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.

Lingnan University held its 2026 Chinese New Year media reception on the Tuen Mun campus today, 17 March, hosted by Prof S. Joe Qin, President and Wai Kee Kau Chair Professor of Data Science; Prof Raymond Chan Hon-fu, Vice-President (Academics) cum Provost and Lam Man Tsan Chair Professor of Scientific Computing; Prof Xin Yao, Vice-President (Research and Innovation) and Tong Tin Sun Chair Professor of Machine Learning; Mr Ernest Chan Chi-man, Vice-President (Administration); Prof Sam Kwong Tak-Wu, Associate Vice-President (Strategic Research) and J.K. Lee Chair Professor of Computational Intelligence, and Prof Lau Chi-pang, Special Advisor to President on Publicity cum Director of Communications and Public Affairs. They announced the University’s most recent news and its strategic development blueprint for the coming years, which includes a series of campus development initiatives which will continue to improve teaching, research, and innovation.

Lingnan University hosts its Chinese New Year media reception. From the left: Mr Ernest Chan Chi-man, Vice-President (Administration); Prof Raymond Chan Hon-fu, Vice-President (Academics) cum Provost and Lam Man Tsan Chair Professor of Scientific Computing; Prof S. Joe Qin, President and Wai Kee Kau Chair Professor of Data Science; Prof Xin Yao, Vice-President (Research and Innovation) and Tong Tin Sun Chair Professor of Machine Learning; and Prof Sam Kwong Tak-Wu, Associate Vice-President (Strategic Research) and J.K. Lee Chair Professor of Computational Intelligence. Photo source: Lingnan University

President S. Joe Qin said that to meet Lingnan’s growing need for more space, the University recently acquired a new 3,600-square-metre facility, Lingnan T-Plus, which will support the main campus by providing additional teaching venues and classrooms. Conveniently located and about 15 minutes’ walk from the main campus, Lingnan T-Plus is expected to be operational in the 2026/2027 academic year. Students and staff will be able to commute to the main campus easily and stay involved with campus life.

President S. Joe Qin announces campus development initiatives to further improve teaching, research and innovation. Photo source: Lingnan University

The expansion of Lingnan’s main campus in Tuen Mun has begun with the construction of the seven-storey Lingnan Education Organization Building, the University’s first dedicated science building, which will have a floor area of approximately 8,000 square metres and house the School of Data Science (SDS) and the interdisciplinary research hub. It is scheduled to be completed in 2028, and will upgrade University teaching and research facilities.

The Tuen Mun Main Campus will have a new 200-square-metre lecture theatre in the Lau Chung Him Building with seating for about 200 people, which will provide another venue for teaching, academic lectures, and large conferences. It is intended to come into use in the 2026/2027 academic year, improving the educational environment and strengthening support for academic events and the exchange of ideas.

In addition, a new 150-square-metre, 110-seat, multi-purpose venue with a large-scale LED display will be built on the Main Campus near the landmark Wing On Plaza for campus activities, academic seminars, press conferences, providing a high-quality space for teaching and discussions. It is scheduled for completion in 2027.

The University has recently acquired a new facility, Lingnan T-Plus. Photo source: Lingnan University

Looking back at 2025, President S. Joe Qin said that Lingnan University achieved several “No. 1 in the Hong Kong SAR” and “Only one in the Hong Kong SAR” distinctions across key indicators, demonstrating that the University’s strengths in teaching and research, as well as its commitment to whole-person education, have received international recognition. These accolades include coming first globally in “SDG 4: Quality Education” in the 2025 Times Higher Education Impact Rankings, and becoming the first university in Asia to partner with the United Nations University (UNU) to establish the UNU Hub on Humanitarian Innovation and Technology at Lingnan University. The UNU Hub plans to commence operations in the middle of this year, and will promote interdisciplinary collaboration in engineering, data science, and design innovation, encouraging faculty members and students from different disciplines to co-design humanitarian technologies to address real-world challenges in a practical and sustainable way.

President Qin also noted that in recent years, the University has implemented the “Liberal Arts + Technology” innovative education model, solidifying its position as a leading research-oriented liberal arts university, comprehensive in arts and sciences, in the digital era. More than 20 per cent of its faculty members were on the 2025 Stanford University “World’s Top 2% Scientists” list. As its 60th anniversary approaches in 2027, the University has launched the “Lingnan-60 Global Talent Recruitment” campaign to attract 60 leading scholars. As of February 2026, 33 top scholars have joined the University, strengthening Lingnan’s engineering and research capabilities in interdisciplinary fields such as industrial data science, smart infrastructure, carbon neutrality technologies, and sustainable energy and materials. This will enable the University to take a leading role in major cross-disciplinary, high-impact engineering projects related to the Hong Kong SAR’s re-industrialisation and carbon neutrality.

President Qin also announced that the University will officially launch the Samuel C.C. Ting Elite Class (CCT Class) in the 2026/27 academic year. Named in honour of the Nobel Prize-winning physicist Prof Samuel C.C. Ting, the class will select a group of top talents from its outstanding undergraduate students, who receive full University Entrance Scholarships, and will offer them comprehensive learning opportunities and support. The CCT Class symbolises the University’s commitment to an educational philosophy grounded in Creative and Critical Thinking. Through this initiative, the University aims to nurture a new generation of globally minded academic leaders, carrying forward Prof Ting’s legacy of bold innovation and rigorous research integrity, while further strengthening the University’s leading position as a research-oriented liberal arts university comprehensive in arts and sciences.

The Lingnan Education Organization Building is scheduled for completion in 2028. Photo source: Lingnan University