Community
Projects
Some of the key projects by the Li
Ka Shing Foundation and the Group are highlighted here:
Li Ka Shing Foundation projects:
Hutchison Whampoa Limited projects:
| Li Ka Shing
Foundation projects: |
Li Ka Shing Institute of Health
Sciences
 In
April 2005, Li Ka Shing Foundation has donated HK$60 million
to The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) for the establishment
of an institute of health sciences and to fund clinical studies
and health sciences research at the Faculty of Medicine.
The newly established "Li Ka Shing Institute of Health
Sciences" will devote its research effort mainly to areas
related to the health of individuals, with particular emphasis
on sickness prevention, clinical sciences, and regenerative
medicine. Research foci include early detection of severe
diseases (e.g. cancers, genetic diseases, common urban health
problems, infectious diseases), innovative therapeutics, and
disease prevention through understanding of genetic susceptibility.
The Institute will also seek multi-disciplinary collaboration
with private and public partners in research projects related
to personal health and health education.
The Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, to be headed
by Dean of Faculty of Medicine Professor Tai-fai Fok, will
be housed within a new 12-storey building at the Prince of
Wales Hospital scheduled for completion in the fourth quarter
of 2006. The new medical sciences building will be named after
Dr Li Ka-shing in recognition of his contribution.
Joint Influenza Research Center
of Shantou University Medical College and Faculty of Medicine,
the University of Hong Kong
 In
February 2005, a new impetus has been added to the international
efforts in the fight against avian influenza with the donation
of Euro 3 million (HK$30 million) by the Li Ka Shing Foundation
to fund a cooperation programme between one of the world's
leading research institute Institut Pasteur of France and
the Joint Influenza Research Center of Shantou University
Medical College and Faculty of Medicine, the University of
Hong Kong.
The donation will support the collaborative programme between
Institut Pasteur of Shanghai and the Joint Influenza Research
Center on health programmes combating avian influenza and
other respiratory diseases. Priority of the collaboration
will be given to rapid and specific detection of known or
novel agents and to the understanding of the interaction of
viruses with the innate immunity of the host.
The Joint Influenza Research Center was established in November
2001 to enhance Mainland China's surveillance and prevention
of influenza pandemics with worldwide implications. The Center,
endorsed by the World Health Organisation, focuses research
on influenza viruses, in particular avian influenza. The Center
has made significant achievements, including the discovery
of the direct transmission of avian flu virus from ducks to
humans and that the avian flu caused by the H5N1 virus has
become an endemic disease in Southeast Asia. These findings
were published in the top international science journal Nature
in 2003 and 2004 (Vol 423 and Vol 430).
Research fund for Buddhist Studies
In February 2005, Li Ka Shing Foundation and the University
of Hong Kong (HKU) Centre of Buddhist Studies announced today
the setting up of a HK$10 million "Li Chong Yuet Ming
Buddhist Studies Research Fund". Li Ka Shing Foundation's
contribution of HK$5 Million would be matched by HKU's internal
funding.
The Centre of Buddhist Studies aims to promote the understanding
of Buddhism, especially for Hong Kong's younger generation.
The embrace and the practice of Buddhist teachings would enhance
individual wisdom, compassion and equanimity which is a necessary
foundation to build and strengthen a moral society.
By virtue of HKU being an English-speaking university, the
Centre of Buddhist Studies could develop into an international
hub of study and research on Buddhism, serving to foster academic
exchanges between the East and the West. It is a niche that
would set it apart from its foreign counterparts - universities
in the West typically attached Buddhist studies to the faculty
or Department of Religious Studies, while those in the East,
such as Japan, Thailand and mainland China are usually dedicated
to studying only pure theories of Buddhism. The HKU Centre
of Buddhist Studies currently offered 26 modules taught by
14 lecturers, grouped into teams to focus on different schools
of Buddhism, with an emphasis on the practical application
of Buddhist teachings. The courses were designed to achieve
the ultimate goal of serving the society.
Caring is Hip
 In
December 2004, Mr. Li Ka-shing today called on all Chaozhou
natives to unite and help establish a new model for medical
relief in mainland China.
The Li Ka Shing Foundation has contributed RMB ten million
to support the "Caring Is Hip" medical relief program
proposed by Professor Dennis Lam, director of the Shantou
University/Chinese University of Hong Kong Joint Shantou International
Eye Center. The program, officially launched in Sanrao today,
received strong support from the municipal governments as
well as the Hong Kong Chiu Chow Chamber of Commerce, the Federation
of Hong Kong Chiu Chow Community Organizations, Young Executive
Committee of Hong Kong Chiu Chow Chamber of Commerce, and
International Teo Chew Youth Federation.
