The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK) will present Honorary Fellowships to five distinguished individuals this year, in recognition of their remarkable contributions to the University, the education sector and the wider community.

The recipients (in alphabetical order of surnames) are:

•    Dr Lee Yiu-fai (Yee Kok), MH
•    Dr Ma Kai-yum
•    Ms Ng Oi-shum
•    Dr Allen Shi Lop-tak, BBS, MH, JP
•    Mr So Wa-wai, BBS, MH

Dr Lee Yiu-fai (Yee Kok), MH

Dr Lee Yiu-fai (Yee Kok), Abbot of the Sik Sik Yuen Wong Tai Sin Temple, is dedicated to the preaching of Taoism and the promotion of traditional Chinese culture. He has contributed to spiritual and religious education for over three decades.
 
After graduating from the Grantham College of Education in 1960, Dr Lee had a stint in teaching at two schools before joining the police force, where he served for 33 years. In 1985, Dr Lee became a devout Taoist, and began to participate in voluntary work for Sik Sik Yuen with different roles. In 1994, he retired from the police force and devoted his time to Sik Sik Yuen.
 
In 2006, he was elected Abbot of the Wong Tai Sin Temple and has held this important position ever since. A staunch proponent of cultural conservation, Dr Lee has actively promoted the cultural values of Wong Tai Sin beliefs and customs in the wider community and is dedicated to passing invaluable heritage onto the next generation.
 
Dr Lee has also taken up dozens of public appointments and voluntary work, including being honorary adviser to the University’s Centre for Religious and Spirituality Education. He has also served as a chief adviser to a project undertaken by the Centre, which aims to strengthen core values through multimedia learning on local religious buildings.
 
In 2011, Dr Lee was awarded an honorary degree in Taoism by the World Medicine Institute. A keen lifelong learner, he obtained a Master of Arts degree in Chinese Culture from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) the following year. In 2016, Dr Lee was awarded the Medal of Honour by the HKSAR government in recognition of his contributions to the community. 

Dr Ma Kai-yum 

Dr Ma Kai-yum, Chairman of Carrianna Group Holdings Company Limited (Carrianna), is a quintessential businessman. He has successfully transformed a garment factory into a multinational group with diverse businesses. With a great passion for education, he is dedicated to nurturing students as responsible citizens with high moral standards and a deep affection for their country. 

Along with his elder brother, Dr Ma established his first business in Hong Kong in 1967. Later, with a special craving for his hometown cuisine, Dr Ma acquired Carrianna Chiu Chow restaurant and started to make his mark in the food industry. In 1991, his company was listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and was later renamed Carrianna, further diversifying its profile to food production, property development, trading and logistics.

Dr Ma deeply cares about youngsters’ education, which he believes, is an essential means to strengthen the talent pool of our society. Through the Chiu Chow associations he leads, he is fully dedicated to the cause, and is eager to see students excel in their studies. He is the Supervisor of Hong Kong and Kowloon Chiu Chow Public Association Secondary School, where, under his leadership, there has been significant advancement in learning and teaching. The school motto ‘Be virtuous, be knowledgeable’ aptly epitomises the diligent and down-to-earth character for which Chiu Chow people are renowned. 

Dr Ma also advocates the importance of Chinese history education, which he hopes can cultivate youngsters’ affection for their family and country. Thanks to his generosity, a scholarship was set up to encourage EdUHK students to undertake exchange activities in mainland China and Belt and Road countries. In appreciation of Dr Ma’s devotion, one of the EdUHK lecture theatres has been named after him. In 2004, Dr Ma was named laureate of the World Outstanding Chinese Award and was conferred an honorary doctorate by Morrison University in the US. 

Ms Ng Oi-shum

Ms Ng Oi-shum is the General Manager and Director of Business Development of Parsons Music Group, as well as Honorary Adviser of the UNESCO Centre for Peace. She is dedicated to promoting music education and fostering cultural exchange, in addition to spreading the message of peace.

Graduating from the Sir Robert Black College of Education in the 1970s, Ms Ng was a teacher in primary and secondary schools for over two decades. Concerned about children with learning difficulties and special needs, she engages in voluntary work to help pupils with dyslexia overcome obstacles and improve their reading and writing skills.

