The School of Public Health of the University of Hong Kong (HKU) Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine and London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to further strengthen the collaborative research activities between the two institutions.

About 40 distinguished guests including Professor Sophia Chan, Under Secretary for Food and Health, Dr Constance Chan, Director of Department of Health, Dr Liu Zhong-qi, Vice Director of Bureau of Health of Guangzhou Municipality, Dr Mak Sin-ping, President of Hong Kong College of Community Medicine, Dr Leong Che-hung, Chairman of the Council, HKU and many other public health scholars and advocates graced the occasion.

The seeds of collaboration between the two institutions were sown 126 years ago by Sir Patrick Manson (1844-1922), revered as the father of tropical medicine in the profession. Sir Patrick Manson, together with Sir James Cantlie and Sir Ho Kai, established the Hong Kong College of Medicine for Chinese in 1887, from which the founding father of modern China, Dr Sun Yat-sen, graduated. The Hong Kong College of Medicine for Chinese was later renamed the Hong Kong College of Medicine and evolved to become the Faculty of Medicine when University of Hong Kong was officially opened in 1911. Sir Patrick Manson returned to London in 1889 and founded the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine in 1899.  From Amoy, China to Hong Kong, then London: Sir Patrick Manson thus completed his 'hat-trick of founding medical schools

Today's MoU Signing Ceremony is a historic moment for Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine and London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine to rekindle their ties and be re-united, via our founding father, Sir Patrick Manson. Avideo clip show casing Sir Patrick Manson's contributions to medical science and medical education as inextricably interwoven with links with the two institutions was shown at the beginning of the ceremony as a tribute to the medical giant.

Professor SY Leung, Acting Dean of Medicine, represented HKU to sign the MoU with London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine.  Professor Leung said, “This signing of MoU carries great symbolic meaning and signifies the longstanding collaboration in teaching and research between the two institutions which was initiated many years ago. We hope to build upon the legacy of Sir Patrick Manson and work with the bright minds in London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine to take forward Sir Patrick Manson's passion for public health, tropical medicine and medical education.”  On the heels of the deep-seated ties between the two establishments, Professor Leung hopes the signing of the MoU will further strengthen the scientific partnership and academic exchange between the two institutions so that scholars on each continent can collaborate on public health issues of global significance and contribute towards the advancement of medical science and medical education.

Professor Baron Peter Piot, Director of London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine believes that the signing of this MoU is an opportunity to renew the commitment to the relationship between HKU and London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. Professor Piot highlighted in his opening remarks the need for researchers and public health practitioners in both institutions and across continents to join forces in identifying public health problems in today's globalised world and devising solutions to addressing them. Professor Piot looks forward to fruitful collaboration between the two institutions in both teaching and research so as to enhance global public health.

About the MoU

With the signing of the MoU, the HKU School of Public Health and London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine aims to facilitate the exploration of collaborative research of global health significance, as well as faculty and student development opportunities for the mutual benefit of both institutions on public health research and education. The two institutions will work together to advance the scientific inquiry of public health science and to better protect public health. 

About the School of Public Health, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, HKU

The HKU School of Public Health has a long and distinguished history in public health education and high impact research.  With seamless integration of epidemiology and 'wet-lab' research in infectious diseases as well as research on non-communicable diseases of both domestic and global importance, the School has made significant international and locally relevant contributions through its research and advocacy to improve the health of populations and individuals. The School is a leading research hub in public health on influenza research, control of infectious and non-communicable diseases, tobacco control, air pollution, psycho-oncology, behavioural sciences, life-course epidemiology, health economics research, health services planning and management, the works of which have informed international (e.g. the World Health Organisation, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations), national and local public health policies.