A $100 million donation from Dr Li Dak-sum, an acclaimed business leader, will support the long-term development of the newly established School of Veterinary Medicine (SVM) at City University of Hong Kong (CityU).

The donation will enable the University to establish an endowment fund called the “Li Dak Sum and Yip Yio Chin Development Fund for Veterinary Medicine” to support the development of SVM.

Dr Li Dak-sum, a successful entrepreneur and highly respected philanthropist, is the Chairman of Roxy Property Investment Co Ltd and Corporate Advisor of Sharp-Roxy (HK) Ltd. He is also Chairman of the Singapore Carlton Hotel Group.

"It’s my pleasure to do something for education." said the 93-year-old donor. "Our generation had a difficult life when we were young. We believe education is the key to a strong China."

Dr Li said he very much supported the development of SVM. He also believed research is an integral part of a university. On his personal approach to life, he shared that his guiding philosophy is “diligence, thriftiness and sincerity”.

Dr and Mrs Li paid a visit to CityU on 12 February and were warmly received by Mr Herman Hu Shao-ming, Council Chairman; Mr Vincent Chow Wing-shing, Deputy Chairman of the Council; Professor Way Kuo, University President; Professor Arthur Ellis, Provost; Professor Lu Jian, Vice-President (Research and Technology); Mr Sunny Lee Wai-kwong, Vice-President (Administration); Dr Hao Gang, Associate Vice-President (Development); and Professor Matthew Lee Kwok-on, Director of Communications and Public Relations and University Spokesperson.

During a guided tour, the guests learned about our teaching facilities and visited various learning areas, finding out about student life.

President Kuo said the support from Dr Li would pave the way for the SVM’s mission.

"CityU established the School of Veterinary Medicine in collaboration with the College of Veterinary Medicine of Cornell University in March 2014. The aspiration of the School is to develop into a leader of world standing in veterinary education and research,” he said.

“I would like to express our sincere gratitude to Dr Li for his generosity and for embracing the University’s vision to build a centre of excellence to promote One Health and the quality of life in the region,” he added.

The new School will promote public health, food safety and animal welfare in the region for the benefit of society and the expansion of educational opportunities in critical areas of biomedical sciences.