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The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) today (April 27) announced that Professor Chia-wei Woo, President of HKUST, tendered his resignation and would leave his post in March 2001. The Chief Executive of HKSAR and Chancellor of HKUST, Secretary for Education and Manpower and the Chairman of University Grants Committee (UGC) all regretted to note Professor Woo's resignation and thanked him for his outstanding contribution over the past decade.

The Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa said, "I am sorry to learn that Professor Woo will be leaving HKUST in a year's time. I would like to thank him most warmly for his outstanding contribution to the development of higher education as well as science and technology in Hong Kong over the past decade. As the founding president of HKUST, he has been instrumental in establishing the university, nurturing it from infancy to maturity, and developing it into a world-class institution in the fields of science, technology and business within a short span of ten years. Under his leadership, HKUST has achieved a significant degree of recognition locally, nationally and internationally."

"He has also been a keen promoter of science and technology, and has made significant contribution as a member of the Commission on Strategic Development. Hong Kong is privileged to have Professor Woo during its transformation into a knowledge-based economy," Mr Tung said.

The Secretary for Education and Manpower, Mr Joseph W P Wong said, "The past decade has been momentous for HKUST and the higher education sector as a whole. I am grateful for Professor Woo's exemplary leadership and sterling contribution during this challenging period. Professor Woo steers the university with vision and passion. Working in concert with the governing council, he has led the university to the forefront of research in the international academic arena."

"I am pleased to note that HKUST has recently completed a mission, vision and objective statement, which lays a solid foundation for the University to rise to the challenges of an innovation-driven and technology-intensive era. I would like to wish him very best in his future endeavours," Mr Wong added.

The Chairman of the UGC, Dr Alice Lam said, "I have enjoyed working with Professor Woo in various capacities. I am sad to learn that he has decided to leave HKUST in a year's time. Over the past ten years, the UGC has been working in close partnership with HKUST and the other UGC-funded institutions to promote research and enhance the quality of higher education in Hong Kong. Professor Woo has been working zealously to develop HKUST as a high quality teaching and research university, making significant contribution to Hong Kong."

"Professor Woo has injected new vigour to the higher education sector. He is a strong advocate of exchange and collaboration, locally and internationally. He has also been very proactive in building stronger ties with Hong Kong's business and industrial sector. Without doubt, Prof Woo's work as founding President of HKUST has helped shape the landscape of the higher education sector over the past decade. He will be greatly missed," said Dr Lam.

End/Thursday, April 27, 2000

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