The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) received a five million dollar donation from Dr Hari N Harilela for the setting up of professorship for outstanding up-and-coming faculty. The professorship will be named in honor of Dr and Mrs Hari N Harilela.
Innovative technologies and top-notch talents play a pivotal role in the growth of the Hong Kong economy. As a world-class research university, HKUST is intent on driving societal development and enhancing its research capability through the championing of innovative research and the nurturing of top talents. The University has long been fostering a stimulating international environment conducive to innovation and research, so as to attract the world’s most gifted faculty member to join the outstanding team of researchers at HKUST.
To support promising faculty in their education and research work, Dr Hari N Harilela provided five million Hong Kong dollars which helped HKUST to obtain government matching grant for professorship. In recognition of his support, the professorship will be named after the couple, for which outstanding faculty members at associate professor and assistant professor level are eligible. The Harilela family has throughout the years been a generous sponsor of HKUST, enabling the establishment of a number of student scholarships.
Dr and Mrs Hari N Harilela together with Dr and Mrs Aron Harilela officiated at the Donation Presentation Ceremony, which also doubled as his 90th birthday celebration. He said, “I have been associated with HKUST since 1994 as a Court Member. It is a matter of pride that within a short period it is now recognized as one of the world’s top universities and Asia’s No 1. HKUST is known as a research university for achieving research breakthrough in a number of areas. Education has always been very close to my heart and therefore, in reaching my ninetieth year, I decided to give further support to HKUST.”
Prof Tony F Chan, President of HKUST expressed his wholehearted gratitude to the Harilela for their thoughtful donation. He said, “Dr Hari N Harilela’s contributions to the cause of education are sustained and varied. On his 90th birthday, Dr Harilela is making this very wonderful and meaningful gift to HKUST, which should give a strong impetus for up-and-coming scholars to participate in science and technology research. HKUST shares the same vision and is joining hands with Dr Harilela in establishing the University’s first professorship honoring associate and assistant professors, in the hope of making even greater contributions to society.”
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Mavis Wong
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