Kenneth TING: Carrying Forward the Original Mission of Education, Safeguarding the Shue Yan Spirit with Integrity and Pragmatism

The deep bond between Mr Kenneth TING Woo-shou, Chairman of the Board of Governors of Hong Kong Shue Yan University, and Shue Yan originated from the friendship between his father, Mr TING Hsiung-chao, and the university’s co-founders, Dr Henry HU Hung-lick and Dr CHUNG Chi-yung, as well as their shared belief in education. Chairman TING knew Dr HU and Dr CHUNG
from a young age. He later carried on his father’s support for Shue Yan, actively participating in university affairs over the long term and serving as the Chairman of the Board of Governors, witnessing Shue Yan’s half-century journey of evolving into Hong Kong’s first private university.

Mr TING Hsiung-chao always valued education and held deep admiration for the educational ideals of Dr HU and Dr CHUNG. Back then, the couple used their savings to found Shue Yan, offering learning opportunities to young people who could not enter university through traditional routes, while steadfastly holding onto their original intention of promoting Chinese culture and nurturing talent. Chairman TING noted that after learning about the founders’ grand vision, his father was deeply moved and closely followed Shue Yan’s development for many years.

After his father suffered a stroke, Chairman TING accompanied him on multiple visits to Shue Yan to converse with Dr HU and Dr CHUNG, gradually deepening his understanding of and affection for the university. He recalled that Dr HU later invited him several times to serve as Chairman of the Board of Governors. “At first, I felt I lacked the qualifications to take on this responsibility. However, I was ultimately moved by Dr HU’s sincerity, his original mission in education, and our shared vision, leading me to support Shue Yan and fulfill my father’s wish.”

Over the years, Chairman TING has personally experienced the transformation of Shue Yan’s campus scale—from Sing Woo Road in Happy Valley and Wan Chai’s Monmouth Path to today’s Braemar Hill campus in North Point—witnessing the university’s thriving growth. He believes that Shue Yan’s most valuable trait is the founders’ persistence in self financing the institution under challenging conditions and maintaining a student-centered approach to open up pathways for young people to pursue higher education. “From fighting for official university title recognition in the past to successfully joining the QS World University Rankings today, these hard-won achievements reflect the long-term efforts of faculty, students, alumni, and partners across all sectors.”

Chairman TING strongly endorses the educational motto “Cultivating virtues of benevolence; broadening horizon and knowledge” (敦仁博物) and recognises HKSYU’s accomplishments in nurturing talent across various professional domains. He described that every time he visits Shue Yan, he feels a sense of warmth and belonging akin to a “big family.” In particular, Dr CHUNG’s frequent presence on campus to care for students commuting to and from classes left a deep impression on him, exemplifying a human-centric spirit of education.

Always giving off a refined and scholarly impression, Chairman TING revealed that he developed an interest in Chinese culture in his youth. He was introduced to martial arts during secondary school and learned Tai Chi and Stake-standing (standing pole meditation) with friends. “Tai Chi movements appear slow, but they actually demand precise footwork, balance, rhythm, and fluidity. It is not easy to master; one must be fully focused, patient, and avoid rushing for quick results.” He believes that understanding Chinese culture from different perspectives helps establish one’s approach to life. “Benevolence, righteousness, morality, and integrity in Chinese culture are indispensable foundations for pursuing knowledge, working, and conducting business. One should do their utmost to fulfill promises to others, and if mistakes are made, one should have the courage to take responsibility and make corrections—this is the very basis for building trust and long-term cooperation.” Reflecting on Shue Yan’s steady development over more than half a century, Chairman TING expressed great admiration for the low-profile and pragmatic style of the two founders as well as the current President, Dr HU Fai-chung. The founders remained calm and well-prepared when facing difficulties, while Dr HU Fai-chung is similarly conscientious, refined, and unassuming, serving the university through concrete actions.

Looking to the future, Chairman TING believes the university must actively respond to the changes brought by digital technology and artificial intelligence, yet technology should not diminish character education. “We can have technology, but we cannot lack humanity.” He hopes that while mastering new knowledge and tools, students will continue to respect teachers, value ethics, be punctual, keep their promises, and align their actions with their words. He expects the university to remain true to its founding mission, combining its humanistic tradition with an innovative vision, allowing students to grow within a caring campus culture and give back to society with professional competence, moral integrity, and social responsibility.