New facilities unveiled at Jockey Club-supported disaster prevention and emergency management institute in Sichuan

The Sichuan University – Hong Kong Polytechnic University Institute for Disaster Management and Reconstruction (“IDMR”), built with a RMB 200 million donation from The Hong Kong Jockey Club (“the Club”) as one of Sichuan’s reconstruction projects following the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake, held a plaque unveiling ceremony today (8 November) for a new building, Block B.

Hong Kong Jockey Club CEO Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges (2nd right) and Executive Director, Corporate Affairs, Raymond Tam (1st right) officiate at the plaque unveiling ceremony for Block B of the Sichuan University – The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Institute for Disaster Management and Reconstruction (“IDMR”) together with Secretary of the Party Committee of Sichuan University Gan Lin (2nd left) and Vice President of Sichuan University Zhao Changsheng (1st left).

The first of its kind in the country, the IDMR integrates scientific research, talent development and social services in the fields of disaster prevention and reduction, and post-disaster reconstruction. The new building provides a more spacious environment for teaching and scientific research. It is another stage in the partnership between Sichuan and Hong Kong in support of disaster prevention and post-disaster reconstruction in China.

The plaque unveiling ceremony was attended by Secretary of the Party Committee of Sichuan University Gan Lin; Vice President of Sichuan University Zhao Changsheng; Deputy Director of the Council of Sichuan University Yan Shijing; Club CEO Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges; Club Executive Director, Corporate Affairs, Raymond Tam; Club Head of Mainland Affairs Ronald Chan;  Deputy Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of Sichuan Province (“SCHKMAO”) Li Hui; Deputy Director of Sichuan Provincial Commission of Development and Reform Huang Yong; Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Chengdu Enoch Yuen; Associate Vice President (Institutional Advancement) of Hong Kong Polytechnic University Laura Lo, as well as other guests.

The plaque unveiling ceremony was attended by Secretary of the Party Committee of Sichuan University Gan Lin (5th left); Vice President of Sichuan University Zhao Changsheng (4th left); Deputy Director of the Council of Sichuan University Yan Shijing (1st left); Hong Kong Jockey Club CEO Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges (5th right); Hong Kong Jockey Club Executive Director, Corporate Affairs, Raymond Tam (4th right); Hong Kong Jockey Club Head of Mainland Affairs Ronald Chan (1st right); Deputy Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of Sichuan Province Li Hui (3rd left); Deputy Director of the Sichuan Provincial Commission of Development and Reform Huang Yong (2nd left); Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Chengdu Enoch Yuen (3rd right); Associate Vice President (Institutional Advancement) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Laura Lo (2nd right).

Secretary of the Sichuan University Party Committee Gan Lin welcomed Club CEO Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges and Club representatives. Both parties had a meeting prior to the unveiling ceremony.

Hong Kong Jockey Club CEO Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges (left) meets with Secretary of the Sichuan University Party Committee Gan Lin (right).

SCHKMAO Deputy Director Li Hui welcomed the opening of the new building, noting that following the devastating Wenchuan earthquake of 2008, Hong Kong had generously donated HK$10 billion to support post-disaster reconstruction and relief in Sichuan. These efforts have contributed to the high-quality development of Sichuan, benefiting such areas as education, public health and talent development. In recent years, the IDMR has developed capabilities across the country and in Sichuan. The new building will help Sichuan University develop its disaster prevention and emergency management and enhance Sichuan-Hong Kong co-operation.

Club CEO Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges said the IDMR is an outstanding example of “One Country, Two Systems” in action, bringing together Sichuan University and The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, with strong support from the Central Government, the Sichuan Provincial Government and the HKSAR Government. The Club is committed to building a better society for all and has supported several post-disaster projects in Sichuan including the IDMR. He looked forward to many more students applying their skills to the front lines of disaster prevention and relief, to the further development of the IDMR, and to continuing strong ties between Sichuan and Hong Kong.

Hong Kong Jockey Club CEO Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges said the Club is looking forward to the further development of the IDMR, as well as to more exchange and co-operation between Sichuan and Hong Kong.

With a total area of 8,400 square meters, the IDMR’s new Block B has 16 laboratories providing facilities for the study of geological disasters, flood disasters, post-disaster environmental management, urban disasters and resilience, disaster information and emergency command and control. 

Guests visit the newly-built Block B at the IDMR.

Since its establishment in 2013, around 645 master’s and doctoral students have enrolled at the IDMR, with emergency management professionals being trained for Sichuan and the country. It also provides education and skills training in the community to enhance public awareness of disaster prevention and risk reduction.

Hong Kong Jockey Club CEO Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges (2nd right) and other Club representatives listen to master's and doctoral students in disaster nursing share their research results at a seminar at the IDMR.

