Task Group on New Medical School receives three proposals for establishment of third medical school
The Government announced today (March 17) that the Task Group on New Medical School has received a total of three proposals for the establishment of the third medical school before the submission deadline. These proposals were submitted by Hong Kong Baptist University, the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, and the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology respectively.
The Task Group issued a letter of invitation on December 2 last year to all universities funded by the University Grants Committee to invite local universities interested in establishing the new medical school to submit proposals by the deadline of March 17 this year.
The Task Group will proceed to the next stage of work to evaluate proposals according to the devised parameters. The Task Group earlier agreed toadopt a holistic and comprehensive approach for evaluating the proposals submitted by universities from various perspectives, in accordance with the 10 key parameters set (including innovative strategic positioning, curriculum structure and assessment methodologies, and financial sustainability). The expert advisors and other members of the Task Group will conduct an in-depth evaluation of the proposals in their respective areas of expertise. The Task Group also plans to conduct interviews within the second quarter of this year with the universities that have submitted proposals to gain a better understanding of the proposals for making a consolidated consideration.
The Task Group expects to complete the evaluation and recommend to the Government within this year a proposal that could nurture more talented medical practitioners in support of the high quality development of the local healthcare service system, while at the same time aligning with the development of Hong Kong into an international medical training, research and innovation hub.
Established in October last year, the Task Group comprises seasoned local, Mainland and overseas academics in medical teaching and university management, professionals, representatives from the Medical Council of Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Academy of Medicine, as well as representatives from relevant government bureaux and departments, and is responsible for devising the direction and parameters for establishing the new medical school and selecting a suitable university for setting up the new medical school.
Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected dangerous drugs worth about $10.25 million
Hong Kong Customs on May 12 and yesterday (May 13) seized about 21 kilograms of suspected ketamine and about 1.1kg of suspected cannabis buds with a total estimated market value of about $10.25 million at Hong Kong International Airport and in Sau Mau Ping.
Through risk assessment, Customs on May 12 inspected an air cargo consignment, declared as audio cable and arriving in Hong Kong from Belgium, at the airport. The consignee address was a residential address in Sau Mau Ping. Upon inspection, Customs officers found about 21kg of suspected ketamine, with an estimated market value of about $10 million, concealed in the consignment.
After a follow-up investigation, Customs officers conducted a controlled delivery operation yesterday (May 13) and arrested a male consignee, aged 24, in the aforesaid residential unit in Sau Mau Ping. Customs officers later searched the premises and further seized about 1.1kg of suspected cannabis buds with an estimated market value of about $250,000.
The arrested person has been charged with two counts of trafficking in a dangerous drug. He will appear at the Kwun Tong Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (May 15).
Customs will continue to step up enforcement against drug trafficking activities through intelligence analysis. The department also reminds members of the public to stay alert and not to participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary return. They must not accept hiring or delegation from another party to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong. They are also reminded not to carry unknown items for other people, nor to release their personal data or home address to others for receiving parcels or goods.
Customs will continue to apply a risk assessment approach and focus on selecting passengers from high-risk regions for clearance to combat transnational drug trafficking activities.
Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.
Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).
Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected dangerous drugs worth about $10.25 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected dangerous drugs worth about $10.25 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
