Record $14 million raised at CityU Foundation annual dinner

Cover Story

Over 500 guests attended the annual dinner of the City University of Hong Kong Foundation (CityU Foundation) on 22 November, at which more than HK$14.6 million was raised to support the University’s One Health initiative. The record donation will be used to set up scholarships, fund pioneering research, and enhance teaching and research facilities.

Under the theme “A Dancing City,” the dinner aimed to showcase the University’s commitment to the pursuit of innovation and academic excellence and express its gratitude to all members of the CityU Foundation and friends of the University for their support over the years. Decorated with blooming flowers, and flying butterflies and bees, which made the venue look like a garden, the dinner party signified CityU’s vigour and determination to innovate and excel.

In his welcome address, Mr Lester Garson Huang, CityU Council Chairman and Honorary Chairperson of the CityU Foundation, said that the theme of the annual dinner reflected the vibrant, proactive and visionary qualities of CityU, which leads the development of higher education in Hong Kong in different disciplines. For instance, following the establishment of the Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, the launch of the first-ever School of Data Science in Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Institute for Data Science showcases CityU’s determination to meet the demands of a data-driven economy over the next decade. In recent years, he pointed out, CityU has continued to perform strongly and has made significant progress in the world university rankings, reflecting international recognition of the University’s achievements. For example, CityU is ranked number one in International Outlook among world universities in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings. He also thanked members of CityU Foundation for their generous support.

Lester Huang — Mr Lester Garson Huang delivers the welcome address.

In his remarks, Professor Way Kuo, University President and Co-Chairperson of the CityU Foundation Board of Governors, said that significant milestones were set for the development of the University’s One Health initiative in 2017/18. It received a donation of $500 million from The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust for enhancing the health of humans, animals and the environment. Another piece of good news is that the University Grant Committee will be recommending to the Government to accept CityU’s proposal to establish an undergraduate Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine programme starting from the 2019-2022 triennium as a publicly funded programme. Professor Kuo expressed his deep gratitude to all the University’s supporters for their contribution to the success of this 10 year-long marathon of One Health initiative.

Professor Kuo and Mr Huang joined with Dr Yeung Kin-man, SBS, JP, Co-Chairperson of the CityU Foundation Board of Governors, and members of the Organising Committee of the CityU Foundation Annual Dinner to officially announce the start of the dinner. Together with Mr Herman Hu Shao-ming, ex Council Chairman and Honorary Patron of the CityU Foundation, members of CityU Council and CityU Foundation Board of Governors, and senior management of the University, they offered toasts with the guests. Professor Kuo presented certificates to the new Honorary Patrons of the CityU Foundation, namely the Tin Ka Ping Foundation and Dr and Mrs Yip Kit-chuen, in appreciation of their generous contributions and longstanding support for the University.

present certificates — Professor Kuo presents certificates to representative of Tin Ka Ping Foundation (photo on the right) and Dr and Mrs Yip Kit-chuen (photo on the left), in appreciation of their generous support.

Some of the delightful highlights at the dinner included a freestyle performance of CityU’s rope-skipping team, which has many current and ex members of the Hong Kong team; a cello and erhu performance by Mr Michael Chan Wing-ming, Honorary Vice-President of the CityU Foundation, and Ms Jessie Huo Shih-chieh, renowned erhu musician; and singing performances by Mr Owen Chan Sze-wai, member of the Organising Committee for the dinner, Ms Priscilla Ku Kei-kuan, his wife, and Mrs Josephine Pang. The climax of the dinner was singing performances by Professor Kuo and Miss Angela Yeung Kit-ming, a member of the dinner’s Organising Committee, and Mr Wong Chun-hong, Chairman of the Organising Committee. The performances raised a considerable amount of donations for CityU.

singing — Singing performance by Professor Kuo (right) and Miss Angela Yeung Kit-ming.

Before the auction at the dinner, Dr Yeung said he supported the mission of CityU and was proud to witness the University’s fruitful development in academic research, international rankings, student nurturing, and in the new area of “One Health”. He said the University’s pursuit of excellence in education deserves society’s full support and donations. Guests bid actively and generously for their favourite items, helping to set a record for total funds raised at the annual dinner.

Mr Wong said he was honoured to serve as Chairman of the Organising Committee of the CityU Foundation Annual Dinner this year, and thanked all members of the committee for generously offering their valuable time, brilliant ideas and staunch support, and for their generous contributions.

The event came to the perfect ending when Mr Huang, Professor Kuo, Dr Yeung and Mr Wong announced the amount of funds raised, and along with other guests, sang Below the Lion Rock.