Family Root - HKU

Article submitted by the alumni

This is a story of two generations that has its roots in the mid 1970s. Two Social Sciences students, Stella and David, met each other at an Orientation Camp organised by the Faculty in 1974.

After graduation, the couple married in Canada. David obtained his PhD in economics there, and later studied in the Doktor Nauk program (doctorate above PhD) in applied mathematics in Russia and was awarded a Dr.h.c.. David taught at various Canadian universities while Stella worked as a computer analyst with the Ontario Government before returning to Hong Kong. In the 1990s, David taught at the School of Economics and Finance and Stella held an administrative post at the English Centre of HKU. Stella also obtained her Masters degree from HKU in 2001.  

David is currently is a Distinguished Research Professor at Shue Yan University and Co-director of the Center of Game Theory at Russia’s Saint Petersburg State University. He is also an Honorary Fellow of the Centre for Suicide Research & Prevention at HKU.

The couple’s ties with HKU run deeper than just being alumni and staff. David and Stella played a vital role in the invitation of Nobel laureate John Nash to visit HKU at a celebrated event, which was co-organised by the K K Ho Foundation and the HKU Foundation.

Unsurprisingly, with such a strong family connection to HKU, David and Stella encouraged their daughter, Patricia Melody, to study at HKU. David at first persuaded her to consider studying mathematics and introduced her to many prominent mathematicians, but it turned out the Yeung family had a dental expert instead of a mathematician. Patricia received her Bachelor of Dental Surgery in 2011 and Master of Dental Surgery (Paediatric Dentistry, with distinction) in 2015 from HKU, and enjoys providing dental treatment for young patients, especially those who need special care.  The Yeung family says it is grateful to God for their blessed and joyful times at HKU.