Corporate News

Jockey Club injects new life into design school at PolyU

09/24/2012

A stunning new landmark - Jockey Club Innovation Tower - has appeared on the Hong Kong Polytechnic University campus, designed to nurture a new generation of creative talents with support from The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust. The HK$249 million donation has gone towards the construction cost and to set up the Jockey Club Design Institute for Social Innovation (JCDISI) and cover three years of its operational costs.  

A topping-out ceremony was held today (24 September) officiated by Club Chairman T Brian Stevenson, PolyU Council Chairman Marjorie Yang, former Council Chairman Victor Lo, President Professor Timothy Tong and Dean of School of Design Professor Cees de Bont. 

Mr Stevenson told the guests that an environment where people come together to generate and realise new ideas was needed for the city to thrive in innovation.  “This is where the Design Institute for Social Innovation can make such a great contribution to Hong Kong’s development and sustain Hong Kong’s position as a leading design and creative hub in the region.  With this magnificent new Innovation Tower, the University can look forward to becoming an even more renowned centre for creative design and innovation,” he said.

In addition, Mr Stevenson contributed two sets of objects on the Club’s behalf in the time capsule at the JC Innovation Tower.  They were a piece of documentation about the Club donation to PolyU for the Tower extracted from the Club’s latest Annual Report, and a set of 6 DVDs with stories of charitable and corporate projects, which symbolised the Club’s continuous commitment to the community.

A creation of world-renowned architect Zaha Hadid, The Jockey Club Innovation Tower is located at the north-eastern tip of the University campus. The 15-storey Tower will comprise a design museum, gallery, exhibition hall and design studios and be the home of the newly-established JCDISI.  As the School of Design’s base for community education and training, JCDISI 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.

Various community education events, an annual Expo, global forums and award presentations will be organised 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. 

Moreover, the Trust-initiated project “P.A.T.H.S. to Adulthood – A Jockey Club Youth Enhancement Scheme” is led by the University, while 40 PolyU students have been awarded Jockey Club Scholarships 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 is not only one of the world's leading horse racing organisations but also a world top 15 charitable organisation and Hong Kong’s largest community contributor, donating HK$1.7 billion in 2012. It is also a major taxpayer, Hong Kong's single largest by far, generating over HK$16 billion a year for public funds. The Club pioneers technology applications for sporting and betting entertainment, striving for the highest levels of customer service. As a membership club, it is recognised as one of Asia’s most prestigious, with more than 23,000 members. These multifaceted roles make it a well-respected and remarkable organisation, dedicated to its mission of enhancing the quality of life for all Hong Kong people.

Club Chairman T Brian Stevenson says with the magnificent new Innovation Tower, the PolyU can look forward to becoming an even more renowned centre for creative design and innovation
Club Chairman T Brian Stevenson says with the magnificent new Innovation Tower, the PolyU can look forward to becoming an even more renowned centre for creative design and innovation

Club Chairman T Brian Stevenson (3rd right), PolyU Council Chairman Marjorie Yang (3rd left), former Council Chairman Victor Lo (2nd right), President Professor Timothy Tong (2nd left), Executive Vice President Nicholas Yang (1st right) and Dean of School of Design Professor Cees de Bont (1st left) officiate at the topping-out ceremony.
Club Chairman T Brian Stevenson (3rd right), PolyU Council Chairman Marjorie Yang (3rd left), former Council Chairman Victor Lo (2nd right), President Professor Timothy Tong (2nd left), Executive Vice President Nicholas Yang (1st right) and Dean of School of Design Professor Cees de Bont (1st left) officiate at the topping-out ceremony.

Club Chairman T Brian Stevenson (right) presents two sets of objects to PolyU Council Chairman Marjorie Yang (left) for a time capsule at the JC Innovation Tower.
Club Chairman T Brian Stevenson (right) presents two sets of objects to PolyU Council Chairman Marjorie Yang (left) for a time capsule at the JC Innovation Tower.

Group photo at the ceremony.
Group photo at the ceremony.

Club Chairman T Brian Stevenson (2nd left) pictured with PolyU Council Chairman Marjorie Yang (1st left), former Council Chairman Victor Lo (4th left), Council Member Alex Lui (3rd left), President Professor Timothy Tong (1st right) and other guests in front of the construction site of JC Innovation Tower.
Club Chairman T Brian Stevenson (2nd left) pictured with PolyU Council Chairman Marjorie Yang (1st left), former Council Chairman Victor Lo (4th left), Council Member Alex Lui (3rd left), President Professor Timothy Tong (1st right) and other guests in front of the construction site of JC Innovation Tower.

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