The University of Hong Kong has named Wallace Lau Chak-sing, its chair of rheumatology and clinical immunology, as interim dean of medicine.

Lau, who is also a government pandemic adviser, will be taking over the post from outgoing head Gabriel Matthew Leung starting August 1.

Writing to HKU's medical faculty, Lau said his appointment is "the proudest moment" of his academic life, having been a part of HKUMed for 30 years.

"No words are enough to describe what Gabriel has done for us during his tenure. The best way to thank him is to continue to build on what he has founded and to scale the faculty to newer heights," he wrote.

He also said he did feel a little apprehensive receiving the baton from Leung who is leaving him with “big shoes to fill”.

In an email to HKU staff and students, the university's president, Zhang Xiang, said Lau will take on the role while the school launches a global search for Leung's replacement.

"Widely recognized for his specialty in rheumatology, Professor Lau possesses in-depth knowledge about the faculty and the Hospital Authority...I would like to thank Professor Lau for his willingness to take on the interim deanship," Zhang wrote.

"I also wish to take this opportunity to thank the current dean, Professor Gabriel Leung, once again for having led the faculty for nine years with great achievements."

In a separate message, Leung extended his congratulations to his successor, saying he's "absolutely delighted".

"There is no better qualified and more appropriate successor than [Lau]. I have full confidence that he will take HKUMed from strength to strength, building on the momentum of the past decade," he wrote.

Leung resigned as dean of medicine in November last year. He will step down at the end of this academic year and join the Hong Kong Jockey Club as its executive director for charities and community later this year.

Wallace Lau Chak-sing appointed as HKU’s interim dean of medicine