Bulletin

Issue: October 2005

News

Chinese business leader honoured

Prominent Hong Kong business leader, philanthropist and Visiting Professor in La Trobe University's School of Management, Dr Henry Fong Yun-Wah, has been awarded the honorary degree, Doctor of Letters, at the annual ceremony for La Trobe graduates in Hong Kong in September. Dr Fong was among 80 local graduates in business and nursing who received their degrees and diplomas.

Dr Fong is awarded his honorary
doctorate by Vice-Chancellor Osborne.

The award recognises Dr Fong's contribution to the University and his distinguished service to the community and humanity, in particular his efforts to assist education throughout China.

La Trobe Vice-Chancellor, Professor Michael Osborne, said Dr Fong is widely respected and admired for his success in business and for his generous support of education and culture. He was named as one of ten 'Champions for Charities' by the Government of the People's Republic of China in 1997.

'Through two family foundations, Dr Fong promotes academic exchanges between Hong Kong and the mainland. He has helped establish dozens of schools and computer centres on the Chinese mainland, and actively participated in the development of the North-western region.

'He has also contributed a great deal to higher education in Hong Kong through charities and his association with all universities in Hong Kong.

'In addition to his contributions to education and help for the poor in China, he has taken a special interest in La Trobe University as a result of the University's involvement in the provision of education and training in Yunnan Province,' Professor Osborne said.

Apart from his services as Visiting Professor in Management, Dr Fong's contributions to La Trobe University include the donation of a large number of books on Chinese art and culture to the University library, and the establishment of the Fong's Family Scholarship to assist needy students from the People's Republic of China to study at La Trobe University.