Dr Norman Leung Nai-pang has made notable contributions to both the legal and business sectors in Hong Kong, while playing a defining role in the local higher education sector. Born to a well-off family in Dongguan, Guangdong, he moved with his family to Hong Kong in 1949 and settled in Cheung Chau. The waning of his family’s fortunes, however, forced him to drop out of school at the age of 12 and work as a waiter at the Gloucester Hotel in Central. While at work, he took up part-time studies and seized every opportunity to practise English by talking to guests in the hotel. In the meantime, he set his mind on returning to school. In 1960, Dr Leung got himself admitted, as a 20-year-old mature student, to Form Three of prestigious school King’s College. With perseverance and talent, he made it to the University of Hong Kong in 1965 to pursue studies in economics and political science. Upon graduating in 1968, he went to the UK to pursue graduate studies at the College of Law in Guildford, becoming a qualified solicitor in 1972. He then returned to Hong Kong, commencing a long, stellar legal career that lasted 22 years.

After his many achievements in his legal career, Dr Leung stepped into the business world, holding various senior executive and directorship positions in renowned local listed companies, including deputy chairman of Kowloon Motor Bus Holdings Limited, director of Wing Lung Bank Limited, and executive chairman of Television Broadcasts Limited. Currently, he is chairman and independent non-executive director of Transport International Holdings Limited, Kowloon Motor Bus (1933) Limited, and Long Win Bus Company Limited. He is also an independent non-executive director of Sun Hung Kai Properties Limited and Nan Fung Group (Holdings) Limited. As well as a trusted figure in the corporate world, he has also been deeply involved in public affairs, having been appointed throughout the years commissioner of the Civil Aid Service, chairman of the Broadcasting Authority, and member of the Electoral Affairs Commission, University Grants Committee and Housing Authority, among others.

Education has raised Dr Leung up and changed his life trajectory, and the cause has remained close to his heart. As early as 1985, he was appointed a member of the Council of the then newly founded City Polytechnic of Hong Kong, now City University of Hong Kong. From 1997 to 2003, he served as its Council chairman. After his 18 years of distinguished service on its Council, from 2005 to 2016 he was the university’s Pro-Chancellor. For his contributions to the university and society at large, he was bestowed an honorary doctorate in law by City University in 2004.

Dr Leung’s association with CUHK started in 2015, when he started serving as a member of its Council. A year later, he was appointed Council chairman, which he remained until he stepped down in 2022. His tenure saw the opening of CUHK Medical Centre in 2021, and the setting up of six InnoHK research centres encompassing health, biomedicine, robotics and artificial intelligence, the latter showcasing the University’s latest innovation and knowledge transfer endeavours and bringing tangible benefits to society. For years, he has helped set up higher education institution and donated to establish and rebuild kindergarten and primary schools in mainland China, and has sponsored underprivileged students in the mainland to receive a good education, enabling them to shape their own destiny.

In recognition of his distinguished service, Dr Leung has been honoured with titles including Justice of the Peace, a Gold Bauhinia Star, and Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.