PolyU honours two distinguished personalities at the 25th Congregation

Presided over by the PolyU Council Chairman Dr LAM Tai-fai and PolyU President Professor Jing-Guang TENG, the 25th Congregation of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University held today saw the conferment of Honorary Doctorates upon two prominent figures and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees on 326 graduates. The ceremony was held in the Jockey Club Auditorium on the University campus.

The two honorary degree recipients this year were (in alphabetical order of last name): Mr Winfried ENGELBRECHT-BRESGES, GBS, JP, Chief Executive Officer of The Hong Kong Jockey Club; and Professor QIU Yong, President of Tsinghua University (in absentia). (Please refer to the Appendix for the biodata of the recipients.)

In extending his congratulations to the honorary doctorates and doctoral graduates, Prof. Teng encouraged the pursuit of life-long learning with a spirit of openness to face and tackle the many issues and challenges in our rapidly changing world. It is PolyU’s core belief that education should instill not only professional competences but also positive values that ensure graduates care about our community. He expressed the hope that the graduates would pursue happiness by helping others in a spirit of empathy and compassion.

Prof. Teng stated that while the results of the international university rankings testify to PolyU’s academic excellence, the University will further develop its eminence as an institution that excels in education, research and innovation in areas that push technological frontiers. “PolyU has a firm foundation from which to advance its education and research in emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, data science, robotics, additive manufacturing, new materials and biotechnology. We will also develop new interdisciplinary research institutes not only to embrace new technologies, but also to respond to global needs.”

“Strength in these areas will help Hong Kong develop into an innovation and technology hub. It will also enable PolyU and Hong Kong to play an important role in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, which holds numerous opportunities through its wide market and wealth of technology transfer openings for the younger generation,” added Prof. Teng.

The University confers academic awards on a total of 10,069 students this year, including 326 PhD graduates, 119 professional doctoral graduates, 37 Master of Philosophy degree graduates , 3,954 graduates with taught master's degree, 5,068 graduates with bachelor's degree, 37 with postgraduate diplomas and certificates, and 526 with sub-degree awards. 

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