HKU ANNUAL REPORT 2018-19

Chairman’s Report 主席報告書 02 In this report I would like to share with you the Foundation's financial outcomes for the 2018/19 fiscal year and snapshots of the year. I hope you will be inspired by what Foundation members have made possible. This past year was one of change; most notably the University welcomed the arrival of the new President and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Xiang Zhang. He brings with him new ideas to strengthen the University’s academic programmes and research capabilities. The Foundation’s mission continues unabated, and I know members will rally around Professor Zhang and his vision for an innovation-driven HKU. A s a l wa y s , t h e B o a r d r ema i n s p r u d e n t i n t h e management of the Foundation’s investments, which generated a return of 5.5% for the fiscal year 2017/18. In addition, the Foundation was delighted to welcome 264 new and upgraded members, making a total of 3,632 members. Among the remarkable gifts received by the University in 2018, there are two I would like to share with you. A generous donation of $150 million committed by Dr Lee Shau-Kee, Chairman of Henderson Land Group, through the Lee Shau Kee Foundation, will see the establishment of the Institute of the Mind that connects inter-disciplinary research teams to study human wisdom. The second gift, a thoughtful act of unity by over 120 donors, created a Distinguished Visiting Professorship in Leadership in tribute to alumnus, and former Council Chairman, Dr Leong Che- Hung. The 12th Inauguration Ceremony of Endowed P r o f e s s o r s h i p s , h e l d i n Ma r c h 2 0 1 9 , s aw t he e s t ab l i s hmen t o f e i gh t new Endowed Professorship, bringing the total number to 116 since the Scheme began in 2005. Looking ahead, the coming year will see the implementation of the Government’s Matching Grant Schemes, including a newly created one that promotes funding for research-related purposes. These Schemes are unprecedented opportunities for the University to achieve even more. On behalf of the HKU Foundation, I thank for your trust and dedication to help advance the University, which would not be as strong or as vital without your commitment and goodwill. Professor Rosie T T Young Chairperson HKU FOUNDATION ANNUAL REPORT 2018/19 03 Chairman’s Report 主席報告書 港大於過去一年經歷多項變化，當中又以迎來新校長 張翔教授尤為重要。他為本校發展注入新思路，提升學術 課程質素及科研能力。基金亦秉承一貫使命，我深信各 會員將與張教授同心協力，助其成就願景，令港大蛻變 為一所以創新為主導的院校。 董事局一如既往，審慎管理基金投資，於 2017/18 年度 錄得 5.5% 投資淨值回報。此外，基金欣然歡迎 264 位新 加入或晉級的成員，使會員人數達至 3,632 名。 香港大學在 2018 年獲得多項重要捐獻，在此向各位介紹 其中兩項。恒基兆業地產集團主席李兆基博士透過 李兆基基金向本校慷慨捐贈 1.5 億港元，用以成立智慧 科學研究所，集合研究團隊，深入探究人類大腦智慧。 而第二項重要捐獻，則由逾 120 位捐助者捐出，成立傑 出訪問教授席（領航），向本校傑出校友、前校務委員會 主席梁智鴻醫生致意。 第十二屆明德教授席就職典禮於 2019 年 3 月舉行，今年 我們成立 8 項新的教授席。計劃自 2005 年推行至今共成 立 116 項教授席。 本人謹藉此份年報，向各位分享基 金於 2018/19 年度的財政表現，並 摘錄過去一年的點滴，望各位可從 中得到啟廸。 展望未來，政府新一輪配對補助金計劃將於來年 推行，當中包括一項與研究相關的新增資助項 目。港大正面臨前所未有的機遇，亦具備實力， 成就卓越。 我謹代表港大基金，感謝各位的衷誠信任和全力 支持，推進本校發展。各位的誠摯投入將推動港 大繼續蒸蒸日上，充滿生機。 楊紫芝教授 主席