Profile of Dr Lam Lee Kiu Yue Alice Piera

Dr Lam Lee Kiu Yue Alice Piera has spared no effort in the development of Hong Kong’s higher education since the 1970s. She served as member and chairperson of many universities’ advisory boards and councils in Hong Kong.

In the eight years as the Chairperson of the Hong Kong University Grants Committee, Dr Lam spearheaded landmark reviews and policies which are now implemented far and wide.

Moreover, she displayed a keen interest in the UIC model of a deep collaboration between a Hong Kong university and a Mainland university in the offering of the first international liberal arts college in the Mainland.

A Citation for Honorary Fellow Dr. Lam Lee Kiu Yue Alice Piera, GBS, JP

Dr. Lam Lee Kiu Yue Alice Piera is a prominent banker and community leader. She received her Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree from the University of Hong Kong in 1963 and obtained her practising solicitor qualification in 1978. In the same year, she joined Hang Seng Bank Ltd. and since then she had served the bank for almost two decades. Dr. Lam’s sharp acumen and industry won her recognition by the management; and she became a director in 1989, the general manager from 1990 to 1993, the deputy chief executive and managing director from 1994 to 1996. Thereafter, she had served as the co-chairperson of Sotheby’s Asia from 1996 to 1999. Dr. Lam was also the director and non-executive director of several big listed companies.

Along with her fabulous accomplishments in her banking career which was dominated by men back in her time, Dr. Lam has made eminent contributions to the public and community services. Over the past three decades, she had served as member, trustee, and chairperson of numerous government committees, community organizations and influential foundations in Hong Kong. Notably, she was a member of the Standing Commission on Civil Service Salaries and Conditions of Service and Chairperson of committees of the Hong Kong Academy of Medicine.

With strong passion for education, Dr. Lam began her unsparing efforts in the development of Hong Kong’s higher education since the 1970s. She had served as member and chairperson of many universities’ advisory boards and councils in Hong Kong. Remarkably, Dr. Lam was appointed the Chairperson of the Hong Kong University Grants Committee (UGC) (1999 to 2007), the Quality Assurance Council (2007 to 2008), and the Hong Kong Education Commission (2007 to 2009). In the eight years of the Chairperson of the UGC, Dr. Lam spearheaded landmark reviews and policies which are now implemented far and wide. These include the Higher Education Review, the 334 Curriculum Reform, Outcome-Based Teaching and Learning, etc. She was also praised for her support for some universities to overcome financial hardship in the revamp exercise of some sub-degree programmes, and for the establishment of the first Academy of Visual Arts at Hong Kong Baptist University which marked a significant milestone in visual arts education in Hong Kong. Moreover, she displayed a keen interest in the UIC model of a deep collaboration between a Hong Kong university and a Mainland university in the offering of the first international liberal arts college in the Mainland. Dr. Lam has brought changes to Hong Kong’s higher education, making it on a par with the best practices and quality in the world. Her contributions in this regard are well recognized. She had received honorary degrees in law from the Chinese University of Hong Kong and Lingnan University and a social science degree from the Open University of Hong Kong. She was awarded the Justice of the Peace in 1987 and a Gold Bauhinia Star by the Government of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in 2003.

Mr. Chairman, in recognition of Dr. Lam Lee Kiu Yue Alice Piera’s outstanding achievements and distinguished contributions to the public and community services, especially in the Higher Education sector in Hong Kong, and in appreciation of her staunch support to this College, it is my privilege to present her to you for the award of an Honorary Fellowship.