Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences
The establishment of the Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences is an initiative undertaken by the Faculty of Medicine of The Chinese University of Hong Kong and realised by a generous donation of HKD100 million in 2005 from the Li Ka Shing Foundation. Prof. Dennis LO (Li Ka Shing Professor of Medicine) serves as the Director of the Institute. The Institute is located at the Prince of Wales Hospital and equipped with state-of-the-art core facilities. The Institute was opened in 2007 and currently has over 300 researchers working inside the premises of a total area of over 14,000 square metres. The Institute has a mission to conduct translational medical research with clinical relevance. It provides an environment for cutting-edge scientific research and technological innovations. One key area of focus is translational genomics, particularly in the area of non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) and liquid biopsy for cancer. In the area of NIPT, research from the Institute has made global impact and has transformed the practice of prenatal testing in dozens of countries. Other major research areas of the Institute include digestive diseases, diabetes and obesity research, stem cells and tissue regeneration, molecular microbiology, bioinformatics, inflammatory diseases, and vascular medicine.
For further information of the Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, please visit: http://www.lihs.cuhk.edu.hk
Dr. LI Ka Shing said at the opening of the Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences on 7 September 2007 that his gifts to the Institute were dedicated to all the men and women who had committed to promoting health and the well-being of mankind.
Speaking at the unveiling ceremony, Dr. LI called for seamless collaboration among academia, industry and government if we want to capitalise on the momentum of fast pace developments in biotechnology.
He said, “The innovative nature of drug research and development to decipher and utilise advanced knowledge from the broad spectrum of life sciences research relies heavily on intense collaboration between industry and academia. It depends on far-sighted investments as well as resources and policy support from the government.”
Prof. Lawrence J. LAU, the then Vice-Chancellor of CUHK, and Dr. LI Ka Shing congratulated each other at the unveiling ceremony of the Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences.
Dr. LI Ka Shing shared a relaxing moment with Dr. Edgar CHENG, the then Council Chairman of CUHK, after the opening ceremony, while Mr. Anthony WU, the then Chairman of the Hospital Authority (second from the left) and Prof. Tai-fai FOK, the then Dean of the Faculty of Medicine of CUHK, looked on (far right).
Quoting 19th century scientist Louis Pasteur’s appeal to Napolean III, he said, “Physicists and chemists without laboratories are like soldiers without arms on the battlefield.”
He also shared the story of the famous chemist-healer, who treated 10-year-old Louise Pelletier, and his conviction about the importance of empathy with patients. He said being ill can be a very lonely journey and no one can truly understand the isolation, uncertainty of illness and the unyielding pain.
“We must strive to be intuitive and empathetic, bringing relevance and courage in a time of weakness and vulnerability,” said Dr. LI. “It is my hope that we see compassion as something beyond feeling, that we couple it with a sense of duty to each other. In this way, we will be more aware of others – of their perspective – and strive to do what is appropriate and right.”
Also speaking at the ceremony, Prof. Lawrence J. LAU, the then Vice-Chancellor of CUHK, said “CUHK is very honoured to have received this generous support of our clinical and health science research from Dr. LI Ka Shing and his Foundation. This donation affirms the achievements of our medical team and injects tremendous momentum into their research efforts.”
 | This donation affirms the achievements of our medical team and injects tremendous momentum into their research efforts.  |
| Prof. Lawrence J. LAU, the then Vice-Chancellor of CUHK |
About the Li Ka Shing Foundation
The Li Ka Shing Foundation was established in 1980 to nurture a culture of giving. Dr. LI Ka Shing believes that this can be accomplished by focusing on capacity empowerment through education and the building of a caring society through medical and healthcare projects. The Li Ka Shing Foundation and other private charitable foundations established by Dr. LI have supported numerous philanthropic activities with grants, sponsorships, and commitments.
For further information of the Li Ka Shing Foundation, please visit: http://www.lksf.org.
Prof. Tai-fai FOK, the then Dean of the Faculty of Medicine of CUHK, presented souvenir to Dr. LI Ka Shing to thank his support for medical education.
Dr. LI Ka Shing received a paper fan with an inscription "Knowledge reshapes destiny, scientific research constructs people's livelihood" from a group of medical students of CUHK.