With the effects of Sars and the H5N1 strain of bird flu still fresh in our minds, the Health, Welfare and Food Bureau has provided $8 million to establish a State Key Laboratory of Emerging Diseases at the University of Hong Kong (HKU).

There are more than 100 state key laboratories on the mainland, each focusing on an individual research area. The laboratory at HKU's Faculty of Medicine opened in November and is the first Key Laboratory outside the mainland.

It is equipped for top-level postgraduate research on infectious diseases and emerging viruses, bacteria, fungi and anti-microbial resistance.

HKU vice-chancellor Tsui Lap-chee said establishing a State Key Laboratory at the university would not only bring the benefit of research development to Hong Kong but also provide strategic advantages in playing a leading role in the control of emerging diseases for China and the world.

The Master of Medical Sciences degree at HKU's faculty of medicine is organised through its School of Postgraduate Medical Education and Training. It has been developed to provide training in basic medical and clinical disciplines to enable postgraduates in Hong Kong and countries in the Asia-Pacific region to embark on specialist studies, practice or teaching.

Another objective of the course is to provide a bridging mechanism for pre-clinical and clinical studies, and to promote integrated training in the fundamentals of basic and applied medical sciences.

New infectious diseases and new problems involving existing ones continue to pose a threat to the health of Hongkongers and the world in general.

Evidence required for effective control and prevention of infectious diseases covers areas such as disease etiology, diagnosis, prognosis and cost and benefits of treatment and public health intervention.

Infectious disease epidemiology is concerned with the methodology of scientific investigations for control and prevention of infectious diseases. The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) offers a Master of Science programme in Applied Epidemiology and a postgraduate diploma in Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases.

This two-year part-time master of science programme expands in-class training to practical epidemiology and field training, where trainees independently conduct epidemiological investigations and projects.

At the end of the programme, graduates are expected to be able to undertake disease investigation, control and preventive measures.

The one-year part-time postgraduate diploma aims to develop expertise in the application of epidemiological techniques in infectious diseases investigation, control and surveillance and to enhance response capabilities to the control of diseases and health problems.

Jean Woo, director of CUHK's School of Public Health, said the programme was aimed at health professionals and policymakers working in public health organisations, disease control agencies and field or health-related situations. It provided a theoretical background and updated knowledge in epidemiology, microbiology, laboratory and public health measures for the investigation and control of infectious diseases.

Hong Kong public welfare has also come under the spotlight as a result of Sars. A Master of Social Science in Counselling is offered by the School of Continuing Education (SCE) at Baptist University.

The programme is designed to provide further academic and professional upgrading for individuals working or planning to work in the broad field of human services.

The programme enables graduates to achieve a high level of mastery in counselling knowledge and skills through a programme that integrates contemporary research, theory and practice.