HKU announced the launch of a remarkable challenge scheme set by an alumnus in November 2005.

Dr Stanley Ho (1939-1941, HonDSocSc 1987) has established the "Stanley Ho Alumni Challenge" of HK$500 million for the University of Hong Kong.

Dr Ho was a Science student at HKU from 1939 to 1941. His studies were interrupted by the Japanese Occupation of Hong Kong. He stayed in the student hostel at Ricci Hall, which still stands on Pokfulam Road.

This Scheme started on November 1, 2005. Gifts will be matched dollar for dollar, up to $100 million each year for the five consecutive years. Donations may be designated according to donors' wishes.

This exceptional gift is the toughest challenge ever to be put to our alumni. To meet the cumulative goal of $500 million and receive the maximum match, we need 50,000 alumni to each donate HK$10,000. Alternatively, it means 50,000 alumni each giving $2,000 a year for five years. But every dollar counts (see "How it works").

The funding initiative would enable HKU, one of Asia's leading institutions of higher education, to strengthen its research excellence, advance its efforts to internationalise, and assist ambitious campus development plans.

The Government's recurrent grant for HKU is over $2 billion per year. The University cannot rely solely on government funding if it wants to excel. We need support from our alumni, staff, students and the community. Let us join hands to attain our shared goals!