In 2000, Ms Ng switched roles by joining Parsons Music Corporation, where she championed the ideal of ‘Music Education for All’ and cultivated talent, while expanding the company’s business scope. She has rendered support to her alma mater through the provision of scholarships at EdUHK since 2011, and is in charge of coordinating Parsons’ entrance sponsorship of the Bachelor of Education (Honours) (Music) programme.

Ms Ng is committed to equality in education and has spared no effort in fostering cultural exchanges across different regions and ethnic communities through the application of technology. She also strives to enhance the quality of music education in areas deprived of resources. 

Ms Ng has spearheaded many exchange activities to mainland China, during which EdUHK academics, primary and secondary school students have shared their experiences with their peers on music culture and creative arts.

Ms Ng also took the lead in establishing the Parsons Volunteer Group, bringing together music enthusiasts from all walks of life. She launched the ‘Music in Hospital’ programme to spread loving care and the power of music in various hospitals and communities. This has been incorporated as part of the University’s co-curricular activities and service-learning courses, enabling EdUHK students to contribute to the community through music.

Dr Allen Shi Lop-tak, BBS, MH, JP          
Dr Allen Shi Lop-tak is a distinguished business leader, widely acclaimed for his determination in facing challenges throughout his career. He is also committed to serving the community in various capacities. 
 
Dr Shi founded his own printing company, the Brilliant International Group, in 1985, and later obtained an Executive Master of Business Administration degree from City University of Hong Kong (CityU). By applying his extensive knowledge in modern management, Dr Shi led the company to become one of the largest printing and packaging enterprises in southern China. In 2020, he was elected President of the Chinese Manufacturers’ Association of Hong Kong.
 
Dr Shi’s path to success was not all plain sailing, however. When he was a printing apprentice at 16 years old, he experienced a traumatic accident at work. The long recovery process taught him the importance of helping others in difficult times, sowing the seeds of his commitment to charity and community service.
 
He has made generous donations to local universities and sponsored grassroots students living in the mountain villages in Qinghai, Shanxi and Ningxia to complete their university studies. In appreciation of his support, EdUHK named a learning facility the Dr and Mrs Allen Shi Lop Tak Lecture Theatre in 2017.
 
Dr Shi has also served the community by holding key posts in over 80 foundations and organisations at different times. Among others, he was a former Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Yan Oi Tong, and a Director of the Yan Chai Hospital Board.
 
In recognition of his contributions, PolyU named him a University Fellow in 2017, and the Vocational Training Council and CityU bestowed Honorary Fellowships on him in 2021.

Mr So Wa-wai, BBS, MH

Mr So is a former athlete, known as the ‘Magic Kid’ in Hong Kong. He earned this nickname by repeatedly making history in winning six Paralympic gold medals and breaking multiple world records, despite a disability from birth.
 
Mr So was born with jaundice; a condition that caused permanent brain damage, affecting his muscle movement and the use of his limbs, and leaving him with a permanent hearing impairment. Yet his passion and talent for running shone through from a young age. In 1994, he was noticed by the two coaches who led him to professional training.

He made his Paralympic Games debut in 1996, and subsequently took part in five consecutive Paralympics, winning a total of six gold medals, three silver and three bronze, together with many personal breakthroughs and world records. He still holds the Paralympic record for the men's 200m in the T36 classification.

In 2021, Mr So’s story was adapted into a film, which received many accolades. It helped raise public awareness of athletes with disabilities and gain greater support for them.
 
Mr So’s relentless spirit on the running track won him numerous honours and awards over the years, including winning the Hong Kong Sports Stars Awards eight times. In 2005, he was selected as one of the Ten Outstanding Young Persons in Hong Kong and awarded the Medal of Honour by the Hong Kong SAR Government, in recognition of his positive attitude, perseverance and dedication. Three years later, he was voted the ‘Star of Stars’ among his fellow athletes. On his retirement as an athlete in 2016, he joined the Hong Kong Sports Association for the Physically Disabled and then the Hong Kong Paralympic Committee, supporting other Paralympic athletes in different capacities.

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