Hong Kong, 21 June 2023 – Koo Meng Li and Koo Mi Wen Na Charitable Foundation Limited (KML Foundation) donated HK$5 million to the College of Professional and Continuing Education of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU CPCE) to establish the “KML Prize – Technicality” for the Division of Science, Engineering and Health Studies (SEHS) to facilitate innovative research on sustainable concepts and solutions to plastic alternatives.
According to the Environmental Protection Department, in 2020, over 2,300 tonnes of plastic were disposed of at landfills daily, and the plastic recycle rate was only 11%. These figures show that there is still a lot to be done to reduce the disposal rate of plastic products and the pressure on the occupancy of scarce land resources.
The establishment of the “KML Prize” with the donation from KML Foundation provide the much-needed resources and new opportunities for SEHS students and faculty alike in the coming five years to kick off innovative research on finding sustainable concepts and solutions related to plastic products, moving our society forward into a greener and more sustainable future.
The donation signing ceremony was held at the PolyU Hung Hom Bay Campus on 21 June 2023. Mr. Benedict Ku, Chairman of UCP Group and representative of KML Foundation, Prof. Peter Yuen, Dean of PolyU CPCE, Ms. Vivian Koo, Executive Director of UCP Group, Mr. Sunny Cheng, Group CFO, Miss Briar Ku, representative of the 4th generation of the Ku family, Dr. Anthony Loh, HKCC Director and Division Head of SEHS, Dr. Zerance Ng, Associate Head of Research and Associate Division Head of SEHS, and Dr. Anand Vyas, Lecturer of SEHS attended the ceremony.“With the KML Prize, we would like to explore different potential substantivity solutions with the talents from PolyU CPCE. Let’s make the world a better place together,” said Mr. Sunny Cheng, CFO of UCP Group. He also pointed out that the establishment of the “KML Prize” aligned with the Group’s objectives to always bear in mind the environmental costs when designing and manufacturing plastic products so as to achieve sustainable development and contribute to society.
Prof. Peter Yuen, Dean of PolyU CPCE, expressed his sincere gratitude to KML Foundation. “This donation also recognizes PolyU CPCE’s pioneering role in research in the self-financed tertiary education sector. In fact, PolyU CPCE spares no efforts in conducting research to address some of the most pressing challenges facing our world today, to push the boundaries of knowledge, and to make a meaningful contribution to society,” said Prof. Yuen.
About Koo Meng Li and Koo Mi Wen Na Charitable Foundation Limited (KML Foundation)
At UCP, we hope and want that every one of our decisions and actions will have a positive impact on our community and our planet. Inspired by the values of our founders, UCP has set up the Koo Meng Li and Koo Mi Wen Na Charitable Foundation (KML Foundation) to support the following 3 social and environmental pillars:
Funding Social, Environmental And Sustainability Startups
- inline with our corporate mission in sustainability and innovation
Co-creating And Sponsoring Social Projects
- to inspire people to decorate and celebrate
Community Support
- in addressing the most critical social and environmental needs and issues
About PolyU CPCE: College Overview – About CPCE – College of Professional and Continuing Education (cpce-polyu.edu.hk)
Source: PolyU CPCE Receives HK$5M Donation from KML Foundation for Sustainable Plastic Research – News – News & Events – College of Professional and Continuing Education (cpce-polyu.edu.hk)
