Sun Hung Kai Properties (SHKP) and The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) recently held the fourth scholarship presentation ceremony for the SHKP-Kwoks’ Foundation x PolyU Building Homes with Heart Scholarship Programme, awarding scholarships to 11 PolyU students studying real estate, surveying, and civil engineering.

Established in 2022, the programme has awarded over 42 students with funds totalling approximately HK$1.5 million. Beyond scholarship support, SHKP has donated HK$12.5 million to PolyU to advance research in smart building technologies. At the ceremony, PolyU showcased its achievement – a digitalized, high-efficiency and energy-saving solution for IGC. The project has secured matching funding under the University Grants Committee’s (UGC) Research Matching Grant Scheme.

At the ceremony, SHKP Executive Director Adam Kwok and SHKP-Kwoks’ Foundation Executive Director Amy Kwok presented the scholarships to the students. Other officiating guests were Under Secretary for Education Dr Sze Chun-fai, PolyU Vice President (Student and Global Affairs) Professor Ben Young, SHKP Executive Director Robert Chan, SHKP Construction Department Senior Project Director Dominic Kwok, PolyU Director of Research Institute for Smart Energy Professor Wang Shengwei, PolyU Associate Dean of Faculty of Construction and Environment Professor Linda Xiao, and PolyU Dean of Students Professor Horace Mui.

Strengthening industry-academia synergies
Mr Adam Kwok said: “SHKP and PolyU share a long-standing partnership in nurturing talent and driving innovation across the construction industry. Over the past four years, the Building Homes with Heart Scholarship programme has empowered dozens of outstanding students from underprivileged families. Many have since entered the industry, including several who have joined SHKP.

“Our partnership extends beyond this. SHKP fully supports industry-academic collaboration, having donated HK$12.5 million to PolyU’s construction research and provided real-world testing grounds across our properties to help turn research into real impact. We are already collaborating on developing green building materials, using carbon-activation tech to make lower-carbon concrete. We have also teamed up on IGC, our flagship commercial development above the West Kowloon High Speed Rail Terminus, to develop a smart, energy-saving system. This initiative recently won funding from the UGC’s Research Matching Grant Scheme, a good example of how government, business, and academia can work together to drive Hong Kong toward carbon neutrality and a smarter city.”

Professor Young expressed deep gratitude to SHKP-Kwoks’ Foundation for their vision and generous support. He noted that over the past four years, the SHKP-Kwoks x PolyU Building Homes with Heart Scholarship Programme has supported numerous outstanding PolyU students, contributing new talent into the industry. SHKP’s active promotion of industry-academia-research collaboration has enabled PolyU’s cutting-edge research outcomes to be implemented in the IGC project, demonstrating a significant social impact. PolyU looks forward to deepening its partnership with SHKP in the future to nurture more professionals with a strong sense of national commitment and a global perspective, jointly contributing to a greener future for Hong Kong and the nation.

Before the ceremony, 35 scholarship recipients and trainees of Sanfield, SHKP’s construction arm, visited IGC, gaining firsthand insight into the flagship commercial development’s green design and sustainability features.  

At the ceremony, Professor Wang presented the energy-saving and low carbon solution developed for IGC which has helped the landmark commercial project became the first in the Greater Bay Area to achieve a BREEAM International but New Construction ‘Excellent’ rating. Dr Sze and Mr Chan then participated in an exchange session with the scholarship recipients, offering valuable insights on academic development and career planning.

Dr Sze said: “Achieving carbon neutrality is a defining goal both globally and nationally. SHKP and PolyU’s joint research at IGC exemplifies the real value of translating academic innovation into practical solutions. We hope the students will embrace lifelong learning and equip themselves with the knowledge and skills needed to drive green development for Hong Kong and the nation.”

Marco Ko, a scholarship recipient and Assistant Engineer at Sanfield, added: “This scholarship provided much-needed financial support, allowing me to pursue further studies while building my career. Sanfield also gave me valuable internship opportunities before graduation. I am deeply grateful to the SHKP Kwoks’ Foundation and Sanfield for their support. I will continue striving to become a professional engineer and contribute to the industry’s future development.”

Designed by the internationally renowned ZHA Architects, IGC comprises two twin towers totalling four blocks, offering approximately 2.5 million square feet of premium office space and 620,000 square feet of retail space, which will transform West Kowloon into a vibrant new commercial hub for Hong Kong. IGC has already secured 10 leading international, Mainland, and local ESG certifications or pre-certifications, reflecting its commitment to the highest sustainability and workplace standards.

The scholarship programme aims to support exceptional PolyU students who face financial challenges and are studying construction, real estate or engineering-related disciplines.