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25 January 2000
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| The Open University of Hong
Kong (OUHK) today (Tuesday) unveiled its plan to establish a
3,100-square metre regional learning centre on Hong Kong Island,
thanks to a $40-million donation by the Li Ka Shing Foundation
to make up the necessary funding for the entire project. |
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| The new centre will be established
on the fourth floor of Shun Tak Centre atop the Hong Kong -
Macau Ferry Terminal at a purchase price of $110 million. When
completed in August this year, it will house 15 to 20 tutorial
rooms, a free-access computer centre as well as a lecture theatre;
and can also accommodate 1,000 students attending classes and
tutorials at one time. This provision will meet about 44 per
cent and, together with the main campus in Ho Man Tin, up to
70 per cent of the space needs for tutorials and lectures. |
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| Welcoming Dr Li Ka-shing, Chairman
of the Li Ka Shing Foundation, as a distinguished member of
the OUHK's "Partners in Learning" scheme, the University Council
Chairman the Hon. Charles Lee Yeh-kwong said his donation is
the largest personal contribution ever received by the institution.
This has enabled the University to carry out one of its most
significant expansion plans in line with the growth of the student
population. |
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| "Dr Li is widely acclaimed for
his dedication to education. Although he has only come into
personal contact with the University recently, at the congregation
ceremony last December he was deeply impressed that our adult
learners share his same respect for knowledge and commitment
to lifelong learning. Before long Dr Li approached me and immediately
decided that the OUHK mission is a most deserving cause for
his personal support," Mr Lee added. |
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| Dr Li said, "The new century
ushers in an era of immense changes, revolutionary, dramatic
and fundamental changes, globalization, and innovation. The
pace of new technological advances of information systems creates
new wealth, new economic cycles, and new lifestyles and societies.
Thus it is important for us as a society to embrace such changes,
not only through the financial market, but also through the
manner in which we prepare ourselves. |
|
| "In this new age, wealth is
the product of knowledge. It is a great personal asset and should
be valued highly, and not just as a tool to enhance professional
advances. It should permeate our way of life, from how we educate
our young to how we judge economic activities." |
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| Dr Li added that
this explained why he was so eager to support the new proposed
learning centre of the Open University. "I immediately agreed
to support this meaningful project, and I encourage others to
lend their support to projects and programmes that promote life-long
learning. I hope that the Government will provide more support
for life-long educational initiatives and divert more funds
to focus in this area so that everyone will have the opportunity
to further their studies should they wish to do so." |
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| A total budget of
$142 million has been earmarked for the project including furnishing,
fitting out and equipment expenses. Apart from Dr Li's contribution,
the Government has allocated $50 million while the Hong Kong
Jockey Club Charities Trust has pledged $15 million, plus another
$37 million from the OUHK reserve. |
|
| President of the OUHK Prof.
Tam Sheung-wai said, "Not only can the new regional learning
centre provide students with another ideal learning environment,
it will also help the University save rental costs and thus
the recurrent expenditure. The saving can in turn be used to
create more places and opportunities for aspiring learners. |
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| To this end, the University
will undertake these initiatives: |
| |
| • |
Start the second phase campus development
project at Ho Man Tin; |
| • |
Implement the institution-wide information
technology plan to take advantage of the latest Internet
and computer technology in teaching, administration and
student service; |
| • |
Provide more courses on Information
Technology, Internet and Electronic-commerce; |
| • |
Extend open learning opportunities
to working adults in mainland cities in collaboration
with the local educational institutions there; and, |
| • |
Provide more custom-made, flexible
and quality professional education and training to various
corporate clients. |
|
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| The OUHK's Partners in Learning
Scheme was introduced in 1993 for community involvement when
the institution became self-financing. Over the years, the scheme
has raised more than $220 million from over 250 charitable organisations
and philanthropists in support of its campus construction, facility
procurement, course development, student financial assistance,
academic research and activities. |
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