Recent development of CityU’s major projects

Professor Way Kuo, President of City University of Hong Kong (CityU), met the media today to provide some updates about recent developments in regard to major CityU projects:

Establishment of a School of Veterinary Medicine

CityU had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine (Cornell) to establish a School of Veterinary Medicine aimed for international accreditation in Hong Kong. Cornell will announce the MOU in the States around the same time.

MOU between CityU and Cornell

• The new School of Veterinary Medicine will provide a 6-year curriculum leading to Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine degree of CityU.
• Cornell will assist CityU in designing the curriculum, facilities and teaching faculty.  Cornell will also be responsible for quality assurance, as well as providing opportunities for student attachment in Cornell and other preceptor sites in the United States.
• Cornell will help ensure that the curriculum and facilities meet the accreditation standards of American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). (AVMA accreditation is currently the most widely adopted international accreditation standard for veterinary schools in advanced countries.)
• Where appropriate, CityU will seek the help of Cornell in seconding faculty members to help the initial operation of the new School.

Progress

• CityU worked out a model tailored for the situation in Hong Kong with the help of Cornell. A large animal ambulatory programme is envisioned in Shenzhen that would provide training for students in food animal and regulatory medicine.
• A formal proposal had been submitted to the University Grants Committee in August last year. CityU is also seeking donations from the community.
  
  

School of Energy and Environment (SEE)

Installation at the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks

The campus will be located at the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks. There will be four laboratories.

Research/academic collaborations

·           Organised a number of academic conferences since establishment. Prominent scholars and experts were invited to share research outcomes and updates on energy development and environmental protection.

·           Signed an agreement in January 2010 with Edinburgh Napier University, UK, to establish the first biofuel research centre in Hong Kong to undertake research into sustainable alternatives to fossil-based fuels. SEE is now in the process of recruiting faculty members and research personnel to set up the laboratory and study how organic waste could be converted into fuel for transportation.

·           In discussion with a laboratory on nanomaterials at the University of New South Wales in Australia to set up a joint laboratory at SEE, aimed at applying nanotechnology to the harnessing of solar energy and cleaning up the environment (air and water). It is anticipated that such a joint lab will be set up later this year.

·           Signed academic exchange agreements with National Taiwan University and National Tsing Hua University.

Programmes

1.         Postgraduate programme

Master of Science degree programme in energy and environment

·           Will be offering from September 2010 six core courses: Energy generation and storage; Energy efficiency and conservation technologies; Atmospheric and climate science; Environmental policy and ethics; Energy and environmental economics; and Energy and Environmental law.

2.         Undergraduate programme

·           Will be offering Minor Programme in Atmospheric and Climate Science and General Education course in Climate Change and Extreme Events from September 2010 to all existing undergraduate programmes at CityU

Note to editors: Pictures to be emailed.

File name: CityU_MOU.jpg

Caption: CityU signed a MOU with Cornell to establish a School of Veterinary Medicine aimed for international accreditation in Hong Kong.

Media enquiries: Ida Leung, Communications and Public Relations Office, CityU (3442 6548 or 9161 3498).