CityU will be awarding honorary degrees to five distinguished individuals at its 19th Congregation on 11 November 2004, in recognition of their contribution to knowledge, society, and the development of the University.

The recipients are Mr John Chen, Chief Executive Officer and President of Sybase Inc.; Dr Chung Chi-yung, founder and Vice-President of Hong Kong Shue Yan College; Mr Norman Leung Nai-pang, GBS, JP, Chairman of Silver Systems Ltd., and Executive Deputy Chairman of Television Broadcasts Ltd.; Dr Peter Woo Kwong-ching, Chairman of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council; and Mr Justice Xiao Yang, President of the Supreme People’s Court of China.

Mr John Chen, a world-renowned leader in the IT industry, joined Sybase Inc. in 1997 as President. In January 2004, Mr Chen was appointed to the board of directors of the Disney Corporation. An ardent supporter for normalized trade relations with China and of China’s entry to the World Trade Organisation, he will be conferred an Honorary Doctor of Science.

Dr Chung Chi-yung, the first female judge in Chinese history, began her career in education in Hong Kong in 1955. A dedicated educationalist, Dr Chung has devoted much time to the development of higher education and established the Hong Kong Shu Yan College in 1971. She received the Gold Bauhinia Star in 2000 in recognition of her distinguished services to the community. Dr Chung will be conferred an Honorary Doctor of Social Science.

Mr Norman Leung Nai-pang, JP, has been involved in public service for over 20 years and also received the Gold Bauhinia Star in 2000. Mr Leung served on the City University Council since 1985 and served as Council Chairman from 1997 to 2003, making significant contributions to the University’s development. He will be conferred an Honorary Doctor of Laws.

Dr Peter Woo Kwong-ching has a wealth of experience in business and management. He was named Leader of the Year by The Hong Kong Standard in 1995 and received the Gold Bauhinia Star in 1998 for his service to the local community. He implemented major reforms in the local public hospital system during his chairmanship of the Hong Kong Hospital Authority from 1995 to 2000 and served as Council Chairman of the
Hong Kong Polytechnic University between 1993 and
1997. Dr Woo will be conferred an Honorary Doctor
of Business Administration.

Mr Justice Xiao Yang graduated from the Department of Law of the People’s University of China in 1962. He served as Deputy Procurator-General of the Guangdong Provincial People’s Procuratorate and the Supreme People’s Procuratorate, and Minister of Justice. He launched a series of legal reforms and made significant contributions to the development of China’s legal system. Mr Justice Xiao Yang will be conferred an Honorary Doctor of Laws.