HKUST Stages Groundbreaking Ceremony for Water Sports Center Phase I
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) has celebrated the groundbreaking of its Water Sports Center Phase 1 project, which will be a new landmark on the campus not only to provide a practical venue for a wide variety of water sport activities, but also to enrich the holistic campus life experience of students and enhance collaboration between the University and the water sports communities.
In order to take full advantage of HKUST’s superb geographical location, which puts it next to one of Hong Kong’s best water areas, President Prof Tony Chan has proposed the building of a water sports center and assigned a task force to spearhead the initiative. Phase 1 of the Center contains a boat shed providing a central storage for various types of boats and equipment, as well as a backup base camp for training and practice.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, Prof Chan expressed gratitude to Jackie Chan Charitable Foundation for its donation of two coastal rowing boats to the University, adding that the project would strengthen the affinity of members of the HKUST community. “Sports play a unique role at HKUST,” he said. “Through participation in fun water races and activities, students would develop a sense of belonging and dedication, it is also a great time for them to get together with staff, alumni and other stakeholders.” The ceremony was followed by a series of races, with over 150 participants contesting in water polo races, dragon boat races and coastal rowing competition.
Since 2013, HKUST has been organizing a number of water sports activities as well as a series of certification courses and training workshops. It is planned that the Water Sports Center may eventually comprise various facilities including a coastal promenade, a windsurfing center and a two-storey boat house.
For more information on the ceremony and the races, please visit
http://video.ust.hk/Watch.aspx?Video=2F13AB8BB13D4B83
For media enquiries, please contact:
About The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) (www.ust.hk) is a world-class research university that focuses on science, technology and business as well as humanities and social science. HKUST offers an international campus, and a holistic and interdisciplinary pedagogy to nurture well-rounded graduates with global vision, a strong entrepreneurial spirit and innovative thinking. HKUST attained the highest proportion of internationally excellent research work in the Research Assessment Exercise 2014 of Hong Kong’s University Grants Committee, and is ranked as the world’s best young university in Times Higher Education’s Young University Rankings 2019. Its graduates were ranked 16th worldwide and top in Greater China in Global University Employability Survey 2018.
