The 1,770 square metre (19,052 sq ft) extension, set to open next month, was funded by the Lo Kwee Seong Foundation, whose eponymous founder started the beverage business Vitasoy in 1940, before his family went on to launch fast food chains Cafe de Coral and Fairwood.

“Universities are important melting pots for academic exchanges,” foundation chairman Peter Lo Tak-shing said.

“Museums elsewhere might have their own agendas and policies, but one that is grounded in academia can bring research, curation and promotion together, and will be more neutral.”

He hoped that the addition to the museum could become part of the fabric of Hong Kong’s arts ecosystem and contribute to the city serving as an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchanges.

“It’s a cross-discipline space and not just one for arts and humanities students, but also those who are in scientific research,” he added.