Dr Lui Che-woo, Chairman and Founder of K. Wah Group (the “Group”) and Director of LUI Che Woo Charity, has announced a donation amounting to RMB120 million to the School of Life Sciences of Peking University for setting up the Lui Che Woo School of Life Sciences Fund and constructing a new Life Sciences research building to be named the “Lui Che Woo Building”. The donation’s signing ceremony was held in Hong Kong today.

Prof Lin Jianhua, President of Peking University, and Prof Wang Bo, Vice President of Peking University and Vice Chairman of the Peking University Education Foundation Board, representing Peking University and Peking University Education Foundation respectively, signed the donation agreement with Dr Lui Che-woo. They also presented the “Peking University Outstanding Educational Contribution Award” to Dr Lui in appreciation of his generous donation to educational causes and his great support to life sciences teaching and research in China.

Mr Alexander Lui, Executive Director of K. Wah International Holdings; Ms Vicky Lee, Chief Executive Officer (Family Charity) of Lui Che Woo Management Limited; Prof Wu Hong, Dean of the School of Life Sciences, Peking University; Mr Li Yuning, Secretary General of Peking University Education Foundation; Mr Wang Yong, Deputy Director, Office of Hong Kong, Macao & Taiwan Affairs, Peking University; Ms Geng Shu, Vice Secretary General of Peking University Education Foundation; as well as senior management of K. Wah Group were present at the ceremony to witness this important moment.

Prof Lin Jianhua, President of Peking University, said, “The list of world universities with a history longer than Peking University may be a long one, but I don’t think there is any academic institution so closely tied to the fate of its nation as Peking University. You are not only supporting Peking University, but also the country and our future. Today, Dr Lui is helping us build a top-notch facility dedicated to life sciences, to nurturing talent and facilitating life sciences research and study activities. This facility is a precious gift celebrating the 120th anniversary of Peking University and a good deed that will benefit the whole nation, the Chinese people, as well as humanity for generations to come. Thus, I hereby express my deepest respect and gratitude to Dr Lui.” Prof Lin has also invited friends from different sectors in Hong Kong to visit the university next year when it celebrates its special anniversary and grow together with the university.

“The Phoenix Project” is a national-level central government-led effort to provide large-scale protein science fundamental research facilities funded by the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Education and the Beijing Municipal Government. As an important contributor to the national “Phoenix Project” initiative, the New Building will be equipped with advanced equipment covering proteins, magnetic resonance and optical microscopic imagery, and also a state-of-the-art cryo scanning electron microscope (Cryo-SEM) to render the best support to the study of structural biology and biological macromolecules. In addition, the New Building will house shared equipment rooms (laboratories), including cold storage, cytology laboratory, thermostatic chamber and ultra-low temperature freezer facilities, covering nearly 550 sq.m. on each floor, providing convenient access and usage to scientists of the university. The research team led by Prof Wu Hong, Dean of the School of Life Sciences of Peking University, will move into the New Building and focus on studying biological macromolecules in tumours and stem cells and also the development of small molecule drugs, helping to solve the mysteries of life and improve human health.