Sun Hung Kai Properties (SHKP) and The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) recently held the fourth scholarship presentation ceremony for the SHKP-Kwoks’ Foundation x PolyU Building Homes with Heart Scholarship Programme, awarding scholarships to 11 PolyU students studying real estate, surveying, and civil engineering.

Established in 2022, the programme has awarded over 42 students with funds totalling approximately HK$1.5 million. Beyond scholarship support, SHKP has donated HK$12.5 million to PolyU to advance research in smart building technologies. At the ceremony, PolyU showcased its achievement – a digitalized, high-efficiency and energy-saving solution for IGC. The project has secured matching funding under the University Grants Committee’s (UGC) Research Matching Grant Scheme.

At the ceremony, SHKP Executive Director Adam Kwok and SHKP-Kwoks’ Foundation Executive Director Amy Kwok presented the scholarships to the students. Other officiating guests were Under Secretary for Education Dr Sze Chun-fai, PolyU Vice President (Student and Global Affairs) Professor Ben Young, SHKP Executive Director Robert Chan, SHKP Construction Department Senior Project Director Dominic Kwok, PolyU Director of Research Institute for Smart Energy Professor Wang Shengwei, PolyU Associate Dean of Faculty of Construction and Environment Professor Linda Xiao, and PolyU Dean of Students Professor Horace Mui.

Strengthening industry-academia synergies
Mr Adam Kwok said: “SHKP and PolyU share a long-standing partnership in nurturing talent and driving innovation across the construction industry. Over the past four years, the Building Homes with Heart Scholarship programme has empowered dozens of outstanding students from underprivileged families. Many have since entered the industry, including several who have joined SHKP.

“Our partnership extends beyond this. SHKP fully supports industry-academic collaboration, having donated HK$12.5 million to PolyU’s construction research and provided real-world testing grounds across our properties to help turn research into real impact. We are already collaborating on developing green building materials, using carbon-activation tech to make lower-carbon concrete. We have also teamed up on IGC, our flagship commercial development above the West Kowloon High Speed Rail Terminus, to develop a smart, energy-saving system. This initiative recently won funding from the UGC’s Research Matching Grant Scheme, a good example of how government, business, and academia can work together to drive Hong Kong toward carbon neutrality and a smarter city.”

Professor Young expressed deep gratitude to SHKP-Kwoks’ Foundation for their vision and generous support. He noted that over the past four years, the SHKP-Kwoks x PolyU Building Homes with Heart Scholarship Programme has supported numerous outstanding PolyU students, contributing new talent into the industry. SHKP’s active promotion of industry-academia-research collaboration has enabled PolyU’s cutting-edge research outcomes to be implemented in the IGC project, demonstrating a significant social impact. PolyU looks forward to deepening its partnership with SHKP in the future to nurture more professionals with a strong sense of national commitment and a global perspective, jointly contributing to a greener future for Hong Kong and the nation.

Before the ceremony, 35 scholarship recipients and trainees of Sanfield, SHKP’s construction arm, visited IGC, gaining firsthand insight into the flagship commercial development’s green design and sustainability features.  

At the ceremony, Professor Wang presented the energy-saving and low carbon solution developed for IGC which has helped the landmark commercial project became the first in the Greater Bay Area to achieve a BREEAM International but New Construction ‘Excellent’ rating. Dr Sze and Mr Chan then participated in an exchange session with the scholarship recipients, offering valuable insights on academic development and career planning.

Dr Sze said: “Achieving carbon neutrality is a defining goal both globally and nationally. SHKP and PolyU’s joint research at IGC exemplifies the real value of translating academic innovation into practical solutions. We hope the students will embrace lifelong learning and equip themselves with the knowledge and skills needed to drive green development for Hong Kong and the nation.”

Marco Ko, a scholarship recipient and Assistant Engineer at Sanfield, added: “This scholarship provided much-needed financial support, allowing me to pursue further studies while building my career. Sanfield also gave me valuable internship opportunities before graduation. I am deeply grateful to the SHKP Kwoks’ Foundation and Sanfield for their support. I will continue striving to become a professional engineer and contribute to the industry’s future development.”

Designed by the internationally renowned ZHA Architects, IGC comprises two twin towers totalling four blocks, offering approximately 2.5 million square feet of premium office space and 620,000 square feet of retail space, which will transform West Kowloon into a vibrant new commercial hub for Hong Kong. IGC has already secured 10 leading international, Mainland, and local ESG certifications or pre-certifications, reflecting its commitment to the highest sustainability and workplace standards.

The scholarship programme aims to support exceptional PolyU students who face financial challenges and are studying construction, real estate or engineering-related disciplines. 
 

Sun Hung Kai Properties Limited (SHKP) and AXA Hong Kong and Macau (AXA) today announced a major leasing agreement for the International Gateway Centre (IGC), with AXA committing approximately 97,500 square feet, occupying two and a half floors for its new distribution office and premier one-stop wealth management hub.

The agreement underscores West Kowloon’s emergence as a forward-looking business district with IGC playing a key role in shaping its evolving commercial landscape. Scheduled for occupancy in early 2028, AXA’s expansion at IGC reflects its commitment to long-term market investment, enhancing its distribution capabilities, and strengthening AXA’s role as a trusted wealth management partner in the region. 

