About the speaker
Dr Chau Chak Wing is an Australian business leader and philanthropist, and a respected figure in the Australian-Chinese community. Born in Shantou in China’s Guangdong province, Dr Chau migrated to Hong Kong in the 1970s and then to Australia in the 1980s with is family. He later returned to Guangdong and set up Kingold Group in the early 1990s.
For decades, Dr Chau has continued to grow his business with extensive interests in property, finance, education, hospitality, healthcare and media.
Dr Chau is also committed to many philanthropic endeavors. He has worked tirelessly to support initiatives that promote cooperation in the fields of economy, trade and education in Australia and China, particularly focusing on providing opportunities for the next generation. His efforts have been acknowledged and commended by the governments and people of the two countries.
Dr Chau has worked hard to be a true global citizen. Since its opening in 2011, Imperial Springs has hosted a number of world-class, high-level forums, including the China–Australia Economic Forum, the Global Economic Forum, the Global Summit of SME Leaders and the Going to Latin America Forum. In 2014, Dr Chau officially established the Imperial Springs International Forum to facilitate regional and global cooperation through citizen diplomacy.
Dr Chau is the Founder and Chairman of the Kingold Group, Chair of the Asia-Pacific Region of the World Leadership Alliance—Club de Madrid President’s Circle, Patron of Australia China Business Council NSW, Founder and Co-Patron of the Australia China Friendship and Exchange Association, Fellow of Australian War Memorial, Honorary Ambassador of Soldier On Australia and Co-Chair of the Nizami Ganjavi International Center Global Circle.
It is a great honour for the University of Technology, Sydney to award Dr Chau Chak Wing an Honorary Degree of Doctor of the University (honoris causa) in recognition of his outstanding leadership in supporting and furthering the Australia-China bi-lateral relationship particularly the promotion of international trade and investment, education, support for research innovation and philanthropy in the areas of the arts, education, community development and humanitarian relief.
Speech
UTS Chancellor Professor Vicki Sara, Vice Chancellor Professor Attila Brungs, faculty deans, staff, distinguished guests, parents and fellow graduates.
Good Morning!
Firstly, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to UTS for the Honorary Doctorate bestowed upon me today. This is a great honour which will motivate me to continue my service to the communities of our great countries.
Over the past two decades, I have been fortunate to participate in and help progress the development of Australia – China relations. I am happy to be able to make small contributions to the Australian and Chinese society. There is an old Chinese saying “ It takes ten years to grow trees, but a hundred to educate people.” I have been passionately promoting greater collaboration between China and Australia in education, as I believe this is not only the best way to deepen mutual-understanding and trust, but also a powerful way to build a brighter future for the young people in both countries. It is the greatest hope of myself and of citizens in Australia and China, that together we can establish a deep friendship between people in both countries, which will reap rewards for generations to come.
UTS has a relatively short history but I have been very impressed to see the ambitious and creative approach taken by UTS senior management to realize the University’s vision. I am extremely proud to now formally become a member of UTS’s alumni network, and I will continue to extend my full support to help UTS achieve its goal to be a world leading university of technology. I will do this by helping to facilitate deeper collaborations with Chinese higher education institutions and to enhance UTS’s research capacities.
Once again, please allow me to express my sincere gratitude to UTS for recognising me with this great honour.