The University received a generous donation of HK$1 million from Dr. Tan Siu Lin, SBS, Founder and Chairman of the Sun Yat-sen Education and Charity Foundation (the Foundation), in support of the Department of History’s research project on Dr. Sun Yat-sen.

In appreciation of the Foundation’s generosity, a cheque presentation ceremony was held on 4 January 2022. The ceremony was officiated by Dr. Tan, along with Dr. Henry Tan, BBS, JP, and The Hon. Sunny Tan, President and Director respectively of the Foundation; Mr. Li Hexie, Secretary-General of the Foundation; Professor Alexander Wai, President and Vice-Chancellor of HKBU; Professor Clara Ho, Head of the Department of History; and Mrs. Lily Chan, Director of University Advancement and Secretary-General of the HKBU Foundation. Mr. Christopher Ho, Director of the Chairman’s Office of the Luen Thai Group also attended the ceremony.

Speaking at the ceremony, Dr. Tan said, “This year marks the 23rd anniversary of the establishment of the Foundation. I am grateful that the Foundation has been collaborating with HKBU to promote related research and activities in an effort to promote a deeper understanding of Dr. Sun Yat-sen among the younger generation. We hope that the pandemic will be over soon, so that the Foundation can join hands with the University to organise more activities to promote the spirit of Dr. Sun Yat-sen and nurture more talents.”

Professor Alexander Wai expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Tan for his tremendous support to the project “Dr. Sun Yat-sen Research Work”, who has made numerous donations since 2009 through Luen Thai International Group Limited, the Tan Siu Lin Foundation and the Sun Yat-sen Education and Charity Foundation, which amounted to more than HK$6.5 million.

After the ceremony, Professor Wai exchanged views with Dr. Tan and representatives of the Foundation on the University’s latest developments in Chinese medicine and art-tech initiatives.

Thanks to the dedicated support of Dr. Tan and his Foundation over the years, the Department of History had successfully carried out an array of research work and projects related to Dr. Sun Yat-sen, such as the interactive online databases entitled “Sun Yat-sen Parks in the World” and “Pictorial Representations of Sun Yat-sen” co-created with the University Library; and more recently, an exhibition on the first-day covers of Dr. Sun Yat-sen.

Dr. Tan, an HKBU Honorary University Fellowship recipient, is a successful entrepreneur and notable philanthropist. His distinguished community service and contributions to culture and education were held in high regard by the society. In 2017, he was awarded the Silver Bauhinia Star by the HKSAR Government. In 2020, he received the 15th Compassion Award from HK and Macau Taiwanese Charity Fund Limited, with which he donated part of the cash prize to HKBU to support the development of the School of Chinese Medicine.