Renowned Hong Kong neuroscientist set to become first female head of public university in city
- Source says top Alzheimer’s disease expert Nancy Ip recommended to become next president of Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
- University launched global research for next leader after incumbent Wei Shyy announced his resignation in November
Hong Kong University of Science and Technology’s (HKUST) search committee has recommended renowned neuroscientist Nancy Ip Yuk-yu to be the institution’s next president after incumbent Wei Shyy steps down in October, the Post has learned.
If Ip’s appointment is approved by HKUST’s council, she will become the first woman to head a public university in Hong Kong.
A source confirmed on Friday that Ip, a top expert on Alzheimer’s disease, was recommended by the HKUST search committee to be the university’s next president.
Ip, 66, is currently a professor of life science and the director of the State Key Laboratory of Molecular Neuroscience, a research hub at the university.
HKUST launched a global search for its next leader in November after Shyy, 66, who has served as president since September 2018, announced his resignation in the same month.
Shyy will step down in October, about 11 months ahead of the end date for his contract. The professor, who has been with the institution for more than 12 years, has remained tight-lipped about his reasons for quitting and what he intends to do next.