The Hong Kong Baptist University Foundation Dinner was held on 22 October 2021 to express the University’s gratitude to members of the Board of Governors, Honorary Trustees, Honorary Permanent Presidents and Honorary Presidents of the HKBU Foundation, as well as supporters of the University, for their generosity and staunch support over the years.

In his welcoming remarks, Dr. Kennedy Wong, BBS, JP, Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Foundation, said that HKBU has attained magnificent results in the Eighth Matching Grant Scheme launched by the HKSAR Government in spite of the pandemic. 

“The University successfully secured a record-breaking sum of HK$950 million, comprising HK$662 million in donations and HK$288 million in matching funds, by the close of the Scheme in May 2021, which is a highly gratifying outcome. I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to friends and donors for their tremendous support towards the development of HKBU, and I look forward to their continued support in the years to come.” said Dr. Wong.

Professor Alexander Wai, President and Vice-Chancellor, shared the University’s latest developments at the Dinner, particularly the strategic development of Chinese medicine and art-tech.

“The Government’s decision to award the service deed for the operation of the Chinese Medicine Hospital to HKBU is a recognition of the University’s leading role in Hong Kong’s development of Chinese medicine. HKBU will devote the best of its efforts to further promoting the standardisation and internationalisation of Chinese medicine through the application of technology and digitalisation.” said Professor Wai.

He added that as a cradle of creativity, the University is well poised to advance art-tech by combining its strengths in creative arts and sciences.

The Dinner was well attended by distinguished guests and HKBU representatives. They included Dr. Clement Chen, GBS, JP, Chairman, Mr. Paul Poon, Deputy Chairman, and Ms. Rosanna Choi, Treasurer of the Council and the Court; Dr. Ronald Lu and Professor Justin Chiu, Vice-Chairmen of the Board of Governors of the HKBU Foundation; Dr. Simon Suen, BBS, JP, Co-Chairman of the Entrepreneur Committee; Professor Sunny Wong, Chairman of the Alumni Committee; Mr. Ivan Wong, JP, Co-Chairman of the Young Entrepreneur Committee; Professor Rick Wong, Interim Provost; Ms. Christine Chow, Vice-President (Administration) and Secretary; Professor Bian Zhaoxiang, Associate Vice-President (Chinese Medicine Development); and Mrs. Lily Chan, Director of University Advancement and Secretary-General of the HKBU Foundation.

The joyous event featured guzheng music and choral recitals by HKBU students. Their wonderful performances made the Dinner an enjoyable and memorable evening for all the guests.

Since its inception in 2009, the HKBU Foundation has recorded steady growth in terms of both its membership and donation totals. Its membership has risen from 131 to 823, an impressive growth of over five times since its establishment. Over the past 12 years, the Foundation has received more than HK$3.49 billion in donations and donation pledges, providing a solid financial bedrock for HKBU’s advancement.