Jockey Club Institute for Advanced Study raises bar for scientific innovation and research

11/27/2013

Funded by a HK$71million donation from The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) has established the Jockey Club Institute for Advanced Study (JCIAS), the first and only such facility in the city to champion collaborative projects across disciplines and institutions, helping enhance local scientific research to an international level.

Today (27 November), Club Deputy Chairman Dr Simon S O Ip joined HKUST Council Chairman Dr Marvin Cheung, Vice-Chairman Martin Tang, President Professor Tony Chan, JCIAS Director Professor Henry Tye and other guests to officiate at the naming ceremony.

Speaking at the ceremony, Dr Ip said that the Club had nurtured the development of the University with grants amounting to more than HK$2.5 billion since the Club first invested in its establishment 26 years ago.  The University was a source of great pride to the Club, having gained world recognition for its outstanding achievements in both research and graduate quality.

“The Club’s investment in this new Institute marks another milestone in our endeavours to bring new opportunities to potential talent and nurture scientific innovation and research in Hong Kong and Greater China,” he commented.

The five-storey JCIAS building contains discussion rooms, a lecture theatre, and an open auditorium with a scenic sea view of Port Shelter.  Scholars are able to work in a more interactive and cross-disciplinary environment covering a broad spectrum of research areas, such as particle theory, cosmology and string theory, economic development, and Chinese creative writing. 

As part of today’s ceremony, JCIAS professorships were conferred on three internationally renowned academics: the “Father of OLED” (organic light-emitting diode) Professor Ching W. Tang, 2010 Nobel Laureate in Economics Professor Sir Christopher A. Pissarides and Mathematician Professor Gunther Uhlmann whose one of the key research interests is cloaking and invisibility. The foremost scholars will station in JCIAS to pilot innovation and research of HKUST and JCIAS.

In addition to its own research programmes, JCIAS will organise popular science and general knowledge lectures for University members, secondary schools students and teachers, and the public.  The Institute also offers postgraduate courses and seminars, as well as mentorship and internship programmes for the most gifted undergraduates.

Since 1987, the Club has supported not only the establishment of HKUST, but also various projects including the setting-up of the HKJC Biotechnology Research Institute and the HKJC Enterprise Centre; the construction of the student hostel – Jockey Club Tower; and the launch of a mobile real-time air monitoring platform.  Moreover, 39 HKUST 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 Hong Kong’s largest community contributor, donating HK$1.95 billion in 2012/13. In addition, the Club is a major taxpayer, Hong Kong’s single largest by far, generating over HK$17.64 billion in 2012/13 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. 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.