The unveiling ceremony of the plaque is officiated by the Honourable Augustine Wong, JP, Mr Victor Chan, Mr Mason Wu, Mr Anthony Wu, Mr Jason Wu, Ms Tansy Lau, Ms Monica Wu, and President Qin (from left to right).
Officiating at the naming ceremony were Secretary of the Foundation Dr Philip Wu; Governors of the Foundation Mr Jason Wu, Mr Anthony Wu, Ms Tansy Lau, Mr Victor Chan, Ms Monica Wu andrepresentative of the Foundation Mr Mason Wu; The Honourable Augustine Wong, JP, Deputy Chairman of the Council of Lingnan University; and Prof S. Joe Qin, President and Wai Kee Kau Chair Professor of Data Science.
Guests included Dr Patrick Wong, Chairman of the Court of Lingnan University, Mr Augustine Lui, Chairman of the Lingnan Education Organization, and members of the Council and Lingnan’s senior management.
In his speech, The Honourable Augustine Wong, JP praised the Wu family and the Foundation for their unwavering support of Lingnan over the years, and paid tribute to the late Dr Wu Jieh Yee. He said “When Lingnan was re-established in Hong Kong in 1967, Dr Patrick Wu’s leadership and vision played a pivotal role in helping the University overcome difficulties, and laid an important foundation for its development.” The Hon Wong thanked the Wu family for their many contributions, and noted that this naming reflects a shared commitment to education, social responsibility, and the University’s future development.
Governor of the Foundation Mr Jason Wu said the Foundation recognises Lingnan’s long-standing commitment to liberal arts education and whole-person development, has witnessed its achievements in research, talent cultivation and social impact, and that “In an era of rapid AI development, we believe technology must go hand in hand with humanistic values, and innovation must be guided by responsibility. By supporting Lingnan’s interdisciplinary research and education, we hope to nurture a new generation of scholars and professionals who can apply technology effectively, understand society, care for the community, and make a positive contribution to Hong Kong, our nation, and the world.”
Expressing his sincere gratitude to the Foundation and the Wu family for their constant support, President Qin said “This philanthropic gift will be strategically deployed to advance university development, promote interdisciplinary collaboration, and support innovative research addressing pressing societal challenges. The University will put in place a dedicated research fund to support interdisciplinary projects leveraging AI and data science, generating innovative solutions, and contributing to sustainable development. We seek to increase the integration of AI across disciplines, elevate our research profile and academic impact, and broaden global perspectives in both faculty and students.”
The Wu Jieh Yee Lingnan Hub is the University’s first building to provide shared accommodation for faculty and students, and has been designed for greater interaction and an enriched teaching and learning experience, as well as to encourage innovation and nurture research talents with a whole-person perspective. Its environmentally aware architecture and interior maximise natural lighting, ventilation, and energy conservation, and support Lingnan’s commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
WJYSIS focuses on sustainability and interdisciplinary research, including climate change and carbon neutrality, clean energy and energy storage, materials genome engineering, and AI-driven advanced materials design. It promotes industry–academia–research collaboration and facilitates the conversion of research outcomes into practical applications, aspiring to become a leader in technological innovation in the Hong Kong SAR, the Greater Bay Area, and worldwide, and to demonstrate Lingnan’s contribution to and impact on society.
Over the years, the Wu Jieh Yee Charitable Foundation has supported a number of major initiatives at Lingnan, including the Tai Ning Hall – Canteen, Wu Jieh Yee Hall (student hostel), and the Embracing Ageing – Health Management and Promotion Programme, which furthers the understanding and practice of traditional Chinese medicine, as well as the new Wu Jieh Yee Lingnan Hub and Wu Jieh Yee School of Interdisciplinary Studies.