Mr. Li believes that "Caring Is Hip" is a viable
and sustainable model for medical practice in rural villages.
Establishing a platform and network for the delivery of quality
medical services will provide people in need with the necessary
means and resources to help themselves. This virtuous cycle
will help reduce dependence on government and public resources
and enhance the capabilities of rural medical professionals.
Members of the community participate by sharing their resources
and making contributions to promote "Caring Is Hip"
as a new social model for China.
The first clinic will be set up in the Sanrao district. The
JSIEC will head this operation with the aim of eradicating
all incidents of blindness caused by cataract in the Chaozhou/Shantou
area within three to five years. Once the program is launched,
other medical services will be added gradually.
Joint Shantou International Eye Center
 In
June 2002, the STU/CUHK Joint Shantou International Eye Center
(JSIEC) was officially opened. This specialist hospital was
jointly established by Shantou University and the Chinese
University of Hong Kong. China's first retinal vein catheterization
operation was successfully performed at JSIEC. The Eye Center
is a specialist eye hospital that integrates teaching and
research and was built with a total area of 9,500 square metres.
The Center has 100 beds and is equipped with state-of-the-art
medical facilities, providing comprehensive treatment for
patients with various eye diseases and visual impairment.
Other tasks of the Center include the prevention and treatment
of various eye diseases, training of medical students and
eye specialists, conducting ophthalmology research, and the
establishment of an "eye bank" to promote corneal
donations and transplants.
The donation from the Li Ka Shing Foundation has provided
funds for the construction of the building and related infrastructure,
purchase of medical equipment and the training of researchers
and specialists.
| Sponsored by the Li Ka Shing Foundation, the JSIEC,
Shantou University Medical College and Department of
Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences of the CUHK launched
a "Project Vision" programme on 21 November 2003 to
provide free treatments for Mainland Chinese with serious
eye diseases. To coincide with this event, the JSIEC
held the seventh National Telemedicine Educational Symposium
that featured talks and live surgical demonstrations
by world-renowned ophthalmologists. |
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Human Genome Organisation Meeting
In April 2002, the Li Ka Shing Foundation sponsored the Human
Genome Organisation (HUGO) 7th Annual Genome Meeting 2002
(HGM2002) held in Shanghai. For the first time the Meeting
was held in China, providing a good opportunity for presenting
to the international arena China's achievements in human genome
research, and for Chinese scientists and young researchers
to learn and exchange experiences.
HUGO is an independent body set up more than 10 years ago
to facilitate the work of the international scientific community
working on mapping and sequencing the human genome. The Human
Genome Meeting is the flagship conference of HUGO.
Li Ka Shing Tower at Hong Kong Polytechnic
University
 The
Hong Kong Polytechnic University Council has decided to name
its new 18-storey building after Mr Li Ka-shing in recognition
of his donation to the University in 2000. This is the largest
amount of personal donation ever received by PolyU since its
inception.
Mr Li Ka-shing is appreciative of PolyU's recognition. Having
lived in the territory for 60 years, Hong Kong is always close
to his heart. While his businesses now span many countries
worldwide, Hong Kong remains the home base for his flagship
companies. Mr Li has always believed that education and a
society's economic development are closely linked. He reckons
that the advancement of education, however, cannot depend
on government funding alone. Support from corporations and
individuals, in terms of contributions of resources and ideas,
are equally important. His donation is a solid demonstration
of his support to fulfilling PolyU's goal of forging "dedicated
partnerships with business and industry" and its motto
"to learn and to apply, for the benefit of mankind".
Located at the heart of the campus, Li Ka Shing Tower is
the tallest structure in the University. It provides a total
net floor area of about 15,600 sq m and has already been opened
for occupancy in phases. The building forms the core of PolyU's
Phase VI campus development project, accommodating student
computing facilities, classrooms, lecture theatres, administrative
offices, academic departments and staff restaurants.
Zhongren Nursing Home in Jinshan,
Shanghai
| In September 2001, the Li Ka Shing Foundation and
Hutchison Whampoa Limited made a donation to support
the construction of the Zhongren Nursing Home in Jinshan,
Shanghai. The Home will provide rehabilitation and health
care services for elderly people who are widowed and
living alone, in economic hardship, critically ill,
or suffering from cancer at an advanced stage. The project
was completed and become operational in 2003. |
 |
The Zhongren Nursing Home for the Aged was built on a site
of 56,943 sq m in Jinshan District. Located in a quiet and
scenic environment, the development comprises two three-storey
blocks to provide a total of 400 beds.
