Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) announced Friday that it will confer honorary doctorates to three pre-eminent persons including famous novelist Louis Cha, in recognition of their outstanding achievements and contributions.

The university will hold on November 9 the 15th Congregation with Hong Kong Chief Executive Donald Tsang officiating the ceremony.

The three recipients include Louis Cha, influential author and co-founder of Ming Pao, will be conferred Doctor of Letters honoris causa; William M W Mong, celebrated philanthropist and Chairman and Senior Managing Director of Shun Hing Group will be awarded Doctor of Business Administration honoris causa; K Barry Sharpless, Nobel Laureate in Chemistry will receive Doctor of Science honoris causa.

Louis Cha, with the pen name of Jin Yong, is one of the most influential modern Chinese-language novelists. His 15 novels of martial arts and chivalry written between 1955 and 1972 earned him the reputation as one of the best-loved wuxia authors in modern time.

William M W Mong established the Shun Hing Education and Charity Fund which has donated more than 460 million HK dollars (about US$59 million) towards projects on education, healthcare, sports and environmental protection over the years.

K Barry Sharpless is the Nobel Laureate in Chemistry in 2001 for his groundbreaking work on stereo selective oxidation reactions.

(Xinhua News Agency October 13, 2007)