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Education and Training

Jockey Club supports CityU in promoting ‘One Health’ concept
21/11/2017

According to the World Organisation for Animal Health, over 70% of the new infectious diseases that have affected humans over the past decade have been caused by pathogens originating from animals, for example the sources of avian influenza and SARS. The global scientific community is gearing up for the challenges ahead by adopting a more holistic approach to health risk management – the concept of ‘One Health’, which recognises the inter-relationship between animals, humans and environmental health.

To help Hong Kong keep abreast of this issue, the Club’s Charities Trust has agreed to donate HK$500 million to City University of Hong Kong (CityU) to establish the Jockey Club One Health Tower as an educational and research base for veterinary medicine and life sciences.

The 12-storey Jockey Club One Health Tower, with a total floor space of over 16,500 square metres, will provide additional and much-needed space for CityU. It will establish a unique hub whereby CityU can bring together resources and international expertise that will contribute to the prevention of infectious disease as well as to the sustainable development of Hong Kong and the region.

Scheduled for completion in the last quarter of 2022, the new tower will be equipped with state-of-the-art facilities for teaching and research, including laboratories and offices. It will also be home to CityU’s auditorium and indoor sports hall.

In addition, the tower will house the Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, bringing together veterinary medicine and biomedical sciences in one institution under the banner of ‘One Health’. The college comprises two departments. The Department of Biomedical Sciences is intended to become a centre for biomedical education and research on cancer, neuroscience and regenerative medicine, while the Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health will pursue research in areas such as emerging infectious diseases, food safety and aquatic production. The latter will also oversee Hong Kong’s first professional veterinary Bachelor’s degree programme, launched this year.