Huang Zhigang

Lawrence T. Wong, Ph.D. was born in Quanzhou, Fujian Province, and emigrated to Hong Kong in 1954, where he completed his secondary education. In 1961 he graduated from the Department of Mechanical Engineering at National Cheng Kung University in Taiwan. He then earned a Master of Mechanical Engineering from the University of Toledo in the United States. In 1970 he received a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Michigan State University. After graduation he worked for NASA and Ford Motor Company.

In 1984 he was transferred to Ford Taiwan and, due to his outstanding performance, quickly became the first Chinese president of Ford Taiwan. Between 1984 and 1996, under his leadership Ford Taiwan dominated the island’s automobile market, facilitated collaboration and technology transfer between Japanese and domestic manufacturers, and spurred growth in Taiwan’s machinery and related industries, making a significant contribution to Taiwan’s economic development.

In 1996 he was appointed Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, despite having had no prior knowledge of horse racing. Under his management model—allocating 97% of revenues to community returns and 3% for administration and equipment renewal—the Club became a non‑profit organization dedicated to public welfare, charity, and entertainment. He founded the Hong Kong Sports Institute, funded the construction of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, supported numerous charities, and contributed to various social and grassroots infrastructure projects. He retired in January 2007.

In 2001 he was awarded the Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award by National Cheng Kung University.