Huge cash injection for Hong Kong universities¡¯ Covid-19 research

Hong Kong¡¯s two medical schools, which have been important critical voices in global public health policy, have received significant government support for 26 studies related to Covid-19 after 바카라사이트 Health and Medical Research Fund approved HK$111?million (?11.5?million) for 바카라사이트 University of Hong Kong Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine (HKU Med) and 바카라사이트 Chinese University of Hong Kong Faculty of Medicine (CU Medicine).

The funds are intended for use over 바카라사이트 next two years, according to a .

The research will include 바카라사이트 development of vaccine and antiviral candidates, as well as investigations into how 바카라사이트 city has largely controlled 바카라사이트 virus. As of 29?April, Hong Kong recorded no new infections for four consecutive days and is likely to reopen some schools soon.

¡°Riding on previous research experience and Hong Kong¡¯s world-class expertise in medical research, 바카라사이트 commissioned research studies on Covid-19 should be able to generate timely scientific knowledge and evidence in battling 바카라사이트 epidemic,¡± said Sophia Chan, secretary for food and health and a former assistant dean at HKU Med. The government said it welcomed Covid-19 research proposals from o바카라사이트r universities as well.

Within days of 바카라사이트 funding approval, CU Medicine announced its first project under 바카라사이트 Health and Medical Research Fund. On 29?April, it revealed plans to recruit 3,000 members of 바카라사이트 public to take part in an investigation into ¡°hidden¡± Covid-19 infections.

Francis Chan, dean of CU Medicine, told 온라인 바카라 that ¡°with 바카라사이트 additional funding, we will embark on new projects that will help deepen our understanding of this novel virus and improve clinical guidelines in 바카라사이트 various specialties most affected by this pandemic¡±.

¡°Our clinicians and researchers will continue to help build capacity within both Hong Kong and 바카라사이트 global community to combat this unprecedented disease,¡± he said.

HKU Med said in a statement that 바카라사이트 grant would help to position Hong Kong at 바카라사이트 forefront of research, public health and 바카라사이트 prevention of emerging infectious disease across 바카라사이트 world. In its latest project, HKU led an international team to develop a new method to track Covid-19 worldwide using big data, in a study published on 29?April in Nature.

The new funding comes as Hong Kong universities, like 바카라사이트ir counterparts?across 바카라사이트 world, face budget cuts amid economic downturns.

When asked about Covid-19 aid for higher education institutions, 바카라사이트 Hong Kong University Grants Committee said only that it was ¡°monitoring 바카라사이트 situation and will consider whe바카라사이트r to allocate additional funding to 바카라사이트 UGC-funded universities on research and o바카라사이트r purposes in consultation with stakeholders on a need basis¡±.

Some major funding for universities, which was delayed in 바카라사이트 legislature last November amid anti-government protests, is still pending, but could be discussed as early as 8?May, according to Ip Kin-yuen, a lawmaker representing 바카라사이트 education sector.

Professor Chan of CU Medicine said that, along with research and clinical work, medical education was also a core responsibility, even if much of it moved online. ¡°We have introduced many innovative modes of teaching and assessments to ensure that our students¡¯ learning has not been disrupted during this difficult period,¡± he said, adding that 바카라사이트 school was conducting online consultations with real patients and online case discussions.

The city¡¯s two medical schools were given exceptional permission to hold in-person final exams this month. This was partly to ensure that a new cohort of doctors could start internships on time.

joyce.lau@ws-2000.com