• The inaugural Ford-Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) Conservation and Environmental Research Grants program concludes with a four-day trip for the student grants recipients
• Trip marks meaningful exchange between the students and Ford, with visits to Ford’s headquarters in Shanghai and Research & Engineering Center in Nanjing
• Ford and HKUST confirm collaboration for 2014-2015 academic year with winning grants applicants to be announced in August
   

The inaugural year of the Ford-Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) Conservation and Environmental Research Grants program recently concluded with a four-day study tour for the student grants recipients to Ford Motor Company’s facilities in China.

The Master of Science students from the HKUST’s School of Engineering visited Ford’s Asia Pacific headquarters in Shanghai to present their research findings and meet with senior Ford executives, including Dave Schoch, president, Ford Asia Pacific, and Trevor Worthington, vice president, Product Development, Ford Asia Pacific.

Hong Kong-born and educated Chelsia Lau Ka-po, chief designer, Strategic Concepts Group, Ford Motor Company, who served on the grants jury panel and helped kick-off the program last year in Hong Kong, also met the students again during their visit.

“Ford is proud to support the development of future leaders and innovators in science and technology through this collaboration with HKUST. It’s really special to recognize the ambitions of these students and help their drive for meaningful solutions that contribute to a better world,” said Schoch.

The student presentations included a range of their work on topics, such as integrated vehicle health management (IVHM) for passenger automobiles, as well as a proposed design of a 'low-carbon-emission' mega-shopping centre in a future housing development in Northeast Hong Kong.

The students also had the opportunity to visit Ford’s Research & Engineering Center in Nanjing to learn more about Ford’s research and development capabilities and advanced automotive technologies.

The Ford-HKUST Conservation and Environmental Research Grants program is a unique partnership to promote environmental sustainability and nurture talent. Ford donated HKD 500,000 for the graduate research grants, which was then matched by HKUST for a total fund of HKD 1,000,000.

In support of this year’s program, the Hong Kong government provided additional funds to HKUST as part of a student-enrichment program, which was used to fund the trip to China.

Last October, an award ceremony was held in Hong Kong, where Alan Mulally, president and CEO of Ford Motor Company, helped to honor the winning students and their proposals and present them with the award grants.

The grants are used to support postgraduate students on their research in the fields of environmental and conservation science, as well as conservation engineering, to help promote innovation, environmental conservation and technological advancement. A total of 23 projects were selected and funded for the 2013-2014 academic year.

“The first year of this program has been a resounding success, and has really underscored our belief that together with HKUST, we have created an exciting research grants program that drives creativity, innovation and potentially industry-shaping research,” said David Westerman, managing director, Asia Pacific Emerging Markets, Ford Motor Company.

Ford and HKUST confirmed their ongoing collaboration for the 2014-2015 academic year, with the Research Grants program kicking off last month and already attracting a significant number of proposals. The award grants will be announced in August, the projects funded in September and a report results to the School and Ford in May next year.

“We are proud to see our students benefit from the program and achieve outstanding results with their research findings,” said Professor Christopher Chao, Associate Dean of Engineering (Research and Graduate Studies), the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.

“With Ford’s continuous support, we believe that the grants program next year will continue to be a great platform and valuable opportunity for us to contribute in building innovative solutions to the global issues of environmental conservation and sustainability, and to broaden the global outlook and experience of our students.”

Ford’s Conservation and Environmental Grants Program

Founded in 1983, the Ford Conservation and Environmental Grants program was created to empower individuals and non-profit groups to conduct research and projects which help preserve the environmental well-being of their communities and provide solutions contributing to a sustainable planet.

Since launching, Ford has awarded more than USD 5 million in grants to hundreds of environmental projects in more than 60 countries around the world.

In Asia Pacific, Ford has played a pivotal role in advancing environmental initiatives for more than a decade across multiple markets, from protecting wildlife and preventing forest fires, to funding cultural heritage projects and replenishing resources in rural communities.

About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 183,000 employees and 65 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford and its products worldwide, please visit www.corporate.ford.com.