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The Secretary for Education and Manpower, Professor Arthur K C Li, was yesterday (May 7) admitted in Hong Kong to be a member of the Court of Patrons of the Royal College of Surgeons of England, the highest recognition that the Royal College could bestow upon an individual associated with the college. Currently there are only 36 members in the Court of Patrons.
Professor Li is the first Asian so honoured since the Court of Patrons of the Royal College of Surgeons of England was established in 1956 to acknowledge outstanding contributions to surgical education, training and research. So far only 101 individuals have been admitted by the college. These individuals are prominently engraved on a special plaque at the Royal College of Surgeons of England.
The presentation ceremony took place at the Conjoint Scientific Meeting between the Royal College of Surgeons of England and the College of Surgeons of Hong Kong.
Professor Li said that he was very pleased to have received the honour. "This honour signifies the achievements of Hong Kong's surgical sector and the recognition of our contributions to the international community," he said.
The citation said that election to the Court of Patrons of the Royal College of Surgeons of England was made very sparingly and the college wished to honour Professor Li in recognition of his outstanding contributions to surgery.
Ends/Tuesday, May 8, 2007
Issued at HKT 17:06
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