EdUHK President Receives Prestigious Award from French Government
EdUHK President Receives Prestigious Award from French Government
In recognition of his outstanding contributions to the higher education sector, Professor Stephen Cheung Yan-leung, President of The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK), was named an Officier dans l’Ordre des Palmes Académiques (Officer in the Order of Academic Palms) by Mr Eric Berti, Consul General of France in Hong Kong and Macau, at his Residence on 6 June.
Napoleon I first created the Palmes Académiques as an honorary title to recognize members of the University of France in 1808. The Academic Palms became a decoration in 1866, under Napoléon III, at which time the honor was also extended to non-teaching persons who had rendered illustrious service to French education. Thus, the Academic Palms is the oldest non-military French decoration.
By decree of Président René Coty, the Order of the Academic Palms was instituted in 1955 as the first of ministerial orders recognized by the French Republic and was defined by three ranks: Chevalier (Knight), Officier (Officer), and Commandeur (Commander).
Professor Cheung was very pleased to be named a member of the Order, saying that “my destiny and the culture of France have long been intertwined – it is such an honour to have received the title of Officier dans l’Ordre des Palmes Académiques. The time I obtained a scholarship by the French Government to pursue postgraduate studies in France three decades ago marked an enlightenment in my life, shaping my ways of thinking – for which I am truly grateful always”.
In 1980s, Professor Cheung travelled to France to further his postgraduate studies. In 1985, he received his PhD in Statistics from the University of Paris VI. During that period, he met his French wife, who later moved to Hong Kong with him. Now President of EdUHK, Professor Cheung devotes time and efforts to enhancing cultural exchanges with different countries including France, and he actively maintains close rapport with the French community and the Consulate in Hong Kong.
