Date: 01 Nov 2021

Prof. George Woo, Emeritus Professor and Senior Advisor at PolyU’s School of Optometry receives honorary doctorates from Hong Kong Metropolitan University (HKMU) in recognition of his valuable achievements and exceptional contributions to academia and society. The conferment ceremony will be held on 1 December.

A world-renowned leader in optometry and vision science, Prof. George Woo has a significant impact on global eye health. He received his Doctor of Optometry degree at the University of Waterloo in Canada, and obtained his MSc and PhD degrees in Physiological Optics from Indiana University in the United States. He is a Fellow and a Diplomate in Low Vision of the American Academy of Optometry.

Prof. Woo started his academic career in the University of Waterloo in 1970 and retired as Professor Emeritus in 1996. From 1987 to 1990, he played a pivotal role in promoting the development of optometry when he was serving as the founding Head and Professor of the Department of Diagnostic Sciences of the then Hong Kong Polytechnic, where he earned the title Emeritus Professor from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University in 2011.

Besides serving on numerous local and international optometry, health and research committees, Prof. Woo is also a passionate volunteer of The Samaritan. Apart from looking after patients with physical impairment, he also extended his concern towards the mental health of people. He later became the Chairman of The Samaritans’ Board of Directors from 2015 to 2019, leading it in expanding the scope of services to protect lives.

Prof. Woo's eminent accomplishments in optometry, as well as altruistic devotion and full display of humanitarian spirit were highly remarked. He was awarded the “Hong Kong Humanity Award 2020” from Hong Kong Red Cross in 2020.