Nanjing University Establishes Poon Lok To Fund to Support Academic Excellence

On September 20, the establishment ceremony for Poon Lok To Fund at Nanjing University was held at the Xianlin Campus. Dr. Poon Lok To, Otto, founder of the ATAL Engineering Group headquartered in Hong Kong, Tan Tieniu, Chair of the University CPC Committee and Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Fu Congbin, Academician of the CAS and professor at NJU School of Atmospheric Sciences, and Lai Yonghai, University Distinguished Professor in Humanities and Social Sciences and Director of NJU Institute for Chinese Studies attended the meeting. Suo Wenbin, Vice President of NJU, hosted the ceremony.

During the ceremony, Suo Wenbin gave an overview of the donation project. The NJU Poon Lok To Fund has a total scale of 10 million yuan with two main special projects. The first project, the Poon Lok To Climate Change Talent Fund, will support “Poon Lok To Chair Professorship” and “Poon Lok To Young Scholars.” The second one, the NJU Lek To Buddhist Cultural Research Project, will support NJU experts and scholars to conduct research on Buddhism.

Dr. Poon and Feng Fan, Secretary General of NJU Education Development Foundation, signed a donation agreement on behalf of both parties. Tan presented a certificate of appreciation to Dr. Poon.

On behalf of NJU, Tan expressed heartfelt gratitude for Dr. Poon’s donation and extended sincere congratulations on the establishment of the Poon Lok To Fund. Dr. Poon, founder of ATAL Engineering Group, is known for his love for the country and the HKSAR. His generous donation enabled this fund to be established on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of NJU Atmospheric Sciences discipline. The fund will be dedicated to advancing research in both atmospheric sciences and Buddhism. NJU will make full use of the fund to better leverage its strengths in both fields.

Dr. Poon expressed gratitude for the warm welcome of NJU. He shared that over the past year, he has been highly attentive to issues such as extreme weather preparedness and response, as well as the inheritance and promotion of China’s traditional culture. He hoped that this donation will establish a new cooperative platform to explore the new development in the fields of atmospheric sciences, Buddhist culture, etc..

Fu stated that climate change, air pollution and climate disasters have become significant challenges to the sustainable development of the world. In the face of unprecedented opportunities and challenges, Atmospheric Sciences discipline at NJU will utilize the fund to cultivate more outstanding talents in atmospheric sciences.

Lai Yonghai said that efforts will be made to maximize the value and impact of the fund. The fund will support the advancement of Buddhist culture in both academic research and international academic exchanges.

Ding Aijun, Assistant President of Nanjing University also atteneded the ceremony.