With a generous HK$20 million donation from the Hung Hing Ying & Leung Hau Ling Charitable Foundation and Kowloon Investment Company Limited, a permanent endowment to support the appointments of visiting scholars in the fields of the humanities and social sciences has now been established.

The Hung Leung Hau Ling Distinguished Visiting Professorship in the Humanities and Social Sciences aims to attract top academics in the fields of the humanities and social sciences to spend a period of time at HKU. While the appointment will normally be for a period of one year, shorter visits are permitted. It is also possible for the professor to divide the period into two or more visits (each for several weeks) over several years. Through a longer term of commitment, our teachers and students will have more opportunities to interact with world-class scholars, thereby enabling the scheme to create greater impact.

The scheme also aims to provide the impetus to promote the development of path-breaking programmes in targeted areas; foster invaluable links with reputable institutions; enhance the University’s leadership in the international academic community; and provide a knowledge exchange platform for the Hong Kong community.

To show the University’s full support and to enhance this initiative, the HK$20 million donation will be matched by the University to form an endowment fund of HK$40 million.

The annual investment return will be used to support, each year, at least one Hung Leung Hau Ling Distinguished Visiting Professor who must be at the forefront of the humanities and social sciences.