The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) has approved a donation of more than HK$426m through its Charities Trust to support The University of Hong Kong in establishing the HKU Jockey Club Enterprise Sustainability Global Research Institute and a series of endowed professorships.
The funding will support the creation and operation of the new institute, designed to serve as a global knowledge hub for Environmental, Social and Governance and sustainability best practices in Hong Kong, Asia and beyond. A dedication ceremony for the endowed professorships was held on May 5, attended by senior representatives from the Jockey Club and HKU leadership.
The initiative includes four endowed professorships in economics, finance and entrepreneurship, and accounting. Appointed scholars include Professor Guojun He, Professor Jeffrey Ng and Professor Uta Schönberg, with Professor Roni Michaely named as the endowed professor in finance and entrepreneurship.
The institute’s mission centers on three pillars. In research, it aims to integrate multidisciplinary expertise and translate academic findings into actionable policy solutions. In engagement, it will develop a sustainability index, provide advisory services and host conferences and summits to foster dialogue across sectors. In education, it plans to curate sustainability-related courses and interdisciplinary programs to train future professionals.
Club Steward Rimsky Yuen said the institute is positioned to become a world-class platform delivering meaningful impact locally and internationally. He added that the Club’s long-standing support for higher education reflects its commitment to nurturing talent and contributing to Hong Kong’s long-term development.
The donation is funded through the Club’s integrated business model, under which racing and responsible sports wagering generate tax contributions and charitable support for the community.
The institute will focus on research, cross-sector engagement and sustainability education
