June 11, 2021
Waterloo recognizes distinguished alumni
Math and Engineering alumni to receive honorary doctorates at Waterloo's convocation
University of Waterloo’s alumni Calvin Choi (BA '01), who has distinguished himself in the international financial sector, and Chuck Magro (BAsc '93), a renowned business leader in Canada, will be the recipients of honorary doctorates at this spring’s convocation ceremonies.
> Calvin Choi (BA '01)
> Chairman, AMTD Group; Founder, AMTD Charity
Calvin Choi (BA’01) graduated from the University of Waterloo in June 2001 with a Bachelor of Arts degree, with honors, in chartered accountancy studies. He has gone on to distinguish himself in the financial sector with nearly 20 years of experience in investment banking, international capital markets and professional auditing sectors. He is a globally recognized entrepreneur and philanthropist as well as a pioneer and contributor in promoting regional digitalization.
Mr. Choi is the Chairman of AMTD Group and the Founder and Chairman of AMTD Charity Foundation. Since October 2016, he has been a non-executive director of the Bank of Qingdao.
Mr. Choi was named “2019 Asia FinTech Leader” and “2020 Singapore FinTech Leader” by the Singapore Fintech Association, selected as a “Young Global Leader” by the World Economic Forum in 2017, and awarded by the Institutional Investor magazine as one of the global “Fintech Finance 35” in 2016. Mr. Choi currently holds various positions with a range of organizations, including Vice President of the China Young Entrepreneurs Association, Vice Chairman of the Greater Bay Area Homeland Youth Community Foundation, Board Director of ASEAN Financial Innovation Network, Founder and Chairman of Greater Bay Young Entrepreneurs Association, Founder and Chairman of the Regional Banks+ Strategic Cooperation Alliance, Founder and Chairman of AMTD Charity Foundation, Honorary President of Hong Kong Army Cadets Association, Vice President of Hong Kong Federation of Professions, and Board Director of OneChild Network & Support Inc. Mr. Choi also holds directorships in several privately-owned companies.
Mr. Choi also worked at UBS from October 2010 to January 2016, his last role there being Managing Director of the investment bank division. From January 2009 to October 2010, he worked at PricewaterhouseCoopers Hong Kong as director of the corporate finance division. From July 2005 to December 2008, he worked at Citigroup, where he progressed to the post of China chief specialist and the head of the China Strategic Alliance unit of Citi Corporate and Investment Bank. Prior to that, Mr. Choi worked at PricewaterhouseCoopers Hong Kong and Arthur Andersen & Co. (Hong Kong) from 2001 to 2005 becoming the senior manager.
The degree Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, will be conferred on Choi at the Faculty of Mathematics’ virtual ceremony taking place on June 18, starting at 7 pm.
> Chuck Magro (BASc, '93)
> President and CEO, Nutrien
Magro, who earned a chemical engineering degree in 1993, has gone on to make many contributions as a business leader, innovator and engineer tackling humanity's most pressing challenges. His degree has served as a springboard into the boardrooms of some of the world’s most successful organizations, while he has brought profound leadership and innovative technologies to some of the most valuable companies in Canada.
The most recent company to benefit from his expertise is Nutrien, the world’s largest provider of agricultural inputs and services and a Canadian champion in mining and agriculture, where he served as president and CEO. Grounded in the values of safety and integrity, Magro oversaw Nutrien’s success to the benefit of society through stable employment, sustainable agriculture and by bringing technological innovation to one of the world’s most important goals — growing food.
As a principled, transformational chief executive and champion for agriculture and mining, Magro steered Nutrien, formerly Agrium, onto a strategic course that will allow the Canadian-owned global company to take advantage of innovation, technology sustainability and inspired governance.
His ability to work to help solve the truly difficult problems facing humanity is a hallmark of Waterloo Engineering. As part of the Dean of Engineering’s Advisory Council, Magro has generously contributed his time, insight and skills to further advance the Faculty’s strategic goals.
Magro will receive the degree Doctor of Engineering, honoris causa, at the Faculty of Engineering’s virtual ceremony taking place on June 19 commencing at 7 pm.
