The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) today conferred Honorary Fellowships upon six distinguished individuals: Ms. Cally CHAN Shan-Shan, Mr. Vincent CHEUNG Sai-Sing, Prof. Mak Kin Fai, Dr. Frank TONG Fuk-Kay, Prof. David WANG Der-Wei, and Dr. ZHOU Lidong (listed in alphabetical order by surname). The ceremony was officiated by Prof. Harry SHUM, Chairman of the HKUST Council, and Prof. Nancy IP, President of HKUST.
HKUST Council Chairman Prof. Harry Shum applauded the six awardees for their outstanding accomplishments, significant contributions to society and unwavering support to the University. "HKUST grows stronger by welcoming those who embody its innovative ethos and mission. Our new Honorary Fellows have demonstrated remarkable leadership and dedication to society, each contributing in unique ways that align with HKUST's mission. Their achievements-whether in advancing knowledge, serving society, or inspiring others-reflect the very best of what we strive to uphold. On behalf of the University Council, I extend a warm welcome to them as they join our community, and I eagerly anticipate the continued impact they will create in the world," said Prof. Shum.
President of the HKUST Prof. Nancy IP also conveyed her heartfelt congratulations and gratitude to these esteemed individuals for their staunch support to the University. She said, "This year's Honorary Fellows exemplify innovative leadership through their pioneering spirit and commitment to excellence, establishing an outstanding paradigm for contemporary role models. With unwavering passion and perseverance, they have expanded the wisdom of humanity and sparked technological innovation, enriching the lives of communities worldwide. Fully embodying the core values of HKUST, they have demonstrated that true achievement lies in creating meaningful, lasting change in the world. By inspiring future generations at HKUST and beyond, they will serve as beacons of hope and progress for our global community."
Ms. Cally Chan Shan-Shan, the first female General Manager of both Microsoft Hong Kong and Macau and Hewlett-Packard (HP) Hong Kong and Macau, has broken new ground and forged an inspiring path as a pioneering female leader in the technology sector over her distinguished 35-year career. She began her career at HP as one of its few female engineers and ascended to Vice President and Managing Director. After 27 years at HP, driven by her belief in the potential of cloud computing and Artificial Intelligence (AI), Ms. Chan made a bold move to Microsoft and successfully drove the company to reposition as a leading cloud and AI platform. She also propelled partnerships with organizations like the Hong Kong Monetary Authority to accelerate the digital transformation of local enterprises. A passionate advocate for gender inclusion, she increased female representation to nearly 40% at Microsoft and founded the FACE Club to support women in tech. A former HKUST Council Member and current Court Member, she now also serves as a board member of the HKUST Redbird Innovation Fund, supporting emerging startups toward successful commercialization. (Full citation)
Mr. Vincent Cheung Sai-Sing, Group CEO of Nan Fung Group, leads a family business that has grown from its textile roots into a diversified conglomerate and a pioneering force in life sciences. Trained in Molecular and Cell Biology at UC Berkeley, he transitioned from academic research to business after recognizing the essential role of industry and capital in scientific advances. Under his leadership, the group has invested boldly in therapeutics, medical devices, and diagnostics. Mr. Cheung founded Nan Fung Life Sciences in 2017 to bridge scientists, entrepreneurs, and investors. He also established Pivotal bioVenture Partners to spearhead venture investments in this space. Beyond business, he founded the Hong Kong Life Sciences Society, providing mentorship and internships to nearly 200 students annually across Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Shenzhen. At HKUST, Mr. Cheung has supported various research initiatives and, in turn, has benefited from the guidance of Prof. Nancy Ip, President of HKUST. His relationship with the University reflects a shared commitment to advancing science and education. (Full citation)
Prof. Mak Kin Fai is a world-renowned physicist recognized for his pioneering contributions to the frontiers in modern science. A proud HKUST alumnus, he spent his undergraduate years studying physics and mathematics at HKUST. He then earned his PhD in physics from Columbia University, followed by a Kavli postdoctoral fellowship at Cornell University. Prof. Mak is now a director at Max Planck Institute for the Structure and Dynamics of Matter. With over 100 peer-reviewed publications and more than 60,000 citations, his groundbreaking research in condensed matter physics is widely respected and has far-reaching implications for advances in quantum computing, efficient electronics and next-generation semiconductors. Prof. Mak has been honored with fellowships from the American Physical Society, the Packard Foundation and the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. He is committed to strengthening collaborations between the Max Planck Institute and HKUST as well as other universities in Hong Kong and Mainland China. (Full citation)
Dr. Frank Tong Fuk-Kay is a renowned physicist and technology innovator. Born and raised in Hong Kong, he earned a PhD in Applied Physics from Columbia University after groundbreaking research on semiconductor lasers and optical communications at MIT's Lincoln Laboratory. Dr. Tong began his industrial career at IBM, where he developed blue-green laser technology for Blu-ray discs and pioneered optical networking and interconnect systems underpinning today's high-speed data infrastructure. Dr. Tong played a pivotal role in establishing the Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute, where he founded its photonics division and later served as its CEO, driving fintech collaborations and cybersecurity development. Dr. Tong now serves as Managing Partner of QBN Capital, investing in transformative ventures. Dr. Tong is committed to philanthropy through the Tong Charitable Foundation, supporting underserved communities and left-behind children in rural China. Currently an academic advisor to the HKUST School of Engineering, he lends his expertise to foster closer collaboration between academia and industry and cross-border partnerships in the Greater Bay Area. (Full citation)
Prof. David Wang Der-Wei is the Edward C. Henderson Professor of Chinese Literature at Harvard University and one of the world's leading scholars of Chinese literature. He obtained his PhD in Comparative Literature from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and began his academic career at National Taiwan University. He then joined Harvard University and later embarked on his long journey at Columbia University, where he chaired the Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures. In 2004, he returned to Harvard and has remained there ever since. He has conducted influential research across modern and contemporary Chinese literature, comparative literary theory, and Sinophone studies, with notable publications including A New Literary History of Modern China. He has received numerous accolades, including election as an Academician of Academia Sinica, a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and an International Fellow of the British Academy. Prof. Wang has been a Senior Visiting Fellow at the HKUST Jockey Club Institute for Advanced Study since 2019. (Full citation)
Dr. Zhou Lidong is Managing Director of Microsoft Research Asia (MSRA) and a preeminent leader in computer science, renowned for his contributions to AI and interdisciplinary innovation. After earning a PhD from Cornell University, he joined Microsoft in 2002 as a researcher in Silicon Valley. In 2008, he transitioned to MSRA, where he rose to the position of Managing Director in 2021. His distinguished research has influenced distributed systems powering AI, search engines, and cloud infrastructure, earning honors including fellowships from IEEE and ACM. Under his leadership, MSRA became one of the world's leading laboratories in foundational AI research, contributing breakthroughs that enhance Microsoft's core products and establishing an innovation network across Asia Pacific. He promotes interdisciplinary research exploring AI's intersections with sociology, psychology, and law to ensure AI benefits society. A passionate advocate for human-centric AI, Dr. Zhou has exemplified this vision through the significant collaboration between MSRA and HKUST, formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding in 2025. This partnership aims to nurture talent, advance smart healthcare, and accelerate translational medical research. (Full citation)
