Profile of Prof. CHANG Hsin-Kang
Professor CHANG Hsin-Kang is a world-renowned expert in biomedical engineering. He taught at the State University of New York at Buffalo, McGill University and the University of Southern California. Professor Chang then held successive posts as the Founding Dean of the School of Engineering at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Dean of the School of Engineering at the University of Pittsburgh, and President of City University of Hong Kong. He was also named by the Government of France to be Chévalier de l’Ordre National de la Légion d’Honneur, and was awarded a Gold Bauhinia Star by the Hong Kong SAR Government. Professor Chang has mastery of the Chinese, English and French languages and has great insights into Chinese and Western cultures and social history. He has served in various public offices, including as Chairman of the Cultural and Heritage Commission of Hong Kong. In addition, he is the author of numerous articles on society, education, science, culture and civilizations.
A Citation for Honorary Fellow Professor CHANG Hsin-Kang
Professor Chang Hsin-Kang is truly a modern day renaissance man. Not only is he a renowned bio-engineering expert, he has also lectured and published widely on education, culture and civilizations in the past two decades.
Born in Shenyang, Liaoning, Prof. Chang received his B.S. degree in Civil Engineering from the National Taiwan University (1962), M.S. in Structural Engineering from Stanford University (1964) and Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering from Northwestern University (1969). He taught at the State University of New York at Buffalo (1969-76), McGill University (1976-84) and University of Southern California (1984-90), before he came to Hong Kong to become the Founding Dean of School of Engineering at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (1990-94). He returned to the USA for a short period to be the Dean of School of Engineering at the University of Pittsburgh (1994-96). Then he came back to Hong Kong to be the President of City University of Hong Kong (1996-2007). At present, besides being the President Emeritus of City University of Hong Kong, he is an Honorary Professor at Beijing University, Tsinghua University and several other major universities in China. He is currently also an independent non-executive director of Hong Kong Telecom Trust, Hang Lung Properties, Brightoil Petroleum (Holdings) and Nanyang Commercial Bank.
As a biomedical engineer, Prof. Chang has published over 100 research articles, two research treatises and holds one Canada patent. For his contributions in the field, Prof. Chang was elected the President of the US Biomedical Engineering Society (1988-1989). His outstanding achievements are also reflected in his membership of the Royal Academy of Engineering of the United Kingdom, and the International Eurasian Academy of Sciences.
During Prof. Chang's stay in Hong Kong, he was actively involved in a number of public advisory bodies of the Hong Kong SAR Government. He served as Chairman of the Cultural and Heritage Commission of Hong Kong (2000-2003), a member of Hong Kong's Council of Advisors on Innovation and Technology (2000-2004) and a member of Judicial Officers Recommendation Commission (1999-2005). In recognition of his contributions to education, culture, science and technology, he was conferred the Gold Bauhinia Star by the Hong Kong SAR Government in 2002. He also served as a Member of the 10th and 11th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.
Prof. Chang is fluent in Chinese, English and French. He has published six volumes of essays in Chinese, one volume in English in addition to many articles in both languages. In 2000, the Government of France awarded him the title Chévalier dans L'Ordre National de la Légion d'Honneur in recognition of his academic accomplishments and contributions to cultural exchange between China and France. In 2009, he was further decorated with the Commandeur dans l'Ordre des Palmes Académiques.
With his strong background in science and broad interest in culture, it is not surprising that Prof. Chang is much sought after to teach general education. He lectures at Beijing University, Tsinghua University, China-Europe International Business School in Beijing and Bogazici University in Istanbul. His academic interests now focus on cultural exchanges between the Eurasian countries along the Silk Road.
Mr. Chairman, in view of Prof. Chang's distinguished achievements in biomedical engineering, continual dedication and outstanding contributions in the promotion of culture and civilizations of the east and west, it is my privilege and honour to present him to you for the award of Honorary Fellowship.
