HKUST launched ’30 for 30’ last month as a core part of its drive to recruit and retain 30 top (Associate Professor level or above) talents in key research fields. Leveraging the idea that “excellence attracts excellence”, the initiative’s ultimate objective is the enriching of the talent pool so vital for sustaining Hong Kong’s long-term development of innovation and technology (I&T). In addition to Biomedical Science and Translational Medicine, disciplines that will benefit include Material Science and Future Energy; AI - Future Computing and Electronics; Innovation for Business Management; Environmental Science - Sustainability and Green Tech; Art Tech, Humanities and Social Science. 

HKUST will also use Viva’s donation to advance sports science-related research projects in tandem with supplementary funding from the HKSAR government’s "Research Matching Grant Scheme".

Officiating at the donation ceremony were Viva Group Chairman, Dr. LI Ning, and HKUST President Prof. Nancy IP. Other VIP guests in attendance included Li Ning Foundation Vice-Chairman, Mr. LI Chun, Viva Group Executive Director, Mr. LI Qilin, C. & J. International Executive Director, Mr. LI Xiaoning and Viva Group Chief Financial Officer, Mr. CHEUNG Chi, Bossini International Holdings’ Co-Chief Executive Officer, Mr. CHANG Min Huei, HKUST Provost Prof. GUO Yike, HKUST Vice-President for Institutional Advancement Prof. WANG Yang, and HKUST Senior Advisor to President Prof. Albert IP Yuk-Keung, plus various other senior management members of both HKUST and the companies concerned.

Dr. Li Ning said: “Our donation is intended to empower HKUST’s successful strategic development in vital scientific research areas. It is my great honor to support the University’s vision in its future development of such research by supporting its efforts to recruit first-class scholars and nurture emerging talents, who will retribute the nation and the society. I wish HKUST every success in creating unlimited possibilities by continuing to try, explore and innovate.” 

HKUST’s relationship with Dr. Li Ning dates back to 2010 when it conferred the multiple Olympic medal-winner with an Honorary fellowship that recognized his outstanding achievements in sports, business and philanthropy.

Prof. Nancy Ip expressed her deepest gratitude to Viva for the donation, saying: “Our ‘30 for 30’ Talent Acquisition Campaign is designed to attract the visionary talent we need to successfully establish frontier technologies and advance industries to address the complex challenges facing our world. With Viva’s support, we will be able to build vital strategic areas at HKUST and further enhance our world-class research environment, while also strengthening capabilities in sports science. HKUST will thus be better placed to assist the HK Government in implementing its I&T policy blueprint and help advance Hong Kong's I&T development. Our pooled efforts will also help both Hong Kong and the Mainland expand knowledge and implement scientific research results to further empower ongoing economic and social development.”

Following the ceremony, Dr. Li Ning and the various delegates visited HKUST’s Aerodynamics and Acoustics Facility (AAF). Equipped with state-of-the-art low-noise wind tunnel and world-class large acoustic testing laboratory facilities, AAF supports research in aerodynamic-related fields such as sports science, urban air mobility and green energy.