The Open University of Hong Kong (OUHK) Honorary Fellow and Alumna Katie Shu generously donated HK$20 million to the University today (19 July) to establish the “Katie Shu Sui Pui Endowment Fund”, which will support seven programmes set up through the “Katie Shu Sui Pui Charitable Trust”. The fund will not only contribute to the sustainable development of the University, but also provide financial support to learners with aspirations, putting the University's mission of “Education for All” into practice and helping to cultivate talent for society.
OUHK President Prof. Lam Kwan-sing and Ms Shu signed an agreement for setting up the Endowment Fund at a ceremony on campus. Prof. Lam expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Ms Shu. “The establishment of Katie Shu Sui Pui Endowment Fund will generate more resources for various initiatives for staff and students, and further the University's long-term development,” he said. “The Fund supports a total of seven programmes covering a wide range of areas. Ms Shu's generosity will motivate our faculty and students to continue to strive for excellence and facilitate us to nurture more talent for the betterment of society.”
Realizing her dream of receiving a university education, Ms Shu enrolled in a part-time programme at the OUHK while starting her own business. She said, “My motto in life is 'If you think you can do it, you can do it with confidence'.” She emphasized, “Success is not far from reach provided that we have a dream in heart. With this belief, I realize my dream of attaining bachelor and master degrees in ten years. I wholeheartedly thank the OUHK for providing me with quality education.”
“The University is immensely proud of the outstanding achievements of our alumna Katie Shu,” Prof. Lam added. “We are grateful for her ardent support over the past 16 years. Her selfless devotion to her alma mater and her contribution to society are both commendable and inspiring. Katie is a true role model for our students.”
The “Katie Shu Sui Pui Endowment Fund” will support the following seven programmes set up by Katie Shu Sui Pui Charitable Trust:
• “Bursary for Working Fathers” – to help working fathers with financial difficulties and who have missed the opportunity to achieve their dream of obtaining a university degree, and inspire their children to learn the spirit of perseverance;
• “Hope for the Future Bursary” – to offer inmates the chance to enhance their education level and thus their future prospects, and set an example for their children in handling life's adversities;
• “We Can Fly” – to nurture talent in support of innovation and technology development by subsidizing full-time students to participate in international competitions and conferences to demonstrate their abilities and broaden their horizons;
• “Outstanding Research Publication Award” – to encourage the OUHK faculty to conduct quality research, thus promoting the University's research culture;
• “Academic Publication Fellowship” – to encourage postgraduate students and academic staff to undertake research projects by providing them with financial support, hence enhancing the University's academic level;
• “Residence Scholarship” – to provide rental subsidies to full-time mainland undergraduate students who are in financial need, allowing them to immerse fully in campus life and the Hong Kong community so as to foster communication and harmony among local and mainland students;
• “Outstanding Student Leaders Award for Belt and Road / Greater Bay Area Enterprise / Academic/ Culture Exploration Journey” – to deepen students' understanding of the Belt and Road initiative through academic and cultural exchanges, and leverage opportunities for career advancement in the rapidly developing Greater Bay Area.
Katie Shu received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Language and Translation from the OUHK in 2006 and a Master of Sciences degree in Hotel and Tourism Management from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University in 2011. She founded Regal Fortune Limited and the Katie Shu Sui Pui Charitable Trust to aid a range of philanthropic endeavours. Ms Shu has supported the OUHK continuously since 2005, particularly in campus development and student assistance funds. In recognition of her longstanding contributions to the institution, tutorial rooms on the University campus were named the “Shu Chi Chong Hall” and “Katie Shu Sui Pui Charitable Trust Hall”. Ms Shu was conferred an Honorary Fellow of the OUHK in 2014.
About the OUHK:
Established by the Government in 1989, The Open University of Hong Kong (OUHK) has developed into a full-fledged university providing high quality and flexible university education at various levels to secondary school graduates and working adults. As a dynamic and innovative university, the OUHK currently offers programmes of different academic levels to about 10,000 full-time students and 9,000 part-time students. Our mission is to advance learning, knowledge and research that meet students' learning aspirations and society's talent needs, focusing on practical and professional programmes.
The OUHK comprises six Schools, namely School of Arts and Social Sciences, Lee Shau Kee School of Business and Administration, School of Education and Languages, School of Nursing and Health Studies, School of Science and Technology, and Li Ka Shing School of Professional and Continuing Education (LiPACE). LiPACE provides lifelong learning opportunities by offering full-time sub-degree programmes, community learning and professional programmes.
The Council of the OUHK earlier approved the new title “Hong Kong Metropolitan University” for the University. Following the Legislative Council's formal approval on 14 July, the new title will take effect from 1 September 2021. The new title shows the unique position of the University in metropolitan Hong Kong. It also signifies the University's path of transformation from a modest distance education institution to a full-fledged university and reflects its unique characteristics and strategic focuses.
OUHK website: www.hkmu.edu.hk
University Retitling website: https://retitling.hkmu.edu.hk
