In recognition of his contributions to education, Dr. Sin was awarded the degree of Doctor of Social Science, honoris causa of CUHK in 1994, and conferred Honorary Fellowships of The Open University of Hong Kong (now Hong Kong Metropolitan University), The University of Hong Kong and The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology in 2008, 2011 and 2014 respectively.
Dr. Cheng Hoi Chuen is a prominent personage of the financial sector and even to the social development of Hong Kong. He is the first Chinese Chairman of The HSBC and was appointed a number of positions at decision-making levels in the Hong Kong government which included Members of the Legistlative Council and Executive Council, Hong Kong Affairs Advisor and Election Committee (Finance Subsector). In recognition of his contributions to social development and public service, he was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 1994 and received the Gold Bauhinia Star of the HKSAR in 2005.
As an alumnus, Dr. Cheng has been giving back to the College and CUHK. He was appointed a member of the College Board of Trustees between 1998 and 2009, participated in the planning of campus development and made donations to found the College Mentorship Programme. He then took up the position of Chairman of The Council of CUHK from 2009 to 2015 and made significant contributions to the University in the establishment of five new Colleges, the CUHK (Shenzhen) and the CUHK Medical Centre.