Secretary Tam Chon Weng, officiating guests and the honorary doctors (left to right): Dr Liu Chak Wan, Mr. Xue Xiao Feng, Mr. Vitor Ng, Mr. Tong Chi Kin, Professor Cheng Yan Kee, Dr. Alexis Tam Chon Weng, Professor Li Yi Ning, Professor Zhang Xing Dong, Professor Shi Yi Gong, Ms. Wang Dong, President Liu Liang)
In celebration of the University’s 17th anniversary, Macau University of Science and Technology held a Ceremony for Conferment of Honorary Doctoral Degrees in the University at 3 pm in the afternoon of March 27th. Dr. Alexis Tam Chon Weng, Secretary of Secretariat for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macao S.A.R., officiated the Ceremony, which has added tremendous glories to the occasion.
At the Ceremony for Conferment of Honorary Doctoral Degrees, MUST conferred honorary doctoral degrees upon eight world-leading remarkable individuals; they are Professor Li Yi Ning, Professor Harald zur Hausen, Professor Shi Yi Gong, Professor Zhang Xing Dong, Professor David Christian Ward, Mr. Vitor Ng, Mr. Tong Chi Kin, and Professor Cheng Yan Kee.
Professor Li Yi Ning, Honorary Doctor of Business Administration, is a master of China economics; the economic theories and economic ideas he proposed have had profound influences on China’s economic reform and development. Professor Harald zur Hausen, Honorary Doctor of Science, is a world-renowned virologist; he was awarded Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his discovery of human papilloma viruses causing cervical cancer, which has saved millions of lives. Professor Shi Yi Gong, Honorary Doctor of Science, is an internationally well-known structural biophysicist; he’s made significant academic contributions that have influenced the world in the research field of apoptosis and the structure and functions of membrane proteins. Professor David Christian Ward, Honorary Doctor of Science, is a renowned biologist; he developed the FISH, namely, “fluorescence in situ hybridization”, which have become powerful techniques that are used in detection of infectious, genetic and cancerous diseases. Professor Zhang Xing Dong, Honorary Doctor of Science, is a world-renowned materials scientist and engineer; he was the world’s first to discover and prove that lifeless porous calcium phosphate ceramic could possess the osteo-inducing functions that bioactive elements specially have, and the world’s first to invent artificial osteo-inductive bone, which has been acclaimed as a “world wonder”. Mr. Vitor Ng, Honorary Doctor of Business Administration, is an active pioneer of Macau’s industrial and commercial development and international trade market; he has made significant contributions to Macau’s social stability and economic prosperity since it returned to the motherland. Mr. Tong Chi Kin, Honorary Doctor of Science, has long time dedicated himself to Macau’s development in culture, education and science and technology, and has made historic contributions for Macau’s returning to China. Professor Cheng Yan Kee, Honorary Doctor of Business Administration, is Chairman of the University Council of Hong Kong Baptist University and a successful enterprise leader; his perseverant efforts have helped move forward and made contributions to Hong Kong’s higher education, in particular, the whole-person education. Due to their busy work schedules, Professor Harald zur Hausen and Professor David Christian Ward could not attend the ceremony; the University will confer the honorary doctoral degrees to them at a later time.
Guests who have attended the Ceremony include Mr. Xue Xiao Feng, Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao S.A.R.; Ms. Wang Dong, Deputy Commissioner of Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the Macao S.A.R.; Mr. Ma Chi Ngai, Chairman of the Macao Science and Technology Development Fund (FDCT); Ms. Kuok Sio Lai, Deputy Director of the Education and Youth Affairs Bureau (the DSEJ);Ms. Ho Kuai Leng, Member of the Administrative Committee of Macau Foundation; Ms. Sílvia Ribeiro Osório Ho, Deputy Director of Macao Tertiary Education Services Office (GAES), and Dr Liu Chak Wan, Chancellor of MUST, plus members of the MUST Foundation, the University Council and the Advisory Committee, and representatives of other universities, scholarship-providing institutions, secondary schools, and societies. The guests and the MUST teachers and students jointly witnessed the historical moment; the far-reaching aspirations, noble characters, extraordinary achievements, perseverant exploration, and innovative spirit of the honorary doctors have set up enduring role models that enlighten the teachers and students of MUST.
