great support and understanding in my demanding role.
I'd also like to thank the Club Stewards who have been extremely passionate about achieving the Club's purpose, which is the betterment of our society. And also my colleagues at the Club, who have worked hard with the spirit of One Club One Team One Vision.
I have been very fortunate to work in Hong Kong which is now very much my home, and to be able to give back to the community which has made me so welcome.
And I have no doubt that The Hong Kong Polytechnic University will continue to be a valued partner to the Club and myself in our pursuit for society betterment.
Thank you.
Professor Qiu Yong acquired his Bachelor's and Doctoral Degrees in chemistry from Tsinghua University in 1988 and 1994 respectively. He then served in various capacities at his alma mater, and was appointed President of Tsinghua University in 2015. Throughout his career, Professor Qiu has sought to put science and technology at the service of society, transforming laboratory discoveries into real-life applications and sustainable solutions. An expert on organic optoelectronic materials and devices, Professor Qiu has helped promote the use of Organic Light-Emitting Diode (OLED) technology through his research and entrepreneurship, including its use on the extravehicular spacesuits worn by astronauts on the Shenzhou 7 spaceship, and the launch of mainland China's first-ever OLED mass production line. For his pioneering work, Professor Qiu received a State Technological Invention Award – 1st Class in 2012.
Under Professor Qiu's leadership, Tsinghua formulated its first-ever global strategy in 2016. To date, Tsinghua has signed collaboration agreements with some 280 universities and research institutes in 50 countries. Among these institutions is The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, which has established close partnerships with Tsinghua over the past two decades in areas ranging from student exchange to research and academic collaboration. In recognition of Professor Qiu's outstanding academic achievements and contributions to society, he was named Distinguished Young Scholar by the National Science Fund in 2003, Chang Jiang Scholar and National Model Teacher by the Ministry of Education respectively in 2006 and 2007. Professor Qiu was elected a member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences in 2013.
An accomplished scientist and well-respected scholar, Professor Qiu Yong was conferred the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Science by PolyU.
Chairman,
Our next honorary doctoral degree recipient today is accomplished scientist and well-respected scholar Professor Qiu Yong, President of Tsinghua University.
Professor Qiu's history with Tsinghua extends back to his undergraduate days. He acquired his Bachelor's and Doctoral Degrees in chemistry from Tsinghua in 1988 and 1994 respectively, before joining the faculty in the Department of Chemistry at his alma mater.
Between 2002 and 2015, he served successively as Chair of the Department of Chemistry, Deputy Dean of the School of Sciences, Vice Chairman of the University Committee of Academic Affairs, and Vice President of the University. In 2015, more than three decades after he first enrolled at the century-old university, Professor Qiu was appointed President of Tsinghua.
Throughout his career, Professor Qiu has sought to put science and technology at the service of society, transforming today's laboratory discoveries into tomorrow's real-life applications and sustainable solutions.
An expert on organic optoelectronic materials and devices, Professor Qiu has focussed his research work on the study of organic semiconductors, fundamental theories of organic electronics, and organic light-emitting materials and devices.
At an early stage of his academic career, Professor Qiu decided to conduct research on an emerging technology with great potential for development – Organic Light-Emitting Diodes (OLED). Grasping an opportunity to illuminate the world more sustainably, he set his sights not only on developing a new generation of flat panel technology, but also on the integration of academic research with industry applications.
Through his research and entrepreneurship, Professor Qiu has helped to promote the use of OLED technology, which was used on the extravehicular spacesuits worn by astronauts on the Shenzhou 7 spaceship. Meanwhile, back on Earth, mainland China's first-ever OLED mass production line began operation. In recognition of their pioneering work, Professor Qiu and his team received a State Technological Invention Award – 1st Class in 2012. Professor Qiu was elected a member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences in 2013.
While his vision and dedication as a researcher has borne fruit, Professor Qiu has never lost sight of the importance of education in his tireless efforts to build a better world. It is his belief that universities should not only teach students to dream, but also encourage them to stay true to their dreams, and to develop and hone the capacities necessary to realize them.
In addition, he encourages his students to dream on a global scale, "to be a sailor of the world, bound for all ports", and to make a contribution to the development of humankind.
Indeed, since becoming President of Tsinghua, Professor Qiu has worked with determination to lead the institution towards its vision of developing into a global university.
In 2016, Tsinghua formulated the first global strategy in the University's history, with a view to enhancing the global competence of its students, conducting high-end research for the benefit of China and the world, promoting exchange and cooperation, and strengthening the University's global impact.
Since then, Tsinghua has greatly extended its international networks of cooperation and collaboration. Back in June 2015, Tsinghua jointly launched the Global Innovation Exchange Institute in Seattle with the University of Washington and Microsoft. In 2017, Tsinghua established the China-Italy Design Innovation Hub in Milan in collaboration with the Polytechnic University of Milan. In October 2018, the Tsinghua University Southeast Asia Center was launched in Bali, Indonesia, while the Tsinghua University Latin America Center was established in Santiago, Chile in December of the same year. In addition to its physical presence in four overseas locations, Tsinghua initiated the Asian Universities Alliance in April 2017 with 15 founding members, and established the Global Alliance of Universities on Climate in collaboration with 11 prestigious universities from around the world in May 2019.
To date, Tsinghua has signed collaboration agreements with some 280 universities and research institutes in 50 countries. Among these institutions is The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, which over the past two decades has established close partnerships with Tsinghua in areas ranging from student exchange to research and academic collaboration.
In addition to his academic endeavours, Professor Qiu is devoted to public service. He is currently a Member of the Standing Committee, and Vice Chairman of the Education, Science, Culture and Public Health Committee of the 13th National People's Congress, and Deputy to the 13th National People's Congress.
In recognition of Professor Qiu's outstanding academic achievements and contributions to society, he was named Distinguished Young Scholar by the National Science Fund in 2003, Chang Jiang Scholar and National Model Teacher by the Ministry of Education in 2006 and 2007 respectively.
As an eminent scientist and head of one of China's leading universities, Professor Qiu's vision and passion are a source of inspiration to us all.
Chairman, I have the honour to present Professor Qiu Yong for the conferment of the degree of Doctor of Science honoris causa.