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Imperial alumnus and business leader Professor Winston Wen-Young Wong has been recognised with an honorary Order of the British Empire (OBE).

The honour was bestowed in recognition of Professor Wong’s services to education and research and for his contributions to UK-Taiwan education relations.

An event to celebrate Professor Wong’s recognition was held at Imperial on Tuesday 17 November.

Professor Wong, a Taiwanese business leader, received a PhD from Imperial’s Department of Physics in 1975 and has retained close links with the College ever since. He currently serves as a Visiting Professor in Imperial’s Institute of Biomedical Engineering.

Professor Chris Toumazou holds the Winston Wong Chair in Biomedical Circuits

He has supported multiple research and educational programmes at Imperial, including the establishment of the College’s Centre for Bio-Inspired Technology. The Centre is pioneering the use of new technologies to develop healthcare devices inspired by biological systems, which can be used for early detection, diagnosis, monitoring and therapy of diseases such as diabetes and heart failure.

He is also the sponsor of the Winston Wong Chair in Biomedical Circuits, held by .

Professor Christopher Toumazou said: “Winston’s considerable support for interdisciplinary and translational research has led to life-saving innovations in healthcare. In particular his funding of the Centre of Bio-Inspired Technology has helped us create one of the world’s first artificial pancreas microchips to help tackle type 1 diabetes. We are very grateful for his generosity and foresight, and wholeheartedly congratulate him on this fitting honour.”

Richly deserved recognition

Professor Wong’s contributions to UK-Taiwan education ties include his support of scholarships for Taiwanese ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ to pursue graduate study in the UK through the Foreign Office’s  programme.

Professor Winston Wong, OBE, said: “Imperial College is really an extended family for me – professors, leaders, staff, ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ – many have taught me so much and many have become true friends. But the life experience that I got from Imperial is what has guided my adult life and that will stay with me forever. So when I heard that Her Majesty the Queen had bestowed an OBE on me I knew I had to make my way to Imperial College immediately to say – thank you all. I am truly humbled and grateful"

Professor Alice Gast, President of ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½, said: “Winston is a distinguished business leader, scientific visionary, and a true friend of Imperial. His gifts to the College have helped us to address some of the world’s most pressing healthcare challenges through fundamental advances in science and engineering. This recognition is richly deserved for his profound contributions to science at Imperial and their impact around the world.”