The HKBU Foundation records with deepest sorrow the passing of Dr. Padma H. Harilela, Honorary Permanent President of the HKBU Foundation, on 7 December 2025.

Dr. Padma Harilela was the beloved wife of the late Dr. the Hon. Hari N. Harilela, GBM, GBS, OBE, JP, a distinguished Hong Kong-Indian entrepreneur and founder of the Harilela Group. Together with her husband, Dr. Padma Harilela demonstrated a lifelong commitment to charitable giving and education, generously supporting universities in Hong Kong and abroad to advance academic excellence and research in fields such as hospitality, life sciences, and information management. In recognition of her remarkable contributions to education and society, she was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree by Pepperdine University in 2013.

HKBU is among the fortunate beneficiaries of the Harilela couple’s philanthropy, having received substantial contributions for the University’s development, the establishment of a scholarship fund for outstanding students, and signature programmes including the International Writers’ Workshop and the Consul-General-in-Residence Programme. As a tribute to their benevolence, the University named two lecture theatres of The Wing Lung Bank Building for Business Studies after Dr. Hari Harilela and Dr. Padma Harilela in 2005.

Their son, Dr. Aron Harilela, BBS, JP, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Harilela Group, proudly carries on this legacy of support for higher education. He has served as a dedicated Court Member of HKBU since 2017, offering wise counsel on the University’s advancement. He is also a Sponsoring Member of the HKBU Foundation.

The Foundation conveys its deepest condolences to the Harilela family at this time of bereavement. Dr. Padma Harilela will always be remembered for her valuable contributions to the University, Hong Kong, and beyond.