Bulletin Spring‧Summer 2001

energy-saving engineering devices. The sigh t of delivery workers peddling hard on conventional bicycles p r omp t ed h i m to design a new type of bicycle that w o u l d requir e far less energy to propel. I n Mr. Hung 's invention , the t wo pedals wh en pushed d o wn by the rider's feet cause the seat to rise correspondingly. A n d wh en the rider, while in a standing posture, presses d o wn on the seat w i t h his o wn weight, the pedals are elevated. The vehicl e proceeds w i t h the energy created by the rider sitting an d rising, making it a labour-saving device that is also mu ch easier to balance. This innovative concept brought forth the RISIGO (rise-sit-go), a vehicle for transport as we ll as a device for physical exercise. After a series of trial tests and fine-tuning, Mr . H u n g was invited to present RISIGO at th e N i n t h An n u al World-wide Inventors Expo in New Yor k City i n 1985, wher e it astonished the w o r l d an d was awarded a gold medal. Mr . H u n g was cited i n the newspapers as a bright light among the Chinese , and his fame as a n inventor soon spread far and wide. Mr. Hung's invention again appeared b y invitation at the International Inventors Expo 1991 i n N e w York City, where it garnered the overall first prize amon g patent items. A t the moment RISIGO has been patented in over 40 countries. China is the undisputed nation of the bicycle, and the demand for environmental friendly exerciser s i n advanced countries i s also on the rise. We can thus expect Mr. Hu n g 's ingenious creatio n to be adapted for consumer usage i n due course, to be w i de ly accepted i n the market. Mr. H u n g was the first Ho ng Kong citizen t o have participated and achieve d great honours i n an international inventors expo. Wh en enquired abou t his experience, Mr. H u n g indicated that an inventor's road f r om idea to reality and concept to p r odu ct w o u l d always be long, uneven, an d f u ll of hurdles. So one w h o desires success w o u l d do we ll to be determine d and resolved, and to have the w i l l power to overcome all odds and difficulties. Mr. H u n g is a gentleman o f unassuming demeanour and a k i nd disposition. He abides by the Christian teaching tha t it is more blessed to give than to receive, wh i ch i s a principle he practises to the full, i n his service to the alma mater and to the c ommu n i t y at large. Mr. H u n g believes that in the course of one's life one may gain control of matter s by not takin g the first move, and b y remaining composed i n the midst of strife and turmoil. H e is convinced that 'having spent some tim e i n a chamber adorned w i t h fragrant flowers, one i s no longer sensitive to the sweet scent', an d hence takes success and failure w i t h the same calmness of mind. To Mr. Hu n g, success is something to rejoice in, but failure is not a situation that w o u l d scare him. His advice is that one should always take a cautiously optimistic outloo k on life' and frequently practise introspection. One should also be bold in shouldering responsibilities and abstain from attributing faults to others. Mr. H u n g agrees that 'maggots appea r only after the substance has gone into decay' , and his conviction is that, whether i n prosperous or adverse circumstances, one must always strive to the best of one's ability . I n this way, a person w i l l certainly be abl e to see life optimistically an d capitalize on opportunities that com e up w i t h any new situation. Mr. H u n g grew u p in a learned family, w i t h his grandfather bein g an expert i n photography and both his parents being artists. Mr. H u n g is very fond of music and, wh en a young man , was the conductor of the YMCA Harmonica Orchestra. He derives great pleasure from the aesthetic and spiritual experienc e that is inheren t i n the enjoyment of classical music . Mr. H u n g has a w i d e range of interests wh i ch enable h i m to broaden his mental horizons, and his company i s always a pleasure mu ch enjoyed by hi s friends. Mr. George H u n g is an immensely successful engineer and an inventor of international renown. His genius and knowledge have brough t h i m remarkable achievements i n business both i n Ho ng Kong an d abroad. As a very senior alumnus of The Chinese University, he has no t on ly sat on the Ch u ng Chi Board of Trustees bu t has also been a member of the University Council since 1993. Ove r the decades he has greatly supported the University w i t h his time and resources. Mr. Vice-Chancellor, in consideration of his contribution t o H o n g Ko ng and the Chinese c ommu n i ty a t large, I present Mr. H u n g H o n Cheung, George for the awa rd of the degree of Doctor of Social Science , honoris causa. 50