New HKU med school dean 'dedicated to bolstering research'

University of Hong Kong rheumatologist Wallace Lau Chak-sing has been appointed dean of HKU medical school for five years starting tomorrow.

Lau, who has served as interim dean since August last year, succeeding Gabriel Leung Cheuk-wai, said he is honored with the appointment.

"It is my mission to nurture our students, instilling in them the qualities of compassionate health-care professionals," he said. "I am dedicated to bolstering our research capacity and impact, ensuring the faculty continues its vital mission of improving health for all."

Lau said he will maintain strong ties with alumni, partners and stakeholders, while also enhancing the curriculum.

"Having dedicated over three decades of my career to the faculty, I sincerely appreciate the unwavering support," said Lau, adding it is "satisfying to collaborate with a team of passionate professionals."

In an e-mail to staff and students on Tuesday, HKU president and vice chancellor Zhang Xiang said he was pleased to announce Lau's appointment. He added: "Professor Lau [will lead] the faculty to excel academically and professionally both in the region and globally."

The appointment comes amid recent mismanagement allegations over Zhang, including one where the university hired US headhunter agencies without tendering to recruit the university's vice president and the medical dean.

It is understood that Lau was among two final candidates for the position, with Zhang heading the selection committee.

Sources said the other candidate was Timothy Billiar, a professor of surgery from the US-based University of Pittsburgh.

After graduating from University of Dundee in Scotland, Lau joined HKU in 1992 as a lecturer. He later returned to his alma mater as a chair professor in rheumatology in 2007 and rejoined HKU in 2010. Lau served from 2016 to 2020 as president of the Academy of Medicine. He is currently on the board of directors of the Hong Kong Genome Institute and the Tuberculosis, Chest and Heart Diseases Association.

Meanwhile, David Srolovitz, acting dean of engineering, will become the faculty's new head from tomorrow.

eunice.lam@singtaonewscorp.com