Sphere No.44 (Mar 2018)

is changing rapidly and every nation is competing for talents who can meet these challenges. The mission of GTIIT is to nurture creative explorers and innovators with the capacity to tackle future challenges with theoretical knowledge as well as practical skills.” One beneficiary of that view of preparing the next generation for the future is Richard Li, son of Mr Li Ka-shing. He is a director of LKSF and appreciates that vision. “My own father has always reminded me that there is no limit to the quest for knowledge, and his unwavering support of higher education and research to better mankind is a testament to this belief.” LKSF Chairman Mr Li Ka-shing acknowledges achieving progress does not come without sustained effort in an ever-changing world, but when the fruits of that effort arrive as new technology, they can seem miraculous. “In this new world of fluid boundaries, the fast changing, fascinating, and transforming power of technology sometimes does seem to wave like a magic wand, bringing new models and opportunities to many frontiers and Sphere #44 2018 24 << GTIIT IS BORN cross-cultural dialogues are essential. Opening up Technion and Shantou to these cultural dialogues is very important.” At its core, however, will be the two nations and campuses. “When you combine the innovation and entrepreneurial spirit of Israel with the unbelievable scale of China, you have a great partnership,” he explains. A beginningwith “no limit” Indeed, expansion plans are already in place and there is more to come from this partnership. At the recent on-campus inauguration ceremony, it was announced that the LKSF will commit another RMB10 million to develop new programmes and ensure that GTIIT becomes a hub of innovation in Guangdong. Students will study across a range of engineering, life science and basic science disciplines. The GTIIT Chancellor, Professor Li Jiange, knows that while serving humanity, they must serve the students as well, ensuring that they can succeed and contribute to society. He explains, “The global environment generating new solutions to entrenched problems at a pace that is often hard to keep up with.” Vice-Chancellor Ciechanover echoed the dedication needed to move forward, saying, “It is important to remember that we [Israelis] also have something to learn from the Chinese – planning and carrying out large-scale projects, adhering to timetables and boundless industriousness.” The school will equip students to tackle those entrenched problems. In the beginning, it will have a College of Engineering, a College of Science, and a College of Life Science. Areas of study will eventually include chemical engineering, materials engineering, environmental engineering, mechanical engineering, chemistry, mathematics, physics, biotechnology and food engineering, biology, and biochemical engineering. The first students, who started their studies in 2017, will graduate in 2021 with a degree from Technion. They will need to work hard – and be creative. Mr Li Ka-shing is clear that creativity is key to the future of students and humanity. “In this day and age, no one has an iota of doubt that technological innovation underpins a country’s ability to create collective wealth, and that it is the key impetus to individual success. Creativity is the defining centrepiece of our time – powering us into the future. Establishing a creative paradigm is not easy to set right, only through education and the rule of law can we build a free and fair, fun and fruitful future for all,” says Mr Li. Behold – the future! Mr Li Ka-shing and Mr Richard Li, Director of LKSF (left), walk the new campus with supporter Mr Zhu Xiaodan, former Governor of Guangdong (centre left) and Mr Li Jiange, the first GTIIT Chancellor (right). “There is no limit to the quest for knowledge.” Richard Li Director, Li Ka Shing Foundation