About Us

Background, SARS Challenge, Vision and Mission

Background

The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) celebrated her 40th anniversary in 2003. The mission of the University is "to assist in the preservation, creation, application and dissemination of knowledge by teaching, research and public service in a comprehensive range of disciplines, thereby serving the needs and enhancing the well-being of the citizens of Hong Kong, China as a whole, and the wider world community". Through the Medical Faculty, the Chinese University is committed to enhance understanding in infections for contributing to the protection of health of people in Hong Kong and beyond.

The Faculty of Medicine of CUHK was set up in 1981. In the last 20 Years, the Faculty has gained international acclaim as a school of excellence for medical education and research. An important feature of the teaching and research in the Faculty is its multidisciplinary nature. Collaboration between academics in different departments has led to major academic developments in many areas.

The School of Public Health (SPH) of CUHK was established in 2001. It is the only School of Public Health in Hong Kong. The establishment of the School has further strengthened multidisciplinary training and research in the University, while broadening the public health perspective in these areas. Start from 1 Aug 2009, School of Public Health and Primary Care (SPHPC) established in place of Department of Community and Family Medicine and the School of Public Health.
As a result of the rapidly ageing population, and the large burden of illness due to chronic and degenerative diseases in Hong Kong, the research of the School has focused mainly in these areas. Renowned success is evidenced by the huge amount of research grants and strong international collaborations.
Currently, SPHPC offers a range of academic programmes at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels, as well as diplomas, certificate programmes, and short courses.

SARS Challenge

The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) outbreak in Hong Kong has highlighted the lack of expertise in infectious diseases and hence effective measures in their control in Hong Kong.

Researchers from CUHK have played a leading role in the research and control of the SARS epidemic. Key research deliverables included epidemiology models for the prediction of SARS, genomic data of the SARS-coronavirus, clinical protocols for treating SARS, and guidelines for SARS control. It has been realized that the need to provide professional training, and to conduct research in emerging infections is tremendous. We seek to fulfill our mission in the academia by setting up the Stanley Ho Centre for Emerging Infectious Diseases.

Vision

New infectious diseases and new problems of existing infectious diseases continue to pose threats to the health of the Hong Kong population and the population of the world at large. At the Stanley Ho Centre for Emerging Infectious Diseases, we put together an interdisciplinary group with expertise in epidemiology, microbiology, clinical medicine and health economics to strengthen infectious disease preparedness of the society.

As SARS is still a potential threat, the initial work of CEID would place SARS at one priority area.

Mission

Our mission is to enhance the control of emerging infectious diseases locally, nationally, regionally and globally by:

• Providing training on infectious disease control to health care professionals and researchers.
• Conducting research on epidemiology, basic sciences and clinical management on emerging infectious diseases.
• Promoting infectious disease preparedness in the hospital and university environment.
• Providing consultancy services in the field of emerging infectious diseases.