Thank You, Donors

The University expressed its thanks to individuals and organizations that have donated scholarships and other contributions to HKUST at the annual Donor's Reception, hosted by President Prof Paul Ching-Wu Chu on 18 April 2002. Over 40 of the University's generous benefactors attended, together with many beneficiaries and staff. Scholarships and bursaries have made a difference to the lives of many HKUST students, and helped make great strides in research.

The University Center Hall was renamed the Tin Ka Ping Hall to honor celebrated Hong Kong industrialist Mr Ka-Ping Tin, who endowed HKUST with a generous HK$3 million donation via the HKUST Foundation to enhance teaching and research. The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) Charities Trust pledged HK$19.5 million to provide part of the construction cost for a new student hostel, which will offer 527 places. The Trust also continued its support of the Mobile Real-time Air Monitoring Platform — an innovative environmental project — with a further donation of HK$1.89 million towards its HK$12.3 million pledge. In addition:

Television Broadcasts Limited contributed an additional HK$1.6 million to the TVB Fund. Compass Technology Co Ltd pledged HK$14.75 million for a project to upgrade the design and manufacturing capabilities of the local electronics industry, matching funding from the Government's Innovation and Technology Fund.

376 scholarships, amounting to HK$13.43 million, and 319 bursaries and loans of HK$1.8 million were allocated during the year. Noteworthy were the contributions of HK$5.52 million from the HKJC Charities Trust, HK$1.53 million from the Dr Richard Charles and Esther Yewpick Lee Charitable Foundation, and HK$1.4 million from the Jebsen Educational Foundation.

Sponsorship of conferences, workshops, academic programs, faculty research projects and student activities totaled HK$5.29 million. Equipment and in-kind donations amounting to HK$2.32 million were also gratefully received, including a software development toolkit worth over HK$2 million donated by RSA Security Inc.

Our alumni are playing an ever-increasing role in support of the University's fundraising efforts. We thank them for the more than HK$30,000 raised for scholarships in all four Schools, which included a matching donation from outgoing Council Chairman Dr Vincent H S Lo. The alumni are enthusiastic about stepping up fundraising efforts to support their alma mater.

For the University to achieve its development goals and gain further international recognition, we will require a sizeable effort in the raising of private donations. Gifts from individuals and organizations can help make HKUST a knowledge powerhouse, enabling the University to make ever-larger contributions to Hong Kong and the region in the coming years.