City University of Hong Kong (CityU) will confer honorary doctoral degrees on Professor Michael I. Kotlikoff and Dr the Honourable Edward Leong Che-hung, GBM, GBS, OBE, JP, in recognition of their significant contributions to education and the well-being of society. The awards ceremony will be held in November 2019.

Professor Michael I. Kotlikoff, Provost of Cornell University (Cornell), will receive an Honorary Doctor of Science.

Professor Kotlikoff is a distinguished academic leader, scientist, and veterinarian. His work has advanced understanding of heart repair and muscle cell biology, and he pioneered the development and use of genetically encoded optical calcium sensors.

As an academic leader, Professor Kotlikoff has advised governments, both foreign and local, on animal health programmes and educational policy. He provided staunch support for collaboration with CityU in relation to the establishment of the Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences (JCC). By playing a crucial role in constructing a long-term strategic alliance between Cornell and CityU, he has contributed to CityU’s plans to build a world-class JCC and to establish a centre of excellence for animal health in Asia.

Furthermore, he has developed major academic centres, established global partnerships, and set up novel clinical programmes. Professor Kotlikoff launched a new Public Health programme at Cornell, focusing on One Health, and has established major partnerships with institutions in Israel, India, and China. 

Professor Kotlikoff has chaired departments and centres at the University of Pennsylvania and Cornell, served on numerous national and international committees, and received numerous honours and awards, including Medal of Honour by Tohoku University in 1995, and Honorary Fellow by CityU in 2016.

Dr Edward Leong Che-hung, Chairman of Hong Kong AIDS Foundation and the President of Hong Kong Anti-Cancer Society, will receive an Honorary Doctor of Social Science.

A surgeon in private practice, Dr Leong is the Hunterian Professor of the Royal College of Surgeons of England and a Regent of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. He was the Founding President of the College of Surgeons of Hong Kong, and served as President of the Hong Kong Academy of Medicine from 2000 to 2004.

Dr Leong has held many key posts in public service, especially in the healthcare sector, including Chairman of the Hospital Authority, the Council on Human Reproductive Technology, the Elderly Commission, the Council of the University of Hong Kong, the ICAC Complaints Committee, the Elder Academy Development Foundation, and the Standard Working Hours Committee.

Dr Leong was an unofficial Member of the Executive Council of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region from 2005 to 2012, as well as an elected member of the Legislative Council from 1988 to 2000. He was awarded the Grand Bauhinia Medal in 2010 in recognition of his distinguished public and community service, and his dedication to the development of the medical profession in Hong Kong.

Media enquiries: Eva Choy, Communications and Public Relations Office (Tel: 3442 9325 or 9787 7671)