Recognizing outstanding leaders and organizations for showcasing their spirit of social caring

HONG KONG, Feb. 14, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "2022/23 Fellowship and Honorary Awards Presentation Ceremony and Social Caring Pledge Awards Presentation Ceremony and ESG Leader Summit" organized by the Social Enterprise Research Academy (SERA) has been successfully held on January 19, 2023, at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center. This year, Social Enterprise Research Academy (SERA) conferred its fellowship designation to 65 leaders from various industries in recognition of their contributions to society and in their professional fields. The vision of the "Fellowship Qualification Assessment Scheme" is to acknowledge leaders as respective industry role models, leading more organizations to realize the importance of corporate social responsibility. In addition, the "Social Caring Pledge Scheme" has entered its 13th edition this year and expanded to Asia, including Singapore, the United Kingdom, India, Cambodia, and other countries, to further promote the spirit of social caring.

A group photo of the fellows with the guests of honor in Hong Kong

The ceremony was attended by elites from all walks of life. It was a great honor to have invited the following Guests of Honor:

The Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Mr. Lam Sai-hung, GBS, JP,  Honorary Chancellor of Social Enterprise Research Academy and Former Secretary of Education Bureau. Mr. Eddie Ng Hak Kim, GBS, JP Internationally famous philanthropist Prof. Alice Chiu Tsang Hok Wan, BBS, JP Chairman of Brand Development Council, Mr. Simon Ka Wo Wong, BBS JP Professor Wong Yuk-shan, SBS, BBS, JP  Mr. Andrew Lam Siu-lo, SBS, JP Chairman, Centaline Charity Fund Limited, Mr. Wong Wai Hung, MH, JP Vice Chairman, Hong Kong Chinese Women's Club, Dr. Mona Chau Awarded Professor Emeritus by Hong Kong Baptist University, Prof. Fu Hoo Kin Frank BBS, MH, JP Professor LAU Chi-pang, BBS, JP

This year "Fellow Qualification Selection Program" has chosen 3 honorary fellows, including Nobel prize in chemistry winner Professor Kurt Wuthrich, President of The University of Hong Kong, Professor Zhang Xiang, JP, and Dr. Allan Zeman, chairman of Lan Kwai Fong Group. 

Dr. Zeman stated in his speech: "Hong Kong has been my home for over 50 years. It has provided me with the best soil to grow my business and raise my family. Over the years I have dedicated myself to government services as well as community activities. For me, the most important thing is to give back to society. I love to bring happiness to people. Sometimes I feel like that's my mission in life. 

Hong Kong is a place full of opportunities and our future is with China. I strongly trust the core values of Hong Kong: resilience, perseverance, flexibility, a can-do spirit, creativity, and solidarity. I sincerely hope that our younger generation not only embraces these invaluable core values but brings them to higher heights so that Hong Kong will once again outshine and make our unique contribution to our country." 

President of The University of Hong Kong, Professor Zhang Xiang in his acceptance speech stated: "As a leader in higher education, I believe in the power of young people, and their ability to reshape and improve humanity. That is why I am hopeful for the future. It's true today… that we are facing multiple challenges – poverty, global recession, and food insecurity. But we have survived greater problems before — and we will "survive" once again… thanks to continuous scientific breakthroughs… and an alliance of global youth that is pushing for social good. And at HKU, we are doing our best to benefit Hong Kong and the world. Ranked number 1 for sustainability in Asia, our university has set up an Institute for Climate and Carbon Neutrality… that fosters pioneering, global research on climate change, supports local action, and educates the next generation of climate leaders. From science to policy, across education and research, we are leading from the front. May we all live in a more sustainable world in the future! " 

To recognize the outstanding performance and contribution of leaders and enterprises from all walks of life in Asia to the six categories of the "Social Caring Pledge Framework, this year's "Social Caring Award include a total of 9 winners including Savills Property Services Group, which was awarded the "Excellence Award for Social Caring Enterprises" and Ms. Leung Ho Ting, Chief Executive Officer of Cafe de Coral Group Limited (Hong Kong), who won the Asian Social Caring Female Leader Award, accepted the award under the witness of local officiating guests and board members, and build confidence among the public and industry stakeholders. 

In addition, the "ESG Leader Summit: Rebounding HK " which was co-organized with Hong Kong Rehabilitation Power was held on the same day morning. The summit gathered nearly 300 CEOs of listed companies, Industry leaders such as corporate executives, social enterprises, and non-profit organizations. With the growing importance of climate change and carbon emission reduction, the summit aims to focus on the key opportunities for Hong Kong's future development in 2023 and beyond and explored how to effectively expand the scope of ESG development in Hong Kong and showcase Hong Kong's appeal to the world as a platform for global connectivity.

The Keynote speaker - Former Hong Kong Secretary for Transport and Housing, Adjunct Research Chair Professor of Public Administration of the Education University of Hong Kong, Professor Anthony Cheung, GBS, JP shed light on the theme - Meet with Challenge: 2023 Hong Kong Socio-economic Outlook for 2023+ and the panelists exchange views and share their experiences on major trends and issues surrounding the future of Hong Kong's ESG economy, corporate cooperation, technology, and sustainable development.

Fellowship List

2022/23 Social Enterprise Research Academy Honorary Fellow

• Professor Kurt Wuthrich, Nobel Laureate in Chemistry, Switzerland
• Professor Zhang Xiang, JP, President of the University of Hong Kong
• Dr Allan Zeman GBM,GBS,JP, Chairman of Lan Kwai Fong Group

Senior Fellow

• Mr. Duncan Chiu, Member of the Legislative Council of Science and Technology Innovation

Fellow

• Mr. Chan Ho Yuen, MH, the first Wheelchair-Badminton Representative in Hong Kong, the bronze medalist of the 2020 East Paralympic Games, and one of the winners of the Ten outstanding young persons Selection 2019
• Mr. Lee Chun Ho, Hong Kong Karate Athlete, is the 6th East Asian Karate Federation Champion and winner of multiple international competitions.

Source: Social Enterprise Research Academy