(l-r) Dr. Chunlan Guo, Deputy Director of IRDR ICoE-CCOUC provided Prof. Saini Yang, Executive Director of IRDR, and Mr. Chun-ying Leung, Vice-Chairperson of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and Chairman of the GX Foundation, with a tour of CCOUC's offices.
A delegation from the International Programme Office (IPO) of the Integrated Research on Disaster Risk (IRDR) programme, led by Executive Director Prof. Saini Yang, completed a two-day visit to the IRDR International Centre of Excellence for the Collaborating Centre for Oxford University and the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CCOUC) for Disaster and Medical Humanitarian Response (IRDR ICoE-CCOUC) in Hong Kong.
The visit coincides with a pivotal moment in the institutional history of CCOUC, which, in 2026, is celebrating its 15th anniversary. To commemorate this milestone, IRDR ICoE-CCOUC will be embarking on 15 events throughout the year, and the IPO was invited to participate in one such event, as well as to attend the inaugural lecture of Prof. Emily Chan, the recipient of the prestigious Kuok Group Professorship in Global Public Health and Humanitarian Medicine.
8 June 2026 - Inaugural Lecture of Prof. Emily Chan, Recipient of the Kuok Group Professorship in Global Public Health and Humanitarian Medicine
The Kuok Group Professorship in Global Public Health and Humanitarian Medicine is a prestigious academic position at The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), established to advance research, education, and practice in global public health, humanitarian medicine, and disaster response. This distinguished recognition is a testament to Prof. Chan’s unwavering dedication, pioneering research, and exceptional leadership at the nexus of public health, humanitarian action, and disaster risk reduction (DRR).
Prof. Chan delivered her inaugural lecture at the CUHK JC School of Public Health and Primary Care. The lecture, titled “Frontline Medical Humanitarian Response and Public Health Diplomacy in the Digital Era”, highlighted lessons learned from disaster and humanitarian medicine, challenges in protecting health and dignity, and the latest frontiers in global health equity and humanitarian ethics.
The IRDR IPO delegation was provided a tour of CCOUC's offices after Prof. Chan's inaugural lecture.
Click here to read more about Prof. Chan's inaugural lecture.
9 June 2026 - CCOUC's 15th Anniversary Public Forum
The Public Forum brought together researchers, educators, and practitioners to explore the critical intersection of DRR and public health. In her keynote address, Prof. Yang congratulated CCOUC on this milestone achievement and underscored the strategic relationship between IRDR and CCOUC, which was designated an IRDR ICoE in 2016, during the first phase of the programme.
Eight additional speakers offered insights spanning hazard literacy, frontline practice, and research, reflecting IRDR ICoE-CCOUC’s ongoing commitment to accessible and inclusive knowledge exchange on disaster risk and health resilience.
Prof. Yang was accompanied by Science Officer Ms. Fang Lian, and Science and Communication Officer Ms. Kerry-Ann Morris.
Click here to read more about IRDR ICoE-CCOUC's 15th anniversary Public Forum.
About CCOUC/IRDR ICoE-CCOUC
Established in 2011, the Collaborating Centre for Oxford University and the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CCOUC) serves as a platform for research, education, and community knowledge transfer in disaster and medical humanitarian crisis policy development, planning, and response. CCOUC was designated an IRDR ICoE in 2016.
