Lingnan University Gala Dinner Raises Over HK$3 Million to Advance Human-Centric AI Research and Sustainable Impact

Lingnan University proudly hosted its signature fundraising event, the Bright Future Charitable Foundation presents: Lingnan University Gala Dinner, held last night (18 March), and raised over HK$3 million. All proceeds will be used to enhance the University’s research facilities, supporting infrastructure, and cutting-edge research projects.

Under the theme “Elevate to Innovate: Scaling New Heights for Sustainable Impact”, the Dinner brought together nearly 400 distinguished guests, including Lingnan alumni, staff, students and friends from different sectors of society, to support the University’s sustainable development in teaching and research.

The evening was graced by the presence of the Guest of Honour - Dr the Honourable Starry Lee Wai-king, GBS, JP, President of the Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, along with other distinguished officiating guests, including the Honourable Andrew Yao Cho-fai, BBS, JP, Chairman of the Council of Lingnan University; Dr Patrick Wong Chi-kwong, Chairman of the Court; Prof S. Joe Qin, President and Wai Kee Kau Chair Professor of Data Science; Mr Mason Wu, Chairman of the Institutional Advancement Committee; Title Sponsor, Dr Roy Chung Chi-ping, GBS, JP, Founder and Chairman of the Bright Future Charitable Foundation; and other sponsors, Mr B K Leung, Chief Executive Officer of BC Reinsurance Limited; Mr Huang Liwei, Director of the Hong Kong New Emerging Technology Education Charity Foundation; Mr Augustine Lui Ngok-che, Chairman of the Lingnan Education Organization; Mr Ernest Chan Chi-man, Vice-President (Administration); and Ms Jessie Law Lai-chi, Director of Institutional Advancement and Alumni Affairs.

In her opening address, Dr the Honourable Starry Lee said, “Lingnan University is distinguished for its commitment to liberal arts education, which prioritises holistic development and social service. In recent years, we have witnessed Lingnan's active expansion in research, seamlessly blending humanistic perspectives with technological innovation to offer students interdisciplinary and cross-sector learning experiences.” Dr Lee further emphasised that the theme of the Dinner is remarkably forward-looking. She noted that in the future, the key to success will be the ability to transform knowledge into meaningful contributions and to give back to society creatively. She remarked, "Lingnan University embraces a student-centred and socially-conscious approach, actively fostering interdisciplinary education and promoting research in sustainable development. The University connects academic knowledge with community needs, utilising technology and sustainability to improve lives."

Guests officiated at the kick-off ceremony. (From left: Ms Jessie Law, Mr Mason Wu, Mr Augustine Lui, Dr Patrick Wong, the Honourable Andrew Yao, Dr the Honourable Starry Lee, Dr Roy Chung, President S. Joe Qin, Mr B K Leung, Mr Huang Liwei and Mr Ernest Chan)

In his welcoming remarks, Chairman of the Council, the Honourable Andrew Yao, expressed sincere gratitude to all supporters whose contributions have propelled Lingnan forward. He said, “Funds raised from the Gala Dinner will be directly invested in various development initiatives of the University, including strengthening the cultivation of Lingnan students’ talents in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics). Leveraging its unique geographical advantage adjacent to the Northern Metropolis, the University is actively fostering deeper collaboration with industry, academia and research institutions across the Greater Bay Area. These efforts will accelerate the translation and application of innovative research outcomes, further consolidating Lingnan’s position as a leading liberal arts research university integrating arts and sciences in the digital era. At the same time, we aim to nurture interdisciplinary talents equipped with both strong humanistic values and advanced technological expertise, contributing to the development of the nation and the Hong Kong SAR.”

Dr the Honourable Starry Lee, President of the Legislative Council, delivers the opening address.

In his speech, President Qin shared Lingnan’s series of groundbreaking “firsts” and expressed his special gratitude to Nobel Laureate in Physics Prof Samuel C.C. Ting for his support of the University. He said, “The ‘Samuel C.C. Ting Elite Class’, to be launched in the 2026/27 academic year, will provide top students with full scholarships, accommodation, and AI training. This elite education programme is personally endorsed by Prof Ting. Even more encouraging is that Lingnan ranked No. 1 in the world for ‘Quality Education’ in the 2025 Times Higher Education Impact Rankings, achieved the highest growth rate in project funding from the Research Grants Council, and recorded the largest increases in JUPAS Band A applications for three consecutive years among Hong Kong SAR’s eight publicly funded universities, demonstrating the University’s strong teaching and research capabilities as well as its growing appeal to prospective students in the digital era.”

The Honourable Andrew Yao gives his welcoming remarks and expresses sincere gratitude to supporters.

