Shue Yan offered HK$200m
Newly-recognised Hong Kong Shue Yan University has been offered a one-off grant of HK$200 million to support its academic development and improve campus facilities.
Secretary for Education and Manpower Arthur Li Kwok-cheung, in an article on the Education and Manpower Bureau website, wrote that a general development fund would be established for Shue Yan.
He said the bureau respected the university's wish for independent operation without government interference and praised its founders, Henry Hu Hung-lick and his wife Chung Chi-yung.
The Legislative Council will decide on Monday whether to approve the proposed funding, submitted by the EMB this week, and the development fund will be set up once the finance committee has given it a green light.
Founded more than 35 years ago as a tertiary education institute offering four-year degree courses, Shue Yan acquired university status last month, becoming the first private university in Hong Kong.
According to a Legco document, the university plans to refurbish its assembly hall, theatres and classrooms, upgrade its library collection and information technology facilities, as well as streamline its administrative processes.
Shue Yan is also in the process of producing a five-year academic plan with input from staff to further improve its academic and pedagogical standards, the document says.
In his article praising Dr Hu and Dr Chung, both in their 80s, the education chief said the husband-and-wife team had supported each other for 35 years and 'fought tirelessly to realise the education ideal that they share'.
'[They] have been a cohesive force for past and present students of Shue Yan [and the example they have set] has touched millions in society,' Professor Li wrote.
To add a personal touch, the education secretary said he was deeply moved by the reaction of the founders when he visited their home to deliver the news that Shue Yan would be named a university.
Dr Hu had recalled to him his days as a colleague of Professor Li's father in Legco and their mutual respect as well as the tough call Shue Yan had to make between receiving government subsidies and maintaining four-year degrees.
