The Honourable Bernard Charnwut Chan, GBS, JP 陳智思議員太平紳士

Award

Doctor of Humanities, honoris causa 榮譽人文學博士

Year of Award

2015

Biography

Mr Bernard Chan is President of both Asia Financial Holdings and its subsidiary Asia Insurance, and an adviser to Bangkok Bank (China) Co Ltd. He is also Chairman of the Hong Kong-Thailand Business Council, which encourages the development of trade and investment between the two places.

Mr Chan’s public service record is too long to be recounted in full. He in particular has broad concern for three social policy areas: education, social welfare and quality of life. His duties include serving as a Hong Kong Deputy in the National People’s Congress of the People’s Republic of China, a non-official member of the Hong Kong SAR Government Executive Council, Chairperson of the Hong Kong Council of Social Service, Chairman of the Council for Sustainable Development, Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Revitalisation of Historical Buildings, Chairman of the Antiquities Advisory Board, Chairman of the Steering Committee on Restored Landfill Revitalisation Funding Scheme, and Chairman of the Committee on Reduction of Salt and Sugar in Food. Mr Chan has received multiple honours and awards over the years, both in Hong Kong and abroad. He has been appointed a Justice of the Peace, and awarded the Gold Bauhinia Star by the Hong Kong SAR Government for his distinguished and extensive public service.

Of special meaning to the Lingnan community is Mr Chan’s unique contribution to the University. From initial membership of the University Council and Court to his subsequent appointments as Treasurer, Deputy Chairman and eventually as Chairman of the Council from 2008 to 2014, Mr Chan served Lingnan with inspiring dedication and distinction for a total of 15 years.

Mr Chan was conferred the degree of Doctor of Humanities honoris causa by Lingnan University.