The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) received a HK$100 million donation from the Chow Tai Fook Charity Foundation Limited (the Foundation) for promotion of the University’s academic and research development. In a ceremony officiated by Dr. Adrian CHENG, the eldest son of the Foundation’s Honorary Chairman Dr. CHENG Kar-Shun, HKUST named the University’s Robotics Institute “Cheng Kar-Shun Robotics Institute”.

The generous gift from the Foundation seeks to enhance the University’s research capabilities in areas such as robotics and autonomous systems; deepen student learning in innovation and design thinking competency, as well as advance entrepreneurship and knowledge transfer.

HKUST Council Chairman Mr. Andrew LIAO expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Foundation’s long-term support of the University’s academic and research work, “Cheng Kar-Shun Robotics Institute is a key research facility at HKUST that is perfect to mark the University’s longstanding partnership the Foundation. The donation is another resounding vote of confidence in what we do, and is crucial for the University to pool its strengths and develop new solutions to the grand challenges of our time.”

Dr. Adrian Cheng, Chief Executive Officer of New World Development Company Ltd, Executive Director of Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group Ltd as well as Vice Chairman and Group Chief Executive Officer of CTF Education Group said, “My father is a noted philanthropist. So was my late grandfather, Dr. Cheng Yu Tung. I am delighted to follow their footsteps in caring about our community and giving back to society. Today, at the Cheng Yu Tung Building, we celebrate the naming of the Cheng Kar-Shun Robotics Institute. It gives me great pleasure to show support for the excellent work of the HKUST in this way. It is also an expression of my great respect and deep love for my father. I hope that through the sharing of resources with HKUST and society at large, we may help create more opportunities for the younger generations, who are the future of our society. I also hope that we may thereby contribute to a solid foundation for the great development of Hong Kong in the years and decades to come.”

Prof. Wei SHYY said, “HKUST is deeply grateful to the Foundation’s trust in our academic and research work, which is internationally respected and recently reaffirmed in the Research Assessment Exercise of University Grants Committee. With the Foundation’s generous gift, we will keep up the good work, break new grounds and nurture the right talent to assist the economic and social development of Hong Kong and beyond.”

On top of supporting activities organized by HKUST’s various institutes, the donation will also be used as startup funds for new faculty – in particular those from the School of Science and School of Engineering, to set up laboratories, recruit research assistants and purchase equipment. In appreciation of the Foundation’s support, the University has named its Robotics Institute with presence in Hong Kong and future Guangzhou campus after Dr. Cheng Kar-Shun.

In a recent ceremony, Dr. Adrian Cheng and his wife Mrs. Jennifer YU CHENG, Deputy Vice Chairwoman and Group President of CTF Education Group; HKUST Council Chairman Mr. Andrew Liao Cheung-Sing; President Prof. Wei Shyy and Prof. Albert IP, HKUST Council member cum Independent Non-executive Director of New World Development Company Ltd, unveiled the commemorative plaque of the “Cheng Kar-Shun Robotics Institute”.

About The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) (https://hkust.edu.hk/) is a world-class research intensive university that focuses on science, technology and business as well as humanities and social science. HKUST offers an international campus, and a holistic and interdisciplinary pedagogy to nurture well-rounded graduates with global vision, a strong entrepreneurial spirit and innovative thinking. Over 80% of our research work were rated “Internationally excellent” or “world leading” in the Research Assessment Exercise 2020 of Hong Kong’s University Grants Committee. We were the world’s best young university in Times Higher Education’s Young University Rankings 2020, and our graduates were ranked 26th worldwide and among the best from universities from Asia in Global University Employability Survey 2020.