HKUST Receives Donation of HK$100 million from Dr Li Dak Sum to Establish Research Development Fund

Abstract

HKUST Receives Donation of HK$100 million from Dr Li Dak Sum to Establish Research Development Fund 28-06-2016

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) received a HK$100 million donation from Dr Li Dak Sum for the establishment of a research development fund to help drive the University’s high-impact research forward.

A donation presentation ceremony was held earlier by HKUST in gratitude for the generous donation made by Dr Li Dak Sum, a renowned businessman and philanthropist. Officiating guests at the ceremony included: the Honourable C Y Leung, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Dr Li Dak Sum, Chairman of Roxy Property Investment Company Limited, Corporate Advisor of Sharp-Roxy (Hong Kong) Limited, and Honorary Permanent President and Founding President of Ning Po Residents Association (Hong Kong) Limited as well as Dr Li Dak Sum’s eldest grandson Mr Kenneth Li, Chairman of Sharp-Roxy (Hong Kong) Limited; and from HKUST, the Honorable Andrew Liao Cheung-Sing, Council Chairman; Prof John Chai Yat-Chiu, Council Vice-Chairman; and President Prof Tony F Chan. Other senior management of HKUST also attended the ceremony.

An endowment fund named “Li Dak Sum Yip Yio Chin Kenneth Li Research Development Fund” will be set up with the HK$100 million donation made by Dr Li Dak Sum. It will be used to support the University’s unrelenting pursuit for excellence and innovation in research development, including the five strategic areas, namely data science, autonomous system & robotics, design thinking & entrepreneurship, sustainability, and public policy.

Mr Kenneth Li, representing Dr Li Dak Sum, said, “My grandfather believes that education is an integral part of a strong nation. He is a longstanding supporter of education both in Hong Kong and Mainland China. HKUST is well-known for being the incubator of innovators and for its excellence in research. We are delighted to set up a development fund to support its top-notch research and hope that it can boost the University’s capacity to create new knowledge and, equally important, to nurture more high-achieving students to become future societal leaders that can benefit the community at large.”

HKUST President Prof Tony F Chan expressed his wholehearted gratitude to Dr Li and said, “Dr Li has long been dedicated to supporting the education of young people in Hong Kong and Mainland China. He is a man with great vision and an ardent supporter of research and development. HKUST will continue to work hard in excelling in our research and to achieve even more in the years to come as a tribute to his generous support.”

Dr Li Dak Sum’s donation is a magnificent gift made specially for the University’s 25th Anniversary. In appreciation of Dr Li’s unfailing support, the University has the pleasure of naming its on-campus newly-built facility, Conference Lodge, after Dr Li and his family as “Li Dak Sum Yip Yio Chin Kenneth Li Conference Lodge”.

In December 2015, Dr Li Dak Sum donated HK$100 million to HKUST for the establishment of a perpetual endowment fund to provide scholarship for undergraduate students who come from Ning Po College and Ning Po No.2 College and are outstanding in both academic performance and personal conduct, and with financial needs.

(From left) Prof Tony F Chan, the Honorable Andrew Liao Cheung-Sing, the Honourable C Y Leung, Dr Li Dak Sum, Prof John Chai Yat-Chiu, and Mr Kenneth Li. (From left) Prof Tony F Chan, the Honorable Andrew Liao Cheung-Sing, the Honourable C Y Leung, Dr Li Dak Sum, Prof John Chai Yat-Chiu, and Mr Kenneth Li.

For media enquiries, please contact: Sherry No Tel: 2358 6317 Email: sherryno@ust.hk Johnny Tam Tel: 2358 8556 Email: johnnytam@ust.hk