Joseph Sung, the former president of the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), is set to leave Hong Kong to head the Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine in Nanyang Technological University (NTU).

He will also be Senior Vice President (Health and Life Sciences) at NTU.

SARS hero

Sung, whom Time magazine called an "Asian hero" for his role in fighting the 2003 SARS outbreak in Hong Kong, made the announcement on his personal Facebook page.

The 60-year-old gastroenterologist said the move to Singapore will take place in March 2021.

Sung, who was President of CUHK from 2010 to 2017, wrote a post in English announcing his move as well:

https://twitter.com/alvinllum/status/1293110116049252357

In his post, Sung said NTU is "a good platform" to develop the fields of artificial intelligence and healthcare, which he said are his "vision and passion".

Describing his move as a "wonderful opportunity to complete [his] career circle", Sung said he is both sad and excited about it.

Sung also downplayed the rivalry between Hong Kong and Singapore, saying he will not be playing as the "competitor team" to his friends in academia back in Hong Kong.

He added that he hopes to bring greater academic collaboration between the two cities.

Sung also said he does not consider himself to be leaving Hong Kong as his family and mother are still living there, adding that the city will always be his beloved home.

Starting his tenure on April 1, 2021

NTU said in a statement on Aug. 11 that Sung will formally begin his tenure at the university on April 1, 2021.

Referring to Sung as an "internationally renowned clinician-scientist and academic leader", NTU said he will be succeeding professor James Best, who held the position for nearly seven years.

Best said he looked forward to passing the mantle to Sung, saying Sung's "distinguished international career has earned him respect and accolades as a visionary academic leader".

NTU President Subra Suresh also said the school is "delighted" that Sung will be leading the next chapter of development, adding that he looks forward to working with Sung to drive NTU's aspirations in health, medicine and life sciences.

Top image via NTU