CUHK
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The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) has received over HK$400 million from the estate of Choa Leong Kwai-chiu, Peggy. A donation ceremony was held on 7 March 2025 to express gratitude to the late Mrs Choa, the wife of the late Professor Gerald Choa, Founding Dean of the Faculty of Medicine of CUHK, for her generous donation. The bequest gift from Mrs Choa will contribute to the development of CUHK’s Gerald Choa Neuroscience Institute (GCNI) and bring new breakthroughs to neuroscience research.

Professor Choa and Mrs Choa have demonstrated enduring passion for education and philanthropy, making tremendous contributions to CUHK. Professor Choa, with his visionary leadership, laid a solid foundation when establishing CUHK’s Faculty of Medicine, nurturing generations of compassionate and skilled medical professionals, and making a profound impact on the medical development in Hong Kong. Mrs Choa has also been dedicated to advancing medical research, playing a crucial role in the establishment of Gerald Choa Neuroscience Centre.

At the ceremony, Professor John Chai Yat-chiu, Chairman of the CUHK Council, and Professor Dennis Lo Yuk-ming, CUHK Vice-Chancellor and President, received the donation document signed by Ms Linda Leung and Ms Catherine Por, Executrices of the estate of Choa Leong Kwai-chiu, Peggy, witnessed by distinguished guests including Professor Arthur Li Kwok-cheung, former CUHK Vice-Chancellor and President; The Honourable Cheung Yu-yan, CUHK Council member; Professor Owen Ko, Director of GCNI; and other CUHK members and guests.

Professor Chai said: “Professor Choa and Mrs Choa are never mere benefactors but dear members of the CUHK family, whose vision and legacy continue to inspire us. Mrs Choa’s remarkable act of generosity, designating GCNI as the largest sole beneficiary of her estate, underscores her profound commitment to advancing neuroscience research for the betterment of humanity.”

Professor Lo said: “Professor Choa and Mrs Choa exemplified an unparalleled commitment to CUHK. The University is dedicated to providing world-class education to the next generation and exploring new frontiers in research. Amplifying the impact from the generous gifts of Professor Choa and Mrs Choa, we look forward to nurturing talent, fostering groundbreaking research, and advancing world-class projects across diverse fields.” 

Professor Ko said: “As director, my goal is to create an ecosystem that enables groundbreaking, field-advancing science, leveraging the wisdom and newest tools from other fields, such as AI, synthetic biology, and genetic engineering. I sincerely hope that with time, the scientific contributions of GCNI will be recognised by the world, making this institute a true legacy of Professor and Mrs Choa.”

Ms Leung and Ms Por reminisced about Professor Choa and Mrs Choa, expressing their gratitude to the CUHK members who established and support GCNI, in honour and memory of their uncle and aunt. They hoped that GCNI and its beneficiaries will always remember the selfless dedication of Professor Choa and Mrs Choa, uphold their passion for education and scientific research, and continue to drive the sustainable development of the Institute for generations to come. They encouraged everyone to pass on the legacy and contribute to the community.

Founded in 2017, Gerald Choa Neuroscience Centre, which was elevated to Gerald Choa Neuroscience Institute (GCNI) in 2022. It aims to advance the neuroscience research by collaborating with CUHK academic units. Its mission is to lead in neuroscience research and contribute to society through significant and world-class discoveries.