City University of Hong Kong (CityU) has received a donation of $4.4 million from Fu Tak Iam Foundation as full sponsorship for the tuition and living expenses of 30 mainland judges taking the Master of Laws (LLM) programme provided by the School of Law (SLW).

 

SLW held a cheque presentation ceremony on 9 October in appreciation of the generous donation of the Foundation. Honourable guests in attendance included Mr Adrian H C Fu, Chairman of Fu Tak Iam Foundation, Professor Way Kuo, President of CityU, Professor Wang Guiguo, Dean of SLW, and Dr Simon Ip Sik-on, Chairman of SLW's International Advisory Board.

 

"The Fu Tak Iam Foundation seeks to improve the quality of life across the spectrum of society," said Mr Fu. "Legal infrastructure is one of the key factors in promoting social, cultural and economic development. We truly believe that through mainland judges taking the LLM programme at CityU, long-term developmental improvements can be made within the country."

 

Professor Kuo expressed CityU's gratitude to the Fu Tak Iam Foundation and added that the investment of resources in mainland China and improved cooperation was also beneficial to CityU. The LLM programme for mainland judges was a prime example.

 

"I believe SLW's excellent staff and advanced teaching equipment, as well as their links with eminent overseas institutes, offer an entirely new opportunity and experience to the mainland judges. The generous support of Fu Tak Iam Foundation will enable them to focus on their training," Professor Kuo said.

 

Dr Ip thanked the Fu Tak Iam Foundation for their support of CityU. "Providing law education to the public is one of the missions of SLW. Public recognition and the generous donation presented to us will help strengthen the School," he said.

 

Professor Wang shared with guests the SLW vision. "Providing an international academic network to our students is a primary focus of the School. Widening students' scope of vision and letting them experience and compare the legal processes of different countries can enable them to face global challenges." He added that local students will benefit from studying with mainland judges.

 

SLW entered into an agreement with the PRC Supreme Court and National Judges College in February 2008. The School will admit 30 mainland judges to its Master of Laws programme each year so as to help train more legal professionals for the country. CityU will be entrusted with the task of training mainland judges and enhancing their professional capabilities. Qualified in-service mainland judges will study in CityU for one year. CityU will arrange a one-month study tour for the judges to study a course in the Law School of Columbia University and visit the U.S. Supreme Court, the Judiciary, etc.