The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) is pleased to receive a generous donation of HK$1.3 billion from The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) Charities Trust for the development of the territory’s first not-for-profit and self-financed teaching hospital, which aims to serve the public and enhance the quality of teaching and research. The pioneering initiative will offer a new healthcare model in Hong Kong. This is the largest single donation ever made by HKJC to a medical project in Hong Kong, and is also the greatest single donation ever received by CUHK. In sincere appreciation of HKJC’s support, the University will name one of the clinical blocks of the hospital as The Hong Kong Jockey Club Clinical Tower. In addition, HKJC will further donate HK$12 million to support the establishment of the CUHK Jockey Club Institute of Ageing. A donation ceremony was on 21 August, officiated by Mr. T. Brian STEVENSON, Chairman of HKJC; Mr. Winfried ENGELBRECHT-BRESGES, Chief Executive Officer of HKJC; Mr. Douglas SO, Executive Director, Charities of HKJC; Dr. Vincent H.C. CHENG, Chairman of the Council of CUHK; Prof. Joseph J.Y. SUNG, Vice-Chancellor and President of CUHK; and Mr. Chien LEE, Chairman of CUHK Medical Centre Governing Board.

Prof. Joseph J.Y. SUNG, Vice-Chancellor and President of CUHK, said, ‘The Teaching Hospital project is a pioneering initiative to the humble purpose of serving the people of Hong Kong. The new Teaching Hospital is Hong Kong’s first not-for-profit, self-financing university hospital that is wholly-owned by CUHK. The Hospital makes wide use of straight-forward package pricing so that the costs of treatment become transparent and affordable to local middle-class families.’

The Teaching Hospital will cover a total construction floor area of 78,000 m² and will provide around 600 beds, with a number of beds set aside for public patients. The hospital will be wholly-owned by CUHK without the participation of any commercial corporation. Financing consists of donations, the undesignated private fund reserve of the University, and loans. The hospital will be self-financed and financially independent. Any surplus from the Teaching Hospital will be used to support its future development, meet the teaching and research needs of the CUHK Faculty of Medicine and the University.

Prof. Joseph J.Y. Sung, Vice-Chancellor of The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) on 20 August participated in the Ice Bucket Challenge at the Vice-Chancellor’s Lodge. His action was witnessed by a group of CUHK students and staff. At the same time, he announced that he would make a donation in support of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Ice Bucket Challenge is a charity campaign which originated in the US this summer, aiming to promote awareness of ALS and call for donations. It has gained widespread support from people around the world in recent weeks. The activity involves dumping a bucket of ice water over one’s head and naming three people to receive the same challenge. Those challenged have 24 hours to complete it, on video, or make a USD100 donation to the Association. Many do both. Professor Sung was challenged by alumnus Ricky Wong Wai-kay, CUHK Rowing Team and CUHK Chorus, and he, in turn, has nominated the present and former presidents of the Student Union of CUHK of last year and the year before, namely Cheung Sau Yin, Chung Yiu Wa and Yeung Ching Yin. He also announced that he would donate USD100 to Charles K. Kao Foundation for Alzheimer's Disease for each of the nominated students if they accepted the challenge.

Professor Sung said, “ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that is hard to cure. I am glad to be invited to join such a special campaign. The water is cold but it connects people who are willing to make a better world. I wish more people would get to know the disease and make contribution to those in need.”

If you drive to CUHK, it is about to become much easier with the new toll gate system. To better manage vehicles accessing the campus, the University is in the process of launching a campus-wide Automated Vehicle Access Control System (AVACS). When it comes into operation, vehicles with parking labels can either access the campus via Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags, eligible CU Link cards or pre-registered Octopus cards. In addition, QR code coupons will replace the prepaid and complimentary parking coupons for the purpose of automated control.

As for alumni without parking labels, Octopus cards can be used. With CUHK Alumni credit cards, alumni can still enjoy the free parking attached to campus facilities such as Staff Common Room Clubhouse, University Sports Centre and libraries, etc.

Along with the launch of AVACS, a new 24-hour enquiry desk will be set up and manned round-the-clock at the Control Room of the Security Office. The exact launch date of the new system will be announced later. First let’s have a better understanding of the system through a video clip.