Visionary Leadership for a New Era
2018 marks the beginning of an exciting new era at The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) as it builds on its global reputation for teaching and research excellence under the visionary leadership of Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Rocky S. Tuan. A world-leading biomedical scientist specialising in stem cell science and regenerative medicine, Professor Tuan took charge of the university from 1 January with a goal of taking it to new heights.
“It is a great responsibility and an immense challenge,” said Professor Tuan, a native son of Hong Kong who has returned home from the University of Pittsburgh and, since 2016, has been Distinguished Visiting Professor and Director of the Institute for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine at CUHK.
“CUHK is an internationally renowned comprehensive research university with a long and dedicated history of general education, which places integrated emphasis on the formal learning experience and whole-person education. I look forward to working with the university community to nurture and cultivate these unique characteristics.”
Promoting Excellence
Professor Tuan has a vision of advancing the three ‘Es’ – education, excellence in research, and engagement. “One of my primary goals is to lead CUHK in a way that gives further strength to its education and its excellence in research and engagement,” he said.
In an exceptional and distinguished career at the University of Pittsburgh, Professor Tuan was Distinguished Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery and Director of the Center for Cellular and Molecular Engineering in the School of Medicine. He is also Founding Director of the Center for Military Medicine Research and Associate Director of the McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine.
Professor Tuan’s long record of research activities in musculoskeletal biology and tissue regeneration, carried out in academia as well as at the U.S. National Institutes of Health, cover basic science and engineering, as well as translational and clinical applications, with acclaimed accomplishments in cell and developmental biology, stem cells, biomaterials, tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, 3-D printing, and tissue chip technologies. He directs a multidisciplinary research programme on the study of biological activities that are important for the development, growth, function, and health of musculoskeletal tissues, and the translation of this knowledge to develop technologies that will regenerate and/or restore functions to diseased, aged, and damaged tissues.
Encouraging Innovation
A prolific academic inventor, Professor Tuan’s research has made significant contributions to the understanding of, and potential solutions to, pressing clinical needs in musculoskeletal medicine. His research team is developing the first ever three dimensional joint-on-a-chip, called the microJoint, to replicate a human joint using a microbioreactor platform which will be used to study and test drugs for the treatment of arthritic joint diseases.
Professor Tuan was recently elected a Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors for his accomplishments in innovation and translational research which have had a significant impact on society. “My goal as a biomedical scientist is that my research and inventions can bring about solutions to human health issues and challenges. I hope that my experience and accomplishments can help foster innovation and technological advancements in Hong Kong and, at the same time, help nurture the next generation of inventors and promote research excellence at CUHK,” said Professor Tuan.
Although he received his undergraduate and post-graduate education and carved his stellar career in the U.S., Professor Tuan has maintained close links with Hong Kong where he was born and raised. He was previously a member and later chairman of the Biology and Medicine Panel of the Hong Kong Research Grants Council.
Visionary Leadership
Dr. Norman Leung, Chairman of the University Council, which unanimously endorsed the appointment of Professor Tuan, emphasises Professor Tuan’s outstanding ability and vision to take CUHK into new realms of achievement. “As a comprehensive research university, CUHK needs a visionary leader of distinguished academic standing and with a profound understanding of local and global higher education and research systems. Professor Rocky Tuan is a perfect match,” Dr. Leung said.
A forward-looking university with a global outlook and a proud record of teaching and research excellence, CUHK warmly welcomes Professor Tuan’s homecoming to herald the opening of a new era of achievement for the university.
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Professor Rocky S. Tuan has a vision of advancing the three 'Es' – education, excellence in research, and engagement.
“One of my primary goals is to lead CUHK in a way that gives further strength to its education and its excellence in research and engagement.” |
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