The importance of creativity and social innovation is undisputed globally, and nurturing a new generation of creative talents is crucial to sustaining Hong Kong’s position as one of Asia’s leading design and creative hubs. The Hong Jockey Club Charities Trust has therefore donated HK$249 million to The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) to support the construction of the Jockey Club Innovation Tower. Part of these funds will be used to set up the Jockey Club Design Institute for Social Innovation (JCDISI) and cover three years of its operational costs, to encourage more innovative designs that suit the community’s needs.
Today (17 January), Jockey Club Chairman T Brian Stevenson joined PolyU Council Chairman Marjorie Yang and President, Professor Timothy Tong to announce details of these projects, which will benefit over 1,500 students after completion of the Tower in mid-2013.
“We believe the Institute will provide a springboard for community education and training, foster student learning and help nurture a new generation of design professionals who are not only innovative but also socially conscious,” Mr Stevenson explained.
Professor Tong said this was the largest single donation received by the University since its establishment in 1937. “We are truly grateful to the Jockey Club for their generous support to this project, as well as to many other initiatives undertaken by PolyU over the years,” he told the guests.
The Jockey Club Innovation Tower is the creation of world-renowned architect Zaha Hadid, the first woman to receive the Pritzker Architecture prize. Located at the north-eastern tip of the University campus, the 15-storey Tower will provide comprehensive facilities including an auditorium, design museum, gallery and exhibition spaces, design studios and a workshop area. It will serve as a driving force in enhancing Hong Kong’s development as the design hub of Asia.
The newly-established JCDISI will be the School of Design’s base for community education and training. Staff and students of the School will develop service projects along four themes to meet the community’s emerging needs in partnership with the business sector and community groups. The themes are Service Design; Sustainable Environment; Holistic Health; and Adolescent & Family Development.
In addition, the Institute will provide a platform for learning and interaction by encouraging students and young designers to carry out collaborative inter-disciplinary design projects that can be applied to the real world.
The Institute will also organise various community education events, an annual Expo, global forums and award presentations to increase public interest and engagement in design activities and social innovation. These activities are expected to reach over 10,000 local residents every year, including young people and families.
Since 1981, the Club has donated over HK$520 million to The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. Among other projects, it has funded the building of the Jockey Club Student Hostel and Jockey Club Auditorium, and the establishment of the HKJC Sports Medicine & Health Sciences Centre and Jockey Club Rehabilitation Engineering Centre.
In addition, the Club-initiated project “P.A.T.H.S. to Adulthood – A Jockey Club Youth Enhancement Scheme” is led by the University, while 37 PolyU students have been awarded Jockey Club Scholarships in the past 11 years in recognition of their outstanding academic performance and commitment to serve the community.
The Hong Kong Jockey Club
Founded in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club has become one of Hong Kong's best known and respected organisations, providing the public with world-class sporting entertainment as well as being the city's major non-Government community benefactor, now donating more than HK$1 billion a year to charitable and community projects. It has been a part of Hong Kong through good times and bad, sharing the city's growth and development with its people, and is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for future generations.
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Jockey Club Chairman T Brian Stevenson believes the Institute will provide a springboard for community education and training, foster student learning and help nurture a new generation of design professionals who are not only innovative but also socially conscious.
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PolyU President Professor Tong says this is the largest single donation received by the University since its establishment in 1937. He says they are truly grateful to the Jockey Club for their generous support to this project, as well as to many other initiatives undertaken by PolyU over the years.
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Jockey Club Chairman T Brian Stevenson (centre), Executive Director, Charities, Douglas So (1st left), the PolyU Councila£á?s Chairman Marjorie Yang (2nd left), President Professor Timothy Tong (2nd right) and Dean-designate of School of Design Professor Cees de Bont (1st right) announce details of the Innovation Tower and JCDISI.
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Guests group photo.
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Children introduce the four strategic themes of JCDISI through dance performance.
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Photos 6, 7: Guests tour around the exhibition of JCDISI.
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Jockey Club Chairman T Brian Stevenson (2nd right), Executive Director, Charities, Douglas So (2nd left), the PolyU Councila£á?s Chairman Marjorie Yang (centre), Ex-Chairman Victor Lo (1st right) and Dean-designate of School of Design Professor Cees de Bont (1st left).
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(From right) Jockey Club Chairman T Brian Stevenson, the PolyU Councila£á?s Chairman Marjorie Yang and Jockey Club Executive Director, Charities, Douglas So.
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