Dear colleagues, students, alumni and friends,
It is with deepest sadness to inform you that Professor S. Y. King, the former Dean of Engineering of The University of Hong Kong, passed away in Vancouver, Canada, on February 21, 2018. The Celebration of Life of The Reverend Professor S.Y. King was held at Fraser Lands Church on March 24, 2018.
Professor King was a pre-war HKU electrical engineering graduate of 1940. He was awarded a Federation of British Industries scholarship in 1943 to continue his postgraduate studies in the UK and was conferred a Diploma of Imperial College and a PhD by the University of London in 1947.
After the war, he joined the Engineering Faculty at HKU in 1948 as an Assistant Lecturer, teaching electrical engineering to civil engineering students, as there was only a Civil Engineering programme then. He was promoted to Senior Lecturer in 1955 and later served as Head of the Department. He became Dean of the Faculty of Engineering from 1954 to 1957. He was elected Associate Member of the Institute of Electrical Engineers in 1953. When the Department of Electrical Engineering was re-established in 1960, he was promoted to Reader and appointed the first Head of the Department of Electrical Engineering. He became a Professor in 1966 and remained Head of the Department until his retirement in 1980, after which he was appointed Emeritus Professor. Professor King served as Pro-Vice-Chancellor of HKU from 1974 to 1977 and was conferred an Honorary Degree by the University in 1981.
Professor King’s vision, determination and leadership has left behind a great legacy which lays the foundation for future generation. His selfless contribution to the University and dedication to the engineering community are highly recognised. Professor King will be sorely missed by the members of the Faculty and the University. I am sure that all members of the University family will join us in offering our condolences to Professor King's family.
Professor Norman C. Tien
Dean of Engineering