President S. Joe Qin shares the University’s recent success.

The Dinner also showcased two initiatives promoting the integration of arts and sciences. Prof William Hayward, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, introduced the newly established Lingnan University Cognitive Science Research Centre, bringing together leading scholars in psychology, neuroscience, and artificial intelligence. The Centre will undertake a range of interdisciplinary and human-centred research projects, including using electroencephalography (EEG) to analyse children’s reading abilities to more accurately identify potential dyslexia, and investigating the neural mechanisms underlying risk decision-making under social influence. These research outcomes will be translated into practical applications to address the complex challenges of the digital era.

Officiating guests pose for a group photo along with Council members, distinguished scholars and senior management.

In addition, Prof Jonathan Fong, Associate Professor of the Division of Science, demonstrated advanced wildlife forensic techniques aimed at protecting endangered turtle species in Hong Kong SAR. The research plays a vital role in safeguarding local biodiversity and further exemplifies the University’s research capabilities in addressing social and environmental challenges.

Prof William Hayward introduces the Lingnan University Cognitive Science Research Centre.

The evening concluded with a captivating guzheng ensemble and street dance performances by Lingnan’s talented students, blending the essence of Eastern and Western cultures and highlighting the University’s creativity and youthful energy.

Prof Jonathan Fong showcases pioneering wildlife forensic techniques to protect endangered turtle species.

Hong Kong’s universities have once again demonstrated academic strength on the international stage. The latest 2026 ShanghaiRanking’s Global Ranking of Academic Subjects shows that at least 90 subjects across Hong Kong’s universities have entered the global top 50, with 21 subjects ranking among the world’s top 10. The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) claimed the top spot globally in two subjects: Transportation Science & Technology and Hospitality & Tourism Management. The University of Hong Kong (HKU), The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK), and The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) all made it into the global top 10 for Education, underscoring the city’s overall strength in the field.

The University of Hong Kong, Photo source: reference image

HKU’s Education subject ranked second globally in this year’s ranking, its highest-ever position, while retaining its place as the top in Asia. Professor Yang Rui, Dean of the Faculty of Education at HKU, expressed his delight at the achievement. He noted that it fully reflects the collective efforts of faculty members in conducting high-level research and publishing in leading international academic journals, as well as the Faculty’s close partnerships with research collaborators worldwide, which continue to expand the reach and impact of its work. “I am deeply grateful to our Faculty members for their commitment to advancing educational knowledge and promoting the exchange and application of these outcomes worldwide,” he said.

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Photo source: reference image

PolyU delivered the most outstanding performance in this ranking, with 23 subjects entering the global top 50, the highest number among all Hong Kong institutions. Six of its subjects ranked in the global top 10. In addition to the two subjects that topped the world, these include Management (global 2nd), Civil Engineering (global 3rd), Energy Science & Engineering (global 4th), and Mechanical Engineering (global 10th), spanning multiple traditional strengths in engineering and management.

The City University of Hong Kong, Photo source: reference image

City University of Hong Kong (CityU) had 44 subjects ranked this year, two more than last year. Twenty-two subjects entered the global top 50, with four subjects- Library & Information Science, Metallurgical Engineering, Energy Science & Engineering, and Public Administration- making it into the global top 10. Furthermore, CityU ranked first in Hong Kong in 10 subjects, including Library & Information Science, Business Administration, and Veterinary Sciences, leading other local institutions in multiple areas.

The Lingnan University, Photo source: reference image

Lingnan University had eight subjects ranked this year, a nearly twofold increase from three last year. Five subjects, including Computer Science & Engineering and Electrical & Electronic Engineering, appeared on the list for the first time. Its Artificial Intelligence subject, newly listed last year, jumped dramatically in the rankings and entered the global top 100 for the first time, placing in the 76–100 band. Professor Qin Si Zhao, President of Lingnan University, said the results reflect growing international recognition of the University’s academic and research work. “Lingnan will review the ranking results and their assessment indicators, using them as a reference to further consolidate our ‘Liberal Arts + Technology’ development direction,” he said.

Photo source: shanghairanking.com

The ShanghaiRanking’s Global Ranking of Academic Subjects is released by ShanghaiRanking, a higher education evaluation agency. It covers 57 subjects across five major fields: Natural Sciences, Engineering, Life Sciences, Medical Sciences, and Social Sciences. The ranking uses international academic indicators to assess the performance of higher education institutions worldwide in each subject, evaluating five categories: World-Class Faculty, World-Class Research Output, High-Quality Research, Research Impact, and International Collaboration. This year’s ranking assessed over 3,000 universities globally, with more than 2,000 institutions from about 96 countries and regions appearing on the lists.