According to a recent press release, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) received an HK$200 million donation from a robotics company aimed at enriching University’s work in talent development and research innovation, with focus on areas including robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), smart cities and big data.
The magnanimous gift of the robotics company will be used to sponsor a professorship and a scholarship program among other causes. The donation will allow HKUST to step up efforts in advancing research and nurturing talents, thus supporting the transition of Hong Kong and Mainland into a knowledge-based economy through the development in innovation and technology.
The Founding Chairman of the parent firm of the robotics company stated that he is committed to driving the growth of AI and robotics in Hong Kong and Mainland. The company is planning to build an 80 billion yuan Robot Valley and are delighted to collaborate with prominent universities like HKUST on this major project.
The Chairman added that HKUST and his company share the same vision; both wish to help enhance the Mainland ’s robotics research and education and empowering its companies in robotics and related areas to become key players on the international arena.
The Founding Chairman hopes the donation could further support the University’s endeavours to groom talents and stimulate technology innovation.
In an expression of gratitude and admiration, the HKUST Council Chairman stated that the aforementioned Founding Chairman not only builds homes but also erects schools for many – especially those from Mainland’s underprivileged families.
It was noted that the Chairman has made munificent donations in pursuit of equal opportunities for all to quality education. Today, his significant contribution to HKUST will enable the University to offer its students and faculty members an innovative environment where they could unleash their potential, build their strengths and continue to achieve research excellence in AI and robotics.
HKUST President stated that HKUST is deeply thankful for the benevolent gift and the Chairman’s contributions to the education sector over the years. HKUST and the company share common interests in the pursuit of AI and robotics, which both believe will become new tractors of growth.
From this common ground, a long-lasting and comprehensive partnership is expected to be developed. With his generous donation, HKUST will keep on breaking new grounds and bringing about more research and innovation breakthroughs, thus fulfilling their mission to assist the economic and social development of Hong Kong and the Mainland.
Founded by the chairman in 1992, the holdings firm is a listed company in Hong Kong which has grown to become one of the Fortune Global 500s – an authoritative global company ranking. Expanding its business to innovation and technology, the chairman established a robotics company in July this year.
The subsidiary focuses on developing core robotics technologies and intelligent manufacturing through research and development on the Internet of Things, AI, cloud computing and big data platform.
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) is a world-class research university that focuses on science, technology and business as well as humanities and social science. The university offers an international campus, and a holistic and interdisciplinary pedagogy to nurture well-rounded graduates with a global vision, a strong entrepreneurial spirit and innovative thinking.
HKUST attained the highest proportion of internationally excellent research work in the Research Assessment Exercise 2014 of Hong Kong’s University Grants Committee and is ranked as the world’s best young university in Times Higher Education’s Young University Rankings 2018. Its graduates were ranked 12th worldwide and top in Greater China in Global Employability University Survey 2017.
