15th January 2025 – (Hong Kong) Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) announced on 13th January its formation of an expert advisory committee in pursuit of establishing the city’s third medical school. Among the appointed experts was Song Erwei, the director of Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital in Guangzhou. However, his appointment has sparked controversy due to his involvement in multiple scandals, including allegations regarding cancer diagnoses among students in his laboratory and claims of using privilege to facilitate his son’s academic admissions.
Song’s recent public engagement at Tsinghua University on 19th December, 2024, was marred by student protests, where he faced pointed questions about these controversies, leading to an awkward exit as his promotional materials were torn down.
Following these events, HKBU confirmed that Song would resign from the advisory committee effective 15th January, citing his heavy workload. The university expressed a desire to leverage Song’s clinical expertise to aid in their preparations for the new medical school but acknowledged the challenges posed by his ongoing controversies.
The uproar surrounding Song’s involvement stems from serious allegations. In November 2023, reports emerged that several students from his breast surgery team at Sun Yat-sen University had developed cancer, raising concerns about potential laboratory hazards linked to his research. Although the hospital stated that only three individuals with a history of working in the lab had been diagnosed, the situation has prompted investigations, including third-party reviews by health authorities.
In light of the scandals, Sun Yat-sen University dismantled the research team and closed the laboratory, leaving students without answers regarding their health issues. Reports of rare cancer types among affected students have further heightened scrutiny, with one doctoral student publicly disclosing her terminal diagnosis of pancreatic cancer before being removed from group communications by her supervisor.
Additionally, Song has faced criticism over his son’s academic trajectory, which has been perceived as benefitting from nepotism. His son, who published scientific papers during high school, gained admission to Sun Yat-sen University under controversial circumstances and later excelled in interviews despite poorer written exam results.
In the wake of these controversies, HKBU has sought to distance itself from potential reputational damage. The university’s administration indicated that the decision to part ways with Song was made collaboratively and with mutual respect, reflecting a commitment to maintaining the integrity of its forthcoming medical school initiative.
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