At the 5th Graduation Ceremony and Honorary Fellowship Conferment at UIC on 22 June, on behalf of Prof. Jialu Xu, the Chairman of the UIC Council, Prof. Albert S.C. Chan, a member of the UIC Council and President of Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU), conferred Honorary Fellowships on four distinguished individuals: Dr. Moses M.C. Cheng, Dr. William Jeffrey Craft, Mr. Liu Hongwei and Prof. Wu Jianmin.

(from left) Prof. Zee Sze-Yong, Dr. William Jeffrey Craft, Prof. Wu Jianmin, Prof. Albert S.C. Chan, Prof. Ng Ching-Fai, Mr. Liu Hongwei and his wife, Dr. Moses M.C. Cheng and his wife, Prof. Zhang Cong, and Prof. Chan Moung-Yin

In his address, Prof. Ng Ching-Fai extended the warmest welcome to the newly-awarded Honorary Fellows. “I hope all our graduating students today will be inspired by the experiences and achievements of our four Honorary Fellows, embracing them as role models, to learn from them and, hopefully, even to surpass them one day,” he said. He looked forward to the advisory guidance from the Honorary Fellows to expedite UIC's quest for sustainable growth in the years to come.

Dr. Moses M.C. Cheng receiving the award of Honorary Fellowship

Dr. William Jeffrey Craft receiving the award of Honorary Fellowship

Mr. Liu Hongwei receiving the award of Honorary Fellowship

Prof. Wu Jianmin receiving the award of Honorary Fellowship

At the Conferment, Honorary Fellow Prof. Wu Jianmin delivered a vote of thanks, and also asserted UIC’s educational goal and mission for training the best graduates not only for China but also for the world. “We will do our best to support UIC,” he said. He also encouraged the graduates to live dignifiedly and work steadily.

All the Honorary Fellows appreciate UIC highly and have been concerned with and supported the College for years. During his tenure as Chairman of the Council and Court of HKBU, Dr. Moses M.C. Cheng was instrumental in the establishment of UIC. Dr. William Jeffrey Craft and Prof. Wu Jianmin gave inspiring and heartening talks at the High Table Dinner for UIC students. Mr. Liu Hongwei directed Singyes to inaugurate a collaborative learning, research and industrial model with UIC by establishing the practicum base for its students.

UIC established the conferment system last year in keeping with HKBU’s tradition. The Honorary Fellowship is an honour bestowed on distinguished contributors to the life and mission of UIC for their sustained commitment to the development of education and society.

Introduction to the Honorary Fellows

Dr. Moses M.C. Cheng

Dr. Moses M.C. Cheng is the senior partner of P.C. Woo & Co., Chairman of the Education Commission, the Committee on Free-Kindergarten Education, the Process Review Panel for the Securities and Futures Committee, and the Advisory Committee on Post-Office Employment for Former Chief Executives and Politically Appointed Officials; a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference; etc. He is an outstanding lawyer and community leader in Hong Kong. Of particular relevance to UIC is Dr. Cheng’s contribution to the higher educational sector. From 1997 to 2006, he served as Chairman of the Council and Court of Hong Kong Baptist University, and it was under his tutelage that the UIC concept was made a reality.

UIC presents Dr. Moses M.C. Cheng the award of an Honorary Fellowship in recognition of his outstanding achievements in and distinguished contribution to a wide spectrum of public and professional services in Hong Kong and in Mainland China and additionally, in appreciation for his support of this College.

Dr. William Jeffrey Craft

Dr. William Jeffrey Craft, President of Concordia College, is a distinguished educator, scholar and humanitarian. His career has been marked by extensive and excellent achievements. Since assuming the presidency of Concordia College in July 2011, Dr. Craft has been striving to create vital partnerships with regional, national, and international institutions such as UIC. Dr. Craft has brought energy and eloquence to his work as a scholar and educational leader. Last November at the MPCC-UIC Annual Conference on Liberal Arts Education held at UIC, the audience witnessed his sincerity and talents on full display.

UIC presents Dr. William Jeffrey Craft the award of an Honorary Fellowship in view of his outstanding achievements as a leader and a scholar and his passionate commitment to the liberal arts and the goal of educating each student as a “whole person”.

Mr. Liu Hongwei

Mr. Liu Hongwei is the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Singyes Solar Technologies Holdings and a member of the Standing Committee of the Zhuhai Municipal CPC Committee. Singyes is a Hong Kong listed company focusing on the applications of solar energy technology in the construction of energy-efficient buildings. Under his leadership, Singyes became the leading company in solar energy building technologies in China. The company has research and manufacturing facilities in Zhuhai and Hunan and offices in the United States, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Nigeria. Over the years, he has devoted himself to creating a healthier living environment for this and future generations by promoting energy efficiency and reducing dependence on fossil energy.

UIC presents Mr. Liu Hongwei the award of an Honorary Fellowship in recognition of his distinguished contributions to the solar energy industry, his tireless promotion of efficient use of energy and development of proprietary intellectual property rights, and his efforts to improve the environment.

Prof. Wu Jianmin

Prof. Wu Jianmin is Vice Chairman of the China Institute for Innovation and Development Strategy, Honorary President of the International Bureau of Exhibitions, and has held many other positions. Over a diplomatic career spanning four decades, Prof. Wu was Director General of the Information Department and Spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, China’s Permanent Representative and Ambassador to France, and the President of China Foreign Affairs University. From 2003 to 2007, Prof. Wu served as the President of the International Bureau of Exhibitions, making him the first Chinese, the first Asian and the first person from a developing country to take up this important post. Prof. Wu has been deeply committed to education in China and has shown great concern for and dedication to UIC.

UIC presents Prof. Wu Jianmin the award of an Honorary Fellowship in view of his devotion and profound contributions to the development of Chinese diplomacy and in expression of the gratitude for his support of UIC.

(Visit “Address to the Graduates by Prof. C.F. NG, President”,
“A Citation for Honorary Fellow Dr. Moses M.C. CHENG, GBS, OBE, JP”,
"A Citation for Honorary Fellow Dr. William Jeffrey Craft”,
“A Citation for Honorary Fellow Mr. Liu Hongwei”,
"A Citation for Honorary Fellow Prof. Wu Jianmin",
and “Vote of Thanks from Prof. Wu Jianmin” for full profiles).

Editor: Deen He
(from MPRO, with special thanks to the ELC)