LU hosts ‘Lee & Man Paper Lingnan Walkathon 2023’ to raise funds for startups

The “Lee and Man Paper Lingnan Walkathon 2023” (the Walkathon) hosted by Lingnan University (LU) today (23 April 2023) is to raise funds for the “LU Entrepreneurship Fund” where  students and young alumni turn their ESG (Environment, Social and Governance) focused start-up projects in Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area into reality. The Walkathon has wholehearted backing from faculty members and staff, students, alumni and friends.

The Honourable Mr Paul Chan Mo-po, Financial Secretary of the Hong Kong SAR Government and guest of honour, was joined by the Council Chairman of LU Mr Andrew Yao Cho-fai and LU President Prof Leonard K Cheng in the kick-off ceremony for the Walkathon. Participants set off from the lawn of the West Kowloon Cultural District Art Park, and walked along the West Kowloon Cultural District waterfront promenade, a distance of about three kilometers. LU also held a funfair on the lawn with music performances, workshops, games, and teaching and learning booths, attracting an enthusiastic audience.

In his welcoming speech, Mr Yao said he hoped this fundraising event encourages students and young alumni to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams.  “We expect that these new projects can bring new perspectives to Lingnanians, nurture a new learning ambience, and identify more innovative opportunities for development. This would also mean that Lingnanians will continue to uphold the vision, mission and core values of the University while moving forward together with innovative endeavours. With support from LU and all other parties, these young entrepreneurs will definitely be able to contribute positively to our society, to Hong Kong and to our nation."

He also said that LU is setting up a new off-campus learning hub, “Lingnan @ West Kowloon” at the M+ Tower to be opened in the coming academic year. “The new learning hub will be equipped with advanced teaching facilities. Located in the strategic transport hub for the Greater Bay Area with easy accessibility, the new campus can be used for community events and interact with partnering organisations. It will definitely become an important exchange hub for talents from the Lingnan University, the Greater Bay Area and other parts of the world.”

Prof Cheng said it was particularly meaningful for the fundraising walkathon, which has been suspended for several years, to be re-launched at the West Kowloon Cultural District Art Park. He said: “Apart from setting up the LU Entrepreneurship Fund to support our students and young alumni to pursue their start-up projects, the University has also appointed a team of advisors to provide entrepreneurial guidance and advice for teams applying for grants. In addition, we organise workshops and help them build connections with industry leaders. The LU Entrepreneurship Fund will accept application from 1 May onwards.”

The success of the Walkathon  is ensured by the generous support of title sponsor Lee & Man Paper Manufacturing Limited; major sponsor Bright Future Charitable Foundation; event sponsors AR Charitable Foundation, Biu Chun Watch Hands & Parts Manufacturers Limited, Kingrich Charitable Foundation Association Limited, Lee Shau Kee Foundation, Lingnan Club, Lingnan Education Organization, Mr Ben Fok on behalf of the Fok Ying Tung Foundation and Shanghai Commercial Bank; as well as start-up sponsors Lingnan University Alumni Association (Hong Kong), Mr Quincy Kwan-yiu Lui, BBS, The S. H. Ho Foundation Limited and Wong’s International Holdings Limited.