Then HKUST Professor charged by ICAC admits bribery over master’s programme admission
2026-5-13
A then Chair Professor of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), charged by the ICAC, today (May 13) pleaded guilty at the Kwun Tong Magistrates’ Courts to accepting a bribe of $40,000 from a friend and offering red packets to two colleagues for assisting a student with the admission to a master’s programme administered by him.
Liu Hongbin, 63, then Chair Professor of the Department of Ocean Science at HKUST, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy for a public servant to accept an advantage, contrary to section 4(2)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance (POBO) and section 159A of the Crimes Ordinance; and two counts of offering an advantage to a public servant, contrary to section 4(1)(a) of the POBO.
Acting Principal Magistrate Ms May Chung Ming-sun adjourned the case to May 28 for sentencing and remanded Liu in custody of the Correctional Services Department.
The offences took place between March and May 2025. At the material time, Liu was the Programme Director of the Master of Science in Environmental Health and Safety Programme. He was responsible for reviewing applications for the master’s programme and interviewing applicants to determine admission.
Liu admitted that he received a request for assistance from a friend, Priscilla Lam Pui-ling, regarding a student who wished to enroll in the master’s programme. Although the student did not meet the general requirements for admission to the programme, Liu instructed a lecturer from the Department of Ocean Science to arrange an interview for the student. During the interview, Liu further instructed the lecturer not to make things difficult for the student and recommended the student’s admission.
Liu further admitted that after the student received a conditional offer of admission from the Programme, he accepted a bribe of $40,000 from Lam, and offered red packets containing $5,000 and $1,000 respectively to the lecturer and a staff member responsible for admission matters. The two staff members refused to accept the red packets and reported the matter to HKUST. The student’s application was eventually unsuccessful.
Co-defendant Priscilla Lam Pui-ling, 60, faces a conspiracy for a public servant to accept an advantage charge. No plea was entered when she appeared at the Kwun Tong Magistrates’ Courts today. The case was adjourned to June 24 for mention.
The prosecution was today represented by Public Prosecutor Derrick Lee, assisted by ICAC officer John Tsoi.
An ICAC spokesperson noted that this case was exposed after two university staff members firmly refused to accept bribes. HKUST reported corruption and rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the matter. Integrity is a cornerstone of the education sector and is pivotal to developing Hong Kong into an international hub for higher education. The ICAC will continue to attach great importance to upholding integrity in the sector and will not tolerate any acts that undermine it. Tertiary education institutions (TEIs) should refer to the Corruption Prevention Guide on Admission of Students for TEIs published by the ICAC to strengthen their corruption prevention safeguards and enhance the transparency of their student admission processes.
Liu Hongbin, 63, then Chair Professor of the Department of Ocean Science at HKUST, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy for a public servant to accept an advantage, contrary to section 4(2)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance (POBO) and section 159A of the Crimes Ordinance; and two counts of offering an advantage to a public servant, contrary to section 4(1)(a) of the POBO.
Acting Principal Magistrate Ms May Chung Ming-sun adjourned the case to May 28 for sentencing and remanded Liu in custody of the Correctional Services Department.
The offences took place between March and May 2025. At the material time, Liu was the Programme Director of the Master of Science in Environmental Health and Safety Programme. He was responsible for reviewing applications for the master’s programme and interviewing applicants to determine admission.
Liu admitted that he received a request for assistance from a friend, Priscilla Lam Pui-ling, regarding a student who wished to enroll in the master’s programme. Although the student did not meet the general requirements for admission to the programme, Liu instructed a lecturer from the Department of Ocean Science to arrange an interview for the student. During the interview, Liu further instructed the lecturer not to make things difficult for the student and recommended the student’s admission.
Liu further admitted that after the student received a conditional offer of admission from the Programme, he accepted a bribe of $40,000 from Lam, and offered red packets containing $5,000 and $1,000 respectively to the lecturer and a staff member responsible for admission matters. The two staff members refused to accept the red packets and reported the matter to HKUST. The student’s application was eventually unsuccessful.
Co-defendant Priscilla Lam Pui-ling, 60, faces a conspiracy for a public servant to accept an advantage charge. No plea was entered when she appeared at the Kwun Tong Magistrates’ Courts today. The case was adjourned to June 24 for mention.
The prosecution was today represented by Public Prosecutor Derrick Lee, assisted by ICAC officer John Tsoi.
An ICAC spokesperson noted that this case was exposed after two university staff members firmly refused to accept bribes. HKUST reported corruption and rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the matter. Integrity is a cornerstone of the education sector and is pivotal to developing Hong Kong into an international hub for higher education. The ICAC will continue to attach great importance to upholding integrity in the sector and will not tolerate any acts that undermine it. Tertiary education institutions (TEIs) should refer to the Corruption Prevention Guide on Admission of Students for TEIs published by the ICAC to strengthen their corruption prevention safeguards and enhance the transparency of their student admission processes.