The University of Birmingham’s Hong Kong Foundation has marked the sterling service of its inaugural chair Dr Conrad Wong with the University of Birmingham Hong Kong Medal.
Dr Wong, who has guided the Foundation’s work since it was launched in 2021, received the medal from University of Birmingham Vice-Chancellor Professor Adam Tickell at a special gathering of alumni in Hong Kong.
Dr Guy Look succeeds Dr Wong as chair. Already a member of the Foundation’s Board of Directors, Dr Look has over 35 years’ experience in local and overseas financial and general management.
I have been continually impressed with the University of Birmingham’s commitment to Hong Kong, and to alumni resident here. The Hong Kong Foundation gives alumni an opportunity to help our alma mater break new ground - enriching the student experience and research that matters to Hong Kong.
University of Birmingham Hong Kong Foundation inaugural chair Dr Conrad Wong
Professor Adam Tickell commented: “I would like to thank Dr Conrad Wong for his tremendous vision and passion, which have shaped and guided the Foundation’s work, as we honour his contribution with the University of Birmingham Hong Kong Medal.
“His service as inaugural chair has helped the Foundation to harnesses the power of philanthropy among the city’s almost 3,000 strong alumni community to fund research that will benefit Hong Kong, the Greater Bay Area, and the wider world.
“We welcome Dr Guy Look to the Chair – his considerable business expertise and experience serving on the Board of Directors will undoubtedly help to take the Foundation from strength to strength.”
Struck and engraved in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter, the University of Birmingham Hong Kong Medal recognises significant professional achievement, loyalty to the Hong Kong Foundation’s values and philanthropic work and the recipient’s lasting impact on Hong Kong’s development.
Dr Conrad Wong commented: “I have been continually impressed with the University of Birmingham’s commitment to Hong Kong, and to alumni resident here. The Hong Kong Foundation gives alumni an opportunity to help our alma mater break new ground - enriching the student experience and research that matters to Hong Kong. I welcome our incoming Chair, Dr Guy Look, in the confidence that he will take the Foundation from strength to strength.”
Dr Guy Look commented: “Having reaped the fruits of what I learned at Birmingham, I support the Foundation to help bring the same opportunities for others to also enjoy the benefits of a world-class education.”
The generosity of many alumni who donate allows the foundation to advance research and student support programmes in Hong Kong - offering the city’s brightest students opportunities to maximise their talents. Research projects backed by the foundation include partnerships with:
- Hong Kong University - modelling the impact of microplastics in the six major rivers of Hong Kong and the Pearl River Delta.
- Chinese University of Hong Kong – helping to save lives threatened by Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma (NPC) - a major regional health problem.
- Hong Kong Polytechnic University - developing a novel cold chain transportation technology for cooling decarbonisation in Hong Kong.
- Education University of Hong Kong - helping young people in Hong Kong to reap the many well-being benefits that taking part in sport can bring.
- Hong Kong Polytechnic University – over 57% of the Hong Kong population has experienced spinal pain; we’re using cutting-edge tech and multidisciplinary expertise to improve outcomes for patients.
- Hong Kong University – understanding the mental health impact of climate change on young people in Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area.
The University of Birmingham has been welcoming students from Hong Kong for over 100 years. Hong Kong alumni have helped to fund Hong Kong Scholarships for students wishing to study at the University. There are over 200 students from Hong Kong currently studying at Birmingham.
In 2021, the Foundation funded three Geoffrey Ma Law prizes for current students from Hong Kong entering their 2nd or 3rd year in Birmingham Law School – now expanded to offer 15 students from Hong Kong, targeting those taking the HKDSE. The scholarships are named in honour of the Foundation’s Honorary President, The Hon. Geoffrey Ma Tao-Li. Geoffrey Ma was Chief Justice of Hong Kong from 2010-2022.
The Foundation is also increasing exchange programmes for Birmingham students from disadvantaged communities in the UK to travel to Hong Kong to develop their cultural awareness and global leadership skills.
Since opening its office in Guangzhou in 2011, the University of Birmingham has established 40 major research projects and teaching partnerships in the Greater Bay Area, such as delivering health and exercise programmes to over 60,000 children and helping to make the Guangzhou metro safer and more efficient.