The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) held its Congregation 2025 ceremony on March 15, 2025, conferring Honorary Doctorates upon five esteemed leaders in recognition of their remarkable contributions to society. The ceremony took place in the university’s main hall, where HKUST Pro-Chancellor Dr. John CHAN Cho-Chak presented the awards, highlighting the honorees’ exceptional achievements.
Among the attendees were notable figures such as HKUST Council Chairman Prof. Harry SHUM, Court Chairman Dr. the Honorable Andrew LIAO Cheung-Sing, and University President Prof. Nancy IP. They were joined by members of the Council and Court, as well as the university’s senior management team.
Honorary Doctorate Recipients Recognized for Excellence
This year’s recipients of the Honorary Doctorates, awarded for their outstanding contributions in various fields, are:
– Prof. Pradeep K. KHOSLA, Chancellor of the University of California San Diego – Doctor of Engineering honoris causa
– Prof. Roger David KORNBERG, Nobel laureate in Chemistry – Doctor of Science honoris causa
– Mr. LIU Cixin, Hugo Award-winning author – Doctor of Humanities honoris causa
– Prof. Sir Christopher PISSARIDES, Nobel laureate in Economic Sciences – Doctor of Social Sciences honoris causa
– Mr. Stephen A. SCHWARZMAN, Chairman, CEO, and Co-Founder of Blackstone – Doctor of Business Administration honoris causa
Prof. Shum praised the honorees, stating, “These five honorary doctors are trailblazing exemplars whose accomplishments have inspired the global pursuit of excellence. Their exemplary legacy motivates faculty and students at HKUST to emulate their success, demonstrating the courage to challenge the status quo and leverage knowledge to drive societal progress.”
Celebrating the Graduating Class and Future Leaders
President Ip also took the opportunity to commend the graduating class for their hard work and perseverance. She emphasized that the ceremony not only celebrated academic achievements but also honored the critical thinking and compassionate leadership qualities of the graduates. “Throughout your time here, you have exemplified the ‘Can-Do’ spirit, showing courage in pursuing bold ideas and resilience in overcoming obstacles,” she remarked.
Additionally, President Ip paid tribute to the late founding President of HKUST, Professor Chia-Wei Woo, whose vision established the university as a bridge between Eastern and Western cultures. She expressed confidence that the Class of 2025 would carry this vision forward as they enter their respective fields.
With the graduation of this class, HKUST now boasts a global alumni community of over 111,000. This year, the university conferred a total of 6,929 academic degrees, including 2,620 bachelor’s degrees, 3,824 master’s degrees, and 485 doctoral degrees.
During the ceremony, the prestigious Michael G. Gale Medal for Distinguished Teaching was awarded to Prof. Ben CHAN Yui-Bun, Associate Professor of Engineering Education, for his exceptional contributions to education.
Following the formal awards, Prof. Shum engaged in a lively fireside chat with Mr. Schwarzman, titled “Lessons from a Life of Leadership, Entrepreneurship, and Giving Back.” Their discussion focused on the importance of entrepreneurial vision in shaping education and fostering societal progress. Mr. Schwarzman provided insights into attracting exceptional talent in a competitive global landscape and highlighted the significance of advancements in AI and the humanities.
Meanwhile, Mr. Liu Cixin engaged with students in a captivating discussion at the Lee Shau Kee Library, exploring the realms of science fiction and the creative process behind his acclaimed work, The Three-Body Problem. His insights on sparking creative inspiration and the future of literature in the age of technology resonated with the audience.
The event underscored HKUST’s commitment to nurturing future leaders and innovators, emphasizing the role of education in addressing the challenges and opportunities of a rapidly changing world. The university remains dedicated to its mission of empowering students to make meaningful contributions to society, continuing the legacy of excellence established by its founders.
