Hong Kong UCL supporters are awarded Honorary Fellowships of the university

Cathy Chui Lee, who graduated from UCL in 2004 with a BA in Economics and Business with East European Studies, and Dr Martin Lee, a renowned business leader, are noted philanthropists in Hong Kong and around Asia. Their philanthropy extends across health, the arts, child welfare and education, and initiatives that champion the underprivileged. In 2018, the Lees made a major gift to dementia research at UCL, as part of our previous philanthropic campaign, It’s All Academic. 

Since graduating from UCL in 2004, Cathy has become one of UCL’s most engaged alumni in Asia.

Cathy and Martin’s Honorary Fellowships were awarded in recognition of their commitment to providing hope for a future without dementia, and in gratitude for their support of neuroscience at UCL.

On conferring the Lees Honorary Fellowships, UCL President and Provost Dr Michael Spence said: 

“By any measure, Cathy and Martin are visionary philanthropists. Their generosity is shaping the lives of millions globally. We saw the full force of their joint philanthropic mission in action at UCL in 2018, with a donation that will help to create a new state-of-the-art home for neuroscience research at Gray’s Inn Road. The terrible puzzle of treating and curing dementia and other neurological diseases has defeated researchers worldwide for decades. Cathy and Martin’s philanthropy has done much to highlight the need for better awareness of dementia, and to advocate for more funding for research, and fast.

“We are extremely fortunate to have a lively and passionate alumni and supporter community. Cathy and Martin embody the spirit of that global community at its best and I was delighted to confer their Honorary Fellowships.”

On receiving her Honorary Fellowship, Cathy said: 

“Martin and I are proud to support the world-class neuroscience community at UCL. Their research is at the forefront of the field and they are making real progress in the fight against dementia and other neurodegenerative diseases. 

“We truly appreciate the tireless efforts of the UCL team in making remarkable contributions to the discovery of cures and treatments for these conditions, and in bringing us renewed hope for a world where dementia can be forgotten for all the right reasons. UCL has played an important role in our lives, and to be made Honorary Fellows of the university is a huge honour. We look forward to continuing our fruitful relationship with UCL for many years to come.”

Read more

• Hong Kong Philanthropists give major £3 million dementia research gift to UCL
• 256 Grays Inn Road: a new home for neuroscience
• UCL Honorary Fellows