Speeches and Transcripts

12 May 2016 (Thursday) 4:00 pm

Lecture Theatre, 2/F, Lui Che Woo Clinical Sciences Building, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong

Professor Joseph Sung, Professor TF Fok, Professor Fanny Cheung, Professor Francis Chan, distinguished guests, members and students of The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), media friends, welcome to you all.

First of all, I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to CUHK for organising today’s ceremony, a celebration of the launch of the Lui Che Woo Distinguished Young Scholars Award. Thank you, Professor Joseph Sung, Professor Francis Chan and all the other faculty members, for your endeavours and wise counsel that made the establishment of this award possible. This is indeed an innovative and meaningful project for rewarding outstanding medical students who wish to further their studies overseas and acquire advanced knowledge in medical research. It is my hope that the award scheme will develop more top medical professionals capable of providing high quality services to the public.

Over the years, the Faculty has made great progress in scientific research, medical services, talent development and international exchange. Years of effort have yielded positive results and fostered a large number of medical professionals now safeguarding the public’s health. Once again I would like to express my sincere gratitude and respect to you all.

In 2012, I made a donation to the Faculty for establishing the Lui Che Woo Institute of Innovative Medicine. Each year, through the Dr Lui Che Woo Distinguished Professor Public Lecture medical students are given a valuable opportunity to exchange ideas with distinguished scholars from around the world. The Institute has also collaborated with renowned international research partners to develop new therapies and treatments for diseases that were considered incurable in the past.

Deeply rooted in Hong Kong for 80 years, I firmly believe there are many talented young people in Hong Kong ready to enter the profession, including the medical students sitting here today. Be determined and devote yourselves to scientific development, and carry out the mission of exploring new therapeutic and preventive measures. I urge you to broaden your global vision and become part of the new generation of medical leaders serving the community.

To address the economic, political and environmental challenges we face today, I launched the Lui Che Woo Prize – Prize for World Civilisation last year. The award aims to promote sustainable development for the betterment of mankind. What I did was only to sow a seed of goodness that will inspire more outstanding individuals and organisations to follow suit. But this goal can only be achieved with the joint effort of our young people advancing from one generation to the next.

Today, we have a great need for medical experts and resources. I sincerely hope that more of our young people will be willing to devote their lives to medicine. I believe with the surge in the number of doctors, relevant training, facilities and provision of advanced clinical knowledge and skills, we can secure the long-term development of the profession in Hong Kong.

Medicine is a profound and infinitely fascinating subject. Doctors by nature have kind souls as their mission is to heal the world. The Lui Che Woo Distinguished Young Scholars Award is not recognition of personal achievement, but a commitment to bringing a continuous and positive impact to society. I hope the scholarship encourages and gives support to more talented medical students to pursue their postgraduate studies overseas, to concentrate on research excellence and to explore new frontiers in medicine with innovation and from diverse perspectives. Upon completion of their studies, they will come back to Hong Kong to serve our community with new insights.

Thank you again for your presence here today; I wish you happiness and good health.