(From left) Mrs. Lily Chan, Ms. Christine Chow, Prof. Martin Wong, Mrs. Joyce Yim, Mr. Simon Yim, Prof. Alex Wai, Mr. K.C. Tung, Dr. Elaine Tung, Prof. Lyu Aiping, Dr. Albert Chau, Prof. Terence Lau and Prof. Bian Zhaoxiang pose for a group photo

Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) held the naming ceremony for the Simon Yim Lecture Theatre on 30 April 2024 in recognition of the generous donation of HK$4 million from the Hong Kong Panda Education Foundation. The donation has been designated to support the University’s Chinese medicine research on breast cancer, promoting the modernisation and internationalisation of Chinese medicine.

The naming ceremony was officiated by Mr. Simon Yim, Founding Chairman of the Hong Kong Panda Education Foundation; Mr. K.C. Tung, Dr. Elaine Tung and Mrs. Joyce Yim, Directors of the Foundation; and Professor Alex Wai, JP, President and Vice-Chancellor of HKBU. In his welcoming remarks, Professor Wai commended Mr. Yim as a knowledgeable and successful professional who has devoted decades to support the development of education in Mainland China and Hong Kong. He also expressed his deep gratitude to Mr. Yim and his Foundation for their unswerving support in various aspects of HKBU, including the donation of 20,000 packs of Yu Ping Feng San to the School of Chinese Medicine to help combat the SARS outbreak in 2003. Professor Wai said, “Apart from his generous contribution to HKBU, Mr. Yim is also an Honorary Court Member of the University, a Member of the Entrepreneur Committee, and an Honorary President of the HKBU Foundation, offering wise counsel to the University’s governance and development. With the staunch support of Mr. Yim and his family, HKBU is in a stronger position to offer our students the best learning experience and take forward its pursuit of research excellence.”

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Yim thanked HKBU for naming the lecture theatre after him. He remarked, “Our family believes that education is fundamental to nation-building which is why we established the Hong Kong Panda Education Foundation. By utilising the symbol of the panda, our national treasure, we aim to foster the development of education for the Chinese people. HKBU has extensive experience in providing Chinese medicine clinical services, and has been selected by the Government to operate Hong Kong's first Chinese Medicine Hospital. This has strengthened our confidence in HKBU. Therefore, the Foundation has decided to support the University's research in Chinese medicine, contributing to human health and well-being.”

The Simon Yim Lecture Theatre is located on the second floor of the Wing Lung Bank Building for Business Studies, and is equipped with comprehensive audio and visual facilities, making it suitable for holding lectures, seminars and more.

Guests attending the event included Mr. Su Qingdong, Chairman of the HKCPPCC (Provincial) Members Association; The Hon. Scott Leung, MH, and The Hon. Kitson Yang, Legislative Council members; Mr. Edward Yu, JP, District Officer (Yau Tsim Mong); Ms. Alice Choi, JP, District Officer (Kowloon City); Mr. Paul Wong, JP, District Officer (Sham Shui Po); Professor Alice Chiu, BBS, JP, Co-Founder of the Sheen Hok Charitable Foundation; Ms. Connie Wong, GBS, JP, Member of the Board of Governors and Co-Chairman of the Entrepreneur Committee of the HKBU Foundation; and Ms. Eileen Tsui, BBS, JP, Member of the Entrepreneur Committee of the HKBU Foundation.

HKBU representatives in attendance included Professor Martin Wong, Provost; Professor Lyu Aiping, Vice-President (Research and Development) cum Dean of Graduate School and Acting Dean of Chinese Medicine; Dr. Albert Chau, Vice-President (Teaching and Learning) and Acting Dean of Arts; Ms. Christine Chow, Vice-President (Administration) and Secretary; Professor Terence Lau, Interim Chief Innovation Officer; Professor Bian Zhaoxiang, MH, Associate Vice-President (Clinical Chinese Medicine) and Hospital Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Chinese Medicine Hospital; and Mrs. Lily Chan, Director of University Advancement and Secretary-General of HKBU Foundation.