The Drama Theatre of The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (the Academy) has been named after Dr Rita Liu as “Rita Tong Liu Drama Theatre”, in appreciation of the long-term support by Dr Liu.
To recognise Dr Liu’s support, the Academy organised a naming ceremony of Rita Tong Liu Drama Theatre today. The ceremony was officiated by Ms Jennifer Liu on behalf of Dr Liu; Academy Council Chairman, Professor Stephen Chow and Academy Director, Professor Gillian Choa.
Academy Council Chairman Professor Stephen Chow expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Dr Liu and her family for their long-term support to the Academy. “Dr Liu is a long-time supporter of the Academy. She has not only supported the Academy with donations, but also led and taken part in many fundraising activities of The Society of APA to raise funds for scholarships for Academy students. We are truly grateful for her selfless devotion and contribution.”
Ms Jennifer Liu remarked, “We are very thankful to the Academy for naming the Drama Theatre “Rita Tong Liu Drama Theatre”. The naming is particularly meaningful to us and my mother. We hope all the students can enjoy performances on stage and put their skills and knowledge in practice at the Rita Tong Liu Drama Theatre. And we sincerely wish that the Academy will scale new heights in the future.”
Academy Director Professor Gillian Choa added, “The generous donation of Dr Liu has not only provided important support to the on-going development of the Academy, but also enabled the Academy to further benefit from the Government’s 8th Matching Grant Scheme. Her generosity will go a long way in helping the Academy face the challenges ahead and break new grounds for further development.”
(From left) Professor Gillian Choa; Ms Jennifer Liu; Professor Stephen Chow; Dr Sophia Kao
The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (www.hkapa.edu)
The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (HKAPA), established by The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts Ordinance in 1984, is a leading tertiary institution in the performing arts in Asia. It provides professional undergraduate education and practice-based postgraduate studies. The study encompasses Chinese Opera, Dance, Drama, Film and Television, Music, and Theatre and Entertainment Arts. Its educational philosophy reflects the cultural diversity of Hong Kong with emphasis on Chinese and Western traditions, and interdisciplinary learning. Since 2008, the Academy has attained the Programme Area Accreditation (PAA) status awarded by the Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications (HKCAAVQ) to self-monitor and accredit its own Undergraduate and Post-secondary programmes in the five programme areas of Dance, Drama, Film and Television, Music, and Theatre and Entertainment Arts. Since 2016, the PAA status has been extended to cover Master’s Degree programmes and below. The programmes operated by the School of Chinese Opera are accredited by HKCAAVQ for recognition under the Hong Kong Qualifications Framework. Besides the main campus in Wanchai, Béthanie, the site of the Academy’s Landmark Heritage Campus in Pokfulam, has housed training facilities for the School of Film and Television since 2006. In the QS World University Rankings announced in 2021, the Academy is ranked 1st in Asia and 10th in the world in the Performing Arts category.