Professor Peter Mathieson
Appointed HKU’s 15ᵗʰ Vice-Chancellor

After a global search and selection exercise that took two years, the University Council unanimously approved on October 4, 2013 the appointment of Professor Peter Mathieson as the 15ᵗʰ Vice-Chancellor of HKU, succeeding Professor Lap-Chee Tsui. He will assume the position on April 1, 2014.

Professor Mathieson is a teacher, clinician, medical researcher and academic leader, and is currently the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry at the University of Bristol. He holds an MBBS (with First Class Honours) from London University and a PhD from the University of Cambridge, where he also taught and was awarded the ‘Teacher of the Year’ award by Cambridge medical students. He is a distinguished nephrologist with a clinical interest in autoimmune renal diseases, and has rich experience in developing research and innovation strategies for the University of Bristol and the higher education sector in the UK. Professor Mathieson is a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians (London) and an elected Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences.

Three forums were held at HKU for Professor Mathieson to meet members of the University: the staff, students and alumni. The University’s Senate subsequently met and resolved to recommend him to the Council for appointment.

The Chairman of the Council and of the Vice-Chancellor Selection Committee Dr the Honorable Leong Che-hung was delighted with the appointment of Professor Mathieson. He said: “Professor Mathieson meets the selection criteria adopted by the Council because of the excellence of his academic standing and leadership, his integrity, his vision, the demonstration of his management capabilities, and the effectiveness of his interpersonal and communications skills. I am confident that Professor Mathieson will lead the University to reach the next level of excellence.”

Professor Mathieson was pleased and honoured as well: “HKU is an established, comprehensive research-intensive university with an international reputation and major strengths that must be cherished and nurtured. I am confident that I can lead HKU to ever greater contributions to education, research, leadership and public engagement in the region and on the global stage, and I will do my utmost, together with the University community, to take the University to new heights.”

The current Vice-Chancellor Professor Lap-Chee Tsui extended his congratulations to Professor Mathieson on his appointment: “I wish him all the best in his Vice-Chancellorship and I look forward to seeing HKU go from strength to strength under his leadership.”■