On 18th and 19th July 2019, we were delighted to welcome Dr Edwin Leong, Hughes Hall Pfeiffer Fellow, highly regarded philanthropist and College benefactor, to formally open the library named in his honour. Dr Leong has long supported Hughes Hall and was instrumental in enabling the College to invest in a new library that has been an invaluable resource to our community of students and researchers since 2009. A decade after the library first opened its doors, today afforded an opportunity to celebrate Dr Leong’s role and to mark his inaugural visit to the College, to Cambridge and to the United Kingdom.
Dr Leong’s interest in Hughes Hall, and in Cambridge, as an international centre for medical research, was reflected in his two-day visit to the city. With long-established philanthropic interests in medical research, education, and healthcare provision for those most in need, Dr Leong was keen to learn more about the cutting-edge medical research and translation taking place in Cambridge.
Dr Leong and his family enjoyed a tour of Hughes Hall and its grounds before formally opening the Edwin Leong library, meeting college staff, fellows and students, and joining senior members for a celebratory luncheon.
A number of additional initiatives are supported by Dr Leong including PhD scholarships for Hughes Hall students carrying out research in the field of Life Sciences; grants for research trips; and a programme for post-doctoral researchers to provide a range of activities and support networks for those with entrepreneurial drive and leadership capability. Dr Leong also funds a number of scholarships for graduates from the Chinese University of Hong Kong and Hong Kong University to enable students of outstanding academic merit from Hong Kong, who need support to continue their studies, to pursue a postgraduate course at Hughes Hall in subjects relevant to the needs of their home country.
Dr Leong, Hughes Hall Pfeiffer Fellow, said: “Thank you all for your warm welcome. I’m so impressed by the ‘greenhouse’ library – a beautiful and tranquil space to write your thesis and a fantastic environment for research. I have been inspired to support this development at Hughes Hall and hope you will excel to be the best graduate college in Cambridge.”
Dr Anthony Freeling, Hughes Hall President, said: “Dr Leong’s support of Hughes Hall has been transformative, enabling us to vastly improve the quality and quantity of our library provision. We are honoured to host the Leong family and formally convey our gratitude for their generosity over the last decade which has benefitted individual students as well as the College, as a whole.
“Cambridge and Hong Kong share an important historical allegiance through business, academic and cultural connections and Hughes Hall is delighted to play a part in this. We look forward to collaborating with Dr Leong for many years to come to ensure our joint legacy is one of improved quality of life, healthcare provision and life expectancy for many around the world.”
________________________________________
Notes
Dr Edwin Leong, Pfeiffer Fellow
Noted philanthropist, Dr Edwin Leong, is the Chairman and Founder of Tai Hung Fai Group, a highly diversified property investment and development company in Hong Kong with investments in an extensive portfolio of retail shops, hotels, serviced apartments, luxury residential development, office and industrial buildings.
Dr Leong is deeply committed to serving the community, particularly underprivileged children and the elderly. His compassion is reflected in how he supports medical research funds, offers educational opportunities, provides healthcare for the deprived, and relief from suffering for those in desperate need through his Tai Hung Fai Charitable Foundation. More recently, the Foundation focused on academic funding, aiming to advance the development of medical science and foster more resilient and equitable healthcare systems.
Dr Leong holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of British Columbia, a Master of Science degree from the University of Toronto. He was awarded an honorary doctorate in Social Sciences by the Education University of Hong Kong and an honorary doctorate in Business Administration by Hong Kong Polytechnic University in 2012 and 2013, respectively. He was awarded honorary fellowships by the University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Polytechnic University and The Chinese University of Hong Kong in 2010, 2012 and 2013, respectively.
The Edwin Leong Library
Unlike many other College libraries, the Edwin Leong library is open 24/7. It’s an open, bright and relaxing space, spread out over two floors, with 66 study spaces and large windows overlooking our tranquil garden. On the ground floor is the reading room and the library office. The first floor has two secluded study areas: one for silent individual study and one for group study. We update our stock regularly to make sure students have access to the very latest editions. Our collection includes textbooks, general reference material and selected periodicals and CD-ROMs. We’re particularly proud of our Ohtake Collection, a magnificent collection of rare and often unique books including the school diary of Siegfried Sassoon, the celebrated First World War poet, and first editions by Poet Laureate Ted Hughes, some with his own annotations.
