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Dr. Tin Ka Ping, renowned entrepreneur and philanthropist, Founder of Tin Ka Ping Foundation and Doctor of Social Science, honoris causa of The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), passed away on Tuesday, 10 July 2018, at the age of 99.  CUHK is profoundly saddened and offers our deepest condolences to his family. 

Professor Rocky S. Tuan, Vice-Chancellor and President of CUHK, expressed his deepest condolences for the passing away of Dr. Tin Ka-ping. He said, “Dr. Tin devoted himself whole-heartedly to philanthropy, and was – and certainly will continue to be – widely respected for the tremendous contributions he made to education, healthcare, and infrastructural development in both Hong Kong and mainland China. Dr. Tin offered over the years his unstinting support for the University’s academic and research development, as well as our programmes in all-round education. We shall always remain grateful to Dr. Tin for his love for the University. On behalf of our staff and students, I would like to send my sincerest sympathy to Dr. Tin’s family, and once again express to them my heartfelt appreciation for Dr. Tin’s selfless dedication to public welfare.” 

Dr. Tin started in business in Vietnam; he then moved to Indonesia to operate a rubber business.  In 1958, he emigrated to Hong Kong where he founded Tins’ Chemical Industrial Company Limited.  Known as “King of Synthetic Leather”, Dr. Tin contributed significantly to the manufacturing of synthetic leather and films, leading Hong Kong’s chemical industry to a boom and extending overseas markets for its products.

Dr. Tin made great contributions to Hong Kong through his service to many community organisations.  He was Director of the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals and Pok Oi Hospital.  His distinguished contributions to community service, education and charities earned him numerous awards.  He was an honorary citizen of more than 30 provinces, municipalities and counties in mainland China.  He was also awarded honorary professorships by more than 30 tertiary institutions.  In 1993, an asteroid (2886) was named after him by the International Asteroid/Comet Naming Committee.  In recognition of his many accomplishments, Dr. Tin was awarded Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 1996. 

Dr. Tin was also a well-known philanthropist.  In 1982, he established the Tin Ka Ping Foundation which provides strong support to the education sector and is involved with over 300 universities, secondary schools, primary schools and kindergartens and professional schools in Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan and mainland China.  Generous donations have also been made to hundreds of hospitals, infrastructural and charity projects in mainland China.  Local beneficiaries include the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals, Po Leung Kuk, The Community Chest, The Salvation Army, Yan Oi Tong and Chung Sing Benevolent Society.  In 1992, the “K.P. Tin Foundation Fund for Academic Research and Development” (the Foundation) was established at CUHK with Dr. Tin’s generous donation of HK$25 million.  A library and multi-purpose building of over 9,000 square metres on the campus was named after him to show CUHK’s profound appreciation.  The Foundation has also been generously sponsoring various scientific research, education and student activity projects.  For example, it donated HK$3 million to CUHK for the “2018 Hong Kong Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth” and the “I-CARE Achievers Programme”, benefiting many students.  CUHK conferred upon Dr. Tin the degree of Doctor of Social Science, honoris causa in 2000 in recognition of his great benevolence to the community and outstanding achievement.