Endorsement for 'exceptional leader'
The University of Western Ontario bestowed a Doctor of Laws honoris causa (LLD) to Hong Kong businessman, community leader and philanthropist Wilfred Ng at its annual Hong Kong Convocation ceremony yesterday.
Director of Fidelity Garment Manufactory since 1985, the year he graduated from the University of Western Ontario, Ng has more than 25 years' experience in management.
What sets him apart from other business leaders is his commitment to youth and charitable organisations. He is a founding member and chairman of the Kowloon West Youth Care Committee. He supported the Youth Development Research Centre's establishment in Beijing - a think tank focused on youth policy and affairs.
'Youth are energetic, creative and innovative,' Ng says. 'I keep myself updated by communicating more with the youth.'
Ng showed his community concern while at Western, organising events.
'I was one of the committee members of the Chinese Student Association [at Western]. We organised many events, including Newcomers Day, Chinese New Year celebration, Chinese language radio programmes and more,' he says. 'It gave me a good training for my community service after college life.'
Ng serves on many charitable and social organisations. In 2009/10, he was chairman of the Yan Chai Hospital Board of Directors. He is now a member of the Advisory Board at the same hospital. He is the president of the Handball Association, Hong Kong, China, and has been director of The Community Chest of Hong Kong since 2004. He serves on government advisory committees such as the Rehabilitation Advisory Committee, Fight Crime Committee and Sport Commission, and is chairman of the Sir David Trench Fund for recreation.
He supported the 2008 Beijing Olympic Equestrian Event Hong Kong Fund and, in 2009, the East Asian Games. In 2008, he provided HK$3 million to help victims of the Sichuan earthquake and the catastrophic snowstorm on the mainland. He is involved in a fund-raising campaign to provide medical support and Aids education to villages on the mainland.
He has received honours from the Hong Kong government for his contributions and achievements, including the Order of the Medal of Honour in 2004 in recognition of his exceptional community service and the distinguished Silver Bauhinia Star last year. He was also appointed a Justice of the Peace in 2007.
Ng says he feels honoured to receive the honorary degree. 'Western is one of the leading universities in Canada. I am so excited that the Western Board of Governors endorsed my contribution to the community.'
Amit Chakma, Western's president and vice-chancellor, says: 'Wilfred is a proud graduate of our university and a highly respected member of the Hong Kong business community who has made an enormous impact through his involvement in numerous philanthropic and public service activities. His support of various health and youth development initiatives is renowned and his commitment to enhancing the quality of life for his fellow citizens exemplifies the kind of exceptional leadership Western is very pleased to honour.'
Ng has not forgotten his alma mater, creating an endowed student scholarship in the name of his late brother Harvey (BESc '86) who died of cancer in 2009 at the age of 47. The Harvey Ng International Continuing Student Scholarship will be awarded to a student who is a permanent resident of Hong Kong, but may have completed secondary school elsewhere.
'College education is very important,' Ng says.
'My family and I hope that our token of contribution can help others in their future development.'
