Experts to head colleges

Nobel Laureate Sir James Mirrlees and plant molecular biology expert Samuel Sun Sai-ming have been appointed as masters-designate of two new colleges at the Chinese University of Hong Kong's (CUHK).

A pioneer in optimal taxation theory, Professor Mirrlees was awarded the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences in 1996.

From 1995 to 2003, he was a professor of political economy at the University of Cambridge.

He has been distinguished professor-at-large at CUHK since 2002 and will be the master-designate of Morningside College.

The other new college, S.H. Ho College, will be led by Professor Sun - the first scientist to have cloned a plant gene.

Professor Sun is currently a professor of biology at CUHK.