Media

HKU opens a New Studnet Village

31 Jan 2002

 

Hall education has long been a fine tradition of the University of Hong Kong. To address the acute shortage of residential places at HKU, the redevelopment of Lady Ho Tung Hall was mooted in 1996. This will enhance the provision of more places for undergraduates to experience residential hall life, which is recognised as an intrinsically valuable part of their tertiary education.

The Jockey Club Student Village, which was opened today (January 31), houses the largest number of residential students at the University of Hong Kong, giving accommodation to more than 900 young people. The Village includes three halls; namely Ho Tim Hall, a multipurpose building, the redeveloped Lady Ho Tung Hall and Starr Hall, the newest University residence.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust has been generous in its support in HKU. It has contributed to the funding of the new Medical Complex and has supported the Jockey Club Clinical Research Centre, the Jockey Club MRI Engineering Centre, the Jockey Club Research and Information Centre for Landslip Prevention and Land Development as well as Graduate House and other academic-related projects.

Starr Hall, located within the AIG Building, is HKU's newest and largest student residence. It provides accommodation for 500 male and female students. The building was generously funded by The Starr Foundation and named in honour of Mr C V Starr. Starr Hall will adopt a more international hall approach with a 30% intake of non-local students.

The Ho Tim Hall is a common place to be shared by students of both Lady Ho Tung Hall and Starr Hall. It includes a canteen and a mutli-purpose venue. Dr Ho Tim is renowned for his generosity in support of education, medical and health services. HKU is delighted that Dr Ho has extended that generosity to the hall.

Opened in 1951, the four-storey Lady Ho Tung Hall was donated by Sir Robert Ho Tung in memory of his wife, the late Lady Margaret. The redeveloped 20-storey Lady Ho Tung Hall, which houses 404 students, retains its uniqueness as the only all-female hall at HKU.

Commemorative plaques of the halls were unveiled by Professor Ian Davies (Vice-Chancellor of HKU), Mr Paul Cheng (Steward of the Hong Kong Jockey Club), Mr Hamilton Ho (son of Dr Ho Tim), Mr Robert Ho (grandson of Sir Joseph Ho Tung), Mr Edmund Tse (Chairman & CEO of AIA Company Limited and Director of The Starr Foundation) and Dr David Li (Pro-Chancellor of HKU), at the opening ceremony.