Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Altai Technologies Limited, Dr Raymond Leung is highly regarded in the technology community as a visionary pioneer in various game-changing advancements. In the 1980s, when most people could not even imagine the ubiquity of computers in future, he foresaw the potential in the digital storage sector and co-founded SAE Magnetics (Hong Kong) Limited, the world’s largest independent supplier of magnetic recording heads for hard disk drives. The company was later acquired by TDK Corporation in Japan and Dr Leung was appointed Chairman and CEO of TDK China in 2005. Ultimately, he was promoted to Executive Vice President of TDK Corporation, Japan, being the first-ever non-Japanese to hold such a lofty position. Dr Leung also served as a member on the board of director of Imation Corporation, a digital storage giant in the US. Meanwhile, Dr Leung envisaged the growing demand on portable rechargeable battery to be used in electric vehicles and mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets. Thus, he founded Amperex Technology Limited which went on to be the world’s leading lithium ion/polymer battery manufacturer and was acquired by TDK Group in 2005.
His tremendous entrepreneurial success and business acumen notwithstanding, Dr Leung never forgets about giving back to society. He was the economic advisor of a number of cities in China and North Dakota, US, and a member of the 12th Dongguan Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference. He was subsequently named Honorary Citizen of Dongguan City for his contributions.
Dr Leung combined his philanthropic passion with his expertise in computer when he co-founded the charitable agency One Laptop per Child Asia Pacific to bridge the digital divide. He is also a board member of Give2Asia US and Chairman of Give2Asia Hong Kong. He strives to improve the quality of life and health among the underprivileged in Asia Pacific. To support education, he has served on the advisory committees of academic departments, and as adjunct professor and council member for local universities.
A production and industry engineering graduate from Hong Kong Polytechnic, the precursor of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), back in the late 1970s, Dr Leung has maintained strong ties with his alma mater ever since. He was Chairman of the Advisory Committee of the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, and the Chairman of the PolyU MILES Alumni Association. He was bestowed with the Outstanding PolyU alumni Award 2009. Once a member of the PolyU Council, he still serves as a member of PolyU Court at present. His notable achievement in his sector and unwavering efforts in serving the community are testimony to PolyU’s motto: “To learn and to apply for the benefit of mankind”.
Chairman Lam, University Council Members, President Teng and Honoured Guests,
In 2009 when I received the “Outstanding PolyU Alumni Award” from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), it came as a surprise but I was very honoured to have been recognised by this prestigious university. In the past 11 years, it has been my great pleasure to be able to contribute selflessly to PolyU and within my abilities. I never expected anything in return.
Today, I am very honoured once again to have another accolade bestowed upon me by PolyU and I would like to take this opportunity to share a few words of encouragement, especially for those who are considering going into the industrial sector.
In my 40-plus years of experience in the industry of innovative technology, I am proud to say that I co-founded and developed not one, but two top companies in the world, both with multibillion-US-dollar global revenue annually. Despite such accomplishments, I still take to heart a common saying in Hong Kong – Industrialists can never be tycoons.
However, a few years ago, a fellow industrialist, who happens to be a generous donor to PolyU, was named one of the top tycoons in Hong Kong thanks to his extraordinary focus on developing, innovating and manufacturing critical components for mobile devices. He has proved that industrialist does have a place in the world of tycoons.
Similarly, a mentee of mine specialising in producing battery made it to the Forbes’ lists of top tycoons in both Hong Kong and Mainland China in 2021. It brings me to shame to feel jealous, yet at the same time, I am enlightened to say that this industry can no longer be viewed with the same prejudice as before. Today, being an industrialist can also yield success and prosperity as long as you adhere to your belief.
Speaking of today, words cannot describe how honoured I am to receive this University Fellowship just in time for my retirement. Gratefully accepting the honour, I am also ready to give back. I consider myself neither rich nor a genius, but I will do my best to cultivate, mentor and nurture talent from PolyU, preparing them on a path towards successful entrepreneurship so that one day, they will give back to our PolyU family and our society.
Last but not least, I will use my residual strength to continue my philanthropy work, in hopes of further contributing to the many universities in Hong Kong and in our country. Thank you very much.
