Henry Hu, 'Father of Shue Yan,’ passes away at 105

Hong Kong mourns the loss of Henry Hu Hung-lick, the esteemed founder and President of Hong Kong Shue Yan University, who passed away at the remarkable age of 105.

Surrounded by his loving family during his final moments, Hu's departure marks the end of an extraordinary life dedicated to education and public service.

In an official statement released Monday afternoon, Hong Kong Shue Yan University expressed profound grief over the passing of their beloved supervisor, stating the entire Shue Yan community deeply mourns the loss of Hu.

The university noted that funeral arrangements and memorial services will be announced separately once finalized by the family.

A trailblazer in private higher education and a dedicated public servant, Hu's lifelong contributions have left an enduring legacy on Hong Kong's academic and social development.

Born in 1920 in Shaoxing, Zhejiang Province, Hu's academic journey began with a degree in diplomacy from the National University of Political Science in 1942. His pursuit of knowledge took him to Europe, where he earned a doctorate in law from the prestigious University of Paris in 1952 before qualifying as a barrister in the UK two years later.

Returning to Hong Kong, Hu established a distinguished legal practice specializing in international law. His commitment to social progress was evident in his advocacy for recognizing Chinese as an official legal language, reflecting his dedication to improving local livelihoods.

In 1971, Hu and his late wife, Chung Chi-yung, realized their visionary dream of advancing education by founding Shue Yan College.

Through tireless efforts and personal sacrifice, the institution flourished, achieving formal recognition as a private higher education establishment in 1976 and ultimately attaining university status in 2006 - a historic milestone as Hong Kong's first private university.

Hu's service extended far beyond academia. His extensive public service included membership on the Urban Council from 1965 to 1981, the Hong Kong Housing Authority from 1965 to 1982, and the Legislative Council from 1976 to 1983. He also represented Hong Kong with distinction at numerous Commonwealth Parliamentary Conferences.

The community recognized Hu's exceptional contributions through numerous honors, including his appointment as Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) and Justice of the Peace in 1976.

In the post-handover era, he received the Gold Bauhinia Star in 1998 and the Grand Bauhinia Medal in 2008, Hong Kong's highest civilian honors.

Academic institutions also celebrated his achievements, with honorary fellowships from the University of Glamorgan and the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

(Marco Lam)