Born in Hong Kong, Mr. Ho is the grandson of Sir Robert Ho Tung and Lady Clara Ho Tung, and the son of General Ho Shai Lai and Hesta Ho Hung Ki Fun. Mr. Ho was educated at Lingnan and Pui Ching Middle Schools and obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree from Colgate University, and his Master of Science in Journalism from the Graduate School of Journalism at Columbia University in the United States.
He spent his business career in journalism and in managing his family’s property and other investments. After his retirement, he concentrated his efforts on philanthropic activities. In 2005, Mr. Ho founded The Robert H.N. Ho Family Foundation, a Hong Kong-based independent philanthropic organisation aiming to promote Chinese culture, art education and Buddhist philosophy. The Foundation has initiated and supported a number of world-class exhibitions and events in major cities of the world to foster Chinese culture and Buddhist teachings. In spring 2009, the Foundation launched the U.K.’s first permanent gallery of Buddhist sculpture at the Victoria and Albert Museum. In its home base, the Foundation has developed and implemented various education programmes that inspire young people to appreciate and create art through photography, writing and bodily movement. He has perpetuated the legacy of his grandparents, and particularly his grandmother, Lady Clara Ho Tung, by establishing Tung Lin Kok Yuen, Canada Society, in 1994 in Vancouver. He also founded the Tung Lin Kok Yuen Canada Foundation in 2005 to endow chairs and research programmes in Buddhist studies. Together with Tung Lin Kok Yuen Hong Kong, the Foundation has made donations to the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, the Centre of Buddhist Studies of the University of Hong Kong, the University of Toronto at Scarborough and the International Buddhist College in Thailand. In 2008, the Robert H.N. Ho Family Foundation endowed the Center for Buddhist Studies at Stanford University. Mr. Ho initiated the establishment of www.Buddhistdoor.com, now one of the world’s largest and most visited websites on Buddhism. His gift to Colgate University in Hamilton, New York, has allowed Colgate to establish the Robert H.N. Ho Interdisciplinary Science Centre. In March 2009, Mr. Ho made a gift to the VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation for the establishment of a new research centre at Vancouver General Hospital. The centre will be home to three internationally recognised research programs on prostate cancer, ovarian cancer, and hip health and mobility. The Robert H.N. Ho Research Centre is scheduled to open in 2011. |
Mr. Robert H. N. Ho |
