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CUHK Presents Honorary Degree to Dr. CHAN Shuk-leung in Recognition of Her Distinguished Achievement in Cultural and Educational Progress
Dr. CHAN Shuk-leung was formally presented with her Honorary Degree of Doctor of Literature by Vice-Chancellor and President Prof. Joseph Sung from The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) on 29 December.
Dr. CHAN Shuk-leung (alias PAK Suet-sin) is a megastar in Cantonese opera. She became a principal actress at the age of 16. By virtue of her extraordinary talent and professional attitude, she achieved a brilliant career in Cantonese opera. She has been devoted to promoting Cantonese opera and nurturing the younger generation of Cantonese opera performers. Dr. Chan and the late YAM Kim-fai established the Chor Fung Ming Opera Troupe and coached the young performers in person. Dr. Chan established the Yam Kim Fai and Pak Suet Sin Charitable Foundation Limited (The Foundation) in 1990 aiming to promote and conduct research on Cantonese opera and support medical, education and elderly services. She made generous donations to support the research programme on Cantonese opera undertaken by the Department of Music of CUHK in 1993, and handed over a collection of around 6,000 items including the libretti, publicity materials and photos, etc. of the Sin Fung Ming Opera Troupe to CUHK for safe keeping. In 2016, the Foundation donated all these collectables to the CUHK Library for academic research and some of them were digitalized. CUHK took the opportunity to present to Dr. Chan in person the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Literature conferred upon in absentia at CUHK’s 84th Congregation in November 2017.