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The Council of The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) approved the appointment of Professor Philip Chiu Wai-yan as Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, with effect from 1 February 2024.  He will succeed Professor Francis Chan, who has been serving CUHK’s Faculty of Medicine (CU Medicine) as Dean for over 10 years.

Professor Chiu joined CU Medicine in 2005, and is currently Associate Dean (External Affairs) of CU Medicine; Professor and Chief of Division of Upper GI and Metabolic Surgery, Department of Surgery; Director of Multi-Scale Medical Robotics Center supported by InnoHK; Director of Endoscopy Centre, CUHK’s Institute of Digestive Disease; Director of CUHK Chow Yuk Ho Technology Centre for Innovative Medicine.

Professor Chiu graduated from CU Medicine in 1994, became a fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, Hong Kong Academy of Medicine in 2001; and received his Doctor of Medicine from CUHK in 2009.

Announcing the appointment, CUHK Council Chairman Professor John Chai said, “Professor Chiu is an outstanding surgeon, an internationally renowned scholar, and a proud alumnus of CU Medicine. He is passionate about his alma mater, has a profound understanding of the Faculty of Medicine and the local healthcare system, and is also well-respected by the academic community both locally and globally. I deem Professor Chiu the ideal leader for the Faculty of Medicine. Together with his proven leadership in innovation and technology, I trust CU Medicine to contribute even more impactfully to opportunities presented by the many Hong Kong Innovation and Technology initiatives and to scale newer heights in medical education and research for the benefits of mankind.”

CUHK’s Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Rocky S. Tuan welcomed Professor Chiu’s appointment as the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine. He said, “Professor Chiu comes to this leadership position as an eminent scholar of the highest global standing. His stellar track record as a clinician-scientist, coupled with his strong leadership experience, position him as the ideal candidate to lead the next chapter in CUHK’s Faculty of Medicine’s development. I have every confidence that Professor Chiu will take the Faculty to new heights to see it become an even stronger global leader in clinical excellence and education over the years ahead.”

Dean-designate Professor Chiu said, “It is a great honour for me to be appointed as the ninth Dean of Medicine at CUHK. As a graduate of CU Medicine, it is a privilege for me to be able to contribute to my alma mater and the Faculty in the capacity as Dean. I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the Search Committee and the entire Faculty for their support and trust in me.

It is with humility and respect that I shall take up the role of Dean and build on the solid foundation laid by my predecessors. In particular, I would like to thank Professor Francis Chan for his visionary leadership over the past decade, which has resulted in many remarkable achievements in medical education, research and global engagement, leading us to become one of the top 30 medical schools in the world. I will continue to build on this achievement and its robust developments in medical education, research and clinical service, and further strengthen its position as the leading medical school in the region.

In the coming months, I will be meeting with different stakeholders, actively listening to their expectations and suggestions for the Faculty.  In the years to come, I will work closely with students, staff, alumni and different sectors of the community to contribute to the health of the humankind.”

Welcoming the appointment, Dean Professor Francis Chan said, “I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Professor Philip Chiu on his appointment as the 9th Dean of CU Medicine. Professor Chiu is an outstanding alumnus who has profound knowledge of our Faculty. With his exceptional leadership skills, extensive medical knowledge, and commitment to excellence, I have full confidence in his ability to guide our institution to reach unparalleled heights.”

Professor Chiu is an internationally renowned scholar on upper gastrointestinal surgery.  His research interests include oesophageal cancer management, minimally invasive and robotic esophagectomy, novel endoscopic technologies for diagnosis of early gastrointestinal (GI) cancers, endoscopic surgery as well as robotics for endoluminal surgery.  He is the first to perform endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for treatment of early GI cancers in Hong Kong in 2004. In 2010, he performed the first Per-oral Endoscopic Myotomy (POEM) in Hong Kong. He pioneered the world’s first robotic gastric ESD in 2011, followed by the world’s first robotic colorectal ESD in 2020.

Professor Chiu has received numerous prestigious awards for his notable achievements, including State Scientific Technology and Progress Award from the People’s Republic of China; and 2nd class award in Technological Advancement, Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China.   His research abstract was awarded Best of Digestive Disease Week, United States.  He also won the Champion of the World Cup of Endoscopy, American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, and was selected as Asia Pacific Digestive Week JGHF Emerging Leader Lectureship and Global Outstanding Chinese Youth. He has received two Gold Medals with Congratulation from Jury at the International Exhibitions of Inventions of Geneva and the Spirit of Hong Kong Award on Innovation.  This year he was bestowed Honorary Membership of the European Association of Endoscopic Surgery and the Karl-Storz-Harold Hopkins Golden Telescope Award at the Hamlyn Symposium on Medical Robotics by Imperial College London.

In accordance with the Guidelines and Procedures for the Search and Appointment of Faculty Deans, the University established a Search Committee in October 2022 and launched an open global search for the next Dean of the Faculty of Medicine in January 2023. Having thoroughly considered the nominations/applications received from different parts of the world, the Search Committee unanimously recommended Professor Chiu as the most suitable candidate for the position, who was subsequently recommended for appointment by the Vice-Chancellor to the Council.  Pursuant to the appointment procedures, Professor Chiu met with teachers and students of the Faculty to exchange views on the future development of the Faculty and the Council appointed him as Dean of the Faculty of Medicine in December 2023.