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HKU Vice-Chancellor Professor Lap-Chee Tsui receives
honorary degrees from Fudan University and Western University

19 May 2013

HKU Vice-Chancellor receives an honorary doctorate from Fudan University

Professor Lap-Chee Tsui and Fudan University President Professor Yang Yuliang

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Hong Kong Professor Lap-Chee Tsui received on May 17 (Friday) an honorary doctorate from Fudan University of Shanghai. He will receive another honorary degree from Western University (The University of Western Ontario) of Canada on May 26 (Sunday)

At the honorary graduate ceremony held at Fudan University in Shanghai, Professor Tsui said he was delighted in receiving the honour. The ceremony was officiated by President of the university Professor Yang Yuliang.

Professor Tsui said: “Shanghai is the place where I was born. After leaving for half a century and having travelled half the globe, I am home to be awarded this honorary doctorate. I am deeply pleased and honored.” He thanked the university for given him the honour in recognition of his achievements in scientific research, in particular in the study of the human genome. Following the ceremony, Professor Tsui gave a lecture “The genes of a scientist” to staff and students at the university.

Professor Lap-Chee Tsui and former presidents of Fudan University Professor Yang Fujia (left) and Professor Wang Shenghong (right)

Professor Tsui is a world renowned geneticist. He received international acclaim in 1989 when he identified the defective gene that causes cystic fibrosis, which is a major breakthrough in human genetics. He has also made significant contributions to the study of the human genome, especially the characterization of chromosome 7, and, identification of additional disease genes. His outstanding work in the field has received wide international recognitions and he has been conferred honorary doctoral degrees by University of King's College, University of New Brunswick, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, St. Francis Xavier University, York University, Tel Aviv University, University of Toronto, University of Aberdeen, King's College London and University of Edinburgh.

For the biography of Professor Lap-Chee Tsui, please visit:- http://www.vcoffice.hku.hk/menu/biography.htm

For media enquiries, please contact: Ms Trinni Choy (Assistant Director (Media), Communications and Public Affairs Office) tel: 2859 2606 email: pychoy@hku.hk  or Ms Melanie Wan (Senior Manager (Media), Communications and Public Affairs Office) tel: 2859 2600 email: melwkwan@hku.hk .