The research and development capability of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) receives a major boost today (Tuesday) with the opening of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Enterprise Center (the Center).
To accommodate its ever-widening circle of research and development activities, HKUST needs to expand physically. The construction cost of the center, with a total gross area of 10,000 square meters is more than $160 million, half of which was provided by the Government and the other half came from a donation from The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust. In recognition of the Trust's staunch support, the Center is named in its honor.
The Center will enable the University to better fulfill its mission of contributing to Hong Kong's economic development through applied research and technology transfers. It will also help HKUST cement stronger ties with business and industry.
Officiating at the opening ceremony were Mr David Eldon, Deputy Chairman of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, Dr Alice Lam, Ex-officio Member of University Grants Committee, Chairman of Quality Assurance Council, Chairman of Education Commission, Dr John Chan, Council Chairman of HKUST, Prof Paul Chu, President of HKUST, Prof Tony Eastham, Acting Vice-President for Research and Development, and Prof T C Pong, Associate Vice-President for Academic Affairs.
Speaking at the ceremony, Prof Paul Chu expressed his deepest gratitude to The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust and all the prestigious donors who helped make the Center a reality. "The building of HKUST has been a splendid communal effort, and the completion of the Enterprise Center is its latest and very timely accomplishment." Prof Chu said.
Also speaking at the ceremony, Mr David Eldon said this new center had symbolized not only past accomplishments in grooming technological entrepreneurs, but also future opportunities for greater success. He looked forward to seeing more synergies created through the university's collaboration with the industry, which, in turn, would bolster Hong Kong's economic future.
Along with the formal opening of the Center was the dedication of four newly named lecture theaters at the Center. The four state-of-the-art lecture theaters are named after Dr Chiang Chen, Mr and Mrs Lee Siu Lun, Madam Lung Law Pui Yu and Mr Lung Kai Lam individually, in honor of their generous donations to HKUST.
Located at the southeastern end of the Academic Complex at HKUST's Clearwater Bay campus, the Center comprises two five-storey blocks extending from the Annex. It comes equipped with dry and wet laboratories and other facilities related to applied research and development, technology transfer, commercialization, executive and professional development programs, as well as research partnerships between HKUST and the industrial and business sectors.
For media enquires, please feel free to contact :
Luk Kam Wing
Tel: 2358-6306
Email: kluk@ust.hk
Donna Wong
Tel: 2358-6317
Email: donnaw@ust.hk