KW Lo, Executive Director of Sun Hung Kai Real Estate Agency said: “SHKP warmly welcomes AXA to the IGC. The presence of AXA, a leading global insurance company, further strengthens IGC’s position as a premier destination for multinational corporations. As a landmark commercial development shaping the future of Hong Kong’s business landscape, IGC is set to enhance Hong Kong’s competitiveness as a leading international finance hub and reinforce its standing as the world’s largest cross-boundary wealth management centre, supporting the city’s next phase of economic growth.”

Jonathan Li, Chief Distribution Officer of AXA Greater China, said, “Hong Kong remains a vital strategic hub for AXA in Asia, and securing this 10-year lease at IGC reflects our strong confidence in the city’s future prospects. Establishing such a premier presence here is pivotal to expanding our distribution capabilities and accelerating our sustained growth in the region. We look forward to building a fruitful partnership with SHKP as we drive long-term success.”

The new space will serve as a dedicated flagship for AXA’s wealth and legacy planning offerings, serving clients across Hong Kong, Macau and the broader region. Situated above Hong Kong’s only High Speed Rail terminus, IGC offers unparalleled connectivity reaching major Chinese Mainland cities, with most major Greater Bay Area cities accessible within an hour, enabling AXA to deepen its service reach and engagement across the region.

This expanded presence empowers AXA’s financial consultants to deliver comprehensive financial, health and legacy planning solutions alongside exceptional experiences for individual, high-net-worth, and corporate clients.

IGC is SHKP’s new flagship integrated commercial development. The development comprises two twin towers of four Grade-A office blocks, offering approximately 2.5 million square feet of premium space. Complementing the office towers is Stage IGC, a five-level retail podium with over 600,000 square feet of gross floor area and scheduled to open in phases.

Forming part of an eight-million-square-foot commercial hub in West Kowloon, IGC offers unrivalled “air-plus-rail” connectivity, providing seamless access for corporations and their clients to Chinese Mainland and global markets. IGC also sets new benchmarks in sustainability, having achieved ten major green building certifications or pre certifications under LEED, BEAM Plus, WELL, and others. It is also the first office development in the Greater Bay Area to receive the BREEAM International New Construction “Excellent” rating. 

由新鴻基地產發展有限公司（新地）冠名贊助、國際青少年創科教育協會主辦的「新鴻基地產國際青少年創科教育大賽 2026」（IYSEC）已圓滿舉行。作為全港最大型的學界創科盛事之一，今屆大賽吸引逾500所本地學校、超過6,000名學生踴躍參與，優勝者更有機會參加在中國內地及英國舉行的國際性賽事，爭取為港爭光。新地期望透過賽事孕育具備國際視野的創科棟樑，進一步促進本港及粵港澳大灣區的創新發展。

新鴻基地產執行董事郭基泓表示：「新地一直積極履行企業社會責任，深信青年人是推動未來社會與科技進步的核心力量。隨著人工智能（AI）正以前所未有的速度改變世界，新地期望透過冠名贊助IYSEC，讓下一代在實踐中更深入了解前沿科技，將科技素養轉化為未來的核心競爭力。同時，大賽成功打破地域界限，於大灣區城市設立分站賽事，促進香港與灣區青少年互相交流、切磋技術，培養本地學生成為香港鞏固國際創新科技中心地位、融入國家發展大局的強大動能。」

國際青少年創科教育協會創會主席蔡健瑋先生表示：「我們非常榮幸今年能與冠名贊助商新鴻基地產攜手合作 ，共同全力培育本港及大灣區的創科新星 。大賽至今已邁入第八屆 ，在形塑學界創科氛圍上扮演著舉足輕重的角色 。看到今年報名情況空前踴躍、規模創下歷屆新高 ，我們深感鼓舞。AI正以前所未有的速度改變世界 ，本屆賽事聚焦『AI競未來』 ，正是希望普及AI素養，為下一代構築展現才華的黃金舞台 。同時，大賽成功聯動大灣區多個城市 ，早前已於廣州、佛山、澳門等核心城市設立分站賽 ，搭建了極具價值的跨地域交流平台 ，這將有效培育具備國際視野與大灣區視野的科創接班人 。」

今年IYSEC已踏入第8屆，本屆賽事以「AI 競未來，創科耀灣區」為主題，是本港唯一同時涵蓋 7 大比賽類別、15 個熱門前沿科技項目的大型創科比賽（各項目見附表）。賽事的對象涵蓋本地中小學及幼稚園學生，更成功走出香港，於廣州、佛山、澳門等大灣區核心城市設立分站賽，有效促進區內學生的創科交流與技術切磋。

今屆賽事於六月中至七月初舉行，選出優勝學生代表香港參加七月中舉行的大灣區總決賽，與內地頂尖創科精英同台較量。此外，香港優勝學生更有機會參加兩項國際性的創科賽事，分別為由中國電子學會舉辦的「世界機器人大會青少年機器人設計與信息素養大賽」，以及由英國The Micro:bit Educational Foundation舉辦的編程比賽「do your:bit Competition」。