Chung, Sze Yuen

Dr the Hon. Sir Sze Yuen Chung (鍾士元, 1917-) was an eminent engineer and politician in Hong Kong. He had served for over 35 years initially as Chief engineer, later as Managing Director and Chairman, in Sonca Industries Ltd. Not only was he the President of the Engineer Society of Hong Kong (1960-1961), he was also the founding fellow of Hong Kong Academy of Engineering Sciences in 1994.

He was the Senior Unofficial Members of the Hong Kong Legislative Council and Executive Council in 1970s and 1980s. He became the Convener of the Non-official Members of the Executive Council of Hong Kong SAR Government immediately on 1 July 1997 till 30 June 1999.

Sir Sze Yuen Chung played a leading role in the establishment of three local universities. In an address to the Legislative Council in 1965, Dr Chung pointed out that the time had come to consider establishing a polytechnic-type institution in Hong Kong. A Polytechnic Planning Committee was later set up in May 1969 under the chairmanship of the late Dr Tang Ping-yuen. After the Government accepted the committee's final report, the Hong Kong Polytechnic Ordinance came into force on 24 March 1972. The first board of directors of the Polytechnic (renamed “Polytechnic Council” in 1978) was formed under the chairmanship of Dr Chung. At the invitation of the Board, the Governor Sir Murray MacLehose agreed to be the first President of the Polytechnic. Mr Charles Old was appointed the Polytechnic's first Director.

In 1982, Dr Chung was appointed to chair the planning committee for the second Polytechnic. The first and second report on Planning Committee for the second Polytechnic of Hong Kong were finalized and published in 1982 and 1983 respectively. He also oversaw the establishment of Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) in 1991 as the chairman of the planning committee and became its pro-chancellor.