Persistence helped CityU’s veterinary medicine college break new ground

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Secondary students visited the City University’s Sha Tau Kok Aquaculture Research Centre in August last year, as part of a summer programme organised by the university’s College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences. Photo: Edward Wong

Published: 6:35am, 20 Aug 2018Updated: 6:35am, 20 Aug 2018

It’s been a bumpy ride but Hong Kong’s first-ever dedicated college for veterinary medicine is up and running at the City University of Hong Kong (CityU).

When I proposed a veterinary medicine school in 2008, shortly after taking over as president of CityU, the response from our leadership team was positive, but convincing others was a tough sell.

Persuading the government, funding agencies, stakeholders, the media and the general public was like running a marathon. However, our perseverance paid off. Today CityU celebrated the naming ceremony for our Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences and we witnessed the groundbreaking ceremony for The Jockey Club One Health Tower.

Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, by supporting veterinary education, has shown great vision in promoting scientific and technological innovation. Jockey Club chairman Simon Ip Sik-on was at the forefront of the HK$500 million donation from the club to the university. And Hong Kong citizens have supported the project, according to surveys.

No doubt team spirit within the CityU management and support from the university council, faculty, staff, students, alumni and internal and external advisers were vital. We are also indebted to our 10-year partner, Cornell University, one of the world’s leading institutions in veterinary medicine.