Mr Peter Sun Kwok Wah, MH

Chairman Yang, University Council Members, President Tong and Honoured Guests,

I would like to express my sincere thanks to The Hong Kong Polytechnic University for conferring upon me the honorary title of University Fellow.

Today marks a significant milestone in my life. Looking back at my journey of over thirty years in the industrial arena, I have encountered many challenges. Fortunately, with the support from family and friends, I have been able to develop and run my business smoothly.

Back in 2002, my company collaborated with PolyU on a micro car research project with full support from the University. In 2008, we switched from our initial micro car project to develop an electric vehicle, and we then went on to build from scratch Hong Kong’s first home-grown electric car. In the same year, our product ventured out from Hong Kong and went on sale in many European countries, winning the title of Electric Car of the Year at the prestigious Green Fleet Awards. In less than two years, our product hit the U.S. market, after being acquired by The Clinton Foundation and GTA Group Chairman Mr Terry McAuliffe. In July 2012, PolyU President Professor Tong and I attended the launching ceremony of mycar held in Horn Lake, Mississippi, officiated by former U.S. President Bill Clinton. We visited the production plant together after the ceremony.

Despite the fact that since the 1970s local industry has shifted its production base to the Chinese mainland, I have always had faith in industrial development in Hong Kong. This is because industrialists still retain the most important parts of their business in Hong Kong, including finance, human resources, research and development as well as business development. Their reason for doing so, I believe, is the solid foundation Hong Kong has for local industrial development. The city’s advantages are rooted in her multi-international culture, her position as a world-class financial centre with a well-developed judicial system, as well as her professional talents nurtured by local tertiary institutions.

In October 2012, my company was listed on the Main Board of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited; I have confidence in the capabilities of local industrialists. I would also like to take this opportunity to express my hope for future collaborations with The Hong Kong Polytechnic University in future research projects.

Finally, I would like to thank all my colleagues at KFM Kingdom and my family for their support over the past decades, and I would like to share this honour with all of you here today. Thank you.

Miss Clarea Au Suet Ming

Mrs Nina Lam Lee Yuen Bing, MH

Mr Peter Sun Kwok Wah, MH

Dr Jimmy Tang Kui Ming, MH

Dr Loretta Yam Yin Chun, BBS

Ms Belinda Yeung Bik Yiu

Mr Johnny Yeung Chi Hung

Mrs Betty Yuen So Siu Mai

(in alphabetical order of last name)