CUHK
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The Council of The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) has approved the appointment of Professor Xi Chao as Dean of the Faculty of Law for a term of five years, with effect from 1 November 2024; and the appointment of Professor Anthony Fung Ying-him as Dean of the Faculty of Social Science for a term of five years, with effect from 11 November 2024.

Professor Xi Chao appointed as Dean of the Faculty of Law

Professor Xi joined CUHK in 2007 after earning his PhD from the University of London. He has held several leadership positions within the Faculty of Law at CUHK, including Interim Dean, Associate Dean (Research), and Head of the Graduate Division of Law. Professor Xi is internationally recognised for his research and scholarship in Chinese law, corporate law and governance, securities regulation, financial regulation, and empirical legal studies. He has secured numerous competitive research grants, including several prestigious fundings from the Research Grants Council of Hong Kong. In recognition of his deep commitment to teaching excellence, Professor Xi has received the esteemed CUHK Vice-Chancellor’s Exemplary Teaching Award in 2010, 2017, and 2022.

Professor Xi is dedicated to public service and has contributed to significant legal reform initiatives. He has served in various roles, including as a member of the Department of Justice’s Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Task Force. His expertise has been valued by law firms, multinational enterprises, and government agencies.

He said: “I am deeply honoured to be appointed as the Dean of the Faculty of Law. This role provides me with the opportunity to contribute further to the Faculty’s growth. I look forward to working closely with my colleagues to enhance curriculum development and guide the Faculty towards achieving greater academic excellence, while continuing to nurture exceptional talent for the legal profession.”

Professor Anthony Fung Ying-him appointed as Dean of the Faculty of Social Science

Professor Fung joined CUHK in 2001 after earning his PhD from the University of Minnesota. He currently holds a professorship in the School of Journalism and Communication at CUHK and is the Director of the Hong Kong Institute of Asia-Pacific Studies. His research spans creative media, digital platforms, popular culture and cultural studies, and he received the Faculty of Social Science Exemplary Teaching Award in 2009.

Professor Fung is a well-known scholar in China and across the globe. He has held prestigious positions such as the Buffett Visiting Professor at the Buffett Institute for Global Affairs of Northwestern University, the United States, and Pearl River Scholar Chair Professor at Jinan University. His interdisciplinary research has secured numerous competitive grants, including the Key Grant of the National Social Science Foundation of China. Beyond academia, he contributes to various government committees, including the Standing Committee on Language Education and Research (SCOLAR) and the Education Bureau’s Steering Committee on Strategic Development of Information Technology in Education.

He said: “I am delighted to be appointed as the Dean of the Faculty of Social Science. My focus will be on creating a teaching environment that promotes innovative research and interdisciplinary collaboration. I look forward to working with my team to cultivate talent with an international perspective and to enhance the overall quality of teaching and research.”