The Shaw Foundation has profoundly transformed Hong Kong’s educational landscape through visionary philanthropy and steadfast commitment to academic excellence. The impact extends well beyond the local sphere, establishing international collaborations and creating pathways for Hong Kong students to pursue global opportunities and expand their intellectual vistas.
Campus Development
Advancing Tertiary Education Expansion
During its formative years, Hong Kong’s higher education sector faced significant constraints, with only the University of Hong Kong and, later, the Chinese University of Hong Kong catering for the entire territory. Recognising this substantial gap, the Shaw Foundation demonstrated remarkable foresight by championing the expansion of tertiary education. The Foundation provided vital funding not merely to these two universities, but also supported emerging institutions including Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong Shue Yan University, and City University of Hong Kong—many of which were still colleges transitioning toward full university status.
Building upon this foundational support, the Shaw Foundation’s architectural legacy now enhances these institutions with landmark buildings that form the heart of campus life. Today, landmark buildings supported by the Foundation can be found at nearly every university in the city, each playing a vital role in shaping the campus experience. These facilities transcend their physical presence, offering state-of-the-art teaching and research spaces that have become vibrant centres for academic discourse, creative expression, and community engagement.
A prime example of this vision is the Run Run Shaw Tower at the University of Hong Kong’s Centennial Campus. The Tower is more than just a building—it is a dynamic intellectual hub. Purpose-built to house the Faculty of Arts, the Tower brings together academic departments and research centres under one roof for the first time in years, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and a stronger sense of community. With specially- designed classrooms, exhibition spaces, and performance venues, the building supports both rigorous scholarship and creative expression. Like many other Foundation-supported facilities, the Run Run Shaw Tower exemplifies how thoughtful infrastructure can cultivate vibrant, inclusive spaces for learning, research, and cultural exchange.
Talent Development
Nurturing Academic Talent through a Modern Approach
Beyond funding tertiary education facilities, the Shaw Foundation has broadened its support to include endowment funds alongside scholarships and bursaries that benefit both exceptional and disadvantaged students. These initiatives uphold meritocracy while ensuring accessibility, providing educational opportunities across diverse socioeconomic backgrounds. Recently, The Shaw Studios Scholarship at Hong Kong Baptist University, The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, and Hong Kong Design Institute was launched, offering multiple awards including the prestigious “Best of the Best” scholarship for outstanding film students.
Additional academic programmes have been established to align with the evolving societal needs and contemporary pedagogies. Particularly noteworthy is the “Shaw STEAMS for Good” programme, developed in partnership with The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. This pioneering initiative integrates design thinking with experiential, project-based learning, empowering students to tackle real-world social challenges while developing both technological and creative skills—preparing graduates to become versatile, empathetic leaders equipped for the complex demands of a globalised world.
International Reach and Global Perspectives
While fostering local innovation, the Foundation’s international impact simultaneously creates transformative opportunities for regional students to access world-class institutions. Since 1982, it has made donations to the University of Oxford and University of Sussex to establish the Sir Run Run Shaw Scholarship Programme for Graduate Studies, sponsoring Southeast Asian students to pursue advanced studies at both institutions. In 1989, this support expanded to include other prestigious universities such as Cambridge, Harvard, and Stanford. These investments have forged vital global connections and continuously elevated academic standards, nurturing local students with a broadened international vision. Additionally, from 1989 to 1996, the Foundation contributed to the Cambridge Commonwealth Trust for the Sir Run Run Shaw Cambridge Scholarship. Within Hong Kong’s universities, scholarship programs promote equitable access to exchange and overseas study opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds, regardless of financial constraints.
The culmination of these diverse yet interconnected initiatives—from pioneering institutional development to fostering international collaboration—demonstrates the Shaw Foundation’s multifaceted approach to educational philanthropy and the profound impact across Hong Kong’s academic sector. This legacy is reflected in world-class university facilities, the accomplishments of generations of graduates, and the Foundation’s ongoing commitment to empowering young minds. Through strategic investments in infrastructure, talent development, and global engagement, the Foundation has established a sustainable model for educational advancement that continues to shape future leaders and innovators, ensuring our transformative influence endures for generations to come.
