Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Following is the speech by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) 35th Anniversary Launch Ceremony today (March 16):

尊敬的羅永綱副主任 (Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Mr Luo Yonggang), Dr Chan (the Pro-Chancellor of the HKUST, Dr John Chan), Professor Shum (the Council Chairman of the HKUST, Professor Harry Shum), Dr Liao (the Chairman of the HKUST Court, Dr Andrew Liao), Professor Ip (the President of the HKUST, Professor Nancy Ip), Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, 

     Good afternoon. It is a great pleasure and honour to join you today at the launch ceremony of the 35th anniversary of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. The theme for this year-long celebration, “Where Miracles Happen”, is truly fitting.

     In just 35 years, the HKUST has transformed from a bold, brand-new institution, to become one of the world’s most respected universities.  

     But this was not simply a miracle. It came from visionary leadership, dedicated faculty and a continuing flow of talented students, all driven by an unwavering commitment to innovative education, research excellence and impactful knowledge transfer.

     The HKUST ranked sixth in the 2026 QS Asia University Rankings, and 19th globally in the 2025 Times Higher Education Impact Rankings. These numbers clearly show the HKUST’s proud place on the global stage.   

     Beyond rankings, the HKUST’s entrepreneurial spirit is just as impressive. Its members have started more than 1 900 active start-ups, including 10 unicorns. These achievements show how the HKUST’s research and discoveries make a real difference in the world.  

     The Government is committed to strengthening Hong Kong’s status as an international education hub. We are determined to attract talent from every corner of the world, while nurturing our own home-grown talent. And I am proud to say that the HKUST is a shining example of this vision in action.   

     In the 2025 Policy Address, the Government introduced concrete measures to advance this goal. That includes raising the enrolment ceiling for self-financing, non-local students at publicly funded universities, from 40 per cent to 50 per cent of local student places, and increasing the over-enrolment ceiling for self-financing research postgraduate programmes to 120 per cent. Both take effect in the coming academic year.   

     We also established a dedicated Task Force on “Study in Hong Kong” to deepen our role as an international hub for post-secondary education.  

     The HKUST has responded so well to these initiatives. In the current academic year, the University has attracted more than 20 000 undergraduate applications worldwide. It now has a highly diverse non-local student community, with students from over 80 countries and regions. This is exactly how we enrich our talent pool and strengthen global connections.

     Looking ahead, the University’s contributions fit very well with the country’s strategic priorities under the 15th Five-Year Plan: high-quality development, greater self-reliance and strength in science and technology, industrial modernisation, as well as advances in original innovation and breakthroughs in core technologies.   

     The HKUST is a great example of how our universities can support national priorities. It’s already making good progress in areas like AI, data science, life and health sciences, advanced materials and sustainable energy.  

     And the future looks equally promising. The HKUST School of Medicine will admit its first cohort in the 2028/29 academic year.  

     This will be Hong Kong’s third medical school, combining medical education with the HKUST’s renowned strengths in research and technology.  

     The medical school’s future campus will be strategically located – right next to the new integrated hospital in the Northern Metropolis’ Ngau Tam Mei Development Area. That will ensure its close collaboration with the San Tin Technopole and the Northern Metropolis University Town, and strong connectivity with the Greater Bay Area. This will put Hong Kong, and the HKUST, at the forefront of medical innovation.

     I know the University is organising many major events this anniversary year, including the Asia Universities Summit in April, as well as the World Top University Presidents Forum in November. In short, there is much to look forward to.

     Once again, congratulations to the HKUST on its milestone 35th anniversary. And my sincere thanks to everyone who has played a part in the University’s remarkable rise and shine.  

     Thank you very much.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (March 16) reported the latest number of Legionnaires’ disease (LD) cases, and reminded the public of the importance of using and maintaining properly designed man-made water systems, adding that susceptible groups should strictly observe relevant precautions.

     From March 8 to 14, the CHP recorded one community-acquired LD case, involving a 61-year-old male patient with underlying illnesses living in Kwun Tong District.

