Hong Kong’s anti-corruption agency has charged a former university professor with allegedly accepting a HK$40,000 (US$5,100) bribe from a friend and offering red packets to colleagues to facilitate a student’s admission into a master’s degree programme.

The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) on Monday revealed that Liu Hongbin, 63, a former chair professor at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology’s (HKUST) department of ocean science, and his friend Priscilla Lam Pui-ling, 60, jointly faced one count of conspiracy for a public servant to accept an advantage.

Liu also faced two additional counts of offering an advantage to a public servant.

Advertisement

Both defendants have been released on bail and are scheduled to appear at Kwun Tong Court to enter pleas on Wednesday.

The alleged offences occurred between March and May 2025. Liu was then programme director for the Master of Science in Environmental Health and Safety, and was responsible for reviewing applications and interviewing candidates to determine their eligibility for the 2025-26 academic year.

Advertisement

According to the ICAC, Liu accepted a bribe of $40,000 from Lam to facilitate a student’s admission into the programme.

The ICAC’s investigation also found that the student failed to meet general admission requirements and that the application was ultimately rejected.

Share this content