Tributes continued to pour in on Tuesday after Henry Hu Hung-lick, co-founder and president of Hong Kong Shue Yan University, passed away on Sunday at the age of 105.

Officials praised Hu’s lifelong commitment to cultivating the city’s young generation and his many contributions to society.

Hu was born in Shaoxing, Zhejiang province, on Feb 26, 1920. Hu was fluent in Chinese, English, French and Russian and served as vice-consul of the Consulate General to the Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic in Tashkent in 1946.

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Hu studied diplomacy in college and later received a doctoral degree in law from the University of Paris in 1952. He then returned to Hong Kong to practice after qualifying as a barrister in the United Kingdom (UK). He served as the vice-chairman of the Reform Club, vice-chairperson of the Urban Council, and as a Legislative Councilor. But it was his commitment to education, alongside his wife Chung Chi-yung, China’s first female judge, which defined his legacy.

Hu and Chung founded Shue Yan College in 1971 at a time when only 2 percent of young people in Hong Kong could access university education — a statistic Hu found deeply troubling.

The couple devoted their lives and personal savings to education, living simply on campus for decades. Despite their distinguished legal careers, they insisted on building an institution that would offer greater opportunities for Hong Kong’s youth. In a video released by Shue Yan University in memory of Hu, he recalled arriving in Hong Kong in 1955 and being deeply concerned about the paucity of university education for youngsters, especially Chinese secondary school graduates.

On Dec 19, 2006, Shue Yan College became the first private university in Hong Kong after it was renamed Hong Kong Shue Yan University.

The couple’s insistence on maintaining a four-year curriculum at Shue Yan, refusing government subsidies that required a three-year model, became a symbol of their uncompromising pursuit of educational ideals.

In recognition of the couple’s contribution, in 2009, two asteroids discovered by a Chinese-American astronomer were named “Hu Hung-lick Star” and “Chung Chi-yung Star”. Chung passed away in 2014.

The passing of Hu has affected many in the city.  Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu on Monday said he was deeply saddened by Hu’s death.

“Dr Hu and his late wife, Dr Chung Chi-yung, established Shue Yan College to broaden the tertiary education opportunities of Hong Kong’s younger generation. They remained steadfast to the educational philosophy of ‘cultivating virtues of benevolence, broadening horizons and knowledge’, and spared no effort in promoting Shue Yan to become a postsecondary college and Hong Kong’s first private university, Hong Kong Shue Yan University,” Lee said.

“Dr Hu dedicated himself to the university and served as its president until his passing, commanding the respect and love of staff, students and alumni. Dr Hu devoted substantial financial resources and personal effort to the development of Hong Kong’s postsecondary education, nurturing generations of virtuous talent for Hong Kong,” he added.

“He also actively participated in public service and made outstanding contributions to Hong Kong. He was awarded the Grand Bauhinia Medal in 2008.

“I express my sorrow over the passing of Dr Hu and extend my deepest condolences to his family,” Lee said.

Education Secretary Christine Choi Yuk-lin also expressed her sadness over Hu’s passing, and extended her heartfelt condolences to his family.

“Dr Hu cultivated students with both moral integrity and benevolence. His educational philosophy and enthusiasm have benefited generations of students, making him a true role model for the education sector.”

Choi said she believes that Hu’s selfless contributions and noble spirit will be remembered fondly by everyone.

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Eric Chan Kwok-ki, chief secretary for administration and a Shue Yan alumnus, also praised the couple’s sacrifice. “If not for their commitment to education, with their legal credentials they could have earned a great deal. What I admire most is their persistence in their ideals and their willingness to make sacrifices for education,”

Lawmaker Simon Lee Hoey said, “Even when facing pressure, Hu and his late wife stood firm in preserving the four-year curriculum, refusing government aid to maintain their vision.” He said that Hu’s selfless spirit “will continue to inspire us all to contribute to the development of society”.

According to an obituary issued by Shue Yan University on Monday, details regarding Hu’s funeral and memorial arrangements will be announced at a later date, once the family has finalized plans.

Contact the writers at tongsijiu@chinadailyhk.com