Page 8 - Sphere No.5 (Feb 2002)

C O M M U N I T Y
HIGHER
LEARNING
A timely donation gives a boost to PolyU’s initiatives of providing
life-long learning opportunities.
By Cynthia Wan
O n a sunny morning on
December 4, 2001, students,
academics and honoured
guests gathered in the shade
of Hong Kong Polytechnic University’s
newest building to officially name the
18-storey tower after one of its chief
benefactors.
Located at the heart of the campus,
the Li Ka Shing Tower forms the centre-
point of PolyU’s Phase VI development
project, blending in seamlessly with the
campus’ signature redbrick outlook, yet
standing out as a distinctive architectur-
al landmark. The overall design incor-
porates two basic forms prevailing on
campus: blocks and cylinders, with
interlocking geometrical glass and brick
forms creating a sense of symmetry and
solidity.
The naming came in recognition
of a HK$100 million (approximately
US$12.8 million) donation made by the
Li Ka-shing Foundation in support of
the University’s mission to achieve
“academic excellence in a professional
context”. The building provides a total
opened in 1957 at the then-Hong Kong
Technical College. The HK$500-million
construction fee was sponsored by
the University Grants Committee, the
funding allocation agency for all
public universities in Hong Kong.
Construction commenced in early
1999 and the building was opened
for occupation in phases from
October 2000.
Students at PolyU were delighted
with the new addition: “The 500 new
computers will make a tremendous
difference,” said English major Natalie
Cheung. “Demand for work stations
has been exceeding supply, especially
during exam periods. This will help us
all do better.”
Alex Leung, a first-year Tourism stu-
dent, said he was eager to check out
the new software available and to
attend classes in the new lec-
ture theatres. “Excel-
lent facilities help
produce excellent
results,” he said.
gross floor area of about 22,500 sq. m.,
greatly increasing the facilities avail-
able on campus. It accommodates 500
computer workstations, classrooms,
lecture theatres, administrative offices,
academic departments and staff restau-
rants while the top floor will serve as the
Campus Headquarters, occupied by the
University President, council members
and the senate.
The tower stands on the former site
of the Main Building, which was
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Students will benefit from the new facilities.
The PolyU campus with the landmark Li Ka Shing Tower at its centre.