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The University of Macau (UM) held a Doctor honoris causa Lecture entitled “Reminiscences on the Founding of HKUST: an Old Returnee’s Story” on 24 February 2012. Keynote speaker Prof. Chia-Wei Woo is a world-renowned physicist, educator, and doctor honoris causa of UM. He shared with the audience his several decades of experiences in education and research.
Prof. Woo was the founding president of Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), and during his office, he spared no efforts to raise funds and recruit outstanding teaching staff. In 2001, after serving HKUST for thirteen years, he retired as the president. Currently he is President Emeritus and University Professor Emeritus of HKUST. He received his PhD degree in physics from Washington University in St. Louis, U.S., and later he taught at Northwestern University, the University of Illinois and the University of California at San Diego. In 1983, at the age of forty-five, he became president of San Francisco State University, the first Chinese American to head a major university in the U.S.
Since 1964 Prof. Woo has published a hundred and twenty papers and books in various fields of physics, including quantum many-body theory, statistical mechanics, liquid crystals, low temperature physics, and surface physics. Under his supervision, twenty-five doctoral students and postdoctoral staff completed their theses and research projects.
Prof. Woo has received many honours and awards. He received honorary degrees from Georgetown College and Washington University; and was appointed an honorary CBE by Queen Elizabeth II. In 2000, he was awarded the Gold Bauhinia Star by the Hong Kong SAR government. In 2001, he was awarded "Chevalier de la Legion d'Honneur" by the president of the Republic of France. He is listed in both “Who’s Who in America” and “Who’s Who in the World”.
Should you have any query, please feel free to contact Ms. Albee Lei at（853）8397 4325 or albeelei@um.edu.mo or visit UM webpage www.umac.mo.
