HKUST Receives HK$100 Million from The Tung Foundation in Support of HKUST2.0 | The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

The Tung Foundation (Foundation) made a generous donation of HK$100 million in support of the true integration of The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) and The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou) (HKUST(GZ)) – set to open in September, under the “Unified HKUST-Complementary Campuses” framework, or what is now known as HKUST2.0.

This is the first donation to support such a notion – a blueprint for next-generation pedagogies that take advantage of the complementary academic structures and shared resources to nurture forward-looking, creative talents and pioneer a new way forward in higher education.

The foundation’s magnanimous gift will be used to set up a fund called “The Tung Foundation Frontier Fund for Collaboration” (the Fund).  The Fund will support collaborative research, student learning, entrepreneurship, knowledge transfer as well as student wellness of the two campuses under the “Unified HKUST-Complementary Campuses” framework.

The first cross-campus collaborative program titled the “Sustainable Smart Campus Net-Zero Journey: Innovation Challenge*” (the Program) was held earlier.  The week-long program was designed for students from both sides to come together to develop smart and sustainable solutions for both Clear Water Bay and Guangzhou campuses.  Students were equipped with necessary design thinking skills and were empowered to apply them on the campus environment to showcase their vision of our future Sustainable Smart Campus as a learning experience.  On the last day of the Program, 7 project teams were formed by around 30 students to present their innovative solutions to VIPs and a panel of judges consisting of faculty and staff of both campuses.  The winning team, EcoPrana, developed a net zero pavilion for HKUST members to relax and reduce stress.  The first and second runners-up proposed a wasteless canteen and a mobile app that promotes sustainable behaviors respectively.  All three winning teams will be provided with budget for implementing their plans.   

Mr. Alan TUNG Lieh-Sing, Trustee of The Tung Foundation, said, “The Foundation is a strong believer in the power of education.  HKUST is well-known for being the pioneer of new pedagogy and for its excellence in research, and we are delighted to set up The Tung Foundation Frontier Fund for Collaboration in support of its vision.  We hope HKUST2.0 will thrive with the synergy between the Clear Water Bay and Guangzhou campuses to maximize output on knowledge advancement and talent development.  We believe this innovative framework shall allow HKUST faculty and students to unleash their potential and create long-term value for Hong Kong, the Greater Bay Area and beyond.”

In expressing his sincerest gratitude, HKUST Council Chairman Mr. Andrew LIAO Cheung-Sing said, “The late Mr. TUNG Chao-Yung, a legendary shipping magnate and philanthropist who founded The Tung Foundation, was highly respected, for his and his family members’ relentless support in education, social, and cultural causes.  This generous donation will help HKUST to advance its mission in contributing further towards higher education in science and technology, translational research and knowledge transfer in the Greater Bay Area and beyond, and enable us to better serve our role in implementing the nation's 14th Five Year Plan.”

HKUST President Prof. Wei SHYY said HKUST is deeply grateful about the donation, “Synergizing Mainland’s remarkable progress and motivation and Hong Kong’s internationally respected educational system, HKUST and HKUST(GZ) will together create HKUST 2.0 to contribute to socio-economic needs, to nurture youths with an innovative and optimistic mindset, and to prepare our graduates for the challenges facing us. We are confident that the notion of a unified HKUST with its complementary campuses will well serve the region and beyond, as well as offer an original model for the international community to observe, assess and adopt.”

HKUST(GZ) President Prof. Lionel NI thanked the Foundation for its trust, “The donation comes as a big support for our upcoming work in close collaboration with the Clear Water Bay campus. The Guangzhou campus is opening in September, we will launch programs and activities to facilitate exchange and collaboration between students and faculty of the two campuses.  I hope HKUST(GZ) would become a role model of higher educational collaboration between Hong Kong and the Mainland, as well as a world-class university to nurture the right kind of talent for the region’s development.”

The Tung Foundation is a charitable organization established in 1979 by the late Mr. Tung Chao-Yung, who was highly enthusiastic about youth and community activities, especially for the cultural, artistic and educational causes. The objectives of the Foundation are to support social, cultural, educational and medical activities and programs in Hong Kong, mainland China and overseas.

*Please click here for the full project list