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(Hong Kong, 18 November 2003) Mr Li Ka-shing, Chairman of Hutchison Whampoa Limited ("HWL"), has pledged to donate through HWL a total of 2 million Sterling Pounds over a period of three years to support Mainland and Hong Kong scholars in their doctoral studies in the United Kingdom. This sum will be matched by the UK Government under its Dorothy Hodgkin Postgraduate Awards scheme.
The Hutchison scholarships will support up to 53 scholars and form a major part of this new scheme announced by British Prime Minister Tony Blair yesterday in London to bring high quality PhD students from overseas to top UK universities.
Mr Blair applauded the foresight of HWL in recognising the importance of scientific knowledge and highly skilled people.
"During my recent trip to China, where I met with Mr Li Ka-shing, Chairman of Hutchison Whampoa, I am particularly delighted with their contribution of 2 million Sterling Pounds, a magnificent offer which will help to further develop our relationship with China and Hong Kong," the Prime Minister said.
Mr Li believes that knowledge can reshape destiny and is therefore a strong supporter of continuing education and life-long learning programmes. Mr Li said he was pleased to support the awards to foster more medical and science scholars in the Mainland and Hong Kong.
"Through education, humanitarian principles and knowledge can be passed on and expanded. I hope that the Hutchison scholarships will not only broaden the students' international outlook, but also enable them to contribute their strength and professional knowledge to their motherland and to build stronger links between the UK, China and Hong Kong after completing and returning from their studies," Mr Li said.
Commenting on the awards scheme, UK Chief Scientific Adviser Sir David King said in a fiercely competitive global economy, the UK must attract the brightest students to the best research departments.
"When those students return home the expertise they will take with them will be crucial in aiding international development," Sir David said.
The Dorothy Hodgkin Postgraduate Awards will allow over 100 PhD students from China, including Hong Kong, and other countries such as Russia and India to study science, engineering, medicine, social sciences, and technology in UK universities beginning in 2004.
Mr Li's donation to the Dorothy Hodgkin Postgraduate Awards is the Group's latest move to support Mainland and Hong Kong scholars to study in the UK.
The Group also donated in October 2002 a total of 2.02 million Sterling Pounds to expand the British Chevening Scholarships scheme to include 63 extra scholarships each year over a four-year period from Hong Kong and the Mainland for postgraduate studies.
Notes to Editor:
Professor Dorothy Hodgkin (1910 - 1994) was a pioneering crystallographer who was awarded the Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 1964 for her work in determining the structure of important biochemical molecules. Advances in insulin treatment for diabetics are a direct result of her work.
The awards have been named in her honour in recognition of her work she did abroad and in helping overseas students studying in the UK.
The awards will be administered by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council in the UK on behalf of the Office of Science and Technology. The council will act as a conduit for funds from all contributors and co-ordinate placement of students. Application details of the scholarships have yet to be finalised, for non-media inquiries, please contact Ms Diane Howard at diane.howard@epsrc.ac.uk or 44-01-793-444419.
About Hutchison Whampoa Limited
Hutchison Whampoa Limited (HWL), one of the largest companies listed on the main board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, is the holding company of the Hutchison Whampoa Group of companies. As one of the earliest big "hongs", or trading companies, in Hong Kong, Hutchison's history dates back to the 1800s. Today, HWL is a multi-national conglomerate with businesses spanning 39 countries. With around 167,000 employees worldwide, Hutchison operates and invests in five core businesses: ports and related services; telecommunications; property and hotels; retail and manufacturing; and energy and infrastructure.
Its flagship companies include Hutchison Port Holdings, Hutchison Telecom, Hutchison Whampoa Properties, A. S. Watson, and Cheung Kong Infrastructure. In 2002, HWL's consolidated revenue was HK$111,129 million (US$14,247 million).
For further information, please contact:
| Ms Laura Cheung | Mr Jeremy Lau |
| General Manager - Group Corporate Affairs | Manager - Corporate Communications |
| Tel: (852) 2128 1289 | Group Corporate Affairs Department |
| Fax: (852) 2128 1766 | Tel: (852) 2128 1207 |
| Email: laurac@hwl.com.hk | Fax: (852) 2128 1766 |
| Email: jeremyl@hwl.com.hk |
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