Richard Li – Education Advocate

Born Richard Li Tzar Kai, Richard Li is a prominent Canadian-Chinese businessman and telecommunications tycoon based in Hong Kong. Richard Li currently serves as chairman and executive director of PCCW Limited and Pacific Century Group in Hong Kong. He also serves as chairman of the Pacific Century Regional Developments Limited based in Singapore and as a non-executive director of the Bank of East Asia. Prior to founding Pacific Century Group, Richard Li created STAR TV in 1990, which was Asia’s first satellite-delivered cable TV service that was eventually sold to Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp for $950 million. Richard Li has also taken over the newspaper Hong Kong Economic Journal after paying $32.1 million for a 50% stake in 2006. Richard Li is ranked by Forbes as one of the richest men in the world, having a net worth of $1.4 billion.

Richard Li’s PCCW Limited is the largest telecommunications services provider in Hong Kong and one of the leading innovators in Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) in Asia. The PCCW foundation has given sponsorship for the local data network service for the Internet2 project initiated by the Joint Universities Computer Center (JUCC). Internet2 or UCAID (University Corporation for Advanced Internet Development) is a project that involves development and deployment of advanced network applications and technologies for the purposes of research, education, and high-speed data transfer. Additionally, the PCCW foundation also supports the Workplace English Campaign as well as annual scholarships for student achievers nominated by local universities.

Richard Li serves as a Council Member of the Chinese University of Hong Kong and a full member of The Hong Kong Computer Society. Richard Li is also a member of the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) International Councilors Group in Washington, D.C. that conducts research and analysis and develops policy initiatives in its aim to advance global security and ensure economic and political advancement. Moreover, Richard Li donated $1 million to the National Arts Centre Foundation in Canada that will be used to provide scholarships and educational opportunities for students and young artists across Canada and in China.