May 12 marks the 14th anniversary of the Wenchuan earthquake. TheInstitute for Disaster Management and Reconstruction, Sichuan University-Hong Kong Polytechnic University held the “5.12” High-end Academic Forum on Sustainable Development in Mingde building, Wangjiang campus.

Raymond Tam Chi-yuen, executive director of the Hong Kong Jockey Club(HKJC), stated at the forum that HKJC has decided to donate 81.5 million yuan to theInstitute for Disaster Management and Reconstruction(hereinafter referred to as the Institute)for its development.

President Teng Jinguang of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Tam Chi-yuan, President Li Yanrong, Vice President Yao Leye, Zhang Wei, deputy secretary of the Party committee of SCU, CAS academicians Guo Huadong, Zhang Renhe, Cui Peng, experts and scholars from first-class universities and scientific research institutions such as UNESCO, Nanyang Technological University of Singapore, Fudan University and theInstitute of Mountain Hazards and Environment, CASattended the forum.

In his speech, Li Yanrong welcomed the guests on behalf of the university and thanked the Hong Kong Polytechnic University and HKJC for their long standing support to our university. He said that after the Wenchuan earthquake, Sichuan University and the Hong Kong Polytechnic University established the world's first multi-disciplinary high-level institute for disaster reconstruction and management under the auspices of HKJC. Since its establishment, the Institute has made contributions to talent training, emergency medical service, post disaster reconstruction and rehabilitation, winning recognition of all sectors of society. Today, HKJC has made another generous donation to help the development of the Institute. The donation will provide great support for the Institute to accelerate the talent training, scientific research and social services in the field of disaster reduction and prevention.

In his speech, Teng Jinguang fully affirmed the teaching and scientific research work of the Institute for Disaster Management and Reconstruction. He hoped that the two sides will further strengthen cooperation in talent training, scientific research, discipline development, platform development and social services so as to promote the development of human disaster reduction and prevention.

In his speech, Mr. Tam Chi-yuan expressed good wishes for the sustainable development of comprehensive disaster reduction. He said that HKJC will donate 81.5 million yuan to support the further development of the Institute. The donation will be mainly used for the construction of building B and experimental platform of the Hong Kong Jockey Club building on the east side of the Institute on Jiang'an campus, and the launch of phase V of the joint project between Sichuan University and the Hong Kong Polytechnic University – a master program of disaster nursing.

Yao Leye noted that the Institute has achieved fruitful results and brought good social benefits since its establishment nine years ago.

After the opening ceremony, Gretchen Kalonji, Dean of the Institute for Disaster Management and Reconstruction, presided over the forum. Kong Polytechnic University and other academic institutions discussed topics such as disaster education, disaster data and knowledge sharing, and shared latest information and achievements for the all-round development of comprehensive disaster reduction.

The Chinese names begin with family name in this report.