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The Council of The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) has approved the appointment of Professor Chunshan Song as Dean of the Faculty of Science for five years from mid-July 2020. The University expresses its deep gratitude to Professor Zuowei Xie, the Interim Dean and Professor Henry Wong, the outgoing Dean, for their long-standing commitment to the Faculty and devotion in promoting science education. The University is also thankful to Professor Wong for his continuing service to CUHK as Head of New Asia College.

The University Council has also approved the re-appointment of Professor Fong Wing-ping as Head of Chung Chi College for a further period of three years from 1 August 2020, and the appointment of Professor Leung Yiu-kin Freedom, as Head of Shaw College for an initial period of four years from 1 July 2020, succeeding Professor Andrew C.F. Chan. The University is deeply grateful to Professor Chan, who has served as College Head for 10 years, for his dedicated service and significant contributions over the years.

Professor Chunshan Song Appointed Dean of Science

Before joining CUHK, Professor Chunshan Song was a Distinguished Professor of Fuel Science, a Professor of Chemical Engineering and the Director of the EMS Energy Institute at the Pennsylvania State University (Penn State) in the US. He was also the founding Director of the University Coalition for Fossil Energy Research consisting of 15 major research universities which has been funded by the US Department of Energy. He received his PhD in Applied Chemistry in 1989 and his MS in Applied Chemistry in 1986 from Osaka University, Japan, and his BS in Chemical Engineering in 1982 from Dalian University of Technology, China. He held a visiting professorship at Imperial College London, University of Paris VI, Tsinghua University, Dalian University of Technology, and as an honorary professor at Tianjin University.

His research focuses on the catalysis and chemistry of energy and fuels including catalysis and adsorption for clean energy, sustainable development involving adsorptive CO₂ separation and catalytic CO₂ conversion to chemicals and fuels, shape-selective catalysis for synthesis of chemicals, adsorptive and catalytic hydrocarbon processing and energy conversion for clean fuels, and the synthesis and application of novel nano-porous materials. He has authored or co-authored over 300 papers in refereed journals and 14 edited books, and is an inventor of 8 patents.

His original and innovative research contributions to catalysis, adsorption, CO₂ capture and conversion, and energy and clean fuels research have been widely recognised through many awards and honours. These include the George A. Olah Award and the Henry H. Storch Award from the American Chemical Society (ACS), the Distinguished Researcher Award from ACS Energy & Fuels Division, the Faculty Scholar Medal from Penn State, and being made a Distinguished Fulbright Scholar from the US-UK Fulbright Commission. He was also named as an ACS Fellow.

Professor Song said, “I am delighted to be joining CUHK Faculty of Science, where we have such outstanding colleagues and students. I am eager to begin advancing our teaching and research to a higher level with the support and collaborative efforts of all Faculty members, and serving society through science.”

Professor Fong Wing-ping Re-appointed Head of Chung Chi College

Professor Fong Wing-ping obtained his BSc degree in Biochemistry from CUHK in 1983. He continued his post-graduate study at CUHK and obtained his PhD in 1987. After two years of post-doctoral research at Harvard Medical School, Professor Fong returned to teach at the Department of Biochemistry, CUHK in 1989. He is currently a Professor at the School of Life Sciences, actively involved in teaching and research. He was awarded the Exemplary Teaching Award in the Faculty of Science in 2011, 2015 and 2019, and has published over 120 scientific papers in international journals and has supervised more than 30 MPhil/PhD students.

Professor Fong has been a dedicated member of Chung Chi College since 1989. He has actively participated in College activities and has served on a number of College committees, including the Assemblies Committee, Creative Awards Committee, Education Conferences Committee, Non-resident Hall Committee, Physical Education Committee, Scholarships, Awards and Financial-aid Committee, Student Life Committee and Student Orientation Committee. Professor Fong has extensive experience in College administration and student affairs. He was elected to the Assembly of Fellows in 1996 and appointed as a Cabinet member in 1998. Other major positions held include the first warden of the Non-resident Hall (1996-1999), Chairman of the Student Hostels Committee (1999-2004), Dean of Students (2004-2011), founding director of the Service-Learning Centre (2013-2015), and Associate Head of the College (2014-2016). Since August 2016, Professor Fong has served Chung Chi as the Head of the College.

Professor Fong is pleased to accept the re-appointment, he said, “I would like to express my gratitude to the support of all members of the College in the past four years. Chung Chi places emphasis on liberal arts education and whole-person development, and has a long history of nurturing young leaders for society. I will try my best to take the College to new heights based on the solid foundation already laid down.”

Professor Leung Yiu-kin Freedom Appointed Head of Shaw College

Professor Leung Yiu-kin Freedom, obtained his PhD in clinical psychology from Concordia University, Canada, and conducted clinical research in adult psychopathology at Douglas Hospital Centre in Canada. He joined the Department of Psychology, CUHK, in 1992. During his tenure, he received a Vice-Chancellor’s Exemplary Teaching Award and teaching awards from the Faculty of Social Science and Shaw College General Education, as well as being named a Best Teacher of CUHK-Peking University Joint Programme in Master’s Degree in Clinical and Counselling Psychology. From 2009 to 2017, Professor Leung was actively involved in the activities of Shaw College, including serving as Dean of Students, Chairman of the Scholarship, Award & Financial Assistance Committee and Chairman of the Student Development Programme Committee for eight consecutive years. He was also a member of the Board of Trustees, the Assembly of Fellows, the General Education Committee and the Distinguished Visiting Scholars Committee, serving the College with enthusiasm.

He is currently an associate professor of Applied Psychology at CUHK (Shenzhen) School of Humanities and Social Science, and an adjunct associate professor at CUHK Department of Psychology. Professor Leung’s research interests include adult psychopathology, eating disorders, borderline personality disorders and mindfulness therapy. He was the President of the Hong Kong Psychological Society in 1997-1998, and served as an advisor for the Chinese Association of Clinical Psychology and the Taiwan Association of Clinical Psychology. He is currently a member of the Asian Cognitive Behaviour Therapy Association (2018-2021). Professor Leung is a well respected, experienced clinical psychologist in the region and has been invited to host numerous clinical psychology workshops and training courses in Hong Kong, Taiwan, and mainland China.

Professor Leung said, “I am delighted, and honoured, to have been offered the position as Head of Shaw College. I look forward to building on the superb work of our former Head, Professor Andrew Chan, to foster the College’s ongoing success in nurturing young talents to serve our society.”