"Go-west" programme
 Responding
to the national priority to drive the economic development
of the Northwest regions of China, the Li Ka Shing Foundation
co-ordinated with the Group and Cheung Kong to fund a series
of education and health related projects in 12 provinces and
autonomous regions.
It will be a monumental task to transform the western regions
into the Mainland's next economic powerhouse. Tough geographical
constraints have helped keep the region in the dark, but Mr
Li hopes that the projects will help illuminate even the most
obscure corners. To gain a better understanding of the situation,
Mr Li Ka-shing even led a team of Foundation staff on a personal
visit for nine days to the region. He strongly believes that
knowledge is pivotal to raising the quality of life, both
materialistically and mentally.
 The
series of projects sponsored covers a wide spectrum, including
two components that rely on technology for delivery, which
will benefit students in different age groups. The first involves
co-operation with the Ministry of Education to bring tertiary
institutions together via Web-based technology which will
empower institutions to share resources and raise standards
of research and development. Internet access will also make
it easier for students to obtain materials related to their
studies.
The second key component is an attempt to use satellite technology
to deliver information to students in underdeveloped areas.
About 10,000 schools have been selected to pioneer this innovative
project. These schools, many of them located in mountainous
villages, will each have a computer and a satellite dish installed
to receive multimedia programmes from the nation's education
network, as well as access to the Internet.
The geographical and economic disadvantages of the west once
meant that penetration of educational resources through traditional
modes of delivery was extremely difficult. But now, through
the information super-highway, schools and teachers will gain
access to materials that were once out of their reach.
Programme for the Disabled in China
 In
1991, the Li Ka Shing Foundation co-ordinated with Cheung
Kong (Holdings) and Hutchison Whampoa to make a donation in
support of the first Outline Programme for the Disabled Persons
in China. The Programme benefited more than a million disabled
people during the five-year period between 1991 and 1995.
For instance, eyesight was restored to 1.07 million cataract
patients, thus boosting the success rate for cataract surgery
from 100,000 to 250,000 cases annually. Low vision aids were
dispensed to some 40,000 patients, and 60,000 deaf children
were trained and able to speak. Also, 100,000 mentally handicapped
children improved their abilities through rehabilitation service.
 To
help more disabled people to start a new life, the Li Ka Shing
Foundation again, co-ordinated Cheung Kong (Holdings) and
Hutchison Whampoa to another donation in 2001 and cooperated
with the China Disabled Persons' Federation in launching the
New Milestone Programme for the Disabled in China. The aim
of this Programme is to meet the urgent needs of the disabled
people in education, training and rehabilitation, and to promote
their cause in keeping with sustainable economic and social
development. The Programme will, in the next five years, put
in place a system to provide artificial limbs for 60,000 physically
handicapped people. The Beijing Institute of Audiological
and Speech Therapy is to be established to train teachers
in applied language skills for deaf children. Assistance in
schooling will be given to blind children from poor families
in 12 provinces and regions in central and western China so
as to raise the school attendance rate of blind children from
40% to 80%. In addition, the Programme will sponsor some 600
general service centers for the disabled, and train 35,000
blind health masseurs and masseuses.
National Hospice Service Programme
| The First Affiliated Hospital of the Faculty of
Medicine, Shantou University is a medical institution
initiated and sponsored by the Li Ka Shing Foundation.
It started the first free hospice service in China in
1998 and has since strived to help advanced cancer patients
who are in poverty. The Hospital also provides domiciliary
hospice home care, focusing mainly on pain control,
counselling and other related services. |
 |
| The idea of free hospice service as conceived by
Mr Li Ka-shing is aimed at helping more patients whose
cancer has reached an advanced stage to feel the warmth
and affection in their communities, and maintain their
spiritual well-being in their last days. The service
will help to reduce the patients' pain and suffering,
and allow them to live with dignity in the remainder
of their lives. |
 |
In 2001, the Li Ka Shing Foundation made further donations
and implemented a national hospice service programme in support
of hospice services at 17 key hospitals in China.
Millennium Walk
 In
September 2000, the Li Ka Shing Foundation collaborated with
the Education Department (Hong Kong) to organise the "Millennium
Walk" programme. A donation was made to benefit about 1,000
local high school students who were selected to participate
this programme on the basis of their academic performance
and achievements in conduct and other activities.
