Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) held the Inauguration Ceremony of Endowed Professorships on 30 April 2026 to confer Endowed Professorships and an Endowed Associate Professorship on six distinguished scholars. The event also acknowledged the tremendous support received from the respective donors.

Dr. Kennedy Y.H. Wong, BBS, JP, Chairman of the Council and the Court of HKBU cum Chairman of the Board of Governors of the HKBU Foundation, presided over the Ceremony. He conferred the Endowed Professorship titles on six scholars and presented them with certificates of appointment. The six scholars are (in alphabetical order of academic disciplines):

• Cheung On Tak Endowed Professor in Chinese Medicine
  (Endowed by Cheung On Tak Charity Foundation)
  Professor Zhang Hongjie
   
• Vincent V.C. Woo Endowed Associate Professor in Chinese Medicine
  (Endowed by Vincent and Lily Woo Foundation)
  Professor Anna Kwan Hiu Yee
   
• Philip K.H. Wong Foundation Endowed Professor in Chinese Medicine – Geriatric Medicine
  (Endowed by Philip K.H. Wong Foundation)
  Professor Peng Bo
   
• Dr. Elizabeth K.S. Law Endowed Professor in Data Science
  (Endowed by Dr. Elizabeth K.S. Law, BBS, MH)
  Professor Michael Ng Kwok Po
   
• Fung Hon Chu Endowed Professor in Humanics
  (Endowed by Fung Hon Chu Foundation)
  Professor Daniel W.L. Lai
   
• Ma Pak Leung Endowed Professor in Innovative Neuromedicine
  (Endowed by Ma Pak Leung Company Limited)
  Professor Li Min
   

In his welcoming address, Professor Alex Wai, JP, President and Vice-Chancellor, congratulated the newly appointed endowed faculty and expressed the University’s heartfelt gratitude to the donors. He noted that as the University celebrates its 70th anniversary this year, HKBU has continued to make strides in nurturing talent, advancing knowledge, and contributing to society, with the Endowed Professorships Scheme serving as a key pillar in strengthening the University’s teaching and research capabilities.

He added, “Each endowed professorship represents not only a prestigious title, but also a lasting legacy and a bridge between visionary donors and the University’s mission. These partnerships provide vital resources that propel our education and research forward, empowering us to push boundaries and explore new frontiers of knowledge.”

To express its deep appreciation, the University presented a commemorative plaque to each donor, including Mr. Gavin Cheung King Chi, representative of the Cheung On Tak Charity Foundation; Ms. Cindy Wu and Mr. Harry Yeung, representatives of the Vincent and Lily Woo Foundation; Mr. David Wong and Mr. John Wong, representatives of the Philip K.H. Wong Foundation; Dr. Elizabeth K.S. Law, BBS, MH, Chairman of Park Hotel Property Management Limited; Mr. Wong Kai Man, BBS, JP, representative of the Fung Hon Chu Foundation; and Miss Alison Kwok, representative of Ma Pak Leung Company Limited.

Established in 2006, the Endowed Professorships Scheme provides remarkable opportunities for visionary donors to partner with the University in their chosen disciplines in advancing teaching and research excellence. To date, the University has established 12 Endowed Professorships and one Endowed Associate Professorship. The Scheme aims to recruit and retain the world’s top scholars, thereby strengthening the University’s research capacity, extending the frontiers of knowledge, and nurturing upcoming talent and leaders for society.

More details of the Ceremony:

• Video of Professor Zhang Hongjie, Cheung On Tak Endowed Professor in Chinese Medicine
• Video of Professor Anna Kwan Hiu Yee, Vincent V.C. Woo Endowed Associate Professor in Chinese Medicine
• Video of Professor Peng Bo, Philip K.H. Wong Foundation Endowed Professor in Chinese Medicine – Geriatric Medicine
• Video of Professor Michael Ng Kwok Po, Dr. Elizabeth K.S. Law Endowed Professor in Data Science
• Video of Professor Daniel W.L. Lai, Fung Hon Chu Endowed Professor in Humanics
• Video of Professor Li Min, Ma Pak Leung Endowed Professor in Innovative Neuromedicine
• HKBU Endowed Professorships Scheme Website
• Newspaper Supplements on the Endowed Professorships Scheme
  • South China Morning Post (English version)
  • Sing Tao Daily (Chinese version)
    ​

In honour of each Endowed Professorship established, the University presents its benefactor with a specially designed Commemorative Chair as a token of sincere gratitude. Unique in its design, the chair’s backrest is engraved with the University emblem and affixed with a plaque bearing the full title of the professorship, creating an invaluable and cherished keepsake.