Change is in the air, according to Hong Kong’s richest man Li Ka-shing as he makes donations to four local universities.

Li’s remarks were contained in an English-language press release issued by his foundation and entitled “Within Eternity, Time Passes Within Time, There Is Change.” The words apparently echoed Solina Chau, a director of the foundation and close aide to Li, who said previously that “there is a time for everything” when responding to media questions on whether Hong Kong’s embattled government should step down.

At the time, Chau said people should not be impatient over who should step down, with the world facing huge challenges in the economy and inequality. “There is a time for changes coming. We should think deeply over the direction of the economy to create a better future for young people,” she said.

Her boss appeared to take the same line as he made his latest contributions to education. The Li Ka Shing Foundation on Wednesday announced that Li had written to the heads of the medical faculties of the University of Hong Kong and the Chinese University of Hong Kong, as well as the presidents of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and the Education University of Hong Kong, to provide a total grant of HK$170 million (US$22 million). It is the first time that the foundation is simultaneously donating to four universities — making up half of the city’s eight publicly funded universities.

Li said he hoped the colleges would foster innovation in the ever changing environment, and spearhead efforts to advance academic excellence amidst uncertainties, in order to strengthen Hong Kong’s capabilities and competitiveness to “build inner strength and turn dreams into reality.”

The tycoon added that Hong Kong’s medical workers, scientists, researchers and scholars were talented and compassionate about their calling, and that he was confident they would continue to serve the city in a professional manner.

Biomedical technology held the key to all challenges in life, while artificial intelligence applications would scale new heights in mimicking human capabilities, according to Li.

“Traditional generic programmes cannot face up to competition in the long run, and therefore the development of bio-economy and AI solutions in Hong Kong should commence immediately,” he said in the press release.

Out of the HK$170 million donation, HK$100 million will be spent on establishing a Cryo-electron Microscope Unit at the HKU Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine. The CUHK Faculty of Medicine will receive HK$35 million to install an advanced analytical system and mass spectrometer.

HKUST will get HK$30 million to support the launch of a new Synthetic Biology initiative, while the remaining HK$5 million will go toward fostering cooperation between EdUHK and local designers to introduce innovative AI educational solutions.

Li may be urging medical graduates to make good judgments to find cures, unlike the government, which has been committing mistakes, according to commentator Johnny Lau.

The press release cited a quote from “Ode on the Red Cliffs” by Chinese poet Su Dongpo. Lau said it could be interpreted as telling people not to be afraid in the face of difficulties.

The foundation also granted HK$50,000 to each student graduating from the HKU medical school this year.

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