​​The CHP is conducting epidemiological investigations to identify the potential source of infection and high-risk exposure. An initial investigation revealed that this is a sporadic case. No epidemiological linkages have been established between this case and other confirmed cases previously recorded in Hong Kong.

     As of March 14, 14 LD cases had been recorded this year. In 2025 and 2024, there were 167 and 135 LD cases respectively.

Men, people aged over 50, smokers, alcoholics and persons with weakened immunity are more susceptible to LD. Some situations may also increase the risk of infection, including poor maintenance of water systems; living in areas with old water systems, cooling towers or fountains; using electric water heaters, whirlpool spas or hot water spring spas; and recent stays in hotels or ships.

Legionellae are found in various environmental settings and grow well in warm water (20 to 45 degrees Celsius). They can be found in aqueous environments such as water tanks, hot and cold water systems, cooling towers, whirlpool spas, water fountains, humidifiers and home respiratory devices that support breathing. People may become infected when they breathe in contaminated droplets (aerosols) and mist generated by artificial water systems, or when handling garden soil, compost and potting mixes.

Immunocompromised persons should:
 

• Use sterile or boiled water for drinking, tooth brushing and mouth rinsing;
• Avoid using humidifiers, or other mist- or aerosol-generating devices; and
• If using humidifiers, or other mist- or aerosol-generating devices, fill the water tank with only sterile or cooled freshly boiled water, and not water directly from the tap. Also, clean and maintain humidifiers/devices regularly according to manufacturers’ instructions. Never leave stagnant water in a humidifier/device. Empty the water tank, wipe all surfaces dry, and change the water daily.

​The public should observe the health advice below:
 

• Observe personal hygiene;
• Do not smoke and avoid alcohol consumption;
• Strainers in water taps and shower heads should be inspected, cleaned, descaled and disinfected regularly or at a frequency recommended by the manufacturer;
• If a fresh-water plumbing system is properly maintained, it is not necessary to install domestic water filters. Use of water filters is not encouraged as clogging occurs easily, which can promote growth of micro-organisms. In case water filters are used, the pore size should be 0.2 micrometres (µm) or less and the filter needs to be changed periodically according to the manufacturer’s recommendations;
• Drain and clean water tanks of buildings at least quarterly;
• Drain or purge for at least one minute infrequently used water outlets (e.g. water taps, shower heads and hot water outlets) and stagnant points of the pipework weekly or before use;
• Seek and follow doctors’ professional advice regarding the use and maintenance of home respiratory devices and use only sterile water (not distilled or tap water) to clean and fill the reservoir. Clean and maintain the device regularly according to the manufacturer’s instructions. After cleaning/disinfection, rinse the device with sterile water, cooled freshly boiled water or water filtered with 0.2 µm filters. Never leave stagnant water in the device. Empty the water tank, keep all surfaces dry, and change the water daily; and
• When handling garden soil, compost and potting mixes:

1. Wear gloves and a face mask;
2. Water gardens and compost gently using low pressure;
3. Open composted potting mixes slowly and make sure the opening is directed away from the face;
4. Wet the soil to reduce dust when potting plants; and
5. Avoid working in poorly ventilated places such as enclosed greenhouses.

​The public may visit the CHP’s LD page, the Code of Practice for Prevention of LD and the Housekeeping Guidelines for Cold and Hot Water Systems for Building Management of the Prevention of LD Committee, and the CHP’s risk-based strategy for prevention and control of LD.

Additionally, as smokers and alcoholics are more susceptible to LD, the Government urges members of the public to quit smoking and avoid drinking. Members of the public may call the DH Integrated Smoking Cessation Hotline at 1833 183, which is answered by registered nurses who provide professional counselling and referral to a wide range of free smoking cessation services. The public may also visit the smoking cessation thematic website (www.livetobaccofree.hk) for more information on smoking cessation. The DH has also launched the Pilot Alcohol Cessation Counselling Service, which provides free counselling to people identified as having probable alcohol dependence, through a subvented non-governmental organisation, the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals (TWGHs). Information on the service has been uploaded to the DH’s Change for Health website. Eligible persons who are interested can call the enquiry hotline of the TWGHs (2884 9876).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region