To encourage everyone to lend a helping hand, The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust initiated and funded the JC VOLUNTEER TOGETHER starting from 2022. This includes support for the Hong Kong Volunteer Award, which recognises the many eople who have contributed to the betterment of our society.

Today (10 December) saw the presentation of this year’s Hong Kong Volunteer Award, co-organised by the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau and the Agency for Volunteer Service. Officiating guests included Warner Cheuk, HKSAR Government Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration; Clarence Leung, HKSAR Government Acting Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs; Tian Guiyu, Deputy Director of Department of Social Affairs, Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR; Lester Huang, Steward of The Hong Kong Jockey Club; and Melissa Kaye Pang, Chairman of Agency for Volunteer Services.

Warner Cheuk, HKSAR Government Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration (centre); Clarence Leung, HKSAR Government Acting Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs (2nd left); Tian Guiyu, Deputy Director of Department of Social Affairs, Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR (1st right); Lester Huang, Steward of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (2nd right); and Melissa Kaye Pang, Chairman of the Agency for Volunteer Services (1st left) officiate at the Hong Kong Volunteer Award 2024 presentation ceremony.

Club Steward Lester Huang said the Club has been closely collaborating with the Agency for Volunteer Service since the 1970s to promote volunteering. Last year, through JC VOLUNTEER TOGETHER, the Club supported new awards under the Hong Kong Volunteer Award scheme to recognise volunteers from different sectors and backgrounds. Moving forward, the Club will continue to launch volunteer projects designed to encourage more people to volunteer and to help people in need.

Lester Huang, Steward of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, delivers a speech at the HongKong Volunteer Award 2024 presentation ceremony.

Since last year, the Club has supported awards under the Hong Kong Volunteer Award scheme through its JC VOLUNTEER TOGETHER initiative. The awards include theJC VOLUNTEER TOGETHER Outstanding Evergreen Volunteer Award, the JC VOLUNTEER TOGETHER Outstanding Caring School Award, the JC VOLUNTEER TOGETHER Evergreen Volunteer Award (Volunteer Hours) and the JC VOLUNTEER TOGETHER Top 10 Caring School, all of which celebrate exceptional volunteering efforts. The Club is also supporting the JC VOLUNTEER TOGETHER Outstanding Rising Star Volunteer Award, which recognises people who are volunteering for the first time or returning to volunteering for their achievement and contribution.

Lester Huang, Steward of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (centre), and Freely Cheng, the Club’s Head of External Affairs (7th right), with members of the CARE@hkjc Volunteer Team.

The Club has always been a strong supporter of volunteering. In addition to the volunteer awards supported by its Charities Trust, the Club has its own CARE@hkjc Volunteer Team, comprising employees who actively help out in the community. In 2023, the Club’s volunteer team contributed over 23,000 volunteering hours, positively impacting more than 670,000 people. At this year’s Hong Kong Volunteer Award, The Hong Kong Jockey Club was awarded an Outstanding Corporate Award, Corporate & Non-Commercial Organisation (Volunteer Hours) Top Ten Highest Volunteer Hour, and Corporate & Non-Commercial Organisation (Volunteer Hours) Gold Award in recognition of the achievements of the CARE@hkjc Volunteer Team.

Lester Huang, Steward of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (centre), and Freely Cheng, the Club’s Head of External Affairs (1st left), with recipients of the JC VOLUNTEER TOGETHER Outstanding Evergreen Volunteer Award and the Outstanding Rising Star Volunteer Award.

Further details can be found on the Hong Kong Volunteer Award website: https://www.hkv-award.hk/

JC VOLUNTEER TOGETHER, initiated and funded by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, was launched in collaboration with 12 partner organisations. It is designed to encourage and mobilise primary and secondary school students, families, working adults, people aged 50+ and retirees as well as the general public to do good for the community. It has also created the JC VOLUNTEER TOGETHER PLATFORM to help people identify volunteering opportunities, and register for and keep track of their volunteering activities.

Lester Huang, Steward of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (left), and JC VOLUNTEER TOGETHER Outstanding Evergreen Volunteer Awardee Kitty Siu.

The Club’s support for the JC VOLUNTEER TOGETHER, like all its charity donations,is made possible by its unique integrated business model through which racing andwagering generate tax contributions, charity support and employment opportunities forthe community.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club was honoured with an Outstanding Corporate Award,Corporate & Non-Commercial Organisation (Volunteer Hours) Top Ten Highest olunteer Hour, and Corporate & Non-Commercial Organisation (Volunteer Hours)Gold Award.

The Club’s CARE@hkjc Volunteer Team comprises employees who actively help out in the community.