The Millennium Walk involves visits to different
destinations in Asia, the Americas and Europe and allows
participants to familiarise with different culture and
customs of the countries visited including aspects of
environmental protection and hi-technology. The students
were also encouraged to prepare a study report after
the tour for a competition organised by the Education
Department (Hong Kong).
|
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Cheung Kong Young Scientists
| In September 2000, the Li Ka Shing Foundation collaborated
with China's Ministry of Education establish the "Cheung
Kong Young Scientists" programme. This programme aims
to encourage and reward secondary students in the Mainland,
Hong Kong and Macau in the field of science. A donation
was given to carry out this activity throughout the
whole country, which covers 70 million students from
80,000 schools. |
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There were over 500 reports / creations received
in five months. The results were accessed by the adjudicator
panel of 27 scientists and scholars. The awards were
presented to the top winner, 25 of 1st runners-up, 50
of 2nd runners-up and 100 nominated awards. The prize
award ceremony and exhibition held in the Great Hall
of the People in Beijing.
The top prize winner discovered a new species of orchid.
His thesis was published in one published in one of
the botanical magazines in China. |
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Better Health for a Better Hong Kong
 "We
aim to reach out to the grassroot population, who are the
foundation of our society. We hope that in time, they will
realise the importance of a healthier way of life instead
of relying on medication when they fall ill...." Hong
Kong Hospital Authority
Organised jointly by the Health InfoWorld of the Hospital
Authority and the Li Ka Shing Foundation, the "Better Health
for a Better Hong Kong" campaign is aimed to bring about a
sustainable improvement in the overall state of health in
Hong Kong.
In a city well known for its hustle and bustle, it is very
common to find most Hong Kong people suffering from long hours
and high pressure at work, unbalanced diet and lack of exercise.
But few realise the long-term impact of such a lifestyle on
their health. It was with this mind that "Better Health for
a Better Hong Kong" was set up. This project provides the
general public with free health tests and free health education,
so as to enhance their awareness of a healthy lifestyle and
promote the importance of preventive medicine.
At the opening ceremony in September 2000, about 800 people
from all walks of life were given free tests on their blood
pressure, body fat percentage, and cholesterol and blood sugar
levels. They also enjoyed delicious food made from fresh ingredients
and prepared with the minimal amount of grease, salt and sugar.
 Besides
carrying one-off health tests, the campaign will in the next
five years benefit 400,000 workers from targeted occupations.
These people are classified among those in high health risk
occupations and include taxi drivers, newspaper vendors, and
construction and delivery workers. More often, they do not
have enough time to exercise and have poor access to information
on how to improve their health.
Education is the key to a healthier population as a whole,
and the campaign will have a series of community-wide programmes
to educate the public on the importance of a healthy lifestyle.
There will be a particular emphasis on the risk factors associated
with six major diseases - cancer, heart disease, strokes,
diabetes, renal failure and respiratory problems - and what
people can do to minimise them. To ensure the success of this
territory-wide project, alliances has been forged with healthcare
service providers and community organisations as well as the
media.
Data obtained from these specific groups over the five-year
period will become an important source of information for
the Hospital Authority and the Hong Kong government, which
will be able to shape future healthcare policies according
to the needs of society.
Internet 2
 In
September 2000, the Li Ka Shing Foundation and Hutchison Whampoa
Limited collaborated with China's Ministry of Education and
Qing Hua University to support the research and development
of the country's next generation Internet technology (Internet
2). A donation was co-ordinated by Mr Li to enable Qing Hua
University to build a "Future Internet Technology Research
Centre" ("the Centre") which is expected to become the focal
point for the study and development of the nation's information
technology in the 21st century. In addition to the US$10 million,
a further US$5 million allocated by the Ministry of Education
will be funding the Internet 2 project. Qing Hua University
will be constructing the Centre, whereas the Ministry of Education
will, through China Education Research Network ("CERNET"),
be responsible for the research projects.
 In
the 21st century, state-of-the-art information technology
will be a prerequisite for economic growth and national progress.
Proven expertise in the next generation of Internet technology
will enhance China's development of science and information
technology. Internet 2 has a communication speed 1000 times
faster than the current Internet, and has more advanced security
and resilience capabilities, and much greater capacity.
Cheung Kong Scholars Programme
 Established
in August 1998, the Programme is also initiated by Mr Li with
a donation to the Ministry of Education, demonstrating his
support for the country's campaign of "development of national
prosperity through science and technology".
The purpose of the Programme is to recruit young outstanding
academics, whether from the mainland or overseas, to contribute
to the advancement of the country's higher education and to
nurture young minds to become academic leaders of international
standards. Its ultimate objective is to improve the country's
standard of education and intellectual competitiveness.
 Mr
Li also made an additional donation to set up the "Cheung
Kong Scholar Achievement Awards" in order to commend
the exceptionally outstanding academics of the Programme,
with each Scholar to be awarded up to 1 million yuan. Awardees
in the past two years include academics from the field of
medicine, genetics, nano-technology, and paleontology. In
2001, the awardees are Dr Zhang Weiping and Professor Li Xiaowen.
