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The foundation stone laying ceremony was held on 1st September 2010 at The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) for the Lo Kwee-Seong Integrated Biomedical Sciences Building. The building was named after the late Dr. K. S. Lo, Founder of the Vitasoy Group and the K. S. Lo Foundation (the Foundation), in recognition of a magnanimous donation of HK$150 million by the Foundation to support the University’s development, including in particular its research in biomedical sciences. Officiating at the ceremony were Dr. the Honourable York Chow, Secretary for Food and Health, HKSAR Government; Dr. Peter Lo, Chairman of the Foundation; Mr. Winston Lo, Executive Chairman, Vitasoy International Holdings Ltd.; Professor Joseph Sung, Vice-Chancellor, CUHK; and Professor Arthur Li, Emeritus Professor of Surgery, CUHK. About a hundred distinguished guests and members of the University attended the ceremony.

At the ceremony, Professor Joseph Sung expressed his deep gratitude to the Foundation and its Trustees for their exceptional gift and staunch support to the University. Professor Sung addressed the ceremony, ‘In line with the University’s Campus Master Plan in cultivating clustered and zoned development for disciplinary teaching and research activities, we aim at developing Area 39 in phases into a substantial research hub with state-of-the-art research facilities and postgraduate hostels.’ Dr. York Chow complimented CUHK on its commitment to providing the highest quality of teaching and research in the areas of medicine, health and bioscience in Hong Kong and the Asia Pacific Region. He remarked that the new Lo Kwee-Seong Integrated Biomedical Sciences Building will capitalize on CUHK’s edge in biosciences, thereby enhancing Hong Kong’s regional competitiveness in the respect.

Dr. Peter Lo is happy to pledge the single largest donation of HK$150 million, which ever made by the Foundation since its establishment in 1991, to support the development of the University and in particular its research in integrated biomedical sciences. One third of the donation will be assigned to establish an endowment fund named the Lo Kwee-Seong Biomedical Research Fund, with annual payouts to be earmarked for supporting biomedical research in agriculture, including research on soybean and other staple foods. Mr. Winston Lo added, ‘My father, Dr. K.S. Lo, would be very proud to know that the Vitasoy Group he began then still puts public health at the forefront of its business. His personal legacy continues and this donation from his foundation is an important step forward that amplifies his early efforts to prevent diseases caused by nutritional deficiency.’

The late Dr. K.S. Lo was the Founder of the Vitasoy Group and the Foundation. Dr. K. S. Lo, his family and the Foundation have been unwavering benefactors of CUHK since 1970s. CUHK Art Museum has received many valuable antique ceramics and teaware pieces from Dr. K. S. Lo and the Foundation, and conducted research on tea utensils with generous donations from the Foundation over the years. In addition, the Foundation supported the establishment of the Lo Kwee-Seong Research Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and supported medical research on epilepsy surgery. The K.S. Lo Foundation Scholarship Scheme also gave support to CUHK business students.

The Lo Kwee-Seong Integrated Biomedical Sciences Building is nine-storey high with a total construction floor area of 18,264 sq. metres, accommodating research laboratories, seminar and meeting rooms, breakout areas or shared research areas, a demonstration laboratory and administrative offices. Equipped with state-of-the-art biomedical equipment, it is hoped that the new infrastructure and the cohesive physical environment of the new building will help facilitate interdisciplinary research all under one roof, and nurture a team of dedicated researchers and students who would become global leaders in their areas of expertise.
 

From 2004 to 2009, CUHK alumni have donated over HK$100 million to the University. In recognition of the long-standing support of alumni and their generous donations over the years, a new set of alumni donations commemorative plaques was erected at the Alumni Garden and an unveiling ceremony was held on 8 May.

Miss Antonia Yeung, Director of Alumni Affairs, welcomed the guests and invited Professor Lawrence J. Lau, CUHK Vice-Chancellor, to address the audience. Professor Lau pointed out that the biggest encouragement for CUHK was the support and participation of alumni. Mr. Ricky Cheng, Director of Institutional Advancement, gave a brief account of the "CUHK Caring Alumni Fund".

Since 2005, the Office of Institutional Advancement has launched the CUHK Caring Alumni Donation Scheme to raise donation through a variety of alumni fund-raising programmes. The CUHK Caring Alumni Fund has over the years supported various meaningful student initiatives, such as the Caring Alumni Student Exchange Scholarship, Caring Alumni Student Internship Scholarship and upgraded the sport equipment for the CUHK Rowing Team. With ongoing support from our Caring Alumni, the Fund will continue to support worthy programmes in enhancing the quality of education for our next generation of leaders.

About a hundred guests attended the ceremony. Student recipients of scholarships and awards together with the representatives of the CUHK Rowing Team took the opportunity to thank the alumni in person. The student ambassadors of the Phone Campaign also shared with the alumni their wonderful experience throughout the campaign.

The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) organized the "Walk with Professor Kao" CUHK Walkathon on 14 March to raise funds for the Charles K. Kao Scholarship Endowment Fund and an online training programme for family caregivers of people with cognitive loss. Close to 3,000 walkers, comprising current students, staff, alumni, Council members, friends of CUHK and the public, came in support of the causes. The kick-off ceremony was officiated by Professor and Mrs. Charles Kao; Dr. Vincent Cheng, CUHK Council Chairman; Professor Lawrence J. Lau, CUHK Vice-Chancellor; Professor Ma Lin and Professor Ambrose King, former CUHK Vice-Chancellors; and Mr. Lau Sai-yung, Chairman of the CUHK Convocation. The event raised HK$4 million and helped to heighten awareness of the importance of research and innovation, and care for the community.

Alumni, staff, students and friends of CUHK, along with corporations, primary, secondary, and even kindergarten school students and their parents responded enthusiastically by forming teams of their affiliation to support the event. They carried with them colourful banners to the kick-off ceremony to show their support and pay tribute to Professor Kao. Among them were the Colleges and Faculties of the University, as well as a number of teams from sponsors. Close to 20 teams competed for awards to encourage the most number of participants from Colleges and the best fundraiser as a team or an individual.

Walkers started from the Lingnan Stadium of Chung Chi College and ended at the University Mall. Some took the longer route of 90 minutes while others enjoyed a shorter 45-minute route. All walkers got to enjoy scenic views of the Tolo Harbour, Pat Sin Leng and the beautiful bloom of azaleas on the way to the finish line. After the walk, participants also visited the exhibition in the University Library where Professor Kao’s Nobel Prize Medal and Diploma along with his other precious awards are on display.

Please click here for more information about "Walk with Professor Kao" CUHK Walkathon.