1992 Award Recipient

Lam, David C. See-Chai, the Honourable (Outstanding Service to Community)

Lam, David C. See-Chai, the Honourable (Vancouver, British Columbia)
Distinguished achievement as the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia. Dr. Lam was cited for his contributions to the cultural and academic life of British Columbia, and the enormous impact his vision and generosity has had on the Chinese and Canadian communities.

Educational Background
Dr. Lam was born in Hong Kong. He received his bachelor’s degree in Economics from Lingnam University, Canton, China, in 1947; and his MBA from Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1948.

Career Development
He pursued a career in banking in Hong Kong for 18 years before making Canada his home inĀ 1967. He entered the development field, and founded his own investment firm.

In 1982 he concluded his professional business interests, and devoted his life to philanthropic pursuits.

Major Contributions
Dr. Lam’s holistic vision of excellence brings together the best of the traditional Chinese cultural influence, Christian values, and western advances in technology and economics.

His vision of Canada includes a place where immigrants will find refuge and opportunity, and in turn contribute the best of their cultures and unique backgrounds to the rich pluralism of this land.

Dr. Lam had led by example, in enhancing the image of the Chinese Canadian community.

He was a major promoter & donor to build:

  • The Dr. Sun Yat-Sun Classical Garden in Vancouver,
  • The Police Centennial Museum,
  • The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra’s 1986 tour to Japan.

He established:

  • The David Lam Management Research Library,
  • The David Lam Asian Garden at the University of British Columbia,
  • The David Lam Centre for International Communication at Simon Fraser University.

He is a major supporter of:

  • The Asian Pacific Initiative Centre,
  • The Institute of Dispute Resolution both at the University of Victoria, and in Vancouver,
  • The Regent College Theological Seminary,
  • The Chinese Culture Centre,
  • The United Chinese Community Enrichment Service Society.

Other Honorary
Dr. Lam has been awarded by:

  • Honorary degree of Doctors of Laws by University of British Columbia (1987),
  • Baylor University (1990),
  • Simon Fraser University (1991);
  • Doctor of Military Science byRoyal Roads Military College (1991).

He was invested with the prestigious Order of Canada in 1988.