Page 12 - Sphere No.11 (Apr 2004)

SPHERE
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provide something more than just employ-
ment for the community. By paying these
salaries we enable the opportunity for all
the children to be educated.”
JICT’s community efforts are but one
example of the contributions made by
Hutchison Port Holdings (HPH) compa-
nies worldwide.
As a source of careers and livelihoods for
more than 25,000 employees at its 32 con-
tainer ports across the globe, it is not sur-
prising that HPH is a popular employer
and valuable asset to each respective local
economy. In many port regions, HPH is
the single-largest employer.
Keenly aware of its obligations as
a “corporate citizen”, the world’s largest
private ports operator supports communi-
ty projects wherever it operates. Its contri-
butions are tailored to fit the needs and
circumstances of local communities.
Not only does HPH contribute as
a group but the HPH staff themselves
take the initiative to be responsible corpo-
rate citizens. Employees have collectively
raised funds to fight the SARS crisis
in Hong Kong, participated in running
events for cancer charities in Europe,
helped flood victims in Argentina and
assisted underprivileged people in Korea,
to mention but a few.
HPH’s long-term contribution to com-
munities is especially significant through its
“HPH Dock Schools” projects.
From its founding in Hong Kong just
over a decade ago with the adoption of the
first Dock School, the programme has since
been extended to bring funding, scholar-
ships and technical support — especially in
the area of IT — to schools and universities
in countries as diverse as China, Myanmar,
the UK and Panama.
Of course, it is in HPH’s interests to help
educate the next generation of potential
port employees. “Like any other organisa-
tion, people are our greatest asset,” says
HPH Managing Director John Meredith.
But the concept extends beyond self-
interest. “Education is our priority because
we seek to ensure that tomorrow’s citizens
of our port regions are better equipped to
deal with the world they will inherit,”
Meredith explains.
HELPING ON THE HOME FRONT
HPH launched its Dock School Programme
in Hong Kong in 1992, adopting the Tsuen
Wan Trade Association Primary School. The
school was a natural choice as it is close to
Hongkong International Terminals (HIT),
the city’s giant container port and the com-
pany’s home base. Since then,HIT has award-
ed annual scholarships to promising students
and has also organised numerous school visits
to the HIT terminal, along with recreational
events at its sports centre.
When it adopted Hong Kong’s Chuen
Yuen College as its second Dock School in
1999, HIT focused on sharing IT expertise
with all 1,100 students.
“As a pioneer in utilising information
technology in the container port industry, we
can share our expertise with the younger
generation,” explained Eric Ip, Managing
Director of HIT.
C O M M U N I T Y
“Without HPH’s
financial support, it
is doubtful the
school could
continue operating”