City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) hosted the naming ceremony for the Benjamin & Anny Kwok Conference Room on 4 October, on the 4/F of the Yip Kit Chuen Building, in recognition of alumnus Mr Benjamin Kwok, Managing Director of Kwonnie Electrical Products Limited, and his family's steadfast support for the University.

Mr Kwok is a prominent figure in Hong Kong’s electrical industry and is deeply connected with CityUHK. His ties with CityUHK date back to 2003, when he launched a manufacturing enterprise management programme in collaboration with CityUHK. He sponsored members of the management echelon of his company to enrol in a postgraduate programme in management at CityUHK.

Mr Kwok graduated from the University’s EMBA programme in 2007 and has since become an active alumnus, supporting the University’s development for many years. He is an Honorary President and Board Member of the CityUHK Foundation, a founding member of CityUHK’s Eminence Society, and a member of the CityUHK Industrial and Business Leaders Circle. He was also conferred the title of Honorary Fellow in 2017 in recognition of his distinctive contributions to the development of, and service to, the University and the community.

The naming ceremony on 4 October was attended by Mr and Mrs Kwok and their family and friends; Mr Lester Garson Huang, CityUHK Council Chairman; Professor Freddy Boey, CityUHK President; Professor Kevin Downing, Secretary to the Council; Professor Li Wen Jung, Vice-President (Talent and International Strategy); Professor Chan Chi Hou, Vice-President (Community Engagement); Professor Anderson Shum, Vice-President (Research); Ms Kathy Chan, Associate Vice-President (Development and Alumni Relations); and other CityUHK management members, alumni and faculty.

In his speech, Mr Huang praised Mr Kwok for his achievements in his career and contribution to society. “Mr Kwok is a leading figure in Hong Kong’s electrical industry,” said Mr Huang. “He adheres to the principle of ‘taking from society and giving back to society’, serving in various public positions in his spare time and enthusiastically serving the community. Mr Kwok’s dedication and support for the University fully reflect his outstanding spirit as an alumnus and his commitment to education to benefit society.”

President Boey thanked Mr Kwok for his enthusiastic support for CityUHK through various channels over the years. In addition to generously supporting the University’s development, he supports University research projects, provides scholarships and internship opportunities. “Mr Kwok is a successful business leader, who actively contributes to the community and balances his work and family commitments,” said President Boey. “His positive outlook and profound vision for the path to success also perfectly embody the CityUHK spirit.”

At the naming ceremony, Mr Huang along with President Boey jointly presented a souvenir to Mr and Mrs. Kwok as a token of appreciation. The gift was a couplet inspired by Mr Kwok’s name, honouring his success in his career and life through hard work and the pursuit of excellence, and for being a shining role model for the younger generation.

In his speech, Mr Kwok thanked CityUHK for providing an ideal platform for further studies, which inspired his passion for lifelong learning. He mentioned that after completing CityUHK’s EMBA programme, he successfully combined the knowledge he acquired with his years of business experience, introducing innovative management models that led to the flourishing development of his company’s business. He said, “I am very proud to be a CityUHK alumnus; being able to give back to my alma mater and help younger students develop is exceptionally meaningful to me.”

Mr Kwok encouraged more alumni and community leaders to support CityUHK’s development and to work together to promote the university’s pursuit of excellence and benefit society.