Remembering Professor Chin Chuan Lee: Scholar, Mentor, and Founding Head of COM
15 May 2026 (Fri)
On April 30, 2026, the Department of Media and Communication (COM) at City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK), in collaboration with the School of Journalism and Communication at The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), held a memorial service to pay tribute to Professor Chin Chuan Lee, a renowned Chinese communication scholar. Professor Lee, who was the Founding Head of the department at CityUHK and served as Emeritus Chair Professor at CUHK, played a pivotal role in advancing communication studies, leaving behind a lasting legacy in the field.
A renowned expert in Communication Studies, Professor Lee graduated from Chengchi University in the 1970s and enjoyed a distinguished academic career at the University of Minnesota, CUHK, and CityUHK. Over the years, he mentored and inspired numerous scholars across various fields. Notably, he was the first Chinese scholar to receive the prestigious B. Aubrey Fisher Mentorship Award from the International Communication Association (ICA).
Prof Way Kuo, Emeritus President and University Distinguished Professor at CityUHK
More than 100 colleagues, students, alumni, and friends joined the service, both in person and online. The distinguished attendees were Professor Way Kuo, Emeritus President and University Distinguished Professor at CityUHK; Professor Chan, Joseph Man, Emeritus Professor at CUHK's School of Journalism and Communication; and Professor So, Clement Y.K., Senior Research Fellow of the Faculty of Social Science at CUHK. The service also brought together current faculty members, alumni, former CityUHK communication students, academics from CUHK, as well as prominent scholars and educators in communication studies from across East Asia.
Prof Yi-Hui Christine Huang, Head and Chair Professor of COM
Professor Yi-Hui Christine Huang, Head and Chair Professor of COM, highlighted Professor Lee's exceptional academic contributions, particularly his pivotal role in initiating the "Young Scholar Visiting Scholars" program within COM. This program has successfully gathered a group of promising young scholars from across China, significantly advancing their integration into the global media studies landscape.
Prof Chan, Joseph Man, Emeritus Professor at CUHK's School of Journalism and Communication
Prof So, Clement Y.K., Senior Research Fellow of the Faculty of Social Science at CUHK
Professor Zhou Baohua, Dean of the School of Journalism at Fudan University
Professor Chan, Joseph Man, one of Professor Lee's distinguished mentees, described him as a trailblazer in advocating for the globalization of communication studies. Professor Lee's groundbreaking research has effectively redefined the direction of future academic inquiries in the field. Professor Zhou Baohua, Dean of the School of Journalism at Fudan University, recognized Professor Lee as an exemplary role model for aspiring scholars, whose success serves as a source of inspiration and significantly elevates academic excellence.
As colleagues, students, and friends paid their final respects, the service stood as a heartfelt tribute to Professor Lee’s enduring legacy and to the many lives he touched through his scholarship, leadership, and mentorship.
