Hong Kong's Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) announced last week that Liu Hongbin, 63, a former professor and head of the Department of Ocean Science at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), along with his friend Priscilla Lam Pui-ling, were indicted on charges of conspiracy to offer advantages to a public servant.

The investigation revealed the incidents took place between March and May last year. At that time, Liu served as the director of the Master of Science program in Environmental Health and Safety, overseeing application evaluations and candidate interviews.

The ICAC stated that Liu received 40,000 HKD (approximately 134 million dong) from Lam to facilitate an applicant's admission to the program. However, the applicant did not meet the requirements and was rejected.

Subsequently, Liu offered money to admissions staff to interfere with the application review process. These two individuals refused and reported the matter to the university.

Additionally, Liu faces two additional charges related to offering advantages to public servants.

"Integrity is a critical foundation in education and plays a pivotal role in developing Hong Kong into an international education hub," the ICAC emphasized, stating it has zero tolerance for any acts that undermine the transparency of the education system.

Liu Hongbin, former professor at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST). Photo: *HKUST*

HKUST stated it strictly adheres to anti-bribery regulations and has zero tolerance for illegal acts.

"All faculty and staff must exercise extreme caution in handling situations that may lead to conflicts of interest," the university said.

HKUST is a leading university in Hong Kong, excelling in science, technology, and business, and offering a highly competitive research and training environment. According to the QS 2026 rankings, the university ranks 6th in Asia and among the top 50 universities worldwide.