Dr Zhang's work centres on the Atiyah-Singer index theory,
an important field in global differential geometry, and he
has made many significant contributions to the index theory.
Professor Li developed a Geometric Optical (GO) model for
vegetation reflectance, which is now known as the Li-Strahler
model and has become the foundation for a geometric optical
school in international BRDF (Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution
Function) study. Professor Li is presently one of the few
internationally renowned experts of basic research on remote
sensing.
| Hutchison Whampoa
Limited projects: |
Dorothy Hodgkin Postgraduate Awards
In February 2005, the Group announces that the Group has committed
for the second year a sponsorship of 2 million stering pounds
for the Dorothy Hodgkin Postgraduate Awards. HWL's sponsorship
aims at providing more opportunities for high quality Mainland
Chinese and Hong Kong scholars to study science, technology,
medicine, engineering and social sciences in top UK universities.
The sponsorship also encourages the scholars to contribute
to the community upon their return.
The Group's contribution to the awards scheme arose out of
the visit to the Mainland and Hong Kong in 2003 by British
Prime Minister Tony Blair, in which Mr Blair invited HWL Chairman
Mr Li Ka-shing to participate in the scheme. HWL then contributed
2 million sterling pounds in November 2003 which, together
with the latest commitment, had taken the Group's total sponsorship
to 4 million sterling pounds. The total contribution made
by the Group will fund 110 scholars' studies in the UK. The
UK Government will also contribute the same amount as matching
funds.
Hutchison Volunteer Team
 The
HWL Volunteer Team celebrates its formal establishment on
16 November 2003. Members include over 300 staff from companies
under the Hutchison Group.
One of the first programmes that the HWL volunteers embark
on are talks to kindergarten pupils and their parents about
food heath. Having been trained by A.S. Watson's pharmacists,
the HWL volunteers spoke as "Health Ambassadors"
on 22 and 29 November 2003 to kindergarten pupils and their
parents about the importance of maintaining balanced diets
and keeping healthy eating habits.
More talks along this theme have been scheduled for the coming
year. Other activities being planned include visits to hospitals
and elderly homes.
Hutchison Chevening Scholarships
The Hutchison Chevening Scholarships Scheme has been opened
for application from 1 November 2004 until 31 January 2005.
The Hutchison Group has donated a total of 2.02 million sterling
pounds towards the scholarships over a four-year period beginning
2002, which has expanded the scheme to include 63 extra scholarships
each year for Hong Kong and Mainland Chinese postgraduate
students.
The British Government and Cambridge University are making
a matching contribution to the scheme.
For details of application, please call the British Council
on 2913 5155.
Hutchison/MRC Research Centre
A state-of-the-art cancer research centre was officially opened
at the Cambridge University on 18 May 2002. Named the Hutchison/MRC
Research Centre, the project arises from a collaboration between
the Medical Research Council (MRC), the University of Cambridge
and Cancer Research UK. Construction of the new building was
made possible by a 5.3 million sterling pounds donation from
Hutchison Whampoa Limited, to match funding from the MRC.
With the opening of the Centre, there are more opportunities
to exploit research knowledge for the benefit of cancer patients.
The aim of the Centre is to bring basic research in cell biology
and genetics toward application for the prevention, diagnosis
and treatment of cancer. Toward this end, the building has
been designed to optimize interactions, especially those between
medical doctors and basic laboratory researchers. State-of-the-art
equipment is also available in core resources, including those
for DNA sequencing, molecular cytogenetics and molecular pathology.
These facilities allow analysis of tumour cells and tissues
to detect gene mutations and changes in chromosomes and cancer
markers.
Knowledge Changes Fate
The Group joined forces with Cheung Kong (Holdings) to sponsor
"Knowledge Changes Fate" a documentary in Putonghua that focuses
on the issues and hardships faced by Hong Kong and mainland
residents in their pursuit of education.
This documentary is inspired by Chairman Li Ka-Shing who has
always believed that the key factor to a country's development
is that its people are given the opportunity to learn and
acquire knowledge. Consisting of 40 one-minute episodes that
illustrate this concept in the true lives of individuals,
the documentary was directed by internationally acclaimed
cameraman Gu Changwei, who filmed hits like "Red Sorghum",
"Judou" and "Farewell to my Concubine".
The series proved widely popular with audiences in Hong Kong
and the Mainland, and has also won several awards in the communications
industry.
Due to the enthusiastic response by members of the public
and the community, a VCD version has been produced and distributed
to educational institutions and members of the public.
The success of this project has also spawned a book of the
same name.
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