 |
 |
December 04, 2001
 The
Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) yesterday (4 December)
celebrated the naming of its "Li Ka Shing Tower" at a special
ceremony held on campus.
This follows the University Council's decision to name this
tallest building on campus after Dr Li Ka-shing, Chairman of
the Li Ka Shing Foundation, in recognition of his latest donation
of HK$100 million to PolyU. This is the largest amount of personal
donation ever received by PolyU since its inception.
Officiating at the ceremony were Dr Li, PolyU Council Chairman
Dr Sir Gordon Wu, and University President Prof. Poon Chung-kwong.
Speaking at the ceremony, Sir Gordon said, "In achieving its
series of ambitious plans for the 21st century, PolyU does count
on the support of visionary community leaders like Dr Li. His
generous benefaction is indeed a great encouragement to the
University."
 Dr
Li expressed appreciation of PolyU's recognition. He said at
the ceremony that PolyU, formerly the Hong Kong Polytechnic,
has a long history and has produced a vast pool of professional
and management talents, many of whom have already become pillars
of various sectors of society. He reckons that the University
has indeed made longstanding contribution to the growth and
development of Hong Kong.
According to Prof. Poon, Dr Li's generous donation, made last
year in the name of the Li Ka Shing Foundation, contributes
most significantly to the long-term development of the University
and facilitates the further advancement of its professional
and continuing education activities as well as services to business
and industry.
"As Hong Kong heads towards a knowledge-based economy, Dr Li
has enthusiastically donated towards the development of higher
education to support the strengthening of its pool of talents.
His vision and support for us thus mean much more than sponsoring
PolyU. It is also about furthering the long-term development
of Hong Kong and the motherland as a whole," Prof. Poon observed.
 He
explained that building on the support of the community such
as Dr Li's, the University's School of Professional Education
and Executive Education (SPEED) will further expand its continuing
education provision to support lifelong learning among members
of the community. Furthermore, PolyU's Institute for Enterprise
(IfE) will continue to provide a wide range of quality services
to enhance the competitiveness of the industrial and business
sectors in the international market.
Located at the heart of the campus, the new, 18-storey Li Ka
Shing Tower provides a total gross floor area about 22,500 square
metres, and is now fully open for occupancy. The building forms
the core of PolyU's Phase VI campus development project, accommodating
student computing facilities, classrooms, lecture theatres,
administrative offices, academic departments, staff restaurants
and exhibition space.
The Tower takes on a contemporary outlook and is largely in
a red-brick colour, in tune with the other buildings on campus.
The overall design comprises two basic forms prevailing on campus:
blocks and cylinders. Its sculptural form is visually dynamic,
with window walls, interlocking geometrical forms as well as
a sense of symmetry and solidity.
The building boasts a rich and proud inheritance. It takes over
from the site of the former Main Building, which was first opened
in 1957 as the new home of the then Hong Kong Technical College,
forerunner of the Hong Kong Polytechnic and PolyU.
About PolyU's services for the community
PolyU's School of Professional Education and Executive Development
(SPEED) supports lifelong learning by providing members of the
society with ample opportunities to acquire new skills and knowledge.
In support of the Government's plan to raise the participation
rate of secondary school graduates in tertiary education, SPEED
is taking steps to expand its Associate Degree programme offerings,
and a proposal to establish a Community College has been submitted
to the Government.
Through its Institute for Enterprise (IfE), the University offers
wide-ranging, one-stop-shop professional services to enhance
the competitiveness of business and industry. These cover the
three areas of technology and product development, management
and executive development, and enterprise and business development.
Through SPEED and various training units under IfE, PolyU offers
more than a thousand courses for mature learners every year.
About Li Ka Shing Foundation
The Li Ka Shing Foundation was established in 1980 to promote
the development of education and healthcare. Dr Li Ka-shing
has been a strong supporter of charitable projects. Over the
years, he and his Group of companies have donated about HK$4.5
billion towards projects which benefit education, medical care,
research and various charitable activities in Hong Kong and
the mainland.
- End -
|
|
Y
|
