The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) today received a $5 million donation from The Bank of East Asia (BEA). The donation will be used to support the University’s academic and research development.
The University has also applied for government matching for the donation.
Speaking at the cheque presentation ceremony today (Friday 14 March 2008), HKUST Council Chairman Dr John Chan expressed gratitude for BEA’s generous donation, “We consider it an endorsement from one institution of excellence for another.”
Dr Chan pledged that this gift from BEA will be put to good use, “I can assure Dr David Li, BEA’s Chairman and Chief Executive, that the donation will be used wisely and well. Putting money into this University is a risk-free investment. The only risks we take are in the pursuit of excellence. Unlike the stock market, our stock only goes up.”
HKUST President Prof Chu said HKUST attracted this wonderful gift from BEA because both share the same vision, “Hong Kong’s future lies in being a talent center for Asia. HKUST is at the heart of this effort. I know that as a man of vision, Dr Li also wants to turn Hong Kong into a talent hub. But talent does not grow on trees. It grows on support from friends such as Dr Li and BEA.”
As HKUST recently unveiled its campus expansion plan to better accommodate the surge in student numbers by 2012, and to meet the educational and research goals outlined in the University’s Strategic Plan, this contribution from BEA will help the University better fulfill its mission of becoming a world-class university at the cutting edge internationally in the five targeted fields of pursuit – biological sciences and biotechnology, nanoscience and nanotechnology, sustainable development: energy and environment, electronics, wireless and information technology, as well as management education
For media enquiries, please feel free to contact :
Luk Kam Wing
Tel: 2358 6306
Email: kluk@ust.hk
May Cheung
Tel: 2358 6103
Email: mccheung@ust.hk
