Footprints in the community

During 2002-03, the President networked with different Hong Kong community associations, giving presentations on 'Harnessing Science and Technology for Hong Kong's Future' to the Kiangsu and Chekiang Residents (HK) Association, and Hong Kong Chiu Chow Chamber of Commerce. He was accompanied by the Vice-Presidents and Deans. The Kiangsu and Chekiang Residents (HK) Association later brought a 16-member delegation to visit the HKUST campus.

Prior to the 10th Congregation, Court and Council members and their friends were also shown round the campus, while in Spring 2003, 30 members of the Hong Kong Women Professionals and Entrepreneurs Association visited HKUST with family and friends.

University Court member Dr Helmut Sohmen continued to sponsor his series of Business Roundtable Dinners providing opportunities for members of the University to meet influential members of the community. At a gathering in October 2002, Prof Otto Lin, Vice-President for Research & Development, gave a talk on the future development of Hong Kong, while Prof Ka Ming Ng, Head of the Department of Chemical Engineering, discussed emerging technologies and opportunities in chemical processing at a subsequent Roundtable Dinner in March 2003.

In Spring 2003, the Government announced the HK$1 billion Matching Grant Scheme which has become a major fund-raising focus for the University. Launched in July 2003, the scheme enables universities to apply for government funds to match money raised by the University's own efforts on a first-come- first-served basis and for a limited time only.

At HKUST, we believe everyone in our community can make a difference in this regard and we are working hard to maximize the University's fund-raising potential under the scheme.

Our Court and Council members have led the way, and in the short time since the start of the Matching Grant Scheme and the end of our reporting year, the University has gratefully received HK$10 million for endowed chair professorships from Dr Helmut Sohmen, HK$1 million from Dr Charles Y K Lee, HK$1 million from the Chan Tseng-Hsi Foundation, and a HK$1 million pledge for scholarships for international students from Dr Robin Y H Chan and Asia Financial Holdings Ltd. In addition, we received HK$1 million from The Croucher Foundation to support our research development and US$125,000 (HK$975,000) from Citigroup Foundation to support an international case competition. There were also gifts totaling HK$1.24 million from several corporate donors in support of our academic and research programs.