Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) will confer an honorary doctoral degree on Trent University’s distinguished alumnus Justin Chiu on Monday, November 19, 2012, for his outstanding and professional achievements, as well as his remarkable contributions to society.

An International Business Leader with Beginnings at Trent

One of Trent’s most treasured international alumni and a great supporter of the University, Justin Chiu is the executive director of Cheung Kong (Holdings) Limited, and the chair of ARA Asset Management Limited. He is referred to as one of the “pioneers of public-listed real estate investment trusts in Asia.” His vision and dynamism has resulted in projects that have transformed Singapore’s waterfront and changed many other horizons throughout Asia.

ARA Asset Management Limited and its subsidiaries were listed on the stock exchanges of Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia with an asset portfolio of over US$20 billion. The company was named one of Asia’s 200 Best under a Billion by Forbes Asia in 2010 and 2011. It also received the top Gold Award, Best Managed Board 2012 (Mid Cap) at the Singapore Corporate Awards organised by The Singapore Exchange and The Singapore Institute of Directors. Mr. Chiu was named Director of the Year by The Hong Kong Institute of Directors in 2010.

Mr. Chiu graduated from Trent in 1978 with a joint degree in sociology and economics. He credits Trent University for giving him the academic and personal experiences in Canada that have helped him develop into the dynamic, successful and ethical business leader he is today.

A Philanthropist and Community Supporter at Home and Abroad

Mr. Chiu’s second $1 million gift to Trent in 2010 boosted the renewal and expansion of the award-winning Trent Community Sport & Recreation Centre. His first donation in 2009 created two endowed funds – the Justin Chiu International Scholarship and the Rita Chiu Study Abroad Bursaries. Mr. Chiu established the Pecan Foundation to support education and is a founding member of The Roberta Bondar Foundation.

Most recently, Mr. Chiu was able to join the Trent delegation to China in Nanjing for the signing ceremony of a new agreement with Nanjing University. Mr. Chiu has long recognized the need for environmental problem-solving in China. His ancestral links to the Nanjing area and his respect for his alma mater’s excellence in environmental science resulted in his making a leading gift to encourage the development of this relationship, and to seed the development of an institute that will benefit both Nanjing, Trent, and other universities, as well as scientists, government and industry partners around the world.