City University of Hong Kong (CityU) has received a HK$125 million gift from The Joseph Lau Luen-hung Charitable Trust to set up student awards and bursaries for underprivileged students, and to sponsor the strategic initiatives and other innovative projects.

It is the largest donation that CityU has ever received from a private donor.

CityU offered its deep thanks to the Trust at the Ming-wai in Conversation: Creativity & Innovation cum Joseph Lau Luen-hung Charitable Trust Donation Ceremony on 23 September.

At the Ming-wai in Conversation session with teachers, students and alumni before the ceremony, Mr Lau Ming-wai, representing the Trust and Vice-Chairman of Chinese Estates Holdings Limited, The Hon Leung Chun-ying, Council Chairman of CityU, and Professor Way Kuo, President of CityU, discussed their views on creativity and innovation as well as their insights on the University’s achievements in innovation.

“CityU has impressed me a great deal, as it has achieved so much in only 26 years, especially in the area of innovation, such as the establishment of the School of Creative Media and the proposed school of veterinary medicine,” Mr Lau said. “In addition to regular subjects, CityU is also developing innovative courses and programmes. CityU is worthy of our enthusiastic support.”

He added: “Creativity means breakthroughs in behaviour and thinking out of the box, in our work and our personal interests.” Mr Lau encouraged students to do their best to create and innovate.

In sharing, Mr Leung said: “CityU is focusing on innovation, such as the proposed school of veterinary medicine. Some people think we will train veterinarians only to take care of cats and dogs, but that is only part of the role the school will play. China is developing fast and many people depend on animal protein for nutrition, so there is a growing demand for well-qualified veterinarians in China. We wish to offer innovative programmes that nurture experts for animal husbandry, aquaculture and fisheries in China, and to study the relationship between animals and human beings.”

Professor Kuo said timing and location are both highly important for innovation. “Establishing the School of Energy and Environment and the proposal to set up the school of veterinary medicine are all about timing and location,” he said. “The provision of high-quality professional education by CityU is not only for the University, but for Hong Kong, China and the world.”

In his speech at the ceremony, Dr Leung Nai-pang, Pro-Chancellor of CityU, expressed on behalf of the University his gratitude to the Trust for sponsoring the development of the University. “As a dynamic young university, CityU is engaging in inter-disciplinary cutting-edge research and taking part in solving technology and social problems that face Hong Kong, the region and the rest of the world,” he said. “CityU encourages its students to become original thinkers through its unique Discovery-enriched Curriculum.”

Mr Lau, Dr Leung, Mr Leung and Professor Kuo officiated at the donation ceremony after the sharing session. The HK$125 million donation will be used to set up the “Joseph Lau Education Fund” at CityU in support of full-time undergraduates experiencing financial difficulties who wish to participate in exchange programmes and non-local internship programmes. The fund also offers bursaries to subsidise their studies.

The Trust also supports CityU’s long-term development and other innovative projects, helping CityU position itself as a university renowned for its excellence in research and innovative professional education.

Founded by Mr Joseph Lau Luen-hung, Chairman of Chinese Estates Holdings Limited, in 1997, the Trust supports activities that promote education, sports, the arts, medical care and charitable causes that improve the lives of the underprivileged.