According to Barbara Wei Ting Chan, BCom’77, there is one mantra which sums up her philosophy towards life, work, community – and her alma mater.
“Success in career lies in efforts and the meaning of life lies in serving and dedication,” she says. “This motto has always accompanied me.”
A longtime Hong Kong resident and loyal McGill volunteer, Chan’s involvement with the University spans more than three decades and her contributions to McGill were recognized this year with the Robert Fung International Award of Distinction, named after Robert H.P. Fung, MDCM’60.
A renowned pediatrician and dedicated UNICEF organizer, Fung was a driving force behind the formation of the McGill Society of Hong Kong and served as its first president. After his death in 2009, the Dr. Robert H.P. Fung Scholarship was established in 2012 by his family’s foundation and awarded to students entering or enrolled in the Schulich School of Music.
Chan’s commitment to her alma mater certainly honours the memory of Fung and the spirit of his eponymous award. The story of her volunteer service dates back to 1981. Just four years after graduation, she moved from Canada to Hong Kong where she soon connected with other McGill graduates.
With a background as a chartered accountant and a strong affinity for McGill, Chan quickly became an invaluable volunteer. She joined the McGill Society of Hong Kong in 1981, served as its president in 1985 and as honorary treasurer of the Society till 2001. She also joined the Martlet Foundation (Hong Kong) in 2002 and served as the honorary treasurer from 2002 till 2014.
“Through my involvement with these associations, I was able to meet many McGill graduates from different years and faculties, share in the life of McGill and obtain updates on the University,” she says.
Her commitment to volunteer work has not only benefitted McGill but has also helped many community schools and organizations including the Pearl Island Lions Club of Hong Kong, the Zonta Club of New Territories of Hong Kong, the Maryknoll Medical and Welfare Association and the Federation of Hong Kong Chiu Chow Community Organizations. Moreover, her commitment to McGill has extended well beyond official duties at the McGill Society of Hong Kong and the Martlet Foundation to include mentoring young alumni who aspire to a career in accounting and lending financial support to the Desautels Faculty of Management.
Accompanied by her husband, Richard Tsoi and daughter, Florence Tsoi, she accepted the Robert Fung International Award of Distinction at the Montreal Alumni Association’s 2017 Honours and Awards Banquet in Montreal. In presenting the award, MAA President Bob Babinski said, “Barbara’s dedication has certainly served McGill well and given a great deal of meaning to our University and our alumni efforts in Hong Kong.”
