City University of Hong Kong (CityU) held a groundbreaking ceremony for its veterinary teaching farm locating in Lam Tsuen, Tai Po on 19 November. The farm will be equipped with international standard facilities enabling teaching staff and students to have relevant teaching and learning activities once it is completed. In addition, high-quality CityU milk and ice-cream can be expected within next year. 

President Way Kuo of CityU, together with members of the senior management, staff and students of veterinary medicine, witnessed the groundbreaking ceremony, which also signified a significant step forward for CityU’s core principle of One Health. “CityU aspires to promote and nurture mental and physical health. The cows have now come home, bringing Hong Kong society prosperity,” President Kuo explained.

Under the leadership of President Kuo, the concept of developing veterinary education in Hong Kong was first envisioned in 2008. With great support from the Presidents at Cornell University, a memorandum of understanding was signed in December 2009 for promoting the concept of One Health. On top of collaborating with Cornell University, the Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences at CityU has been recruiting experts worldwide for the CityU Veterinary Medical Centre and the CityU Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory to provide services for Hong Kong and the region.

President Kuo expressed his sincere gratitude for the support, team work and perseverance of the CityU community, which has enabled CityU to become a leading university in veterinary education and life sciences.

The site in Lam Tsuen received approval for educational use in May 2020 from the Town Planning Board. Guided by the core principles of One Health, CityU will continue to pioneer excellence in veterinary education and research in Hong Kong, Asia and the world, spotlighting public health, food safety and animal welfare for the well-being of society.