The SHTM premises has been named after a pioneering Hong Kong hotelier, the late Mr Chan Chak-fu, and his wife Mrs Esther Chan Wong Chi-lan, in appreciation of their significant contributions to hospitality and tourism management education at PolyU.
From the 1950s to the 1980s, Mr Chan Chak-fu emerged from the Hong Kong hotel market to build a global empire. He contributed tremendously to grooming local talents and advancing the
international standard and image of hospitality in Hong Kong.
Guest of Honour at the naming ceremony on 15 December was Chief Secretary for Administration of the Hong Kong SAR Government, The Honourable Matthew Cheung Kin-chung. Other members of the officiating party included Mr Lawrence Chan, eldest son of Mr Chan Chak-fu, his two siblings, Mr Charles Chan and Mr Joseph Chan, and his daughter Ms Dee Dee Chan; Mr Chan Tze-ching, PolyU Council Chairman; Professor Timothy W. Tong, PolyU
President; Dr Patrick Poon, PolyU Foundation Chairman; Dr Katherine Ngan, PolyU Foundation Deputy Chairman; and Professor Kaye Chon, SHTM Dean. Chan family members and friends also attended the ceremony to witness the memorable occasion.
Mr Cheung said that in recent years there has been a monumental shift of hospitality business to Asia. The Chief Executive's inaugural Policy Address, he commented, outlined the Government's vision to develop a high value-added and diversified economy
while strengthening the traditional economic pillars in the face of fierce competition from regional counterparts. He trusted that with its expertise and passion, PolyU would continue to nurture new talents contributing to the well-being and development of society.
In his welcoming speech, Mr Chan Tze-ching extended his sincere gratitude to the late Mr Chan for his generous contributions and philanthropic spirit in launching the hospitality vocational training programme supervised by
the then Hong Kong Polytechnic in the 1980s. Since that time, he said, the SHTM had become a global centre of excellence in hospitality and tourism education and research, as illustrated by its consistent top positions in international rankings published by reputable professional organisations.
Professor Tong said PolyU has been working with the industry to transform innovations into impacts and boost societal well-being. He explained that the University needs support from partners who
share its vision and commitment, like the Chan family, to sustain its contribution to society as it continues to build on its heritage of academic excellence and community services. He hopes that more members of the community will be inspired by the Chan family to invest in education, which is the key to nurturing new generations and shaping Hong Kong's future.
The Mr and Mrs Chan Chak Fu Building is located at 17 Science Museum Road, Tsim Sha Tsui East, Kowloon, adjoining Hotel ICON,
the SHTM's innovative teaching and research hotel. The building occupies a total floor area of 6,400 m2 and can accommodate approximately 3,000 students. Equipped with world-class teaching and research facilities, it is a global centre of excellence in hospitality and tourism education and research.
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