On November 23, 2024, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology conferred honorary doctorates. Among the recipients were Huang Renxun, the founder and CEO of NVIDIA, who received an honorary doctorate in engineering, while the renowned actor Tony Leung Chiu-wai was awarded an honorary doctorate in humanities.
In addition, the 2013 Nobel Prize in Chemistry laureate, Michael Levitt, and Fields Medal recipient, David Mumford, were both also awarded honorary doctorates in science.
Huang Renxun described the current era as an “extraordinary time” in his speech, emphasizing the impact of artificial intelligence in bringing about a new industrial revolution. He highlighted the role of AI in fields such as genetics, pharmaceutical research, and climate science, pointing out its potential to solve previously insurmountable challenges. He encouraged graduates to leverage technology and knowledge to make positive changes in society. He also expressed his hopes of collaborating with more alumni from the university at NVIDIA to contribute to global technological advancement.
During his speech, Huang Renxun expressed his desire to take a photo with the university’s famous landmark, nicknamed “Turkey,” which is actually a sundial art piece. However, he mistakenly pronounced “Turkey” as “crisis,” leading to laughter from the audience as he humorously remarked that he hadn’t spoken Chinese in a long time.
Tony Leung Chiu-wai likened receiving the honorary doctorate to “returning to a graduation ceremony in his student days.” He shared his 42 years of experience in the film industry, highlighting the importance of retaining a beginner’s mindset and focusing on personal growth over material wealth and fame. Meanwhile, his wife, Carina Lau, appeared at the ceremony in a bright red dress and was seen capturing moments of Tony Leung Chiu-wai delivering his speech on her phone.
The Chairman of the University Council, Professor Shen Xiangyang, praised the remarkable achievements of the four honorary doctorate recipients, acknowledging their significant contributions to society. He described them as exemplars of global citizens, inspiring others to envision a bright future and strive for excellence in their respective fields, while emphasizing their altruistic dedication to improving human welfare. These four honorary doctorate recipients serve as role models for the university, motivating others to embrace the challenges of the rapidly evolving era of artificial intelligence and to boldly push the boundaries of wisdom and knowledge.
This year, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology awarded degrees to a total of 6,029 graduates, including 2,430 undergraduates, 3,177 master’s students, and 422 doctoral candidates.
Professor Wei Shyy, President of Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, commended the dedication, perseverance, and extraordinary achievements of the four honorary doctorate recipients. He congratulated the graduates on reaching this significant milestone in their lives, acknowledging that their time at the university has provided them with a solid academic foundation, diverse skills, resilience in facing life’s challenges, valuable connections, and friendships. He expressed his hope that the graduates will uphold their beliefs, navigate uncertainty with confidence, and embrace the opportunities that lie ahead.