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SCMP Reporter

The University of Hong Kong has  found a new chief to take the helm of its scandal-hit medical faculty after an 11-month search.
Lee Sum-ping, a gastroenterologist  from the University of Washington, was appointed by the Hong Kong University council yesterday as the new faculty dean for a five-year term.
The announcement of an outsider as the new dean was last night cautiously welcomed. Critics hoped Professor Lee could restore the image of the medical school, which celebrated its 120th anniversary last year.
The faculty has been plagued by  bad publicity, scandal and controversy in recent years, including the resignation of the former dean,  Lam Shiu-kum, last March amid an investigation into the  medical school's billing for private surgery.
Haematology expert  Raymond Liang Hin-suen, who was also reportedly one of the candidates being considered for the top post, had acted as dean since.
In 2005, the faculty made headlines after the university named it  for Li Ka-shing  when it received a HK$1 billion donation from the tycoon.
Opponents, led by medical legislator  Kwok Ka-ki, claimed the move was 'selling the medical school cheaply'.
In 2006, liver surgeon Fan Sheung-tat resigned amid internal management disputes. He later decided to stay on.
This month, the press reported that the head of surgery had been repeatedly reappointed to the post for 25 years, despite being blamed for the low staff morale.
University council member  Leong Che-hung last night said: 'I hope [Professor Lee] can assert his worth to reform and tackle the problems in the faculty. I hope he can elevate the faculty's reputation to a higher level and bring back the glamour.'
Dr Kwok, who  cautiously welcomed Professor Lee's appointment,  said he hoped the new dean could resolve the issue of the faculty's name.
'I have learned that many alumni have been very disappointed in recent years,' Dr Kwok said. 'I look forward to the new climate that Professor Lee can bring to the faculty. I hope he will find a new way of handling the faculty policies and tackle the maladies in the faculty.'
In a written statement, the Hospital Authority yesterday  welcomed the  appointment, and looked forward to future collaboration and a closer partnership with the faculty under the  new dean.
Professor Lee is  head of gastroenterology at the University of Washington's medicine school.  He plans to start at HKU in August, and  Professor  Liang will remain  as  acting faculty dean.
Professor Lee said he  looked forward to working with the university, faculty members and students to 'bring the faculty to new heights with the support from alumni and the community'. He is also a university alumnus.



HKU names outsider as new medical faculty dean