On December 8th, China Academy of Engineering announced that Professor Joseph Jia-Yiu Sung, President of Chinese University of Hong Kong, has been elected to become a new member of their academic divisions of medical and health; not only is it a life-long honor, but he is only member elected from among the scientists from Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan.

Professor Sung, 52, is the lead scientist in the global research of gastrointestinal medical studies. He received his MBBS from the University of Hong Kong in 1983, and obtained Doctor of Philosophy from University of Calgary in Canada and Doctor of Medicine from the Chinese University of Hong Kong in 1992 and 1997 respectively.

Professor Sung has published over 500 full scientific articles in the foremost journals and also has reviewed more than 15 prestigious journals. His contributions during the fight against SARS outbreak were particularly impressive to the Hong Kong community.

Member of Chinese Academy of Engineering is the highest academic title in engineering science and technology in China. The election of new members is conducted biennially. In this year’s elections of new members from CAD’s nine academic divisions, 54 new members were added, which makes the total membership to be 783 members.

With the humility and love stemming from his Christian faith, Sung has won respect and support of the faculties and students of CUHK and the society at large.

At a thanksgiving service held at CUHK’s Divinity School of Chung Chi College on November 5th, he encouraged the graduates with verses taken from 1 Corinthians 13:4-8. He said that this part about love reminded him how important love is.

Sung said, “No matter how great you have studied, how much you’ve accomplished in work, how much power you possess, or how much beneficial things you have done, if there is no love, then everything is in vain.”

This year in July, Education18, a professional education research web firm in Hong Kong, surveyed 1,200 people through random phone interviews. Sung was voted as the “Best President” in Hong Kong, although he has only been president at CUHK for one year. Education18’s editor who was responsible for the survey said that in this past year Sung has actively promoted the unity between teachers and students, forming an all-embracing and harmonious campus life; has initiated activities, including one where the President watches the live broadcast of the soccer world cup finals with close to a thousand students. The editor comments Sung as a very open-minded and willing to accept other people’s opinions.

In June of this year, Sung was invited by Chinese Christian Mission in Canada to go on a speaking tour across six major cities in Canada, and every event in every city were pact with the local Chinese residents. During the life testimony tour, Sung shared how the period of SARS changed his entire life, and Chinese contemporary Christian music artist Peco Wai-Ying Chui was invited to sing, “When you walk to the point of no strength”, touching the audience.