Media

The Lee Hysan Family, Hong Kong and Education: Distinguished Lecture and Book Launch / Book Talk By Senator Vivienne Poy

15 May 2009

Senator Vivienne Poy, the first Canadian of Asian descent to be appointed to the Senate of Canada, Chancellor Emerita of the University of Toronto, is also a historian, author, successful fashion designer, entrepreneur, and volunteer with many social and cultural organizations.

As a lifelong learner, Senator Poy believes that adult education is the key to a healthy population, and an engaged citizenry, in an informed society.

Her latest book is Profit, Victory & Sharpness: The Lees of Hong Kong. It is the story of Hong Kong's Lee Hysan Family, and in many ways, is also the story of Hong Kong. In it, Senator Poy shows how the family, and in particular her father, Richard Charles Lee Ming Chak, steered a steady course through often turbulent times.

Media are cordially invited to cover the Distinguished Lecture and Book Talk; details are:

Distinguished Lecture: Building a Learning Society

Date: May 19, 2009
Time: 11:00am-12:00pm
Venue: Convocation Room, Main Building, HKU

Book Talk/ Book Launch: Profit, Victory & Sharpness: The Lees of Hong Kong

Date: May 19, 2009
Time: 5:30-7:30pm
Venue: Special Collections, 1/F, Main Library, HKU

For enquiries, please contact Ms Trinni Choy, Assistant Director of External Relations, HKU (Tel: 2859 2606/E-mail: pychoy@hku.hk )

About the Speakers

Senator Vivienne Poy is the first Canadian of Asian descent to be appointed to the Senate of Canada, Chancellor Emerita of the University of Tortonto, as well as a historian, author, successful fashion designer, entrepreneur, and volunteer with many social and cultural organizations. She was awarded an honorary degree of Doctor of Laws from The University of Hong Kong in 2006.

Senator Poy is a noted academic, and the author of four books that explore the history of the Chinese in Hong Kong and Canada. As a result of her leadership in politics, the community, and in education, she has been designed as one of Canada's Top 100 Most Powerful Women, by the Women's Executive Network, in the 'Trailblazer' category.

About the Book

《Profit, Victory & Sharpness: The Lees of Hong Kong》
"Born of an encounter during the Opium War between imperial Britain and China's last dynasty, Hong Kong's story is vividly told through the life of one man - Richard Charles Lee - and his immediate family. This is not only an intimate portrait of a man who played a pivotal role in the years leading up to the handover in 1997 - it is also a revealing look at the former British colony from its earliest days until now, when it is a Chinese Special Administrative Region." - Frank Ching, author of ANCESTORS: 900 Years in the Life of a Chinese Family and China and Hong Kong: For Better or For Worse

About HKU Libraries Reading Club

HKU Libraries Reading Club was established in 2001 to promote the cultural and intellectual life of Hong Kong. The Reading Club sponsors a series of book talks featuring leading members of the Hong Kong intellectual community. At these book talks, we invite interesting people to talk about books that interest them.