Honorary degree presented in Hong Kong

A lifetime of public service was recognized today when UVic conferred an honorary doctor of laws degree on Sultan Vicwood K. T. Chong at a special convocation ceremony at the Canadian International School of Hong Kong. Chong was honoured for his work as a distinguished businessman, philanthropist and benefactor. The ceremony also marked the first time that degrees were presented in Hong Kong to graduating UVic students. A small number responded to the University's invitation to receive their degrees at the special ceremony.

Chong, who was born in Jin Jiang and graduated from Xiamen University, moved to Hong Kong in 1963. He transformed his development company into the Vicwood Group, a multinational corporation. While Chong was building a successful business he was also immersing himself in public service, particularly in support of Hong Kong's Po Leung Kuk Society. Founded in the late 1870s for the relief and rescue of abduction victims, the society now provides welfare to the underprivileged and those with disabilities and runs a network of over 80 schools.

Between 1984 and 1991, Chong served as deputy premier, premier and chairman of Po Leung Kuk and guided the development of facilities that include two primary schools and a Sixth Form College which now bears his name. Chong encouraged a partnership between the Po Leung Kuk Vicwood K. T. Chong Sixth Form College and UVic that gives students the opportunity to take several first-year UVic courses at the college. Students are taught by Hong Kong instructors supervised by UVic faculty, and students who complete these courses then have the opportunity to finish their degrees at UVic. Chong has also endowed 20 annual scholarships at UVic.

Chong's commitment to higher education has benefited students in China, the Philippines and Equatorial Guinea. Since 1995, he has been a senior member of the Hong Kong Foundation for Educational Development and Research. He was made an honorary citizen of Oregon in 1986 and in 1992 was awarded an MBE by Queen Elizabeth for extraordinary community service.

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