Remembering Dr Lee Kuan Yew, Doctor of Laws honoris causa

Message from the President & Vice-Chancellor Pay Tribute to Dr. Lee Kuan Yew

Remembering Dr Lee Kuan Yew, Doctor of Laws honoris causa


The University of Hong Kong joins the people of Singapore in mourning the passing of Dr Lee Kuan Yew.

Dr Lee was a man of immense vision and leadership who led Singapore from its independence in 1965, through years of considerable internal and regional challenges, to its position today as one of the world’s most prosperous nations.

In 1970, HKU awarded him the degree of Doctor of Laws honoris causa. In his speech to the Congregation, Dr Lee spoke of the importance of education:

"Of all the leading influences at work, the one most likely to leave the most lasting impact on the future is education. The imparting, not only of knowledge, but more important, of the spirit of curiosity and inquiry is what makes for innovation and enables science-based industries to grow …This can come only with the education of the total population, from which a meritocracy can emerge." (from his Honorary Graduate speech)

We will always regard Dr Lee as a member of the HKU family, and at this time, our thoughts are with his family and the people of Singapore.

Professor Peter Mathieson
President & Vice-Chancellor
The University of Hong Kong




懷念李光耀博士(名譽法學博士)


李光耀博士與世長辭,香港大學與新加坡人民一起深切悼念這位時代巨人。

新加坡傑出領袖李光耀博士於1965年帶領新加坡獨立,以其高瞻遠矚,在多方面推動國家向前發展,令新加坡走向富強,贏得全球讚賞。

香港大學於一九七零年頒授名譽法學博士學位予李光耀博士,在讚詞中稱頌他憑著自信堅毅,面對國內和地區上重重壓力,仍毋畏毋懼,建立新國家,以期走上強盛之路。李光耀博士當天在致謝辭時,強調教育之重要:

「未來工作之中最具深遠影響者,必是教育無疑。那不僅是知識之傳授,更重要者是培育好奇和探究精神,由此達致創新,促成以科學為基礎之產業成長......只有達成全民教育,方有機會實現良才治國。」

香港大學有幸納李博士於門牆。此刻,我等以沉重心情,謹向李光耀博士家人致以最誠摯慰問。


香港大學校長
馬斐森教授