City University of Hong Kong plans to confer honorary doctoral degrees on Mr Ronald Arculli, the Hon Mrs Rita Fan, Professor Henry T. Yang and Mr Zhang Yimou in recognition of their significant contribution to learning and the well-being of society. The award ceremony will be held later in the year during the University’s 2005 Congregation.

 

Mr Ronald Arculli, currently Chairman of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, will receive an Honorary Doctor of Social Science degree. Founder and managing partner of Arculli and Associates, a law firm, Mr Arculli has a long and distinguished record of public service. He was a member of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong from 1988 to 2000. He has served on Hong Kong’s Judicial Services Commission, Independent Commission Against Corruption Advisory Committee and other public bodies. He was called to the English and Hong Kong Bars in 1961.

 

Mrs Rita Fan (Hsu Lai-tai), President of the Legislative Council, will receive an Honorary Doctor of Social Science degree. She is a deputy to the 10^th National People’s Congress and supervising advisor of the Hong Kong Federation of Women. Mrs Fan received her Bachelor of Science (in chemistry and physics) and Master of Social Science (in psychology) degrees from the University of Hong Kong in 1967 and 1973, respectively. She also received an honorary doctoral degree from China University of Political Science and Law in 2003.

 

Professor Henry T. Yang, Chancellor and Professor of Mechanical Engineering of the University of California, Santa Barbara, will receive an Honorary Doctor of Engineering degree. He was formerly the Neil A. Armstrong Distinguished Professor of Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering at Purdue University, where he also served as Dean of Engineering for 10 years. Professor Yang has received many awards and honors, including the Benjamin Garver Lamme gold medal, the highest honor from the American Society of Engineering Education. He received his doctorate from Cornell University in 1968.

 

Mr Zhang Yimou, a distinguished director and producer, will receive an Honorary Doctor of Letters degree. After graduating from the Beijing Film Academy, he worked as a cinematographer on a number of films, including Chen Kaige’s masterpiece “Yellow Earth” (1984). Mr Zhang directed his first film, “Red Sorghum”, in 1987, which won the Golden Bear award at the Berlin Film Festival and achieved commercial success. In 2002, his film “Hero” was nominated for best screenplay and best director awards at the Hong Kong Film Awards. Last year, “House of Flying Daggers”, directed by Mr Zhang, received best foreign language film award from the L.A. Film Critics Association and best director award from the Boston Society of Film Critics.