HKBU received a generous donation of HK$1 million from Alibaba Pictures Entertainment Media Limited (Alibaba Pictures) to establish the “Alibaba Pictures Scholarship”. The Scholarship will be awarded to students of HKBU Academy of Film with outstanding performance and will prioritise employment or internship opportunities for them.

The cheque presentation ceremony was held on 7 June 2024. Officiating at the ceremony were Ms. Phoebe Li, Managing Director cum Chief Representative of Alibaba Pictures, and Professor Alex Wai, JP, President and Vice-Chancellor of HKBU.

Ms. Phoebe Li commended the Academy of Film at HKBU as a renowned film institution in Hong Kong and a cradle of talent in cinematic arts and creative media. She said, “As the first institution in Hong Kong to offer film and television production programmes, HKBU has nurtured numerous outstanding industry professionals over the past 40 years. This year marks the 15th anniversary of the establishment of the Academy of Film. Additionally, with Alibaba Pictures establishing its second headquarters in Hong Kong, a scholarship programme to be set up at HKBU will foster and identify aspiring filmmakers, furthering the development of Hong Kong’s creative industries.”

Professor Alex Wai conveyed his heartfelt gratitude to Alibaba Pictures for their generous support of HKBU. He said, “Alibaba Pictures is a leading enterprise in the film industry of the Mainland and an integrated entertainment platform across the entire industry chain with its core focus on content and technology. This scholarship programme not only encourages students to develop innovative thinking but also strengthens their professional skills and brightens their career prospects. By leveraging its strengths in creative arts and sciences, the University is well poised to advocate art tech, translating art tech into applications through collaboration with the industry, and contributing innovative elements to future film and television production and creative media.”

Starting from 2023-24, grants of HK$20,000 will be awarded annually to 10 outstanding students from the Academy of Film for five academic years. Alibaba Pictures will also offer them the priority for job or internship opportunities.

Guests attending the ceremony include: (from left) Mrs. Lily Chan, Director of University Advancement of HKBU and Secretary-General of the HKBU Foundation; Professor Johnny M Poon, Associate Vice-President (Interdisciplinary Research) cum Founding Dean of Creative Arts of HKBU; Ms. C.C. Cao, Director of International Business of Alibaba Pictures & Youku Film; Ms. Phoebe Li, Managing Director cum Chief Representative; Professor Alex Wai, President and Vice-Chancellor of HKBU; Professor Terence Lau, Interim Chief Innovation Officer of HKBU; Dr. Jiang Wei, Programme Director of the Master of Fine Arts in Film, Television and Digital Media of HKBU; and Mr. Chen Yimin, Programme Director of the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Film and Television of HKBU