(From left) Group photo of Prof. Alex Wai with Mr. Wang Xiangming and Mr. Lan Yi

HKBU received a generous donation from China Resources Charitable Fund Limited (CRCF) to establish the “China Resources Corporate Governance Scholarship”. Starting from 2023-24 through to 2027-28, spanning five academic years, the Scholarship will annually recognise up to 10 outstanding students in the Master of Science in Corporate Governance and Compliance programme at the School of Business. It will also provide internship and job opportunities to encourage more young people to pursue careers in the professional services industry.

A donation agreement signing ceremony was held by the China Resources Group on 22 August 2024. Officiating at the ceremony were Mr. Wang Xiangming, Chairman of the China Resources Group; Professor Alex Wai, JP, President and Vice-Chancellor of HKBU; Mr. Liu Maozhou, First-Level Inspector of the Department of Educational, Scientific and Technological Affairs of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR; Ms. Shirley Lam, JP, Permanent Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs; Mr. Joseph Chan, JP, Under Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury of the HKSAR Government; and Mr. Lan Yi, Vice General Manager of the China Resources Group. Dr. Albert Chau, Vice-President (Teaching and Learning) of HKBU, and Mr. Song Guibin, Director of CRCF, signed HKBU’s donation agreement.

In his welcoming address, Mr. Wang Xiangming stated that the China Resources Group, with roots in Hong Kong stretching back more than 80 years, has always cared about the growth and development of local youth. In recent years, the Group has launched a variety of youth welfare initiatives in the city. Among them, the “China Resources Corporate Governance Scholarship” offers financial support to students pursuing a Master's degree in corporate governance in Hong Kong. The goal is to help young people in Hong Kong overcome challenges related to education, employment, entrepreneurship and home ownership, and to create opportunities for them to realise their dreams, in accordance with the Group’s commitment to “fulfilling social responsibilities as an outstanding corporate citizen”.

On behalf of the HKSAR Government, Mr. Joseph Chan said that young people are not only the future, hope and pillars of Hong Kong, but also the engine that drives long-term social and economic progress. He remarked that the Scholarship scheme would be conducive to nurturing a new generation of young individuals with a global vision, aspirations and positive thinking.

Other HKBU representatives at the ceremony included Professor Cheng Yuk Shing, Interim Dean of the School of Business; Mrs. Lily Chan, Director of University Advancement and Secretary-General of the HKBU Foundation; Dr. Byron Song, Head of the Department of Accountancy, Economics and Finance; and Dr. Davy Wu, Programme Director of the Master of Science in Corporate Governance and Compliance programme.

The Scholarship scheme was spearheaded by the China Resources Group and jointly initiated by CRCF in collaboration with China Resources Corporate Service Limited and The Hong Kong Chartered Governance Institute. In addition to HKBU, the scheme extends to students from three other local universities studying the master’s programmes in corporate governance.