Budapest, 17 June 2011 – Dr. Paul Kan CBE, Comm OSSI, Chevalier de la Legion d'Honneur, SBS, JP, was today awarded Honorary Professor.

Szent Istvan University has conferred the Honorary Professor title on Dr. Paul Kan, Honorary Consul of the Republic of Hungary in Hong Kong, and Chair of Champion Technology Group.

The title aims to recognize Prof. Dr. Paul Kan's distinguished contributions towards the development and promotion of education and scientific research worldwide, and his collaboration with the University for advancing cooperation among higher education institutions between Hungary, and China and Hong Kong.

Speaking at the award ceremony on 17 June, Prof. Dr. Kan said he was deeply honoured and humbled to receive the “Honorary Professor”title of Szent Istvan University. He also promised to do his utmost to step up cooperation between the Hungarian University and the universities in Hong Kong and China.

Dr. Paul Kan developed the world's first Chinese and multi-lingual wireless communication system in 1987 and is renowned as the “Father of Multi-lingual Messaging” for pioneering the wireless communication transmission technology in various languages. He has been making significant contributions to the information technology industry globally over the last 41 years and is the Founder and Chairman of Champion Technology Group which comprises three information technology companies (Champion Technology Holdings 0092, Kantone Holdings 1059, and DIGITALHONGKONG.COM 8007), which are listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and Multitone Electronics Plc which was listed on the London Stock Exchange until privatized by Mr. Kan. The total asset value of the Group exceeds 8 billion dollars.

Mr. Kan is an undisputed business leader in the information technology industry. He is currently Chairman of Hong Kong IT Alliance (since 1999) and Chairman of the Hong Kong Information Technology Industry Council (since 2001). He was Chairman of Information and Communications Technology Services Advisory Committee, HKTDC (2006 – 2010), Chairman of ICT Working Group, Hong Kong – United Kingdom Business Partnership (2004 – 2007), Convener of Hungarian – Hong Kong Innovative Business Council (2005 - 2010), and Listing Committee Member, Stock Exchange of Hong Kong (1999 – 2003). He is a current member of the Council of The Chinese University of Hong Kong and the General Committee of The Federation of Hong Kong Industries.

Mr. Kan is dedicated to serving the community. In 1990, Mr. Kan set up the charity “A Better Tomorrow”, which has since contributed to community programs in education, arts, culture and religion. In 2005, he set up Chinese World Cultural Heritage Foundation and World Cultural Relics Protection Foundation to take over the increasing activities of the cultural heritage projects, which include the “Peace and Harmony” exhibition series .

Mr. Kan considers computing technology as his life-long pursuit and is Hong Kong's first-generation computing professional. He started as a first generation programmer of the Hong Kong Government in the 1960s, providing software expertise to various government departments including education, transport, security, industry and trade. In the following 17 years, Mr. Kan worked with various international groups as a systems analyst for computer projects, including the Swire Group for its aviation, trading and shipping systems. He was ultimately promoted to be the General Manager of Asiadata Limited, a joint venture computing services bureau of HSBC, Jardines, Barclays Bank and Cable & Wireless. In 1987, he founded the Champion Technology Group, and soon launched the world's first Chinese message receiver and wireless communication systems, a major milestone and a solid foundation for his subsequent and continuing pursuit in the information technology arena. The Champion Technology Group has since positioned itself in the development of wireless communications software and related applications in various environments. The Group's activities now span over 50 countries.

Mr. Kan's motto is “Integrity: my principle; Honesty: my foundation; Dedication: my value.” His work and efforts have been recognized globally.

Mr. Kan has been awarded Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE) by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in the 2006 UK's New Year's Honours List. This award recognizes Mr. Kan's contribution to business and a very high standard of management ethics in his business endeavours.

In 2005, the citation for Honorary Doctoral Degree from the University of Northern Virginia called Mr. Kan “a true World Citizen” in recognition of his works and contributions around the world.

The Academy of Chinese Studies honours Mr. Kan's significant contributions to China's cultural affairs with an Honorary Fellowship in 2005.

Mr. Kan was invested with the honour of Commendatore dell'Ordine della Stella della Solidarieta Italiana (Comm OSSI) by the Italian Prime Minister Hon. Romano Prodi in 2006. The award is granted to recipients in recognition of their contribution to economic and cultural activities for Italy.

Mr. Kan was appointed a Justice of the Peace by the Hong Kong SAR Government in 2006. In addition, he was awarded Chevalier de l'Ordre de la Legion d'Honneur by the Government of France in 2007.

On 1 July 2009, Mr. Kan was awarded the Silver Bauhinia Star by the Hong Kong SAR Government in recognition of his dedication and significant contribution to the development of the information technology industry in Hong Kong.

Mr. Kan was appointed as Honorary Consul of the Republic of Hungary  in the Hong Kong SAR and the Macau SAR in January 2011.

About Szent Istvan University (http://www.sziu.hu)

The Szent Istvan University is a state-run institution of higher education of the Republic of Hungary. A professionally and economically independent, self-governed legal entity, which has the right to provide university and college undergraduate, postgraduate and doctorate level training as defined by the Act in the designated professional and scientific fields and to grant the diplomas defined by the Act to those persons fulfilling the educational requirements.

As one of the largest and oldest University in Hungary with campuses in Budapest, which offers a unique mix of classical traditional studies and high end modern teaching, research and educational activities with some constituent universities established in 1787, and the oldest Faculty in the world, established in 2000 with the merger of several classical independent universities and colleges with up to two centuries of teaching experience. The university provides education and training in several fields of life sciences, such as agricultural and environmental sciences, veterinary medicine, environmental sciences, mechanical engineering, economy and social sciences, architecture, water supply management, medical sciences as well as applied arts.

The university accommodates over 23,000 students in 10 different campuses, supported by an academic staff of 3000 and spread in the following faculties:

• Faculty of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences
• Faculty of Applied and Professional Arts
• Faculty of Economics
• Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences
• Faculty of Education
• Faculty of Mechanical Engineering
• Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
• Faculty of Water and Environmental Management
• Institute of Health Care and Environmental Sanitation Studies
• Ybl Miklos Faculty of Architecture and Civil Engineering