Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) has received a generous donation of HK$200,000 from Shaw Studios to establish the “Shaw Studios Scholarship” for the graduating students from the Academy of Film. The late Mr. Run Run Shaw had been a long-standing supporter of HKBU, contributing a total of over HK$70 million through the Shaw Foundation to various facets of the University’s development.

In recognition of Shaw Studios’ generosity, a cheque presentation ceremony was held on 18 July 2024. Officiating at the ceremony were Dr. Raymond Chan, Chairman of the Shaw Foundation and Managing Director of Shaw Studios, and Professor Alex Wai, JP, President and Vice-Chancellor of HKBU.

Professor Wai praised Shaw Studios for its significant contributions to the film industry and its charitable endeavours over the past six decades. He extended his sincere gratitude for Shaw Studios’ enduring support of HKBU, “Mr. Run Run Shaw, an Honorary Permanent President of the HKBU Foundation, had made substantial contributions to the development of our university since his first donation to HKBU in 1972. The Shaw Campus and numerous buildings on our campus are named after him. Under Dr. Chan’s leadership, Shaw Studios continues to uphold Mr. Run Run Shaw’s vision of promoting the cultural arts and fostering the education of future generations. We hope that the Academy of Film can develop different forms of collaboration with Shaw Studios in future, fostering outstanding creative talents and producing more exceptional works.”

Dr. Raymond Chan highly commended the Academy of Film at HKBU, stating, “The Academy of Film at HKBU is a leading local academy in the field of film, television and media education and an important place for nurturing artistic talent. Its alumni have received numerous accolades and widespread recognition in the film industry. Last year, Shaw Studios collaborated with the Academy of Film to organise the inaugural ‘HKBU Academy of Film x Shaw Studios Creative Project Awards’, allowing students to utilise the professional facilities of Shaw Studios to enhance the quality of their works. In celebration of the 15th anniversary of the HKBU Foundation and the Academy of Film this year, we have established this scholarship to encourage students to actively engage in the creation and practice of film arts, empowering them to be a beacon of light for the future film industry.”

After the ceremony, HKBU representatives and guests engaged in discussions on film education. They also visited the state-of-the-art facilities of HKBU’s Visualisation Research Centre and the Academy of Film to gain insights into the University’s strategic development.

The “Shaw Studios Scholarship” will award six scholarships of HK$30,000 each and one “Best of the Best Award” scholarship of HK$20,000 to the graduating students of 2023/24 academic year. The Higher Diploma in Creative Film Production, Bachelor of Communication (Honours) in Film (Film and Television Concentration) programme, as well as Master of Fine Arts in Film, Television and Digital Media programme will each have two graduating student directors with the highest scores in their final-year projects receiving the HK$30,000 scholarship. The “Best of the Best Award” scholarship will be granted to the most distinguished student among the six awardees.

Other guests attending the cheque presentation ceremony included Ms. Wendy Nam, Consultant; and Ms. Helena Young, Director - Production Services and Marketing of Shaw Studios. HKBU representatives joining the ceremony included Professor Johnny M. Poon, Associate Vice-President (Interdisciplinary Research) and Founding Dean of the School of Creative Arts; Professor Ellen Seiter, Director of the Academy of Film; Mrs. Lily Chan, Director of University Advancement and Secretary-General of the HKBU Foundation; Professor Henry Fock, Director of Student Affairs; Mr. Norman Chan and Dr. Robert Ellis-Geiger, Associate Directors of the Academy of Film.

Guests attending the cheque presentation ceremony include Dr. Raymond Chan (8th right, front row), Ms. Wendy Nam (7th left, front row), Ms. Helena Young (6th right, front row), Prof. Alex Wai (8th left, front row), Prof. Johnny M. Poon (7th right, front row), and Prof. Ellen Seiter (4th left, front row)