The Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong (THEi) conferred honorary professorships to Professor Michael GAZELEY, Professor Mark MAK Hin-yu, Professor WANG Peiyu and the Honourable Professor Kenneth FOK Kai-kong, BBS, JP during the graduation ceremony held last November, in recognition of their outstanding achievements and contributions to society.  The ceremony was officiated by Mr Paul CHONG Kin-lit, BBS, MH, Deputy Chairman of the Vocational Training Council and Vice Chairperson of THEi’s Board of Governors, with presentations made by Professor Alan LAU Kin-tak, President of THEi.

Envisioning Graduates as Innovators in the Digital Age

During his speech at the ceremony, Professor Michael GAZELEY, Managing Director and Co-founder of Network Box Corporation Limited, expressed his honour at receiving the accolade from THEi.   As a leader in information security, he views this moment as an important turning point in history.  Although digital technology has brought significant advancements, it has also introduced unprecedented vulnerabilities. 

Professor GAZELEY emphasised that the future should not be seen as inheriting the past, but rather as a result of collaborative efforts.  Quoting Alan TURING, the “father of artificial intelligence”, he said, “We can only see a short distance ahead, but we can see plenty there that needs to be done.” Professor GAZELEY believes that graduates are the architects of the future, and as long as they possess the courage to challenge assumptions, the curiosity to explore the unknown, and the relentlessness to uphold values, they can co-build a safer digital age.

Professor Mark MAK Hin-yu, Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of Roborn Technology Limited, said that courage is essential for success.  His experience in developing humanoid robots was marked by failures, which taught him to be resilient in the face of setbacks.   

He believes that the future will demand a blend of talents from engineering, business, and design, embracing the challenges and opportunities presented by the AI and 5G eras.  “Our city stands at a unique crossroads of tradition and innovation.  The Northern Metropolis and the Greater Bay Area developments are not just opportunities—they are canvases for your creativity.” He encourages graduates to contribute to Hong Kong’s evolution into a global innovation hub. 

Learning from Peking Opera: Embracing Belief, Courage, and Innovation

Professor WANG Peiyu, a leading Peking Opera Performer and National First-Class Performer at the Shanghai Peking Opera Theatre, shared her experiences of learning this performing art.  She explained that each performance and singing style requires countless rehearsals, similar to the educational journey, where both build strength for life. 

She encouraged the graduates with three Peking opera terms: First, “Establishing the Stage” (定場), which emphasises anchoring one’s life direction with belief; second, “Opening the Vocal” (亮嗓), which inspires them to face challenges with courage; and finally, “Setting the Main Storyline” (大軸), expressing the hope that innovation will continue the legacy of civilisation and that more talents will emerge in this new era.

Advancing Culture and Sports with Applied Sciences, Telling China’s Good Stories Globally

As a member of the National People’s Congress, Hong Kong Legislative Council member, and Chairman of the Hong Kong Arts Development Council, the Honourable Professor Kenneth FOK Kai-kong, BBS, JP expressed that receiving the honorary professorship reflects the academic community’s recognition of his work and provides him the opportunity to serve as a bridge between sports, performing arts, culture, publishing, and higher education.  He believes that the creativity and limitless potential of youth will drive industry growth and realise the role of an East-meets-West Centre for International Cultural Exchange.  Despite rapid changes in consumer habits and work styles, he maintains that culture and sports are essential for everyone and are key ways to tell China’s stories to the world.  He encourages graduates to help drive industry upgrades and transformations, enter the market confidently, and translate their projects into tangible societal benefits.

Professor FOK noted that within just nine months of its opening, the Kai Tak Sports Park achieved impressive ticket sales and revenue projections for 2025.  The success of the 15th National Games and the Hong Kong Performing Arts Expo (HKPAX) further illustrates Hong Kong’s capacity to host international sports and performing arts events.  Looking forward, he believes, “We should leverage the institutional legacy of these events to promote shared sports and cultural facilities across the Greater Bay Area, co‑apply for large‑scale events, and achieve complementary advantages that realise the concepts of a Sports Bay Area and a Cultural Bay Area.  I believe these events can help promote national sports brands and film and TV productions overseas, spreading Chinese culture worldwide.”

THEi Aims to Become a UAS by 2026

Professor Alan LAU Kin-tak, President of THEi, expressed his gratitude to four distinguished individuals for their contributions to society.  He stated that the Institute is preparing to elevate its status to a University of Applied Sciences (UAS) by 2026, and he hopes that the four Honorary Professors will support the Institute’s development through their respective areas of expertise. 

He noted that the pace of social change and technological development is far faster than we can imagine, and simply adhering to tradition will only lead to backwardness and stagnation.  He encouraged the graduates, saying, “Being willing to try, to innovate, and to take responsibility towards family, friends, loved ones, and society is the attitude we should adopt when facing challenges and work today.”

Since its establishment in 2012, THEi has aligned itself with the vision of the HKSAR Government and is dedicated to promoting the development of applied science and technology education in Hong Kong. 

Photo caption:

• Photo 1: THEi conferred Honorary Professorships to four distinguished individuals last year: Professor WANG Peiyu (first left); Professor Michael GAZELEY (second left), Professor Mark MAK Hin-yu (first right), and the Honourable Professor Kenneth FOK Kai-kong, BBS, JP (second right).  Professor Alan LAU Kin-tak, President of THEi (Centre). 

• Photo 2: Professor Michael GAZELEY, Managing Director and Co-founder of Network Box Corporation Limited

• Photo 3: Professor Mark MAK Hin-yu, Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of Roborn Technology Limited

• Photo 4: Professor WANG Peiyu, Leading Peking Opera Performer and National First-Class Performer at the Shanghai Peking Opera Theatre

• Photo 5: The Honourable Professor Kenneth FOK Kai-kong, BBS, JP, Member of the National People’s Congress, Hong Kong Legislative Council Member, and Chairman of the Hong Kong Arts Development Council (Right)

• Photo 6: Group photo: THEi held its 2025 Graduation Ceremony last November. 

• Photo 7: Professor Alan LAU Kin-tak encouraged graduates to embrace an attitude of trying, innovating, and taking responsibility to response to the ever-changing society.