Hong Kong Shue Yan University (“HKSYU”) conferred the degree of Doctor of Social Sciences, honoris causa, upon Dr Ko Wing-man at its 51st Graduation Ceremony and Honorary Doctorate Conferment Ceremony, held on 31 January 2026. The honorary doctorate was bestowed in recognition of his distinguished achievements in public health and healthcare policy, as well as his long-standing dedication to the well-being of the community.
Dr Lee Ka-man, Assistant Vice President at HKSYU, commended Dr Ko Wing-man for upholding the principle of “medicine without distinction” throughout his more than 40-year career. Whether in policy advocacy, championing collaboration between Chinese-Western medicine, or delivering clinical care, Dr Ko has consistently placed patients’ well-being at the forefront with unwavering dedication. Notably, his pivotal leadership during the 2003 SARS outbreak and his tenure as Secretary for Food and Health reflects his exceptional commitment to serving the Hong Kong government and its people. Dr Lee lauded Dr Ko as a man who “[heals] with benevolence and [lives] with integrity,” embodying the values of HKSYU and standing as an exemplary role model for students.
Dr Ko expressed his gratitude to HKSYU for conferring the honorary doctorate, encouraging graduates to stay true to their original aspiration and remain committed to “serving others” as they embark on a new chapter in life. He urged them to align personal ideals with societal needs, make a positive impact not only to those around them, but also the wider community.
Referring to recent integrity crises in society, Dr Ko underscored the crucial role that integrity plays across all sectors. He remarked that Hong Kong has long enjoyed a strong global reputation for its professional services—built not only on expertise but, more importantly, on integrity. Without integrity, the spirit of those services would be gravely undermined. He further advised graduates to remain steadfast and passionate in today’s ever-changing environment, face challenges with courage, and forge a path uniquely their own.
Dr Ko Wing-man, GBS, JP has been practising medicine for more than 45 years and has made remarkable contributions to the community. During the 2003 SARS epidemic, he was appointed Chief Executive of the Hospital Authority, leading Hong Kong’s frontline efforts in combating the crisis. From July 2012 to June 2017, he served as Secretary for Food and Health of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, earning wide public respect and recognition for his distinguished service. After leaving office, he returned to clinical practice. In 2022, Dr Ko was appointed a Non-official Member of the Executive Council of the HKSAR, continuing his steadfast commitment to public service. In addition to his expertise in Western medicine, Dr Ko has been a strong advocate for the integration of Chinese and Western medical practices. He played a pivotal role in facilitating the establishment of Hong Kong’s first Chinese medicine hospital, marking a new chapter in the city’s healthcare development.