President Liu Liang addressed the Ceremony; he noted that the eight outstanding scholars who are awarded honorary doctoral degrees have made extraordinary achievements in education, economy, science and technology, and other areas, and have made significant contributions for societal development and mankind well-being; on behalf of MUST, he extended the highest regards and warmest congratulations to the eight scholars. President Liu Liang pointed out that over the past seventeen years of ups and downs, the University has never forgot its original passion, it’s been daring in confronting obstacles and breaking new territory, it’s been determined in pursuing extraordinariness, it has trained a great number of excellent talents for the society and made significant contributions to the development of local economy and culture. Today, MUST has become a prominent university across the two straits and four regions, it is maturing in its development, and it will continue to harbor a humble heart and face all the challenges that are in its way with greater passion and diligence. The President believes that, in the foreseeable future, the overall strengths of the University in academic standard, science and technology innovation, and cultural impact will embrace a new leap, the University will foster more high-quality professional talents that have a patriotic heart and an international vision, have capabilities both in innovating and in practicing, and have sense of commitment and contribution, and the University will exert a greater role in Macau’s societal development and our country’s construction of innovativeness.
Professor Li Yi Ning gave a thank-you speech, representing all the honorary doctors. He noted that as a young university, Macau University of Science and Technology has had continuous fast growth and made extraordinary achievements with the development of Macau, and he felt it a great honor for him to be awarded an honorary doctoral degree by the University. Professor Li Yi Ning pointed out that as early as before Macau returned to motherland, Macau visionaries in all fields had already noticed that Macau’s economy must go through a transformation. Now, Macau’s economic transformation has become a never-than-ever urgent matter; Macau must exert entrepreneurship and perfect its market economy. Market economy relies on fair play; only when fair play has become a preliminary, can entrepreneurs’ leadership skills, their capabilities in reorganizing information and restructuring productive elements, and their pioneering spirit and self-drive be stimulated and fulfilled. This also has benefits for the youth because the youth, in addition to intellectuality and perseverance, also need to have awareness to protect intellectual property and maintain the order of the market place. Only in this way, can the youth develop promising prospects. This will also encourage more university students, graduate students, and young researchers to exert their roles in amplifying and strengthening the science and technology industry.
Dr. Alexis Tam Chon Weng Secretary of Secretariat for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macao S.A.R., delivered a speech at the Ceremony, noting that he was happy to attend the Ceremony for Conferment of Doctoral Degrees, and expressed his warmest congratulations to the eight honorary doctors. Secretary Tam pointed out that MUST has been developing fast and been ranked among the Top 50 in the Ranking of Universities of the greater China by Shanghai Ranking two years in a row. He added that in recent years, MUST has been implementing the policy of attaching equal importance to both teaching and research, making exponential efforts in developing excellent-quality education and extraordinary research, moving forward its internationalization. Secretary Tam believes that the masters of different fields who are awarded honorary doctoral degrees today will become the powerful engine that propels everyone to stride toward higher goals, and he encouraged MUST to continue to develop excellent quality education, take initiatives in innovative research, make contributions to transfer and application of research outcomes, foster more excellent talents that love our country and love Macau, and help move forward Macau’s adequate diversification of economy. He hopes that MUST can aim higher and grow stronger, rely on the motherland, root in Macau, lay eyes on the world, train talents for Macau and for the country, and make greater contributions for social development and progress.
After the ceremony, three honorary doctors, Professor Shi Yi Gong, Professor Zhang Xing Dong, and Professor Cheng Yan Kee met with over three hundred MUST students and engaged in a profound dialogue. The three honorary doctors shared with MUST students their experiences and insights on study, career and life; the atmosphere at the meeting venue was warm and stimulating and the students responded that they’ve learnt a lot from the honorary doctors.
