Jockey Club funds Open University to train healthcare workers

06/21/2013

Prompted by the mounting demand for medical and community healthcare services, the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust has donated HK$10.7 million to The Open University of Hong Kong (OUHK) to launch a five-year Jockey Club Community Healthcare Education Programme to train about 2,500 healthcare workers.

Today (21 June), Club Deputy Chairman Dr Simon S O Ip joined Acting Director of Social Welfare Fung Pak-yan, Elderly Commission Chairman Professor Alfred Chan, OUHK Council Chairman Dr Eddy Fong, Deputy Chairman Edward Cheung and President Professor John Leong to officiate at the launching ceremony for the Programme.

Dr Ip said the Programme would help expand healthcare services for the elderly, the chronically ill and the mentally ill. “This marks a major milestone in the Jockey Club’s partnership with The Open University of Hong Kong in the development of tertiary education,” he said.

Dr Fong expressed deepest gratitude to the Club’s Charities Trust for the support and generosity and said it could not have been possible without the generous contribution from the Trust.

Under the Jockey Club Community Healthcare Education Programme, OUHK will roll out certificate and diploma programmes in September for some 1,000 students as well as training courses for about 1,500 carers and volunteers over five years with the aim of boosting services for the chronically ill, the elderly and the mentally ill.  The Trust will also grant a total of 300 Jockey Club Community Healthcare Education Scholarships to the needy over five years.

Besides funding the healthcare education programme, the Trust has earlier donated HK$190 million to help cover the construction cost of a new OUHK college building, to be named Jockey Club Campus. The 12-storey building on Chung Hau Street in Ho Man Tin incorporates green design features and will house a Jockey Club Auditorium, lecture halls, creative arts studios, laboratories and darkrooms. 

Slated for completion early next year, the state-of-the-art facilities will accommodate up to 2,400 full-time students. The new space will also enable the university to introduce three new academic divisions covering Cultural and Creative Arts, Testing and Certification as well as Medical Services.

Over the past 20 years, the Trust has donated over HK$360 million to the university for its campus buildings and advancement of teaching facilities.

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.