A new centre dedicated to the research of energy sciences and technologies has been established at City University of Hong Kong (CityU) with a $10 million donation from Ability R&D Limited. The centre has been named after the company in appreciation of its generous support.

The Ability R&D Energy Research Centre, housed under the School of Energy and Environment, aims to develop innovative technologies that increase energy efficiency and offer a clean, safe, cost-effective and sustainable energy supply to help combat impending energy problems. In addition, the fund will be used to set up scholarships and bursaries for students.

Officiating guests at the naming ceremony on 24 August included Mr Frank Leung Hin-ting, Managing Director of Ability R&D Limited, and his wife; the Hon Leung Chun-ying, CityU Council Chairman; Professor Way Kuo, President of CityU; Professor Johnny Chan Chung-leung, Dean of the School of Energy and Environment (SEE) at CityU; and Dr Michael Leung Kwok-hi, Director of the centre.

The Hon Leung Chun-ying thanked Mr and Mrs Frank Leung on behalf of the University for their enthusiastic support for CityU’s development. Mr and Mrs Leung have made ongoing contributions to the education sector, encouraging students to engage in research and learning and at the same time paying attention to societal needs.

“Teaching and research are at the heart of CityU’s mission. We strive to conduct research that can be used by the community, that promotes sustainable development and brings industry, teaching and research together. The donation by Ability R&D Limited is a good example of this three-party integration,” the Hon Leung Chun-ying said.

Speaking on behalf of Mr Frank Leung Hin-ting, Mr Frankie Leung Kai-ha, Director of Ability R&D Limited, praised SEE for its commitment to nurturing talent and conducting research that tackles two pressing issues of the day. He said Ability R&D Limited shares the same interests with SEE and the mutual support will benefit students and society as a whole.

Professor Kuo said energy and the environment are two strategic development areas at CityU and a number of undergraduate programmes surrounding these two themes will be introduced next year. Thanking Mr and Mrs Frank Leung Hin-ting again for their support, Professor Kuo said the University will put the funds to the best possible use in the areas of teaching, research and scholarships.

The centre will focus its research in five areas: energy efficiency, clean energy, renewable energy, low carbon economy, and sustainability. The aim is to accelerate the development of state-of-the-art energy-efficient and energy-saving technologies to help reduce fossil fuel consumption and develop clean and renewable energy technologies as cost-competitive alternatives in order to achieve a sustainable energy supply.