City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) conferred honorary doctorates on three distinguished individuals on 30 October, in recognition of their significant contributions to education and societal well-being. The distinguished persons are:

• Dr Lester G. Huang, Co-Chairman and Partner of P. C. Woo & Co.;

• Professor Anna Fontcuberta, President of École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Switzerland; and

• Professor Hesheng Chen, Senior Fellow of Hong Kong Institute for Advanced Study at CityUHK and Member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS).

Presiding over the ceremony was Dr Chung Shui-ming, Pro-Chancellor of CityUHK. In attendance were Professor Michael Ngai, Chairman of the Council; Mr Charles Chin Ying-on, Treasurer of the Council; Professor Freddy Boey, President and University Distinguished Professor; and other members of the Council, including Mr Eugene Fong, Ms Rita Pang, Mr Joseph Tse, Mr Justin Wong and Ms Grace Yu.

In his address, President Boey stated that the three distinguished individuals were committed to advance the society, serving as role models for the University and society as a whole.

He remarked that Dr Huang had profoundly shaped youth policy in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China, as well as providing insightful guidance to CityUHK as Council Chairman from 2018 to 2024; Professor Fontcuberta had advanced sustainable nanotechnologies, and facilitated the joint establishment of the Institute for Materials Innovation with CityUHK; Professor Chen led the construction of the first pulsed neutron source in the Chinese Mainland and the fourth in the world, believing in the importance of science and technology to China’s development.

“Their commitment to advancing society will significantly advance CityUHK’s strategic agenda to focus on a learning-centric, collaborative institution, one that is deeply rooted in our local community yet globally engaged.” he added.

In his address on behalf of the Honorary Graduates, Dr Huang expressed appreciation to the awards because of the global reputation of CityUHK, and because of the excellence it pursues in scientific research and interdisciplinary innovation.

He said, “CityUHK is forging strong partnerships with some of the world’s top universities in the pursuit of impactful interdisciplinary research, attracting some of the most talented students from around the world. The interest that this University places in higher education for young people truly bears the hallmarks of even more greatness to come in the years and decades ahead.”

Biographies of the 2025 Honorary Doctorates