Henry Hung - one of the most famous EAO Salesian Brothers

By Our Own Correspondent

Hong Kong, 3 June 2018 -- Salesian Brother Henry HUNG Ling-yeung (1944-1998) was probably among the most prominent and internationally known Salesian Brothers in our Region. His specialization in Electronics Engeneering (Turin) empowered him to serve his 'second homeland' in Taiwan (Republic of China) in his mature years.

Bro. Henry Hung was born in Koyui (Guandong province, China) on 31st October 1944. At 10 years of age he enrolled in Hong Kong ATS (Aberdeen Technical School) in 1954 was baptized in the same year. With the permission of his parents he joined the St. Dominic Savio Aspirantate (Hong Kong) and make his first profession on 16th August 1963.

Bro. Hung was bright and eager to learn, he was also practical and realistic. The superiors sent him for further study in Italy - Turin, Rebaudengo Institute for Salesian Brothers. After 7 years he obtained PhD in Electronics Engineering from Polytechnic University of Turin.

After his return to China province in 1972, he was assigned to Salesian Technical School in Tainan, Taiwan. In the same time he was invited as visiting professor to the National Cheng Kung University as researcher. In November 1978 Bro. Henry went to the USA SDB Provinces for research - where he also teached in DB Technical School. was involved in Don Bosco Multimedia project (East - New Rochelle) and also went to assist in computerization program (West - San Francisco).

Last 17 years of his short life he spent again in Taiwan: since 1981 assigned in Salesian Technical School (Head of Electricity and Electronics Department and workshop design work) and continued also his teaching and research at Taiwan National Cheng Kung University. Subsequently he was appointed a chaired specialist and consultative member in the R.O.C. National Science Commitee, the Head of the School of Information Technology and advisor to the Salesian Pontifical University (UPS) in Rome. Not long after that he was elected to be one of the Top Ten Young Scientist of Taiwan.

In the 1990's, the SDB Provincial Fr. John Baptist Zen commissioned him to study the situation and vision of the Technical Schools in the CIN Province. Bro. Hung submitted a report, which was important in the reshaping of the Technical Schools in later days.

Bro. Henry possesed great talent and knowledge and was learned in his field, but in the same time he was a low-key gentleman, friendly and easy to approach. As University professor he really put seriously his heart in this work. As Salesian he like also to take care of those Hong Kong and Macau students who came to Taiwan for university studies. In his daily community life he would be always keeping the timetable of prayers as a good religious Brother.

Besides founding the Information Engineering Research School in the Taiwan National Cheng Kung University, also successfully developed many systems for the Information Technology in Taiwan, effectively raising the standard in the Computer industry. In 1990 he obtained the Honour of 'Outstanding Person in Information Technology', in 1993 his name was recorded in the 'Famous Persons in the World'. Looking back at his teaching career, he has trained over 150 PhD's and MEng's in Taiwan.

Twenty years ago, when he was on summer break in Macau (Escola D. Luis Versiglia) one afternoon he went for a bicycle ride and was unfortunately involved in an accident. As result of his injuries he died aged only 54. That was great loss to the Congregation and to the civil society. But heaven was to add one illustrious 'Doctor' who was like a perfect electronic project, singing forever the praises of God his creator.

(Adapted from the CIN province 'A tribute to the deceased Salesians who worked in China, 1986-2009' by Br. Joseph Cheung, Hong Kong)

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