I leave HK with pride: Keiji Fukuda

Outgoing University of Hong Kong (HKU) professor Keiji Fukuda, a former government adviser on the pandemic, on Monday said he’s leaving Hong Kong with “an immense sense of pride”.

The head of the university’s School of Public Health made the comment at a media event two days ahead of his departure, after HKU announced earlier this year that it would not renew his five-year contract.

While the leading epidemiologist refused to comment on HKU’s decision and how he feels about it, he told reporters that he’s confident about the future of the SAR’s healthcare.

“They (the students) are the future of healthcare both in Hong Kong and elsewhere. And more than anything else, it makes me feel confident. We have fantastic hope for the future,” he said.

Fukuda, a former senior official at the World Health Organization, added that he hopes to see more donors step up their support for student-led healthcare initiatives.

“The projects that I would like to see continue is partly the projects which they are working on. The students are simply the best possible investment for the future, and I would love to see donors in Hong Kong step up to that and provide some support.”

The 66-year-old said he will return to the United States for retirement later this month.