News and Events

2005 Media Releases

Chinese business leader honoured for contributions to community and learning

A prominent Hong Kong business leader, philanthropist and Visiting Professor in La Trobe University’s School of Management, Dr Henry Fong Yun-Wah, will be awarded the honorary degree, Doctor of Letters, at the annual ceremony for La Trobe graduates in Hong Kong on Wednesday, 7 September 2005.

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. Dr Fong said he was especially pleased to receive the award at this ceremony, as it coincided with celebrations around his diamond wedding anniversary.

The ceremony will be held at the Harbour Plaza Hotel at 2 pm. Dr Fong will be among 80 La Trobe University graduates in business and nursing to receive degrees and diplomas that afternoon.

The Vice-Chancellor and President of La Trobe University, 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. He serves on the Board of Trustees of United College, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, and the Sponsorship and Development Fund Committee of the Open University of Hong Kong.

‘In addition to his contributions to education and help for the poor through 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.

Dr Fong is Managing Director of the Hip Shing Hong Group of Companies and the Kam Wah Investment Company. He is Chairman of the Fong Shu Fook Tong Foundation and the Fong’s Family Foundation, and serves as a member of the Pei Hua Education Foundation.

Tuesday, 6 September 2005. Chinese business leader honoured for contributions to community and learning

For further information:

Dr David Stockley, Pro-Vice Chancellor, International, Tel: +61 3 9479 5619