Scholar Lo moves one step closer to CUHK's top job

Eunice Lam

Renowned geneticist Dennis Lo Yuk-ming has been recommended by the principal selection committee to become the next Chinese University of Hong Kong president and vice-chancellor.

In a letter sent to staffers and alumni yesterday, the CUHK council said the committee has recommended Lo, 60, for the top post.

The council will hold a special meeting on Friday morning to consider the recommendation, after Lo exchanges views with council members on Thursday.

Lo did not comment on the recommendation.

In the letter, council secretary Amelia Wong described Lo as "a renowned scholar with outstanding academic and research accomplishments."

Wong added Lo is currently the associate dean (research) of the CUHK medical school, chairman of the Department of Chemical Pathology and Li Ka Shing professor of medicine at CUHK.

He is also the director of the Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences and State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology of CUHK.

If accepted, Lo, known as the "father of noninvasive prenatal testing," will succeed bioengineer Rocky Tuan Sung-chi, 73, in January.

Tuan resigned in January this year, a week after starting a new three-year term, citing personal reasons.

CUHK council member and lawmaker Bill Tang Ka-piu said the new president should achieve good governance, while utilizing the university's advantages, such as transitioning scientific research into patents, launching relevant products and promoting the development of innovation and the local economy.

He also believes the tension between the CUHK council and senior management has been eased after the Legislative Council in November 2023 passed a bill to reduce the council roster from 55 members to 34.

As long as the president is transparent in handling school affairs and willing to communicate with the council, Tang said Lo will be "able to give his all to the top role."

It marks the first time the CUHK council is appointing a new president after the reform. For an appointment to be confirmed, a candidate needs 75 percent of the governing council members' votes.

One CUHK student surnamed Lee hopes Lo will listen to students' opinions after taking office, saying: "I don't know much about [the new president], but I hope he will listen to the voices of students more."

Another student surnamed Pun hopes Lo will pay more attention to students' welfare.

eunice.lam@singtaonewscorp.com