Press Release

HKBU Foundation thanks supporters at thanksgiving reception 

HKBU pledges support to Wang Fuk Court residents and rescue personnel

Tuesday, 16 December 2025

The Hong Kong Baptist University Foundation (the Foundation) held a thanksgiving reception cum campus tour on 15 December to extend its heartfelt gratitude to members of its Board of Governors and the Foundation, as well as friends and supporters for their steadfast support of Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU). Their support enables HKBU to respond promptly to societal needs, including the recent donation of HK$1.6 million to the “Support Fund for Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po” and the launch of the Chinese medicine free consultation scheme. These initiatives continue to provide multifaceted assistance to the affected residents and rescue personnel at Wang Fuk Court.

Following the fire incident at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, HKBU has swiftly initiated a series of support measures. These included providing professional counselling services on campus for staff and students, as well as actively supporting the affected residents and their families. Accommodation was also arranged for impacted HKBU staff and students. In his welcoming address, Professor Alex Wai, President and Vice-Chancellor of HKBU, expressed his special gratitude to Dr Kennedy Y H Wong, Chairman of the Council and the Court of HKBU and Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Foundation, for taking the lead in donating HK$1 million through the Philip K.H. Wong Foundation to the University’s School of Chinese Medicine to support the “HKBU Wang Fuk Chinese Medicine Free Consultation Scheme”. This initiative offers the affected residents and rescue personnel free Chinese medicine consultations, herbal prescriptions, acupuncture and massage, and health talks to aid their physical and mental recovery. Following Dr Wong’s lead, this initiative has garnered widespread positive responses from various sectors, with numerous individuals and groups subsequently joining to actively support the scheme.

Dr Kennedy Y H Wong stated that the University has called off the “HKBU．ASHWORTH Golf Day” originally scheduled for late November. With the kind consent of the participants, the HK$1.6 million raised from the event has been donated to the “Support Fund for Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po” established by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. While rallying collective efforts to address social needs, Dr Wong thanked the community for their ardent support for HKBU. “Since its inception in 2009, the Foundation has grown steadily. Its membership has increased from an initial 131 to the current 988 members, an impressive increase of 654%. The cumulative donations exceed HK$5.37 billion, providing a solid financial foundation for the University to forge ahead with its development,” Dr Wong said.

Dr Wong added that with the strong backing of the Foundation and the wider community, HKBU has made significant progress in multiple areas in recent years. Notable milestones include the commencement of operations on 11 December of The Chinese Medicine Hospital of Hong Kong operated by HKBU, and the establishment of the Frontier Translational Medical Research Institute to further drive innovative research and applications of medical science and healthcare.

Professor Wai also shared the University’s recent achievements at the reception, including the opening of the Jockey Club Campus of Creativity, the first in Hong Kong to integrate student accommodation, academic facilities, and co-creation spaces, which serves as a vital hub for creative education and research. The campus has been recognised with the accolades of the Green Building Awards in both 2021 and this year by the Hong Kong Green Building Council. “HKBU will celebrate its 70th anniversary next year and we will organise a series of events to unite internal and external stakeholders, showcase the HKBU spirit, and promote our commitment to educational excellence,” Professor Wai added.

During the event, Dr Wong and Professor Wai presented certificates to the newly appointed Honorary Presidents, Honorary Vice-Presidents, Honorary Directors and Directors of the Foundation, in recognition of their contributions to HKBU.

The event was attended by about 70 guests, including HKBU Council members, the Foundation’s Board of Governors and members, as well as friends and staff of HKBU. They included Mrs Mary Suen and Mr Norman Wu, members of the Board of Governors of the Foundation; and Ms Lydia Koo, Dr Eddie Ho and Dr Chui Tak-yi, members of the Foundation and supporters. HKBU representatives included Professor Lyu Aiping, Vice-President (Research and Development) cum Dean of Graduate School; Dr Albert Chau, Vice-President (Teaching and Learning); and Professor Terence Lau, Interim Chief Innovation Officer.

Guests also joined a campus tour to visit the state-of-the art facilities at the Jockey Club Campus of Creativity, including the Village CARE, the Elizabeth Hung Wong Activity Room, the Mr & Mrs Chan Hon Yin Hall, the Dolby Atmos Post-production and Live Music Studio, and the Jockey Club White Box Experimental Space. The tour provided them with a deeper understanding of the HKBU’s strategic development and future direction.