Mrs May Tam Mak Mei-yin is wife of the late Mr Edmund Tam Wing-fan, a renowned architect and philanthropist in Hong Kong. Mrs Tam deeply understands her husband’s vision. Not only did she firmly support his philanthropic endeavours, but also initiated many charitable projects with far-reaching positive impact with her late husband. As a couple, they had been making tremendous contributions to the community especially in terms of education, medicine and social service.
Mr Tam was among the first cohort of graduates of the architectural programme of The University of Hong Kong. Upon graduation, he set up Edmund Wing-Fan Tam Architects. Apart from his prominent career as an architect, Mr Tam had always been an avid advocate for charitable and community causes. He cared for the underprivileged and championed the free provision of welfare services to those without the financial means. Mr and Mrs Tam have been a force instrumental to the charitable sector in Hong Kong.
Together they supported the founding of SAHK (formerly the Spastics Association of Hong Kong) Tam Wing Fan Child Development Centre. They also made donations for the establishment of the Tam Wing Fan Innovation Wing at The University of Hong Kong, and funded the university’s researches on COVID-19, kidney and neurological diseases.
To address population ageing in Hong Kong and the demand on elderly care therewith, such as treatments for neurodegenerative diseases, falls and fractures, Mr and Mrs Tam generously backed the advancement of Tam Wing Fan Rehabilitation Service Centre (Occupational Therapy) on the campus of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. The Centre is the first-ever university-based occupational therapy clinic in Hong Kong, and has been serving the community since November 2020. It is another meaningful project upholding their belief of compassionate love.
Chairman Lam, University Council Members, President Teng and Honoured Guests,
I would like to thank The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) from the bottom of my heart for giving me the honour of a University Fellow. I am also grateful that I have been able to carry on with the mission and legacy of my late husband Edmund Tam Wing-fan. Alongside his illustrious career as an architect, Edmund had always been supportive of worthy causes. Healthcare and education in particular, had been high on his agenda.
In the past 40 years, PolyU’s Faculty of Health and Social Sciences has trained over 6,000 occupational therapists and physiotherapists. As people live longer, the ageing population has put tremendous stress on the healthcare system, and the demand for rehabilitation services for both motor and cognitive impairments is especially keen. For this, I commend PolyU for her vision in shaping the future of Hong Kong’s healthcare by answering to the growing demand.
As people say, it is more blessed to give than to receive. This University Fellowship is just the icing on the cake that serves as an encouragement for me to keep devoting time and energy in charitable endeavours. Thank you.
